What we have here is a confident band whose confidence is well-founded – as it understands that dynamics keep a show interesting. Live albums can be tough to review, but this was easy – easy to get and easy to recommend. So do check it out.
Punk-Pop
Fresh, cool and intriguing, I’d be interested to see what Tough On Fridays can do if they only gave themselves a longer run-time on a track…
Adopting a brilliantly colourful and energetic, punk-pop performance style and set up, Life As Mary’s latest release is easily one of their most attention grabbing and memorable to date – an impressive achievement, considering how catchy and likable all of their releases have been so far. Time Is Out offers up an addictively enthusiastic fusion … Continued
Storming through the speakers with nothing so much as an introduction or a moment of quiet, Open My Mind is a brilliantly upbeat and deeply thoughtful pop-rock song – one that subtly leans towards punk-pop with its fast-paced power-chords and the often grunge-soaked nature of the leading melody.
“Today’s music is so lacking in melody and harmony. There’s not a lot of innovation anymore. Anyone can sit in their home studio and use some electronic beats and sounds and make a song, but after a while it all sounds the same.”
Color and Contrast is a really strong collection of rock tracks, making for a playlist that feels something like a greatest hits album. There’s a striking sense of identity and confidence to Underwood’s delivery, and his songwriting is easily captivating and often familiar enough that the songs feel like slept on classics.
“I am challenging the listener to create their own perspective on what the songs really mean and look beyond the face value of the lyrics.”
Taking inspiration from the likes of Lil Peep, along with a more classically trip-hop-influenced aura, Dutch’s latest album is one that effectively fuses skills from his acoustic past with a deeply thoughtful and contemporary writing style – ultimately offering a strong remedy for the chaos and noise of the modern world.
Fusing the better parts of their punk-pop approach with infectious melodies, stunning musicality, an EDM-like level of energy and a superbly detailed soundscape, the song rightfully showcases Reality Suite as the unstoppable force that they are.
Bringing back the lightness and energy of punk pop, alongside thoughtful songwriting and long-form melodic development, the song feels enjoyably nostalgic but also introduces a fresh voice and a new approach to lyricism.
Halfway Human break the mold beautifully with this latest release. A live show would likely see entire crowds of people under their spell and feeding off of that passion and unpredictability.
Singer, guitarist and composer Memori has released her debut single this month, bringing together a whole range of influences to a brilliantly energizing and unique result.