Browsing Tag

Classic Rock

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

Ralph Bishop’s ‘Photographs’ is a snapshot of rock theatre

Posted on 12 December 2024

With Photographs, the standout single from Ralph Bishop’s debut LP, The Path, the 18-year-old artist from Dorset threads theatrical intensity with classic rock sophistication. Far from settling into well-trodden territory, Bishop carved a distinct niche by pairing his histrionic harmonies with an unapologetically dramatic arrangement that would be equally at home on the airwaves or the Broadway stage.

The track’s emotional depth is as vast as Bishop’s awe-inspiring octave range, which soars alongside the cabaret piano, chamber strings, and searing guitar solos that nod to the golden age of 80s rock. Rather than overpowering the melody, the instrumentation leaves space for Bishop’s theatric vocals to command attention, balancing subtlety with unrelenting intensity.

Lyrically, Photographs transcends rock’s usual fare by delving into the poignant fragility of our relationship with mementoes, inviting listeners to reflect on how memories can simultaneously comfort and haunt. Bishop’s piercing poetry only amplifies the visceral weight of his performance, proving his talent isn’t just in the notes he hits but in the stories he tells.

Having cut his teeth in front of crowds as young as 11 and sharpened his musicianship at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Bishop brings a maturity beyond his years to his solo career.

Stream The Path in Full on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Hopeless Romantics of Hard Rock, Electric Cherry, Cut Deep with Their Latest Single, Anyway You Want

Posted on 4 November 2024

Electric Cherry never fails to live up to their moniker, but with the sticky-sweet super-charged currents tearing through the renegade of a rock anthem, Anyway You Want, the Roman rock n roll powerhouse amped up their sound to the nth degree.

As a teaser of what is to come from their upcoming album, CHERRY HEART, the rhythmically salacious slice of high-octane scintillation hits it out of the hard rock park while simultaneously throwing back to the classic rock pioneers and synthesising cinematic white knuckle momentum into the riff-decorated earworm.

As far as ticking all the right hard rock boxes goes, Electric Cherry received full marks with Anyway You Want which narrates the death knell of a relationship as it becomes platonic, leaving bitter-sweet glimmers of hope for the future. The melodic hooks in the chorus vocals become razors to the soul when sharpened by the hopeless romanticism in the lyricism. There’s no getting out of this single unaffected once you hit play.

The official music video for Anyway You Want is now available to stream on YouTube.

Follow Electric Cherry on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with news of their upcoming LP, CHERRY HEART.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Feeding the Frenzy: Buddy Pease Strikes with the melodic rock resonance in ‘Vampires at the Door’

Posted on 30 October 2024

Baltimore-based artist Buddy Pease dives evocatively deep with his latest single, ‘Vampires at the Door’, introducing a glimpse into a visceral intersection where classic rock riffs meet soul-stirring existential angst.

Opening with steady, euphonic guitar chords, the song ramps up with soaring Slash-reminiscent guitar work that electrifies the production, priming listeners for a soundscape laced with the gritty intensity fans of Soundgarden will instantly recognise.

Pease’s imploringly raw vocal lines add a striking edge to the track, reaching into the psyche as he exposes the shadowy figures of human existence—the ones that lurk like parasites on the fringes of everyday life.

Through each evocative twist in the melodies, ‘Vampires at the Door’ becomes more a revelation of Pease’s ability to capture the unease and silent struggles many of us contend with.

With his new album slated for release in the next few weeks, Pease signals he’s more than just a fledgling in the scene; he’s one to save space for on your radar as he sonically visualises the raw, universal undercurrents of human experience.

The official music video for Vampires at the Door premiered on October 16; stream the horror-esque video on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Chenzo joined the guitar greats with his instrumental score, The Greatest Adventure

Posted on 20 October 2024

Chenzo’s latest instrumental guitar single, The Greatest Adventure, is a dualistic triumph, an exhibition of technical skill, simultaneously standing as a testament to resilience. After a career nearly severed by hand surgeries, Chenzo returned from the brink to deliver a sound that fuses the intricacies of math rock with the timeless energy of classic rock, proving he’s earned his place in the riff-master pantheon.

The Greatest Adventure cathartically awakens your rhythmic pulses as the interwoven notes defy conventional time signatures while melt-worthy progressions strip the weight from your soul. The expansive soundscape surges with energy, punctuated by drum fills and bursts of momentum that give the track its pulse. Stick with the score, and you’ll be treated to riffs that echo the greats of the genre—proof that Chenzo’s shredding skills haven’t just endured, they’ve evolved.

Years of recovery have refined his sound, allowing for a more structured, concise approach to songwriting. No longer limited to shredding for shredding’s sake, Chenzo’s music now affectingly resonates through melodies that resolve with the clarity of a vocal line, creating a connection beyond technicality.

Stream the official music video for The Greatest Adventure on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jordyn Rayne captured the zeitgeist of digital culture with ‘1-800-Cyber-Bully’

Posted on 27 June 2024

In her latest seminal single, 1-800-Cyber-Bully, the indomitable breakthrough icon, Jordyn Rayne, lyrically modernised rock n roll while staying reverent to the roots of the genre.

With a powered-by-dynamism voice to rival Donita Sparks of L7 and Joan Jett, Jordyn Rayne proved her mettle as a rock vocalist in the hit that pours with conviction as it berates antagonists who spinelessly sink their teeth into their victims behind the security of screens.

The emotional underpinnings of 1-800-Cyber-Bully serve as a tragic sign of the times, yet, rock has always served to speak for the disenfranchised and Rayne affectingly carried the genre’s rebellious legacy on the overdriven crunched chords in this high-octane hit that ticks all the right rock boxes and distinguishes Rayne as an artist unafraid to lend her ferocity to fighting injustice.

Whichever vanguard she stands at next, one thing is for sure, the Alberta-hailing visionary is worth keeping at the front and centre of your memory if you seek sanctuary in hair-raising rock anthems.

1-800-Cyber-Bully was officially released on June 7th; stream the single on all major platforms and follow Jordyn Rayne via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Prisoner harnessed thunder in their hard rock hit, Skies Are Blackened

Posted on 19 June 2024
Prisoner

Prisoner brought the hard-rock hammer down once again with their latest single, Skies Are Blackened. Prepare for the colossal impact of their hell-hath-no-mercy riffs, tumultuously tight breakdowns, and lightning bolts of dynamic vocal energy that pull you right into the centre of the frenetic furore Prisoner is quickly becoming infamous for.

There are high-energy rock bands, and there are powerhouses who go sonically supernova. With Skies Are Blackened, the Canadian three-piece firmly planted themselves in the latter camp, which any fans of Metallica, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, and Iron Maiden will want to join them in.

Vocalist Murray Emery’s ability to keep the power surging through his mirthfully electrifying vocal lines in the higher register and the instrumentals being tighter than Mick Jagger’s jeans is enough to seal the trio a place in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. They’re not an outfit to underestimate. Watch this space as they tear it up with hedonically high-voltage hits.

Skies Are Blackened will be available to stream on all major platforms, including Apple Music, from June 19.

Discover more about the Prisoner via their official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Stitcher Unchained a Relentless Sonic Onslaught with ‘Distant Mirage’

Posted on 19 June 2024

Stitcher opened a mystical portal to the unfiltered soul of rock n roll with their sophomore single, Distant Mirage, which rhythmically taps into Eastern esoterism to add an arcane Arabian aura to the speaker-ravaging hit lures you in with a dusky overture before the hellbent-for-distortion guitars bolster the track beneath Annabelle Piper’s siren-esque soaring-with-soul vox.

Her ferociously infallible vocal lines that burn red-hot throughout the release are enough to lead you to believe that the spirit of Medusa resides in her vocal cords. The monolithic middle eight allows you to tear away from her spell, but you won’t meet any mercy here, the alchemic brutality of the guitar solo hits hard enough to leave bruises. If you thought you knew the meaning of frenetic before listening to Distant Mirage, you’ll think again once your senses begin to function after the exhilarating rampage.

Distant Mirage first played on June 6th; stream the single on Spotify and follow Stitcher’s debauched rock n roll journey on Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

DOUBLEWIDE amplified hard rock’s electrifying resurgence with ‘OUT OF LUCK’

Posted on 6 June 2024

DOUBLEWIDE’s standout single, OUT OF LUCK, is a shot of adrenaline straight into the heart of hard rock; the four-piece is intravenously injecting a potent dose of originality into the genre’s veins, and the results are nothing short of electrifying.

The serpentine rhythms wind with maximum volition in the instrumental arrangement that is tighter than the government’s welfare budget and slicker than Velvet Revolver’s sonics. The chameleonic vocals prowl between biting with the raw, guttural power of Pantera and the infectious inflections of Alice in Chains before leading you straight down to Skid Row.

Formed in 2017, DOUBLEWIDE was born from the collision of two musicians’ shared vision to revive the music they grew up loving. Since then, they’ve been relentlessly championing their brand of original hard rock across the West Coast and beyond. OUT OF LUCK is the culmination of their journey. From the get-go, it grabs you by the collar with its aggressive riffs and pulsating beats. If you want a full-throttle ride through the best of hard rock’s past, present, and future, tune into the gritty rebellion.

Stream the official music video for OUT OF LUCK on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

JD Kucharik rekindled the soul of blues rock with ‘Leavin After Midnight’

Posted on 30 April 2024

JD Kucharik deserves to be placed on the same pedestal as Santana after releasing his INCEPTION EP, featuring the standout single, Leavin After Midnight, which delivers a sound rich in vintage blues rock reverence.

Hit play and encounter a deft evocation of classic blues rock soul that JD Kucharik has meticulously honed over decades. The release is the epitome of aural alchemy; the otherworldly presence comes as a result of the arcane electricity of its instrumental arrangement with Kucharik’s commandingly charismatic vocal presence. The narrative woven through the tune—a story of a fugitive seeking transient solace—adds a compelling lyrical depth to the rich instrumental backdrop.

With a career spanning over 50 years, Kucharik’s roots in blues and rock are evident as he plays the B3 Hammond, piano, guitar, or drums. His approach to music remains steadfastly organic, eschewing auto-tune and computer-driven edits for real-time, hard-earned sound craftsmanship. His dedication to traditional recording methods ensures that each release, whether from his extensive archives or fresh from the studio, resonates with authenticity and passion.

Leavin After Midnight was released as part of JD Kucharik’s EP, INCEPTION, on April 20; stream the release on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast