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8
New Music Critique: Jet Hundreds
Jet Hundreds’ sound is “right now,” absolutely current. His knack for catchy elements can lure the listener in for a cool ride. “MindxSweeper” is a ... -
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 ... -
8.2
New Music Critique: Skerryvore
Award-winning live performers in their native Scotland, Skerryvore are no slouches as recording artists either. Each tune is captured with exceptional production and mixing to ... -
8
New Music Critique: Donna.R
We enjoyed listening to these instros by Donna.R, who invests each one with fresh and familiar sounds that make them simultaneously easy to accept and ... -
8
New Music Critique: Calvin Rainwater
Gifted with a deep, resonant voice that bleeds authentic country values, Calvin Rainwater is also a compelling wordsmith whose themes are rich in homespun imagery ... -
7.6
New Music Critique: Rashaann
Though his lyrics are familiar territory to any hip-hop fan, it’s the musical flair that Rashaann brings to his songs that sets them apart. Instead ... -
7.4
New Music Critique: Jesse Jo Stark
Jesse Jo Stark and her band generate a smokey, pulp fiction aura expertly aided by superior production that enables the artist’s sexy voice and her ... -
7.6
New Music Critique: Ode
Hard to categorize, Ode is a Chicago quintet led by a pair of brothers whose Bosnian heritage results in music that makes a truly unique ... -
7.4
New Music Critique: Whitney Lyman
We like the eerie vibe on “Like the Ox” by Seattle-based artist Whitney Lyman, who has previously collab’d with EDM heroes ODESZA. The song generates ... -
New Music Critique: Nick Goodman
L.A.-based U.K. native Nick Goodman utilizes good ol’ American country/western tunes as a platform for his humorous ditties which, on “I Wish I Was Great” ... -
7
New Music Critique: Roam Like Ghosts
Virginia duo Mathew Daughtry & Bucky Fairfax take a low-key, stripped-down approach to rendering their songs. They exclude percussion, in fact, relying solely on a ... -
6.8
New Music Critique: GrandEvolution
This New England foursome have a solid, familiar, synth-driven pop-rock sound that at times (such as on “Escape”) shows influences of classic new wave and ... -
7.8
New Music Critique: Thompy
Thompy’s got a sound (call it college rap) that we find to be unique and ultimately compelling. His signature—a reverbed, whispery, semi-stoned flow with sometimes intricate wordplay—is set ... -
8
New Music Critique: Kritta
S.F. Bay Area rapper Kritta has a strong flow and an urgent message, and though that’s a familiar combo, his higher-consciousness screeds come with an ... -
7.6
New Music Critique: Karly C
Karly C brings her powerful vocal pipes to bear on a collection of original pop songs focused on relationship issues. “Take Me As I Am” cuts to the ... -
7.4
New Music Critique: Moonshine Saints
Searing guitar licks, buzzsaw riffs, chesty vocal swagger—these Tulsa boys have cracked the code of country rock. Though there’s nothing new here, it’s all done well enough to prove ... -
7.4
New Music Critique: Colorway
Massachusetts-based trio are a tight unit whose brand of amiable pop-rock is captured here in clean, crisp recordings. Each song, whether it’s the slightly campy “Always Been Summer” ... -
7.4
New Music Critique: Johnny Coull
Montreal native Johnny Coull is a classic piano man, a born storyteller steeped in tradition, who, with a full backing band, paints vivid scenes and encounters from ... -
7
New Music Critique: Neko Soto
NY-based composer/bassist Neko Soto has carved out a definite style and sound, one with an often light, appealing touch, and it is on full display in his recent, ...
