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FGA Pulls the Splinters from Alt-90s Anguish in the Melodic Riptide ‘What’s Wrong’

Posted on 2 May 2025

With hauntingly angular, melodically emotive indie rock guitar hooks working in complete synergy with the vocals as they croon, soar, and get to the crux of the raw core of the emotional underpinnings, What’s Wrong by FGA is a riptide of affecting intensity, packaged within a melodiously cathartic serenade for the wearied.

If you could imagine what it would sound like if the Manic Street Preachers and Interpol converged their guitar styles around vocals that sporadically tease elements of The Strokes, you’ll get an idea of the kind of alt-90s-adjacent sanctuary you’ll find within the blistered yet blissful tonality of What’s Wrong.

Behind FGA is a Texan artist with a gift for channelling emotional devastation into nuanced sonic nostalgia. There’s no sleek posturing, no gimmick-laden distractions—just the unfiltered distillation of angst, framed through reverb-heavy guitars that flicker like failing fluorescents in a memory-soaked rehearsal room.

What’s Wrong doesn’t scream for attention; it coils its intensity around you and waits for you to meet it halfway. The push-pull between the evocative vocal restraint and the guitar lines that rise and writhe like phantom limbs of ‘90s angst leaves a mark without ever begging for one to be made.

What’s Wrong is now available to stream on all major platforms via this link.  If you don’t mind amassing a new nostalgically rich alt-90s obsession, hit play.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Michael Rendon – The Look: A Red, White and Blue Shadow of Love and Longing

Posted on 6 March 2025

Michael Rendon, a true red, white, and blue Americana singer-songwriter, carries a deep reverence for the roots of country in his unadulterated sound. More than a troubadour, Rendon is an evocateur in The Look, with his wistfully affecting crooning hitting all the rawest chords in his orchestrally laced classic country ballad. If you don’t find yourself on the brink of tears while this cinematically visceral, slick-with-longing love song is in session, you may find that your soul checked out a while ago.

Born and raised in San Antonio, Rendon has spent years earning his stripes across Texas, Ohio, Massachusetts, and beyond. With performances alongside country icons like Martina McBride, Sammy Kershaw, and Doug Stone, he’s built a career on authenticity, letting his voice and songwriting do the heavy lifting. The Look is a testament to that—delicate yet devastating in its execution, steeped in the timeless ache of country storytelling.

While I generally agree with the theory that there’s no such thing as perfection in art, there’s something in the way The Look transcends sound to remind you of the true beauty of unconditional love and affection.

The Look is now available to stream on all major platforms, including YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

FGA Hits the Open Road at Full Throttle with ‘Hitchhiker’

Posted on 27 February 2025

FGA didn’t reinvent the wheel with his latest single; he gripped it tight and veered classic rock motifs into uncharted territory. ‘Hitchhiker’ is the sound of the open road—untamed, unpredictable, and impossible to resist. From the moment the hypersonically infectious energy kicks in, the kaleidoscope of honeyed riffs and magnetically rallying vocals lock into a momentum that effervesces with soul. Every note carries the free spirit of its protagonist, nothing is tethered, and everything feels effortlessly unshackled.

With the raw nostalgia of tape-recorded rock and the exhilaration of an all-gas-no-brakes production, the track cruises through psychedelia-tinged rhythms that nod to ‘60s surf rock pioneers while charging forward with the force of modern alternative rock. Dan Konopka’s (OK GO) irreplicable percussion adds an infectious dynamic to the track, ensuring indie kids and those who kneel at the altar of unadulterated rock will find plenty of reasons to affix Hitchhiker to their playlists. 

Freddie Gibbs—the Texas-born force behind FGA—has spent years distilling a lifetime of musical education into his craft. Raised on a record collection spanning Led Zeppelin to Pearl Jam, his songwriting carries the weight of experience, shaped by nights spent playing Austin’s underground scene and road-tripping into the unknown. Now working from his home studio, his music lands somewhere between grunge’s bruised introspection and stoner rock’s freewheeling escapism.

‘Hitchhiker’ is a track built for windows-down abandon, a reminder that the road ahead is always calling. It’s now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jo James sparked an insurgence of soul with his vintage-toned blues rock earworm, Peace of Mind

Posted on 21 February 2025
Jo James

With heartfelt plaudits from John Legend and a wave of other admirers, it almost seems certain that whatever Jo James touches will turn to aural gold. The raw power, panache, and precision in the bluesy vintage-toned outburst of rock-licked soul in ‘Peace of Mind’ reveal the depth of his reverence for blues rock.

His ability to electrify senses you never knew existed is unmatched, as is his ability to teasingly pace his songwriting, leaving you on tenterhooks for the next cultivated blast of overdriven rock euphoria. Once you’re through the track, the track will be far from through with you, the infectious melody becomes a compulsion, urging you to revisit the single’s radioactively emotional core.

Beyond the studio, Jo James demonstrates a natural talent for songwriting and commanding a crowd, whether he’s headlining heavyweight stages or pouring heartfelt intensity into more intimate venues. Blending blues, soul, and rock ’n’ roll, he has graced line-ups alongside Dr. John, Leon Russell, and Robert Randolph & the Family Band. He has also lent his guitar chops to Capitol Records’ Fletcher and made waves on Season 17 of NBC’s The Voice.

You can get some ‘Peace of Mind’ when the single officially launches on February 21st.

Find your preferred way to listen via Jo James’ website and keep up to date with the artist’s latest releases via Instagram and Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Shanear Nicole’s ‘THE BEGINNING’ Pulses with 80s-Tinged Electro-Pop Alchemy

Posted on 11 February 2025

Shanear Nicole signalled a new era in pop with THE BEGINNING, a debut single that ebbs and flows with brooding intensity before bursting into euphoric waves of synth-driven energy.

The bass-swathed turbulence underpins her vocals as they carry an air of innocence without naivety, while each rhythmic pulse electrifies the ethereal atmosphere. With a tempo that moves at its own pace rather than chasing chart-friendly conventions, THE BEGINNING thrives in its ability to be savoured instead of mindlessly devoured.

The intricately authentic nature of the release is no coincidence; while sonically it may fall into the pop sphere, Nicole utilises her ballet and hip-hop background to push movement into melody with effortless control. The influence of 80s pioneers like Madonna, David Bowie, and Tears for Fears is unmistakable, yet filtered through her own aesthetic, which pulls from the rebellious spirit of Vivienne Westwood and the cinematic allure of the New Romantics – Chappell Roan has brand new competition.

Every layer of synth and every vocal inflection serves the emotional weight of the single which explores how time is finite, but new possibilities are endless. Feel the emotive gravity weigh down on you as your soul transcends by streaming THE BEGINNING featuring Matthew Tryba on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Rattling Beats and Soulful Heat: Denaron’s ‘On My Way’ is RnB Reloaded

Posted on 1 February 2025

With ‘On My Way,’ Denaron proves why he’s a voice worth paying attention to in the contemporary pantheon of RnB greats. Rooted in the soul of the genre’s pioneers, the track blends the raw passion of Luther Vandross and David Ruffin with a modern vibrancy reminiscent of Musiq Soulchild and Bruno Mars. Yet, Denaron’s artistry doesn’t settle for imitation – his voice carries an honesty and dynamism that harmonises leagues away from assimilation.

The instrumentals bring a kaleidoscope of colour to the mix, their smooth contortions wrapping around beats that hit with a confident pulse. It’s the kind of groove that feels simultaneously nostalgic and refreshingly current, bridging the roots of RnB with the shimmering motifs of contemporary production. Meanwhile, Denaron’s vocal agility weaves through the track, his kinetic range delivering hooks that strike with as much emotion as precision.

Denaron’s path to this moment started in the pews of his local church, where he began singing at just 12 years old. Drawing inspiration from legends like Ronald Isley, his early foundation in soul music fuels his goal of creating tracks that shine a light on life’s complexities, from love to faith. His open-hearted approach has earned him recognition far beyond his home turf of Texas, whether winning talent shows, featuring on tracks for hip-hop artists, or sharing stages with the likes of Ginuwine and Wale.

With ‘On My Way,’ Denaron doesn’t just blur the lines between eras of RnB – he redefines them, leaving listeners swaying to his rhythm and arrested by his unapologetic soul.

Stream the official video for On My Way on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Contrasts Collide: The Eclectic World of ‘Abyssinian’ by The Soft Parts

Posted on 20 January 2025

With abyssinian, the standout single from their sophomore album, The Soft Parts unfurled a texturally intricate sonic tableau which refuses to settle into predictability.

Opening with cinematic neo-classical grandeur, abyssinian invites listeners to stroll through the golden age of film scores, before the chill of avant-garde influences begins to weave through the organic warmth of the basslines. Playful polyphonic keys soon take centre stage, creating a delicate tension as each instrumental element works in purposeful juxtaposition to the next. When the neo-classical keys return with greater tenacity, they anchor the composition, ensuring it never spirals into abstraction despite its eclecticism.

The Soft Parts, the project of a Houston-based composer and sound artist, brings together a unique palette of influences spanning classical music, art rock, cocktail jazz, and lounge music. These influences shaped abyssinian into what could best be described as funk-inflected art pop, dipped in the moody magnetism of New Tango and Arab musical textures.

abyssinian pulls listeners into its orbit, making them feel the landscape of its creation as it swaggers, scintillates, and soothes in equal measure. If you want to stray away from sonic monotony, hit play.

Abyssinian was officially released as part of The Soft Parts’ sophomore LP, innuendo, on January 3rd; stream the single on all major platforms, including Spotify, now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Defy gravity with the interstellar psychedelia in Olek The Vyne’s debut alt-RnB single, Labels

Posted on 17 January 2025

Olek, The Vyne’s debut single, Labels, pulls you from the mundane and drops you into a vibe-soaked alternate dimension. Rooted in trippy alt-RnB yet transcending genre conventions, the track’s interstellar pulse melds with Olek’s lush, honeyed harmonies to create an intoxicating panorama of affectionate warmth.

It’s an invitation to surrender to a smooth, mellifluous flow capable of altering states of mind while reflecting on the lyrical underpinnings which advocate for embracing the messiness of relationship dynamics and finding peace in uncertainty.

The Houston-grown experimentalist, who is set to be known for pushing boundaries and colouring outside the lines, lets his mastery of intimate storytelling shine in Labels. Inspired by his personal journey and longing for meaningful connections, Olek crafts lyrics that cut to the emotional core while his reverberant vocals smooth over hypnotically rich instrumentals.

The track’s magnetic pull stems from the boldness of its experimental alt-RnB framework, which invites vulnerability and raw expression. As a flag planted firmly in the ground for his artistry, Labels is a testament to his ambition and the precision of his craft.

Labels will be available to stream on all major platforms, including SoundCloud, from January 17th.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

‘!! Stand’ by RoBB!EMAC: Reinventing Pop with Y2K Nostalgia and Emotional Cadence

Posted on 4 December 2024

The prolific pop prodigy, RoBB!EMAC, may have only made his official debut in 2023 with the drop of his LP, The Anecdotes of Mr. Songsmith, but he’s already delivered his fifth album, Howling at the Moon, proving that there’s no end to the flow of his creativity or his ability to find fresh alt-pop intersections to explore.

The standout single from his expansive 16-track anthology of pop-hooked vulnerability, ‘!! Stand’ kicks into rhythm through a melodic piano-driven prelude followed by a mash of pseudo-trap, Y2K nostalgia and the twang of alt-country pop; a synthesis which orchestrates a dreamy sense of reverie to drift within as you lock into the vocal cadence which sinks into synergy with the solid backbeats.

If anyone can bring back the trend of putting lighters in the air instead of iPhone cameras, it’s RoBB!EMAC, with his sound that leans into nostalgia while illuminating the path to the pop pantheon which is ready and waiting for his arrival.

RoBB!EMAC, the New Jersey-Hailing, Dallas-based innovator, is far from your average genre-fusionist; he’s mastered the art of ensuring every aesthetic at his disposal lends itself to the mood and meaning of his sound. In ‘!! Stand’, the singer-songwriter strips back all sense of pretence to outpour a vignette that assures the listener that, as we all make our way through the disillusionments of life, we’re all a work in progress, regardless of how perfect our facades appear to be.

Stream RoBB!EMAC’s Howling at the Moon LP on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Honey Made stirred the spirit of soul with ‘Pass Me By’

Posted on 26 November 2024
Honey Made

Honey Made, hailing from Austin, has yet again lived up to their moniker with their latest single, ‘Pass Me By’. The track, which taps into the aura of retro soul with a fusion of silky smooth RnB, jazz and blues, is an aphrodisiac for the rhythmic pulses.

Drawing inspiration from legendary figures such as James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, and Earth, Wind & Fire, Honey Made may revisit the past, but based on the creative synergy within Pass Me By, the only place this ensemble is going is forward.

The band’s connection to their RnB roots is evident in every note, offering an easy listening session that is both tantalisingly paced and deliciously seductive. With mellifluous melodies that the oceans could envy, slipping into the groove of this track is as effortless as it is inevitable. Honey Made distinguishes themselves as one of the few remaining RnB powerhouses capable of serenading the heart, mind, and soul with just their instrumental arrangements.

With the crescendo of the track which escalates with an intensity poised to leave a lasting impact paired with the graceful vocals, Pass Me By is nothing short of cinematic.

As an official 2022 SXSW showcasing artist and acclaimed as one of the best live bands in Austin, Honey Made has a reputation that precedes them. Their performances not only capture the raw energy of their music but also amplify their commitment to reviving and expanding the audience for classic soul sounds. Join their revolution of retro soul today.

Pass Me By was officially released on November 8th; stream the single on SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast