“ODDa grew up on an island off the south of England and that landscape feels much like the tone and vibe of his music. There is a soft beauty and an underlying harshness that speaks of crashing waves and win swept shoreline. The track is heavy on emotion and feels all consuming much like the salty spray of the sea when you stand near it. ”
“Falling somewhere between The Beastie Boys and Weezer, Mr. Max brings nothing but attitude with ‘I Hate My Life.’
Riding a hard edge beat and build, the track hooks and holds with a set of vocals that demand your attention. The writing commands its own level of engagement as it is sharp and pointed and hits its mark throughout the build.”
“Indie Rock perhaps even more so that most genres, is about capturing an attitude and vibe that establishes both a song and the band’s identity. The Late Greats are new to me, so this is the first track I’ve heard and already, I feel like I have a sense who and what the band is. For me, listening to this song was like getting to know a new person that I straight away think is going to be a very good friend. ”
“Charlotte Sands could very well be the next big Pop Punk sensation. ‘Every Guy Ever’ is a track that will speak to anyone who has ever ventured out in the cold dark dating world. Yeah, here it is pointed to idiot guys but we all know it is tough for any gender to find that person who is honest, trustworthy and right for them. The emotion and energy of this track ring true and comes with several amen type moments. ”
“Sometimes the high road is no fun at all and Artikal Sound System has taken that idea tot he next level with ‘You’re An Asshole,’ which tells it exactly like it is.
Far too often the assholes of the world skate along from victim to victim without ever being called to the carpet. This track lays it all out there, and will no doubt be sent as a ‘dedication’ to more than one taker in this world on their way out the door after being found out. ”
“Confetti gives us a track that speaks to the age when you are caught between the free spirit of your early 20s and the stage where responsibility and obligation leave you wondering when and why life went wrong. The lyrics are wryly poignant in their humor but they land with deliberate emotion as well. ‘Emo’ is that song that feels like it was written specifically for you when in fact, it delivers a near universal appeal. ”
“Tom Mackell honors his mother and all of those who touch our lives and are ‘Gone’ far too early. The emotive track serves as a good reminder without dipping into the morose or forced sentimentality. The track has an Americana vibe and for those not familiar of with the genre think of Springsteen and Petty with a dash of bluesy country to the overall sound. This is simply a well-written and meaningful song delivered with heart.”
“Transmission Lost offers a big bold Indie Rock sound. Leaning toward the Alternative or even Grunge sound f the early 90s, the band offers strong melodies and a lyrical build that sweeps the listener up and in. Hailing from Houston, Texas, Transmission Lost deftly utilizes influences of varying genres and sounds, to fuse together a rock and roll sound that is engaging and immersive. ”
“The build and progression of this track worked for me, both vocally and the beat production. Lyrically this is one that simply resonated and made me nod my affirmations as I listened. The R&B groove gives the arrangement an easy flow and the production dynamics add just enough to give the while thing a contemporary feel.
I was left wanting a bit more as the song felt short overall and could have went deeper in the writing, but all art should leave you wanting more and this one certainly did that for me.”
“The sound of A Very Special Episode can best be summed up as ... a pissed off Fleetwood Mac. ‘Cowboy’ is a track that comes in hard and throws the punches for the duration.
In the band’s words ... ‘Cowboy’ tries to embody the swagger of every man who’s ever decided it was his job to swoop in to save someone who didn’t ask for or need it. Sometimes it’s toxic, other times it’s pathetic, and we went and made a bop about it.’
The edge is razor sharp, and the build keeps you ready to swing on the next idiot to get in your way. This is the spirit of Rock and Roll personified.”
“The Painted Roses feel like a band you’ve heard before. Not in a copycat — everybody is doing it kind of way, but in that timeless Rock and Roll sound that makes them sound as if you’ve been listening to the band all your life.
‘Temptation’ is a brooding kind of track with a deliberate build that takes a few twists and turns along gthe way. Per the band’s description ... ‘song features three separate parts which are meant to guide the listener through an average panic attack in a day in the life of the songwriter.’
I am not sure I got that first listen through, but I was engaged and entertained and plan to dive back in and break this track down once I’ve added it to my playlists.”
“Nineteen year old Connor Kauffman is a self-taught and self-produced artists that is far ahead of the curve in comparison to his peers. This track is well-written and has an infectious hook that will have you singling along long after the last note. The lyric video makes it easy to stay tethered in and connected to the flow of the words.
The musical and lyrical build are perfectly balanced and created and Kauffman’s emotive delivery adds to the grip this track has over the listener. This track is radio ready and feels like an anthem we will all be quoting and singing for years to come. ”
“Watching someone you love suffer and twist in the wind is a tough experience. Evan Blair was in such a relationship, only he was the one stuck in a bad place and despite his efforts to shake off the doldrums he remained a ‘Sleepwalker’ despite their best efforts to pull him out.
This song is his Indie Rock ode to that time and experience. There is a bit of 90’s nostalgia, but the track still feels relevant and contemporary as well. Reminded me a great deal of Weezer, with feeling overtly derivative. ”
“This track is short, though it is longer than the ‘One Minute’ of its title. Hauskey utilizes a catchy hook and a nice groove to quickly make his statement about the fakeness of many people upon first meeting them.
These so-called ‘new friends’ are quick to make promises they will never deliver upon, and this energetic ode calls bullshit in a most delightful way. ”
“The ragged edge of emotion is the trademark of this track from indy. ‘Okay,’ teeters at the precipice for the duration and every so often the rage and angst bursts forth. It is those moments that hold this track together and make it truly stand out.
The verses are delivered in a measured, almost controlled way, devoid of emotion, much the same way many of us go through life until something hits and it all explodes. This track puts that dynamic in musical form with the single walking that Commercial/ Alternative edge in its sound.”
“Wavy guitar licks and a smooth sultry vibe ushers in this track from ASTN. ‘It’s Not That Serious’ offers a timeless sort of sound that lures the listener in and wraps around them like a warm blanket on a dark chilly night. Call it soulful R7B with just enough of a pop undertone to keep the track relatable for music lovers. ”
“Trip Carter’s somes with a distinct raspy vocal style that emotes the light but direct attitude of this lyrical flow. He shares, ‘This song is about the feeling you get when you’re finally out of a bad situation. When you’re fresh out of jail, work, quarantine, or a toxic relationship, the energy is unmatched. You can finally breathe, blow off some steam and look forward to new possibilities.’
The track is a genre ender but comes with a steady easy groove that pulls you in and holds you there. ”
“Tyra Jutai knows how to tell a story, and tell it well. Here that story comes in the form of an Electro Pop Murder Ballad and beyond the strong storytelling and sultry emotive delivery is an eerie delivery that conjured strong thoughts of Amy Winehouse for me.
The track is bold and in your face both musically and visually with the delightfully sinister imagery of the video.”
“This track from Gravity Circus gave me White Stripes vibes right from the start. WIth a bendy and brooding arrangement the build and progression offers a bit of funky Rock and Roll spirit, with a hardcore edge lurking there in the background. This is a hard track to to join in and sing along with by the second run through the chorus. ”
“This track hooked me with a few powerful phrases early on, though if I am honest the tempo and arrangement did feel odd to me at first. A jaded breakup song, this track has that sort of building anger and attitude that mirrors the way our minds works as we process and come to such decisions and once that fact hit me, the genius of this track truly came forward. The emotion carries the day along with the strong writing and in the end this track perfectly convey the mix of emotions. ”