Jane N’ The Jungle create a technically amazing effort that blends together progressive rock instrumentation with emotive, impassioned vocals. With a set of influences as wide-ranging as Metallica, Jethro Tull, and Santana, Jane N’ The Jungle are continually evolving and refining their musical output. Few songs are able to be enjoyed in such a wide-reaching fashion. One can just take Beach On Fire on its surface or they can dig…
By The Throat is a powerful, introspective effort that refreshes the sound of Nick Cage, Chris Isaak, and Where The Streets Have No Name-era U2. Instrumental and vocal sides struggle for dominance here. The bit of electronic fuzz that the guitar / drum dynamic includes bring The Great Dictators a bit closer to NIN. Alluring and darkly emotional, By The Throat’s shuffling tempo will make fans out of anyone listening…
Zidiq is able to infuse African Mama with an infectious groove and an eye back towards traditional styles, even as he hits fans with some booming EDM beats. Insistent synths match nicely with smooth vocals; hints of Akon and Sean Kingston can be heard in this effort. African Mama turns on a time with slower and quicker sections. With so many things happening during ZIDIQ’s latest single, fans will be…
On Twenty Two, Danny Griego and KP Fitz create a timeless ballad that calls back to the days of Bruce Springsteen and post-1990s John Bon Jovi. Ample guitar work interacts with impassioned vocals to draw fans in, while a message of care issues forth. The usage of silence immediately following an instrumentally intense section provides enough of a switch-up to keep fans on their toes. Honest, earnest, and with a…
Shine From My Casket is a dreamy, emotionally intensive rap track that has an otherworldly sense of harmony to it. Kid Pullen is able to hit fans with a rapid-fire flow that is countered quite nicely with the contemplative backing instrumentation. Can’t Help has Kid Pullen immediately laying out a narrative that will keep fans involved in the single. The backing instrumentation bubbles up at the right points to provide…
Brynn Stanley is able to call back to the modern era of the 20th century with her take on a Christmas cut, Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me. Strong call and response plays at the top of the track, while a walking bass line and impeccable drums unite to make a solid backing instrumentation. The hint of jazz and doo-wop into Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me keeps…
On Slay, Eddie Grand’s latest, a deep and dark trap-infused backing beat provides a stellar canvas upon which Grand’s inimitable lyrical flow can rest. With nods to The Game, Riff Raff, and Three 6 Mafia scattered throughout Slay, Grand ensures the widest swath of listeners will find something that they can appreciate. The haunting melodies presented in Slay ride out the final 30 seconds or so, ensuring that they are…
On Damn, I’m Being Me Again, BREE is able to tie together the pop-rock of Avril Lavigne with Vixen and Bif Naked. Tons of charisma, a stripped-down rock approach, and lush production combine to make something special in this cut. The sort of narrative that is implanted into this composition is something that anyone that has continually messed things up will be able to understand. Few three-piece acts are able…
AERO calls back to the halcyon days of Yung Joc and the Duffel Bag Boys. With a bit of softly-stated vocals playing out over a whistle-heavy backing track. TisaKorean keeps things current and contemporary by joining the mid-oughts rap scene to mumble rap. What results with AERO is an effort that will bury itself deep into the minds and hearts of anyone listening in, as well as drag any reluctant…
We Belong To The Night is a hopeful and fun track that effortlessly crosses over between pop to EDM. Jes’s vocals are in rare form here as they keep fans focused in with each lyric. The dynamic established between the vocal and synth sides of We Belong To The Night pushes each to a higher plateau. Smart increases to the track’s tempo ensure that no two moments are exactly the…
Carteret is a touching effort that builds upon the 1980s new wave style. With moody, dark vocals and a slower tempo, Waldo Witt is able to make something beautiful. With nods to contemporary styles like vaporwave and even ethereal / IDM present here, Carteret is a heady track. Virtually requiring listeners to strap on their favorite pair of headphones, Waldo Witt painstakingly lays down each dynamic. The resulting effort is…
On The Difference, The Odd Neighbourhood are able to link together late sixties / early seventies Apple Records rock with Dick Dale-esque surf and a bit of The Replacements. The multiple instrumental layers that are placed down here by the guitars and drums on The Difference will require listeners play the cut multiple times before hearing each nuance that has been placed within. The passion and charisma oozes off of…
This Hollywood Road begins Rob Alexander’s latest album, Being Myself. The track calls back to the happy-go-lucky sound of 1980s rock, with nods made to Huey Lewis and the News and Robert Palmer. Charisma oozes from Alexander’s vocals, while the upbeat tempo will tattoo the song’s melodies deep into the minds and hearts of listeners. Never Gonna Let You Go ‘s lyrical back and forth continues to build upon the…
In their latest record, titled Time Has Made a Change, popular bluegrass group Jeff Parker & Company get back to basics in a time that has seen their peers doing anything and everything but, and as a result produce an album that could be the most focused of Parker’s extensive career. From the slow-churning swell of strings in “Southern Wind” to the crisp harmonies of a peaceful “Time Has Made a…
Angelic guitars and piano keys intertwine and dance without any inhibition in “Goodbye.” Those same guitars entertain a dangerous riff rock in “Nme” and “Arriianne” that couldn’t be any dirtier in tonality, but the melodies in these songs are as springy as what we’d find in “Underneath the Ground” and “Beleev.” Jeremy Rice can croon in full-color heartland harmony in “Johnny Rogers” just as well as he can spit punkish…
We’ve been fortunate over time to hear a number of Donna Zed’s compositions, but never have he had the opportunity to check out the live side of things. On her latest video, Zed is able to showcase a bit more of her inimitable spirit through the lens of live performance. At first blush, what listeners will find is that Zed is able to hit the same highs and lows that…
Phase is a hopeful sort of composition, built up through contemplative guitars and vocals which soar above the instruments. The track is able to look back to 1990s alternative / college rock, while possessing a smoothness and finesse that far outstrips efforts from that era. We’re loving the easy-going sound of the guitars, the on-point tack taken with the drums, and a cohesive that is downright unparalleled. The band comes…
Stokoff melds together the traditional country style of Garth Brooks and Travis Tritt with a bit of the modern, pop (bro)-country. Distinctive guitar work and heartfelt vox do much to imprint Embrujo deep into the minds and hearts of listeners. The track is able to shine on pop, crossover, and modern country playlists and rotations. The production is savvy enough to allow the instrumental and vocal sides of Stokoff’s latest…
Give It Up links together soulful, technically proficient instrumentation with an alt-rock sound that builds off early-oughts Red Hot Chili Peppers and Weezer. The charisma and swagger of these vocals are countered well through sizzling horns, intricate drum lines, and their ability for the act to break into countless different jams and grooves over the song’s run time. The 2:45 mark moves the band into some of the most impressive…
Get Closer is the first time we’ve been introduced to Boston area musician Jamie Hart. The track builds itself upon the tradition of 1980s pop, 1990s country, and even a bit of traditional praise music. Magnificent drums, emotive guitar work, and an ability for the backing musicians to change on a dime differentiates Hart’s latest single from the rest of the fare populating radio rotation and curated playlists. The one-two…