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7.2
New Music Critique: Somersault Queen
There’s quite a lot of potential in Somersault Queen, but it is unfortunately handicapped by production and mixing that renders their arrangements consistently thin and under-developed, as if these ... -
7.6
New Music Critique: Beauty in Chaos
Guitarist Michael Ciravolo spearheads this project featuring notables like Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander. On the film/TV-worthy “Drifting Away,” Zander delivers a deeper vocal than we’re used to from him ... -
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: Tautologic
Led by multi-hyphenate Ethan Taylor Sellers, Tautologic generates a whirlwind of progressive pop rock that melds lush orchestral instrumentation with funky guitars. It’s a challenging, uneasy marriage that, topped off ... -
8
New Music Critique: Kayla Starr
An experienced pro backup singer for mainstream artists, Kayla Starr really steps up and takes command on her dense, trippy, often challenging, but ultimately unique recordings. “Deepest Sea” and ... -
7.4
New Music Critique: PoetiK
Georgia native Antohni Sneed is PoetiK, and though his lyric messages are familiar, his flow is delivered in a way that is altogether real and genuine. Above all, ... -
7.4
New Music Critique: Mark Kingswood
British artist Mark Kingswood follows a classic retro crooner path a la Michael Buble’ on these original songs, employing maximum orchestral power in support of his likeable vocal stylings. ... -
7.2
New Music Critique: Miles Maxwell
This foursome stands out due to their songs’ wryly humorous and sometimes awkward lyrics. “She Says (Whiskey Down at 4 AM)” is a case in point. Accompanied by a ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
8.4
New Music Critique: Anna Snow
Boston’s Anna Snow is working at a high level and she arranges her work for maximum effect. Her dusky voice, bolstered by extremely effective backup vocals, is the ideal ... -
7.6
New Music Critique: Jared Mancuso
Fans of Vampire Weekend and OK Go (and even Weezer) might take to solo artist Jared Mancuso, whose overall vitality, alt-rock rhythms and appropriately nerdy vocal tone add up ... -
6.8
New Music Critique: Remember The Days
Pop-punk duo Remember the Days have a firm handle on the 4/4 punk-pop style––and they stick to it like gorilla glue. All three songs we checked out are ... -
7
New Music Critique: Alessa Ray
Alessa Ray has a persona that’s vigorous and feisty, pushing her trained voice to heights that less confident singers avoid. “Mamacita” is a tale of seduction and betrayal sung ... -
8.2
New Music Critique: JFlo
JFlo has a sophisticated ear and enough production chops to bring his ideas to fruition. He can take his music into multiple areas. “Send Her My Way” is ... -
7.8
New Music Critique: Project Sapiens
There’s some serious musicianship in these songs of solitary suffering by prog-metal duo Project Sapiens. Hailing from Copenhagen, Denmark, their songs offer up a whole prog-platter of goodies ... -
8
New Music Critiques: Stealing Spitfires
Stealing Spitfires is a band that delivers high-energy pop-rock very much of our time and with lyrics that state a firm point of view. On “Life Is” the ... -
8.6
New Music Critique: Lucinda Belle
We’re knocked out by Lucinda Belle’s voice, which bursts out of the speakers with a bright, high impact. In fact, we rarely hear a record ... -
7.8
New Music Critique: MaryJane
Though the artist’s “Intro” begins with a dreamy synth-heavy vibe, she attacks the mic with a feline ferocity that is raw, often dark, and she states her mission ... -
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. ...
