Jetlag - Wicked Tongue
- English (UK)
Hailing from London, Jetlag have built a reputation as indie maximalists who create genre bending music designed to be played loud.
ReeToxA - Demand Perfection
- English (US)
There is a particular kind of song genre that begins with some sort of personal irritation and gradually opens, blossoms into a broader cultural critique. Reetoxa's Demand Perfection follows precisely that trajectory. The track is inspired by an encounter in a Melbourne gym. Songwriter Jason McKee transforms a fleeting observation into an examination of modern expectations, where attraction, success, and self-worth are increasingly filtered through wealth, appearance, and unattainable ideals.
Watch Me Die Inside - Infinity Fall III
- English (US)
There are instrumental albums that exist as background music, and at times, they just fill the silence without asking much of the listener. Then there are records that ask for complete immersion. They construct an emotional feeling through just the tunes. Infinity Fall III, the latest chapter in Watch Me Die Inside's ongoing Infinity Fall series, belongs firmly to the latter.
Mangy Mutt - Devils Got Your Soul
- English (US)
One for your gym playlist. There are songs that bring you an immediate bout of energy. You sense the rush, the adrenaline pushing through your veins. Devils Got Your Soul by Mangy Mutt is a song that explains this feeling best.
MANOSai - OFF to Venezuela
- English (US)
MANOSai’s latest single “OFF to Venezuela” comes charging out of the gate with the kind of unapologetic energy that defined late-’90s hard rock radio.
Gary Dranow-Twisted Minds
Gary Dranow is kicking sound into a gear many of us will never know. He already has his release Destiny Road out, a Peter Frampton style track with some manic instrumentals. Now, we look at an overlooked but rock heavy track by him. This is his superb single, Twisted Minds. Some people search frantically for a road trip rock song. When you’re sick and tired of Whitesnake and Scorpions, understand there are some other axe wielders. Here, Gary Dranow brings his Deep Purple love out, with synth and guitar heavy rhythm. The layers and mix allows the track to be appreciated for the pub swinger that it is. The guitar licks have a delicious tang to it, something that puts it apart from pop punk drillers. While some rock tracks linger around the outside, you are invited for a sound spiral with this exciting and intriguing number. The guitar solo is exceptional, tasteful and melodically phrased. You’ll be repeatedly blasting this through your car till the trip ends. Special thanks to the keys solo as well!Films like Easy Rider and Dazed & Confused with Almost Famous come to mind. These are tracks where you go the distance, face changes head on and definitely rock on. The group in question is against all odds, and brings its own dynamic that is the showstopper and essential premise. Gary Dranow is the master orchestrator, and he has managed to conjure a vibe more powerful than most chart toppers have in the past few years. Rock out to his track and follow him!
Indya-Raise Ya Vibration
Indya commands the sound she carries. Her music is a cacophony cocktail that every true music fan will enjoy. Her energy is unmatched, and the delivery of vocals is incomparable. The kind of kick you get from her rock tracks is the spine of your party, that is what people wait for. This is her latest single, Raise Ya Vibration. Kick it to 5th gear instantly. Indya has not much time for build-ups, and her track shows. She has the drive and need to bring this intense punk rock tempo and energy. Her sound also tries to blend a new genre this time, a reggae swing. Though the aggressive distorted guitar and her fuel powered intensity is what gives the song its vibration, she keeps the song constructed within crests and waves. It pays off well, as we return to a crushing, explosive chorus with a guitar solo. It is the epitome of rock mixes, and is packed with the dynamite a song like this would need. Films like 6 Underground, Kill Bill and Mad Max could have kicked it with this song for the opening. Grabbing attention, it also classifies the protagonist as an instant badass. The tempo also allows the scene to flick by soon, while still carrying the kind of gravity it does. You would have heard her sound in indie playlists with tracks like I Wanna Be The One, Little Crush & Harder Faster among others. She is a bullet that has left the chamber, and will only gather more speed. Listen to her and support her incredible sound!
AnnaBella-Liar, Liar
AnnaBella is a duo you won’t find very often. A songwriter duo of a vintage doll, Anna and the singer/performer Bella, who have a symbiotic relationship in music. The doll writes, the singer performs. This results in a volatile combination of hard rock and voluminous guitar sounds. This is the latest single from this duo, Liar, Liar. There is more than a hint of contempt from AnnaBella. The truth can be evaded, but only for so long. They wait for judgement day, with hands clasped in joy. This is a rock song that brings slowly burns into the chorus, and is a rocking one. The chords strike hard and relinquish, trying every effect to bring in the drama for the lyrical push. The verse section has some simple, luring electric guitar groove. The drums help in leading the track to the punch of the chorus, the bridge almost reminiscent of a choir. The hook is in the chorus, brimming with the energy necessary to power the track through. The production allows the kick to be felt, not only heard. I would definitely chart this for the biography for AnnaBella. This is an interesting tale that would have an intriguing story, and the scene almost looks too perfect. As the guilty is traced, you see these masterminds cackling with joy. You can hear this intense combo in their other singles like Homewrecker & Replaced. They are just getting started, and we can’t wait to see where they go. Till then enjoy their single and watch your back!
The Freight-See Ya
The Freight are appropriately named. Charging in like a train from the past, they deliver to the future. Bringing the lost sound of 80s rock, this is a revival worth raving about. Their catchy music is inspired by entire decades of music. They were born with it, grew up listening to it, and give us an unadulterated version of it now. This is their latest single, See Ya. While the riffage style might be from the classic vault by the legends, they bring the execution From Mountain to Deep Purple, you can hear the sounds sharper than a train horn. Identifiable and enviable in the ease with which they perform, you would wish to hear this live. The synths, like Jon Lord, pull you out from the moment and set you back in with purpose. The guitars bring the noise as much as they do the melody, and you’re swinging in no time. You might be a newbie to their sound, but don’t tell me you’re not an instant fan. The Boston based band clear the tracks with just their presence, and you can cash in on that. This would fit any Quentin Tarantino action flick, but I’d like to see it in Kill Bill. Nobody, starring Bob Odenkirk, would also rock this scene for the bus fight, which I encourage you to check out. Bottom line, The Freight enjoy what they make and do, and it shows. Check out their tracks like Show Me & Overrated for a good dosage of demolition drive rock. In case you haven’t boarded the train yet, see ya.
Darrian Gerard-Basement Stadium
Darrian Gerard might be the next punk rocker messiah. Her songs have massive Bikini Kill and X energy, from vocals to instrumentals, everything is on high wattage. It would be a miracle to hear her live, owing to the kind of performances she gives in her recordings. Today we listen to her EP, Basement Stadium. Being a complete home studio artist is no easy task. Everything is in your hands, including how the music feels. Darrian Gerard has her basement stadium packed, if she’s executing songs this way. The distortion on the guitars and her appeal is insane, especially with her opening track Explosion. She goes for a slow opening, and for a punk rocker, that is performance haven. Her riffs push towards a catchy chorus that you’d definitely be singing along to. You might find the second title a little misleading. It is called Powerless, but it pushes the envelope for the most annihilating essence of sound. As it organically builds, I can imagine hoards of rock lovers clapping along to the beat. The vocals interact very smoothly with the guitars, and layers galore. One of the most well written tracks lyrically and arrangement wise as well. Everybody’s Mad At Me is the rebels lament. Darrian Gerard is an expert in getting a slow, solid opening that has a firework chorus section with plenty of overflow. It is a great way of bringing in pop flavours but retaining the core principle of punk rock/rock. Hear it echo As we reach Backseat Driver, you feel a whole different texture to the tone. This is a pleasant surprise, where you can’t put her love for genres in a box. The chorus comes in pretty early, making for a catchy track. It is important not to pander with over-the-top instrumentals as well. It is top quality content with no seconds on the track meter wasted. As we close this energetic EP, we approach her most popular track. Old Wounds has an emotional core, the ink spilling into the instrumentals. The virtual reflections are almost inundating, for we never know the kind of vocal route she’ll take with her songs. Darrian Gerard is not only the snippet of the modern musician, but someone who had their first love in music. I’d love to see this reprised in Smithereens, which is a movie released in 1982, but has all the energy Darrian brings to her music. Tailored to perfection in sound and production as well, she is an all-rounder music buff who will continue to make fun but meaningful music. Joan Jett has already got reincarnated, and this one resonates with the new generation of die-hard music fans. Don’t forget to follow her on Spotify for more superb music coming your way!
JShell-In My Head
JShell kept his promise. He said he’ll have a kick-ass track ready for us to vibe to, and he was right. He broke the indie music game with his cool rock track, Haunted. Now, imagine that impact times 10. This is his full length album, In My Head. Let’s see the surprises he’s packed for us in this one. Here’s something you should know about JShell. He’s a multi-instrumentalist, so what you hear might never be replicated in this style. This becomes immediately evident with his opening track, Crawl. The leading drums have a pounding rhythm that you instantly latch on to. A great rock core, the beat takes you on a journey. He likes to experiment with the time signature, changing the attack and styles. You See Me may have a Velvet Underground touch, but his cinnamon spice is retained as well. There is an easygoing air about the song, and all the instruments dance in tandem. Owing to the same synapse composing all this, there are a lot of alt-rock moments as well. Big Apple Boogie is another pocket of experimentation. It has a Deep Purple style execution, Jon Lord styled synth leads opening the track. The instrumental has all the energy coming from this throne claiming powerhouse. JShell is adamant in giving you a wholesome experience. Through this school of rock Chain of Events has a resonating soul that reverberates with new life. It changes the rock style for something within a prog-rock exhibit. The tonal competitiveness is fun to listen to, and the unpredictable turns JShell takes. We then come to his hit single, Haunted. Known for the kind of kick it has and superb funky spine. It is a perfect middle line track, something that refreshes your listening soul. You hear Peter Frampton influences, however JShell pushes for an experience that furthers that. Some transitions could have used a bit more vocal polishing, but the instrumentals steal the show either way. You Do You might be an uber Dylan styled track. It has a piano riff as the swinging core. The collaboration with Steve Hackett also allows for a uniquely carved track with its own chasing personality. Don’t Ask Why goes back to old school rock roots. The riff has an essence like UFO, but JShell never wants you to hear something you already have. There are plenty of innovations in his tone and intent of creating an album like this. Delusions is another favourite of mine. It has a Bryan Adams style execution. You can almost hear the whole stadium singing this with him. Thursday changes and rests on this kind of tone, while That’s the Key is a triumphant reggae flavour to this album. It has great layers and parts, moving in tandem like a clock. You hear the title track, and you hear the chaos and instrumental genius come together. A memorable performance by JShell As we reach a ballad like tone, you realize you might be in for a Yes styled escapade. My Last Request changes the texture to make a genuinely interesting album with a dream behind it. This artist wanted to create a first kick-ass album that had so many names and themes, you were like a kid at an amusement park. Mission accomplished sir. This one deserves its own biography on JShell’s exciting life.
Elohyek-What's the Use?
Elohyek are travellers, but through the waves of sound. Many artists say they break genres, but pick ones that have blood bond. This band is different, because they never set out to be. Choosing genres that one wouldn’t think of putting together, they create delicious cocktails of cotton candy and rust. Industrial rock marries Trip-Hop. What’s the Use? Is their latest single. In many ways, the beat reminds me of Dave Grohl’s single with Trent Reznor and Josh Homme. Reznor has the ability to mould the texture to a cinematic reprise if desired. Elohyek use an alteration of the Mantra like beat to create a dreamy verse section. Riding on the clip-clopping hooves of the drum, the vocals are spaced out, yet in psychedelic shards. It reflects vocal patches of Tame Impala, or maybe even Babe Ruth or the Psychic Ills. Drawing you in, you’re restricted to this box till the opening comes. What an opening it is. The contrast of the gentle guitars to the overdrive kicking in is the life source songs like this need. It is an empirical sense of agency to a song like this, creating a thumping audio drama that is in parts industrial, parts alt-rock. Receding into the bassline, you feel like you’ve been shown a chapter from a secret book. It is a revelatory sound that they have discovered, and they are rightfully proud of it. The Hitcher and Wanted are two movies that would have executed this in their scene with perfection. You can check out their elegance in execution with Phantom Limbs, their 2022 album. Their upcoming EP, Evergreen Motel, might tread on new paths. Listen to their immersive track and follow them for their EP release!