For most artists, it may be challenging to recreate their favorite songs, but Young Statues have released a solid cover record that reflects their own originality and maintains the integrity of the artists that inspire them the most.
Slingshot Dakota pack an impressive punch considering the band consists of just two members: Carly Comando covering vocals and keyboards and Tom Patterson on percussion. The duo’s most recent release, Dark Hearts, transitions between plaintive songs that hang in the air residually like life’s difficult questions and fiercer, more gritty anthems enveloping Comando’s clear voice.
At a time when many bands would rather stick to trends than take a risk, Peace’d Out shine as something fresh that hopefully won’t be another one-and-done side project. The members take elements from each of their respective bands and put a collective spin on things, creating a sound all their own.
Colourmeinkindness is a force to be reckoned with. Working with producer Sam Pura (The Story So Far, The Limousines), Basement have given it their all in what will be their last effort before going on hiatus.
Texas In July have taken the best parts of One Reality and stepped their game up. With a song for every shade of hardcore, Texas In July show that they can adapt their music from one album to the next and still crush it.
Bad Books’ appropriately-named II is a collection of songs with great variety yet a common, wistful edge which ultimately creates a cohesive and earnest album. The ten tracks share a lulling musicality which allows the listener to lose themselves in the layers of tender vocals and smooth instrumentation.
With his debut LP It’s Not An Excuse, It’s A Reason, Marcio Novelli proves that great music isn’t written with intentions to impress the masses, but as a personal anecdote by the musician. Recorded in just two weeks and produced by Jim Wirt (Incubus, Jack’s Mannequin), Novelli’s debut is a revival of simple pop rock with meaning, the kind that has been fading out since 2005.
Full of anger and personal regrets, Handguns use their debut full-length to get everything off their chests. With creative punk thrills and pop punk driven chord progressions, Angst is sure to make pop punk fans everywhere happy.
The xx’s second album Coexist feels a bit like floating aimlessly through space with no propulsion of energy in any particular direction. While some of the songs manage to maintain a simmering sensuality with Romy Madley Croft’s sweet voice delivering honest lyrics and enough repetition to elicit the feelings through heartfelt laments, most of the songs seem to remain unadorned and flat or build up to only thin air and the feeling that you’ve just barely missed out on the point.
The American Scene’s seamless blend of honest, heartfelt lyrics and expressive vocals with slick, refined musicianship makes Safe For Now one of the most solid releases of the summer.
