Browsing Tag

Alt Pop Rock

Emilie Thorsby Poured Pop-Rock Fuel in the Fire of Empowerment with ‘Amazing as Hell’

Posted on 25 April 2025

For anyone familiar with the pressure of contorting into a distortion until all that remains visible is a hollow façade, only to find acceptance still painfully elusive, Emilie Thorsby’s single ‘Amazing as Hell’ is your alt-pop rebellion wrapped in compassion. The track delivers a powerful cascade of empathy, injecting fuel into weary hearts desperate for empowerment.

With theatrical flair, Thorsby effortlessly navigates a myriad of styles—synth-pop hooks dissolve fluidly into baroque pop motifs before surging into bold, Prince-esque rock riffs. Each stylistic shift visually manifests the many masks we don to gain approval from the shifting gaze of those around us. Yet at the centre remains Thorsby’s unapologetically striking vocals, soaring confidently over an infectious nostalgia-inducing production, reminiscent of pop’s golden decades, the 80s and 90s.

Drawing deeply from her personal narrative of resilience, Thorsby confronts past betrayals and abuses—relationships that diminished her worth, leaving emotional scars she transforms into powerful affirmations. Her anthem insists fiercely that inadequacy lies not within ourselves but in the eyes of those incapable of truly seeing us. ‘Amazing as Hell’ holds a mirror to our self-doubt, boldly declaring it baseless and invalid.

Thorsby’s single is a declaration of independence from societal expectations, confidently crafted and passionately performed.

‘Amazing as Hell’ is now available to stream on all major platforms, including SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ghost Nation’s ‘Last Words’: A Dark Pop Mirror Reflecting the Tightrope of Truth

Posted on 7 April 2025

Ghost Nation’s latest dark pop single, Last Words, opens with disquieting, carnivalesque scintillation, quickly establishing an atmosphere thick with tension. The distorted effects enveloping the vocals mirror how fractured we can become when communication is reduced to a battle of reticence and manipulation rather than genuine connection. It’s proof of Ghost Nation’s adept grasp of lyrical themes, vividly amplifying the intense narrative beneath the track’s surface.

There’s swathes of desolation oscillating throughout the darkwave and industrial-infused pop production, emphasising the idea that no man is an island—we’re all adrift if we lose the ability to tether ourselves with truthful expression. But truth itself can cut deeply, and Last Words provides ample space to ruminate on the weight every syllable carries.

Formed by vocalist and producer Tomas Vasseur and producer Micke Berg, Ghost Nation has cultivated a globally resonant sound since 2016, accumulating over eight million streams by fusing alt electronica with cinematic arrangements. Their seasoned approach is apparent in every motif of Last Words, particularly in the dynamic interplay between innocence and strength.

By intertwining rhythmic urgency, playful experimentation, and philosophical depth, Ghost Nation reveals the fragile tightrope we all navigate with words—where one slip can irreversibly alter our connections.

Last Words is now available to stream on all major platforms, including SoundCloud. 

Review by Amelia Vandergast

One More Weekend will meet you at the crossroads in their latest alt-rock hit, Opportunity

Posted on 19 January 2023

Melbourne’s premier alt-rock outfit, One More Weekend, has unveiled their latest chill-inducing single, Opportunity. The opening pop-rock vocals are thick with insular malaise but there is plenty of sanctity in the jangle pop guitars that counter the ennui before the progressive track bursts into a fervid feat of riff-driven rock that will reel you in, overdriven hook, line, and sinker.

The only thing more visceral than the emotion within Opportunity, which offers an olive branch of resonance to the disenfranchised, is the distinction in their sound. The luminary outfit pays homage to Birds of Tokyo, Foo Fighters and The 1975 before stratospherically blasting into a distinctively refreshing pop-rock amalgam.

After performing hundreds of shows across Australia and racking up their streaming stats to achieve almost viral status, One More Weekend is one to watch.

Opportunity will officially release on January 19th. Hear it on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Anthony Mascia spun an exhilarating redemption narrative in his alt-pop-rock hit, Daybreak

Posted on 19 December 2022

NY-born and raised, New Hampshire-based singer-songwriter Anthony Mascia’s lyrics cut candidly deep in his latest single, Daybreak. Drawing on deeply personal life experiences that would make an imbittered cynic out of most, you’ll be rooting for him and all his vibrant resilience in his alt-pop-rock instant classic by the time the first verse runs through.

“Anything to numb the sadness, hallucination or false acceptance” may be the most resonantly raw lyric I’ve ever heard – no hyperbole. After relaying all the roads that led Mascia to recording to this triumphantly super-charged power ballad, the light shimmers into the production, reminding you that no situation is beyond salvation.

The level of investment you will feel compelled to make is a testament to Mascia, who is easily one of the most talented songwriters we’ve heard in the past few years. His vocals may be the cherry on the cake, but the layers created beneath the sticky-sweet instrumental icing through his ability to construct a redemptive narrative will leave you craving more and more.

With his third album, Ambassador, Vol. 2, which traverses themes of love, loss and queerness, set for release in 2023, save space on your radar.

Daybreak is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

ORCHAD take us for a ride on the Devil’s Ship with screaming new single ‘Critically Ashamed’

Posted on 29 November 2020

Coming on in a welter of heavily overdriven ascending riffage, Montreal’s ORCHAD’s (pronounced ‘Orchid’, obviously, and consisting of vocalist Julian Hannas and lead guitarist Justyn Vynn) new single ‘Critically Ashamed’ is a screamer of an alt-rock anthem with a deeply, bone-movingly danceable groove underlying the hard-rocking guitar sound. There’s an old-school metal-ness to the basal riff, something thrashy and San-Fran sounding lurking under the modern rock tone, driving and energetic before dropping down to a dense flanged arpeggio, Hannas’ super-strong vocal carrying the verse between the powerchord frenzy of the earworm chorus.

Vynn shreds and divebombs on the solo without ever sounding contrived or dated, with a bluesiness that belies his sixteenth-note runs and twiddly licks, before the singalong ‘woah oh oh oh’ playout groove. Overall ORCHAD manage to mix modern pop sensibilities and catchiness with an undeniably rock sound and a little bit of hip hop funk; on the basis of this, ORCHAD have absolutely nothing to be ashamed about, critically or otherwise.

Check out the stunning (and very pink) video for ‘Critically Ashamed’ on YouTube. Follow ORCHAD on Facebook and Instagram.

Tearsun proves that there is beauty in vulnerability with their Alt Pop Rock Earworm “Soul of Glass”

Posted on 31 October 2020

Vulnerability and beauty always seem to sit hand in hand. If you’re looking for proof, hit play on the latest single “Soul of Glass” from Alt Pop Rock artist Tearsun.

There’s no bravado, just bravery in the unfiltered nature of the expression. You’ll feel your soul swell with each and every momentous groove in Soul of Glass. Any fans of Bryan Adams will definitely be able to appreciate the soundscape which has been influenced by the likes of Matchbox 20, Rob Thomas and Vertical Horizon.

But there’s no disputing that Tearsun brings plenty of distinction to the airwaves, you’ll find it in the inventive reverb-laden distortions of the guitar tones which allow Tearsun to contort mellifluously striking melodies which sit in perfect synergy with his constantly evolving vocals. From crooning to viscerally ardent wails, you’ll find all that and more in Soul of Glass.

You can check out Tearsun’s single for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sunset-Strip-Sleaze and Sticky-Sweet Soul Collide in The Impersonators’ Latest Single “Rodeo”

Posted on 13 October 2020

If your playlists are crying out for a hit of funky, sexy Alt-Rock, you can consider the latest single from The Impersonators a playlist staple.

While it’s got all the efficaciously sleazy allure that you’d expect from any accoladed Sunset Strip act, there’s also an extra juicy element of amorously playful sentimentality which means that Rodeo will give your soul a prod to see if it is still alive as you get snared by the seriously lacerating melodic hooks.

The Impersonators may be a new name for the airwaves, but the talented duo behind the moniker definitely aren’t fresh from their inception. Tom Tikka and Antti Autio were formerly two important components of one of Finland’s hottest Rock acts, Carmen Gray. The same talent is exhibited, but a far more organic sense of soul is on offer. You just can’t help getting pulled into the dreamy Pop-laden melodies crafted by The Impersonators.

You can check out The Impersonators’ single Rodeo by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Phantom Engine has released their evocatively moody Indie Pop Rock single “Young and Free”

Posted on 16 June 2020

If it has been a while since a breaking artist has left you hooked on their sound, prepare for Phantom Engine’s evocatively melodic moody Pop Rock single “Young and Free”.

The atmospherically immersive progressive hit allows you to imagine what it would sound like if Celldweller experimented with the 90s Pop sound. With the artist’s tendency to infuse a dynamic array of genres into their sound, there’s no telling what aural curveballs will come your way next. There may be a myriad of evolutions made by the instrumentals as they seamlessly transgress from intricate Pop progressions to raunchy Rock licks, but the vocals remain enigmatic and sultry from start to finish.

Phantom Engine plan to drop 30 new tracks in the next 12 months. It’s definitely worth putting them on your radar.

You can check out Young and Free for yourselves by heading over to Spotify now.

Keep up to date with new releases from Phantom Engine via Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Alt Pop Rock Newcomers Runaway Strangers Have Dropped Their Second Single “Box”

Posted on 7 June 2020

After the success of their debut single, UK Alternative artist Runaway Strangers released their beguilingly arrestive single “Box”. There may be plenty of nostalgia to grasp at within the soundscape, but their stylistically bold approach could never resonate as dated.

The Neo-Classic piano prelude starts the proceedings. From there on out there’s a myriad of evolutions in the soundscape ensuring that your attention is never in danger of faltering. The transfixing tones possess plenty of magnetism as they weave through the Neo-Soul Pop and Pop Rock nuances.

The vocal harmonies seamlessly switch from compellingly evocative to attitudinally fierce, amplifying the dynamic energy that Box effortlessly exudes. If you appreciate distinctive artists, Runaways Strangers will give you plenty to get excited about.

You can check out Runaway Strangers’ single Box for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast