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7.8
New Music Critiques: X.A.B.
Not your run-of-the-mill hip-hop artist, X.A.B. is more about the mischief than the menace. The catchy “Bubblegum” exemplifies his funny, sexy take on male/female relations, ... -
8.2
New Music Critiques: repel the robot
Dallas, TX duo repel the robot are working at a high level as writers, producers and arrangers to create a fun, dynamic alt-rock sound that's infused ... -
7.6
New Music Critiques: Nick Barbieri
Self-produced St. Louis-based Nick Barbieri has a voice that’s easy to underestimate. Soon, however, it becomes clear that beneath his offhand, casual delivery there lurks ... -
8.8
New Music Critiques: Ileina
We were instantly spellbound by Ileina, whose intimate, soulful voice and deeply felt messages, coupled with celestial ambient tones and smart, subtle arrangements, took us ... -
7
New Music Critiques: Cherry Water
North Carolina-based Cass Stroehmer spearheads Cherry Water, which sounds more compelling lyrically than musically. Of the three songs we focused on (personal meditations on the ... -
7.2
New Music Critiques: Diana Rein
Diana Rein and her band have some tasty guitar tones on these songs, which cover territory that’s familiar to all fans of the genre. Problem ... -
7.6
New Music Critiques: Generation
An insanely fast flow, coupled with a haunting piano and bassy synth growls, provide compelling moments in Generation's “Marooned.” Again, the verbal velocity he can ... -
6.6
New Music Critiques: Sam Williams
It’s fun to hear an artist work out his passions on recordings such as these, which are demo quality at best. A devotee of pop-rock ... -
7.7
New Music Critiques: ROLSTR
Norway-based ROLSTR's instrumental themes show promise, especially in the indie video game area. That’s certainly true of “The New Addiction,” a relentless mashup of bickering ... -
7.8
New Music Critiques: Christiana Grace
Christiana Grace kicks off her churning “Take A Fall” with the chorus, cutting right to the chase. The song’s production creates an echoing hall of ... -
8.4
New Music Critiques: The Carolyn Sills Combo
The five-piece Carolyn Sills Combo brings plenty of vitality and good humor to their vintage retro-country/western setup, all topped off by Sills herself, whose crisp, ... -
8
New Music Critiques: JRS
A self-produced trio of instro themes from guitarist Jeffrey Ryan Smoots (JRS), Meditations for Robots offers quasi sci-fi soundscapes that have kinetic, cinematic potential. There’s ... -
8
New Music Critiques: End of Ever
Vibrant fivesome End of Ever fronted by Dahni Piro is captured with expert production that makes the ultra-catchy “Creepin’” ripe for Radio Disney (okay, except ... -
8
New Music Critiques: Higuera
The mic loves Higuera's singer Valley Taylor’s voice, its naturally deep, husky tone. And despite three, sometimes four guitars, the sound mix ably emphasizes that ... -
8.8
New Music Critiques: Air Traffic Controller
Fronted by singer Casey Sullivan, the Boston-based Air Traffic Controller really pops on all levels, and the result is radio-ready songs that are exciting to hear. “Water ... -
7.8
New Music Critiques: Dru Ross
Oozing with sly, sexy, old-school attitude, Dru Ross is an artist who remembers when hip-hop was all about the party––and it ain’t no party without ... -
7.8
New Music Critiques: Scrilla Da Reverend
Scrilla Da Reverend (the alter ego of this Houston-based hip-hop artist) loves life and pussy––and not necessarily in that order. In the familiar, sexy-slow track ... -
7.4
New Music Critiques: Jody Leylac
With her theme of love relationships and their hopes, disappointments and infidelities, native Jamaican Jody Leylac puts a contemporary sheen on reggae’s familiar groove. “Love ... -
7.2
New Music Critiques: Breakfast in the Evening
A tight, cohesive trio, Breakfast in the Evening is a young band whose skills and promise are as evident as their need to develop them. ... -
7.6
New Music Critiques: Costis de Viant
Solo artist Costis de Viant brings a brooding introspection to his work, a challenging intellect that might ultimately reward a listener’s patience. “Emotions Home” ...
