MUSIC REVIEWS

Traditional country has always had a slightly Christian bend to it, and we’re reminded as much right out of the gate with the straightforward new single by Lady Redneck, “After the Rain, You’ll Find the Son.” Although you could easily make the case that this is a Christian track more …

Noir Dream have no interest in being a copycat band. They’ve been cultivating their sound in the deep Portland underground, and despite COVID creating a chokehold on the independent music scene, they’ve managed to get even better at their craft in the past two years. Their new EP Within is scoring …

The newly remixed single by Hannyta, “17” is a moderately electrified hype piece. The Houson Boombox mix as she is calling it, this version is a rather sharp contrast from the original. Giving the song the David Guetta treatment, “17” evolves into something not entirely original, but a departure worth …

Right from the start, the dirty strings in Jarod Grubb’s “Hold On” are giving a pretty good indication as to the sensuousness of the ballad that lay before us. There’s a raw simplicity to the opening bars of this single that is a bit deceptive in the sense that it …

Max Feinstein’s journey leading him to write and record his album Redefine isn’t especially unusual. We’ve heard of artists, musicians or otherwise, overcoming medical difficulties to produce memorable and lasting work. It isn’t his struggle with hemophilia and its side effects that set him apart. It’s the wild and rollicking creativity present …

Barry Muir has been setting the standard in his scene for a minute now, but in the new single “She’s a Little Wildflower,” he advances his melodic output far beyond what a lot of his contemporaries are capable of even envisioning. While simplistic in structure, this track invites us into …

Using rhythm as a tool for communication falls under the modus operandi of most modern rappers; that said, when Luigui Bleand is doing it in his new single “Gomelo,” it feels as fresh and contemporary a technique as anything else in this rising star’s profile does. Bleand isn’t the type …

The dynamic Steve Markoff and Patricia Lazzara are collaborating again. This time, the two flutists are covering the Howie Day pop track “Collide”. Capturing the romanticism, the starry-night imagery, the instrumental track is a dazzling display of sonic beauty. Featuring the wonderful piano performance of Grammy nominated Allison Brewster Franzetti, …

When you get the ball rolling as hard as skinsNbones does in their new single “Is There Meaning,” it’s a decent likelihood you play alternative rock the right way. The frills, the fluff, the flat out fatty tones that we used to get away with some ten years ago have …

New Zealand’s Arun O’Connor follows up his recent success with “Too Far Gone” with a new single entitled “Star of Your Own Show”. His continuing exploration of Americana influences may seem a bit incongruous on the surface, but O’Connor’s ability to meld an accessible pop approach with musical authenticity sets …