Browsing Tag

Pop-Rock

Get your synth-pop serotonin fix with Skinny G Radio’s Sophomore LP, Skinny Mini Opus

Posted on 5 October 2024

Skinny G Radio’s sound always kicks straight into the soul. His latest project, his Skinny Mini Opus LP, delivers everything we have come to love about the Connecticut-born and raised singer, songwriter and performer while exhibiting the extent of his artistic evolution since his debut single in 2016.

The cheeky, cerebral and cleverly cultivated standout single, Unravel Me, is a rapturous riot of unfeigned euphoria. With all the grandeur of a synth-rock opera, all the grit of an 80s rock anthem and more pop hooks than your average earworm can carry, the single subverts pop tropes to unravel as an explosion of high-vibe energy.

Between the horn stabs, sticky-sweet synth lines and vocals, which buzz with eccentrically infectious charisma, there are plenty of ways to get your sonically intravenous serotonin fix with this hit which pays tribute to classic pop-rock songwriting while playing all of the melodic wild cards.

Skinny Mini Opus was officially released on September 20; stream the album in full on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Henry Bitzer’s ‘25th Hour’ Radiates Rapturous Soul and Swagger

Posted on 30 September 2024

Henry Bitzer’s standout single, 25th Hour, from his debut LP Skydive, delivers some of the swankiest sounds of 2024. The track is a testament to the solo artist’s knack for nostalgically leaning songwriting chops, which remain sharp even when held up against his musical heroes.

Any attempt to resist the euphoric energy of 25th Hour is futile; the rapturous euphony he coaxes from the keys showcases his comfort and charisma in crafting soulful soundscapes that simultaneously nod to the past and stride confidently into the future.

Blending blues, 70s pop rock, and a smattering of jazz, Bitzer conjures a unique sonic synthesis that defies easy categorisation. The seamless fusion of styles creates a distinctive sound that harks back to the golden era of rock without feeling stuck in the past. His ability to weave eclectic influences into a seamless tour de rapturous force ensures that his legacy is already carving itself a place in the annals of contemporary alternative music. It’s only a matter of time before major labels are vying for his signature.

At just 19, the Minnesota native has been compared to the likes of Elton John and Billy Joel for his magnetic stage presence and infectious melodies. Now a second-year student at Belmont University in Nashville, Bitzer has spent the last four years performing live across the U.S., honing his craft and building a loyal following.

Stream Henry Bitzer’s debut LP, Skydive, on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Lauren Presley lost the past to history in her empowering rock-licked EDM pop anthem, H-I-N-T

Posted on 28 September 2024
https://on.soundcloud.com/XqdqHcpudoAN7A7Z9

Texas’ freshest pop icon-in-the-making Lauren Presley shunted Taylor Momsen and Hayley Williams to the wayside when she dropped, H-I-N-T, her latest dark pop anthem, which uses the augmentation of rock to add even more electricity to the head-spinningly hot EDM pop choruses.

The only thing bigger than the sound in H-I-N-T is the cross-over appeal of this high-octane earworm which sends pulsating surges of adrenaline to your rhythmic pulses as Lauren Presley harmonises over the distortion-slicked hyper-sonic guitars which caustically cut their way through the Grammy-worthy production.

The energy in H-I-N-T gives the recently romantically scorned all the empowerment they could possibly harness to walk away from a toxic dynamic. With this hit on your playlists, you will be unreckonable.

Presley may have gone viral since her debut single, A Little Longer,  after garnering 1 million streams on Spotify and 5.6 million views on YouTube. Yet, she remains committed to delivering unpretentious pop with universally relatable lyrics. Even if she reached the same heights as Chappell Roan, there’s a sense that Presley would never be out of touch.

H-I-N-T will drop on September 27; stream the single on all major platforms, including SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Syd Taylor became the new iconic alt-pop siren with her debut single, Love of Your Life

Posted on 23 September 2024

After breaking away from the twin duo, Stereo Jane, the indie alt-pop siren, Syd Taylor, came into her own with her paradox of a self-produced debut single, Love of Your Life, which haunts with its vintage tones as much as it uplifts and empowers through euphoric pop hooks.

The symbiosis between the brashy, saturated-in-delay lo-fi intimacy and the sleeker aesthetics in the single enabled Taylor to cut away from the monotonous fray of polished with superficiality pop and establish herself as a singer-songwriter and producer in the same league as Angel Olsen and Adrianne Lenker. If you’ve ever known the red flag fear of being the subject of obsessive attraction, Love of Your Life is the ultimate reparation.

As a signifier of how much of a phenomenon Syd Taylor is destined to become, the launch party for Love of Your Life happened between the unhallowed walls of the Viper Room on September 20th. With her debut LP in the pipeline, she’s the definition of one to watch as she works her way into the alt-pop pantheon.

Stream the single on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Wagner Gracciano became the definition of emotional depth in ‘I’m Here’

Posted on 17 September 2024

Wagner Gracciano’s single, I’m Here, from his sophomore album, The History of Mark Beck, is a veritable smorgasbord of stylistic influence and innovative substance which will transport rock fans back to an era when Chris Isaak dominated the airwaves.

With soul-drenched production, sensual RnB touches weave through a tight mesh of rock guitar lines, classic pop harmonies, and the shimmer of organ keys, creating a unique gospel of pop rock. As diverse as the track is, the seamless cohesion pulls everything together in a sublime display of genre fluidity.

‘I’m Here’ makes a bold statement of passion and dedication, showing that romance isn’t as dead as we perceive it to be as Gracciano exhibits his forte in transcending the confines of genre labels and creating utopias of euphonia with his songwriting. With each listen, there’s a deepened appreciation for the superlative arrangement and emotive depth that defines the track.

As a multi-talented guitarist, composer, and producer, Wagner Gracciano has spent over 25 years mastering his craft across genres such as progressive rock, blues rock, jazz, fusion, RnB, and heavy metal. The History of Mark Beck (2024) showcases his affectingly immersive lyricism and Grammy-worthy compositions, with guest appearances from Cleveland P. Jones, Carlos Zema, and Rachael Da Silva. Supported by world-class musicians such as Charles Judge, Michael Webb, and Adair Daufembach’s pristine production, Wagner’s vision is undeniably realised.

I’m Here is now available to stream with Wagner Gracciano’s sophomore LP, The History of Mark Beck on Spotify and all major platforms.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

La Need Machine signed, sealed and delivered unsurmountable scintillation with their indie power pop hit, The Mountain

Posted on 9 September 2024

La Need Machine’s latest hit, The Mountain, is sharp enough to etch its melodies into the soul and sweet enough in its indie power pop proclivities to give you a sugar rush.

With roots deeply embedded in the fertile grounds of Seattle’s eclectic music scene, the band fuses the raw energy of new-wave punk with the introspective depth of indie rock and the soulful rhythms of Americana, resulting in a major indie paradigm shift that you will want to be a part of.

At the core of The Mountain are the emotionally ethereal vocal lines, crafted to strike at the heart in synergy with orchestral crescendos that allow the lyrics to come alive as a sonic narrative which you will want to read time and time again.

Behind the music, La Need Machine stands committed to making a social impact by channelling significant portions of their proceeds to causes like The Trevor Project and Doctors Without Borders. This blend of activism and artistry is reflective of their influences, drawing parallels with the societal contributions of bands like U2 and The Clash.

With members like Elise and Brian sharing lead vocals, supported by a full ensemble La Need Machine’s sound is as layered as their influences. From Eddie Cochran’s early rock to the defiant chords of Generation X, each influence stitches into The Mountain.

With over 15,000 Spotify listeners and climbing, La Need Machine isn’t just on the rise; they’re crafting a legacy that will prove to be as timeless as their sound; hit play and be a part of it.

The Mountain hit the airwaves on August 16th; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ami Leigh salved the souls of the romantically jaded with her pop-rock anthem, You’ll Find the One 

Posted on 8 September 2024

‘You’ll Find the One’ is undoubtedly an expression everyone has heard in their darkest hours of romantic despair; yet, with her latest single which carries that mantra, the chameleonic singer-songwriter Ami Leigh augmented the consolation with soul-infused, rock-licked conviction.

By carrying the same artful visceralism as The Last Dinner Party in the pop-rock crescendos which drench the anthem in 80s nostalgia and entwining the high-octane elements with tender echoes of introspective 90s indie pop, You’ll Find the One will leave your heartstrings in knots while liberating you from anxiety and assumption you will die alone without another soul to call home.

You’ll Find the One may be a sonic departure from the artist’s previous hits, but with the same sense of affecting soul running through the veins of the single, it is yet another attestation to Ami Leigh’s ability to unify and heal through sound.

You’ll Find the One hit the airwaves on August 23rd; stream the single on Spotify and YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Natalya Borodulina’s ‘Magic Heartbeat’: A Debut That Pulses with Pop Nostalgia and Power

Posted on 5 September 2024

Natalya Borodulina’s debut single, Magic Heartbeat, wasted no time in making its mark on the pop scene. Fusing 80s pop nostalgia with a modern twist, the track glistens with atmospheric synths and softly lush guitar tones. These elements effortlessly cradle Borodulina’s spiritually spectral, yet powerful vocal range, which brings the energy and emotion reminiscent of the most iconic pop ballads.

The single, with lyrics by Chris Ferrier and Borodulina’s deft composition and performance, doesn’t merely settle into the expected rhythms of a debut. As the intensity builds, the track elevates into a high-octane pop-rock orchestration, with Borodulina’s vocal delivery rivalling the fire of acts like Evanescence and Nightwish. Despite this surge in energy, the track never loses its commercial appeal, holding onto the essence of its pop roots while stepping boldly into edgier territory.

Magic Heartbeat marks both Chris Ferrier and Borodulina as talents to watch as they blaze their way through the industry. As far as first originals go, this single proves that Borodulina has all the hallmarks of an artist who can push boundaries while maintaining mainstream appeal.

Magic Heartbeat was officially released on August 2nd; stream the single on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Marc Ambrosia rivalled Against Me in his queer pop-punk anthem, We Are Who We Are

Posted on 21 August 2024

For anyone whose true identities are continuously obscured by lenses of prejudice and misconception, Marc Ambrosia’s riff-raw pop-punk anthem, We Are Who We Are, is the definitive cure.

With an augmented-with-frenetic-exhilaration chorus and endless mantras to adopt for authentic empowerment, it is impossible to resist the intoxicating energy in the release which proves that Marc Ambrosia is just as adept at producing high-octane rock hits as he is when it comes to producing perennial pop earworms. And yet, his versatility is only the start of his expansive cross-over appeal which can easily establish the New Jersey singer-songwriter as one of the most essential queer artists of his generation.

Ambrosia’s forthcoming album, Gay & Proud, is shaping up to be as iconic as Against Me!’s Transgender Dysphoria Blues LP. The same visceral punk as fuck energy runs within the liberatingly protestive anthem which attests to how embracing your autonomy and flying your own flag is one of the most revolutionary acts a human is capable of.

In his own words, Marc Ambrosia iterated “It’s a song about individuality and nonconformity. People like to make assumptions about other people’s identities and they’re usually wrong.”

We Are Who We Are was officially released on August 16; stream the single on SoundCloud and visit Marc Ambrosia’s official website for more information on his upcoming album which is due to drop on August 30.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Drenalin – This is My Night: An Alt-Rock Anthem of Hedonic Liberation

Posted on 10 August 2024

Drenalin, an Emmy-award-winning ensemble from Cleveland, OH, established in 2005, were out to wreak maximum emotional havoc with their latest single, This is My Night.

The track ensues with fitting-for-Broadway vocal intensity, intertwined with fantastical orchestral elements and playful, carnivalesque twists that would resonate with any Nekrogoblikon fans. As the track progresses, Drenalin evokes the early 2000s metal scene, reminiscent of Drowning Pool, Soil, and Fear Factory, but the transmutations in sound don’t end there.

The song’s structure is meticulously crafted, with each melodic transition pushing the boundaries of emotional catharsis. The interplay of hard-hitting fury and rock opera flair is nothing short of prodigious; the volition is teased through tensile with innovative vision progressions to ensure anyone who bears witness to the anthem of hedonic liberation will feel its maximum force.

It is so rare to say that you’ve encountered an outfit with a sound no one would ever conceive without replication, but clearly, Drenalin is a diamond in the rough of mediocrity.

Stream the official music video for This is My Night on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast