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8.4
New Music Critique: Matt LeGrand
Chicago artist Matt LeGrand is working at a high level with slick, catchy, dance-inducing pop songs that are radio-ready. “12 AM” is all about hooking up at midnight ... -
7.6
New Music Critique: Matty T Wall
It doesn’t take long for the listener to realize that this trio can flat-out play hi-energy rock & roll with a rootsy flavor. Wall’s guitar is dazzling on ... -
8.7
New Music Critique: Simio Jazz Trio
These dudes can play, and they’ve captured their instrumentals in a crisp hi-def way that gives the immediacy of a live-in-studio experience. The sweet, soulful “Speech” and ... -
7.8
New Music Critique: Pierre Fleming
Pierre Fleming’s got a relatable voice—very emotive and heart-rending––and it fits his material quite well. Add to that his use of ambient textures in his tracks and it indicates ... -
7.4
New Music Critique: Jaynee Thorne
Jaynee Thorne has a voice full of pure, unabashed optimism, and a message that is earnest and humanistic, overflowing with lessons learned and hope undaunted. ... -
7.6
New Music Critique: Adam Robert Thomas
Jazzy pop crooner Adam Robert Thomas dishes up some tasty slices of sound that seem to glow with the breezy, carefree vibe of summer. “Feel ... -
8
New Music Critique: Empty Suns
Spearheaded by Travis Weatherred, Empty Suns’ atmospheric songs will reward patient listeners who are attuned to the pleasures of eerie psych-rock excursions. “A Lonely Place” ... -
7.4
New Music Critique: Western Automatic
A guitar-driven quintet from Chicago, Western Automatic have a familiar alt-rock sound, solidly executed, especially on group vocals, which make a confident, consistently powerful statement. ... -
7.8
New Music Critique: Cynthia Brando
Singer-songwriter Cynthia Brando has a voice that’s ideal for folk music, wonderfully throaty and possessed of authentic backbone. And on her recordings she wisely puts that voice out ... -
8
New Music Critique: 131ers
The musical mission of this guitar-driven, drum-powered foursome seems absolutely clear: to have fun, feel alive and take everyone along with them. Witness the bouncy ...
