Watch out for indie artist Brian Melso, who just released The Endless on January 18. This three-song project looks at the quiet strength in life’s in-between moments. Instead of chasing catchy hits, Melso’s voice stands out for its emotional depth, making it unforgettable like top pop artists today. The track “Dream a Little Dream” highlights […]
The Understated Brilliance of Brian Melso’s Dream A Little Dream Read More »
There’s a very specific kind of personality trait that pop music loves to dissect: the people pleaser. The person who says yes when they mean no, apologizes for things that aren’t their fault and slowly realizes, usually after several emotionally inconvenient life experiences, that maybe constantly performing a version of yourself for everyone else is
There’s a long tradition in rock music of confronting your inner turmoil by giving it a suitably dramatic name. You don’t just feel bad; you’re battling demons. Possibly several demons. Maybe a devil or two for good measure. It’s a metaphor that has powered everything from classic metal albums to extremely intense diary entries. Which
Devils and Demons Is Like the Best of Rock; Music That Literally Rocks You Read More »
There’s a long and slightly ridiculous tradition in pop and hip-hop of songs called Bad Girl. At this point it’s basically a genre title. You hear the phrase and your brain automatically starts filling in the blanks: swagger, a club beat, some vague commentary about attraction mixed with danger, and probably at least one line
“Bad Girl” Is Catchy, Confident, and Rooted in a Story That Feels Real Read More »
Jack Goldstein’s “falling off the earth” is one of those songs that initially walks up to you wearing a friendly, slightly scruffy Americana jacket, shakes your hand, tells you about farming in the 1980s, and then about halfway through, sets that jacket on fire and asks you to think about mortality. It is sincere, ambitious,
“falling off the earth” Is a Generous, Ambitious Piece of Songwriting Read More »
It’s rare to hear a rock track in the charts nowadays, that’s why I was happy to hear Bedlam 1547’s newest track, ‘Summoning Mind.’ Join me as I talk about this track in length and why it’s the perfect nostalgia hit. The track starts with this high distorted lead riff alongside that drum pattern that
Bedlam 1547’s newest track, ‘Summoning Mind,’ is the Nostalgia Hit we need Read More »
“Everyday” finds Larry Mossburg turning the mundane into something magnetic. Framed as a snapshot of daily life, the track doesn’t aim for grand statements or dramatic arcs. Instead, it zooms in on routine; habits, thoughts, small victories and refracts them through sharp lyricism and a beat that hits harder than the subject matter might suggest.
“Everyday” Doesn’t Glamorize or Exaggerate; It Observes Read More »
OÏKOUMEN’s ‘Reign of Idiocy’: A Baroque-Metal Guillotine for Schoolyard Tyrants If you ever wished your high school trauma had a soundtrack composed by Hans Zimmer on a speed metal bender, OÏKOUMEN have arrived to answer your prayers. With their latest single, the French symphonic metal outfit doesn’t just confront the subject of bullying; they obliterate
Let’s be honest up front: a song titled “Give Me. Give Me. Give Me I Want It All” sounds like it’s either going to be an aggressively shallow disco throwback or a deeply committed bit. There is no middle ground. Deptford Sound Collective, thankfully, are committed fully to the bit. What they’ve created here is
“You Better Believe,” the latest original single from Canadian rock project Criminal Hero, arrives with the confidence of a band that knows exactly what it wants to be and refuses to overcomplicate the process. Built on tight rhythm, muscular guitar lines, and a clear sense of melodic lift, the track feels like a reminder that
