Tag Archives: single review

Believe the ‘Hype’: Lips Speak Louder are Here to Rock!

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In case you’ve been under a rock for the past few years, turn-of-the-millennium rock influences are everywhere these days. It’s never long before we hear about another reunion tour — or entire festival — meant to appeal to our Gen X and Millennial tastes.

Of course, the late 90s and early 2000s are showing up in plenty of new music as well. Take Nashville-based duo Lips Speak Louder for example; their new single, “Hype,” draws its instrumentation and swagger from some of your favorite high-powered grunge tunes, while frontwoman Rachel Brandsness’ vocals remind us of Gwen Stefani — with just a wee bit more of a sullen edge.

“‘Hype’ unapologetically calls out and confronts the inauthenticity of those who sell themselves for their own gain, whether it’s social, financial or political,” Brandsness said.

If you want to hear more after listening to this — and we’re sure you will — Lips Speak Louder is about to embark on a fall tour across much of the US, both in support of their own project and as the backing band for Emily Wolfe, who produced “Hype” alongside the band’s forthcoming album. That tour includes an Oct. 19 date at Nashville’s Lipstick Lounge, beginning at 7 p.m.

For now, believe the “Hype” on this one — because it’s here, and it’s real!

LISTEN: Hannah Geiser Enters the Chat with ‘Exit Sign’

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At the top of 2024, we were introduced to Hannah Geiser, who we caught performing at Live Oak Nashville during the first Native Manor Heavy Hitters lineup of the year.

Fast forward a few months later, and the world has now been introduced to Hannah by way of her blistering debut single, “Exit Sign.”

“I do my best thinking and songwriting while driving, and have nothing else to worry about except what’s in front of me,” Geiser said. “I was on a solo roadtrip and kept seeing all these exit signs and thought to myself, “It’s the sign to go. It’s the sign to leave, and it sometimes comes when you least expected it.” I knew there was a story to be told, so I wrote it down in my “hookbook.” A couple weeks later, I had a write with my good friend Allie Roar and pitched the idea to her. We wrote it in one sitting, and the song grew into what is now my debut single!”

“Exit Sign” is a summer scorcher. Instrumentally, the guitar-heavy tune draws inspiration from modern-day greats like Chris Stapleton and Marcus King. Meanwhile, Geiser’s vocal is timeless in its essence, providing a stirring fusion of country, rock, and soul that gives this newcomer significant standout appeal.

LISTEN: Blair Gun Calls Out Your Complacency on ‘Don’t Think’

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Cover art for Blair Gun's single, "Don't Think."

San Diego power punks Blair Gun — set to release their new album, There Are No Rival Clones Here, in just a few weeks — are showing off their range on their new, folk-infused single, “Don’t Think.”

The new tune — in contrast from previous single, “The Thief” — is built on a rootsy acoustic foundation, letting the band’s Americana sensibilities shine, while not losing the fuzzy, gritty edge that we fell in love with in the first place. Thematically, “Don’t Think” inspires quite the opposite, making us ponder how easy it can be to let ourselves become entangled in situations that do not serve our higher purpose.

“I wrote it about how hard it can be for anyone to make meaningful change in their life, and how often we can all end up complacent in toxic situations,” said vocalist/guitarist Joedin Morelock.

Produced, engineered, and mixed by Eric Bauer, There Are No Rival Clones Here will hit your favorite streaming platforms on Friday, June 7. Get another taste below!

Rebel Against the System with Black Suit Devil

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If you’re looking for proof that rock is alive and well, look no further.

Black Suit Devil — the songwriting vehicle of Andy Du Rego, who previously graced our pages with this single from his upcoming album, The Eternal Sleep — has unveiled the album’s lead track. “Buried in You” is a high-powered, sprawling anthem; one which clocks in at 7-and-a-half-minutes, and blends the worlds of prog-metal and post-grunge.

“(Buried in You)” is the heaviest song I have ever written for Black Suit Devil,” Du Rego noted. “Prior to BSD, I had been performing over the years in various heavy metal and rock bands. So, it’s a great feeling for me personally, to bring that into Black Suit Devil.”

Hallmarked by scorching guitars, relentless drums, and powerful, gritty vocals, “Buried in You” provides a commentary on the ways modern society is constructed to control — and oftentimes, work actively against — the common man. Du Rego pulls no punches about the societal constructs which lord over every aspect of our lives — from our finances and the food we eat, to what we think and feel.

“I wanted to take the listener down a rabbit hole adventure, and make them think about the world around them,” Du Rego said.

“Buried in You” features the talents of Vic Freitas on drums and John Brand on bass. The song was self-recorded, mixed by mixed by 2x Juno Award winner Kevin Dietz, and mastered by Noah Mintz at Lacquer Channel Mastering. Dive in!

LISTEN: With ‘be kind & rewind,’ znels Lets Us Re-live the Good Parts

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No matter how red the flags become, our minds like to reflect on our past relationships with a fondness that can seem downright delusional.

Ohio-based alt-pop artist znels offers us this view through rose-colored glasses on his latest single, “be kind & rewind.” Supported by an airy, pastel soundscape — think along the lines of 5 Seconds of Summer, with a dash of Owl City — we get to fall in love with our exes all over again.

Or, at least the things about them we actually liked…

“Have you ever wanted to jump back to a moment in time and just stay there? ‘be kind & rewind’ is a nostalgic daydream for when everything felt perfect,” znels said. “It’s a breakup song for when things turn out to be so much different than you wanted, but you stay a little bit delulu by living in your head and replaying the good parts.”

It may be brand new (released May 10), but the release “be kind & rewind” has been a long time coming. In fact, it’s the song that inspired znels to begin releasing music under his current project.

“It took two years to get to this point of feeling like it was ready to be released. I spent so much time with the song to get things like the lyrics, word choices, key, and BPM right,” znels said. “I produced and released my first two singles independently, but for this one, I was lucky to work with producer Connor Daniel (Iann Dior, The Veronicas, Demi Lovato), who really helped take it where I wanted to go.”

Ready to hear where it went? We can oblige!

LISTEN: Is the Grass Greener on the ‘Normal’ Side?

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The creative journey holds a multitude of rigorous tests for those brave enough to stay the course. At one point or another, we all think of what would be like, if only we could be “normal.”

But… it’s fair to wonder if the grass would, in fact, be greener behind the white picket fence.

In other words: would “normal” actually be any better?

Matt Sahadi explores this alternate reality on his latest single, “Am I Living What I Always Dreamed Of?” An energetic alt-rock anthem hallmarked by thunderous drums and signature harmonica solos, the single paints a vivid image of a man who settled for a life away from his dreams.

“This ballad comes from a personal frustration with my own reality of having to work, day-in and day-out, while pushing forward on my dreams as an artist. I constantly wonder what life would be like if I wasn’t pursuing this path anymore,” Sahadi said. “This song is the ballad of that alternate reality; a life of working to barely get by, while being haunted by the thoughts of what I gave up and where I went wrong. I felt I needed to add a broken-family element to the story, with the idea of paying alimony to a separated spouse and no longer seeing a son anymore. All of this (is) to paint a picture that I believe many can strongly relate to — whether its verbatim someone’s life, or there a little bit of them to this character, I share those same emotions.”

“Am I Living What I Always Dreamed Of?” is just the beginning of a new journey for Sahadi; it’s the first single from his forthcoming EP, slated for release this July. The release will be supported by live performances across the U.S., with details soon to come.

In the meantime, this will get you excited for what’s ahead — and it may even make you ponder your own existential questions.

Is the Destination More Important, or the Journey?

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As you begin another week of pursuing your dreams, please remember that the journey is often more important and valuable than the destination itself.

Our friend Carlos Barata is back to reinforce that idea with “Please Know This For Sure.” This upbeat folk offering sways with positivity, as Barata (accompanied by special guest mandolinist Ryan Guillen) offers us perspective through the rigors of the creative grind.

“‘Please Know This For Sure’ is just a simple and sweet self-affirmation of those relentless pursuits of fulfillment, meaning, and connection we all have – despite the inevitable hardships, judgement, and rejection that might come along the way,” Barata said. “In my own experiences, a lot of beauty has come from trying, falling short, and going for it anyway. I hope this song resonates with whatever pursuits you’re facing now.”

Musically, “Please Know This For Sure” is well-crafted, both in its intricacy and in the way the sonic landscape supports the song’s message. The tune was tracked independently at The Music District in Fort Collins, CO, and mixed and mastered by Brooklyn-based engineers Kory Burrell and Jesse Morvan.

“On percussion, Brett Ross throws down an unexpected, Pleña-like latin rhythm on a pretty basic folk song that really drives the momentum and gives the tune a different flare that I just love,” Barata notes. “The Hammond organ in the second verse is intended to represent those moments of uplifting clarity we’ll get through the trials we face — the “a-ha” light-bulb moments.”

Give this one a chance to inspire you!

LISTEN: Ren Richards Honors Her Grandmother on ‘Paper Moons’

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“I’ll stay with you
Right here in the picture that your memory drew
Charcoal skies and glitter stars, and paper moons
I’ll stay with you”

-Ren Richards, “Paper Moons”

This one is for anybody who has ever struggled to let go.

This past Friday, Nashville-based songstress Ren Richards gave us “Paper Moons,” a melancholic indie rock offering written as “a poignant tribute to her grandmother’s fight with dementia.”

The track begins with the distant sound of children’s laughter, representative of the innocence lost as our memories fade from view. Nostalgic, 90s alternative-influenced guitar tones chime in gently atop a somber, steadfast acoustic progression, working together with Richards’ sad, yet soothing melody to illustrate the bittersweet divide between the opportunity to cherish the moments we’ve shared, and the anguish of longing for days gone by.

“Paper Moons” was produced by Blake Mohler (Happy Landing) and Wes Harllee (Ruthie Collins), and it’s right here for you.

LISTEN: Run Away to ‘Utah’ with Travis Feutz

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When love is all you have, you’ll do anything to keep it alive — even if it kills you in the process.

Travis Feutz reminds us what it’s like to feel like outlaws on “Utah.” This traditional country tune — right down to its melodic fiddle and sweet boy-girl harmonies — is a quintessential cowboy song which examines the plight of two young lovers.

“The beauty of this song is that it’s told from a first-person narrative. You feel like you are a fly on the wall. It’s a Bonnie and Clyde tale about two young lovers fighting for a life they want, turning to a life of crime to achieve it, because they won’t let anything stand in the way of their love,” Feutz said. “As the song unfolds, you can actually feel the walls closing in on our two young outlaws. But yet, you never give up hope that they can make it out alive, and maybe, just maybe, disappear among the pines.”

“Utah” is the first single from Feutz’ upcoming EP, set for release in June. Another single will arrive in May, and promises to continue in this timeless sonic direction.

“This release is a new direction sonically that I would like to pursue for the foreseeable future,” Feutz said. “Not the only direction I will lean into, but something I would like to continue through the years. I love the tradition of story cowboy songs; the type of songs you can sit around a campfire and sing for the rest of one’s life.”

Feeling Like a Victim? The Minimum Wage Offers Perspective on ‘Everyone Is’

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It’s one thing to have baggage. It’s another thing to choose to live in the suitcase.

Hailing from Southern Ontario, indie rockers The Minimum Wage are here to challenge your victim mentality with “Everyone Is,” a high-powered, guitar-driven anthem about making the conscious choice to push past our traumas.

“We all consider ourselves victims of something — past traumas, the system, perception of reality. It’s how we deal with being ‘victimized’ that defines us,” the band states. “Do you run to social media and desperately seek validation? Do you put your head down and slog out, day after day? Do you use it as a tool to better yourself?”

“Everyone Is” is the first of six new songs coming from The Minimum Wage, all of which were recorded late last year at Unified Recorders Studio in St. Catharines, Ontario. Enjoy it for yourself below!

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