Browsing Tag

americana

Romance is a form of fatalism in The County Affair’s latest slice of Americana, Beach

Posted on 25 June 2022

Following their 2021 debut album, which was recorded at Abbey Road and sold 100,000 digital copies, the UK-residing Americana duo, The County Affair, unveiled their latest single, Beach (Summer Mix).

In their own words, Beach is about love and a car crash, some may say they’re two of the same, but there is nothing quite like the old-school crooning country melodies entwining with the lyrical fatalism in the subversively blissful single.

With the bends of the bluesy guitar notes carrying as much poise as Swan Lake, the sepia-tinged single went beyond paying ode to the roots of Americana. The duo created a romantic reminiscence of nostalgia before driving it through their cinematically choral sonic signature. It leaves no room to wonder why The County Affair has been lauded on both sides of the pond.

Beach will officially release on June 17th via X&Y Records. Hear it for yourselves here.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

 

The Rochester roots-rock renegade Brian Lindsay has delivered the ultimate riff-licked ‘Revival’

Posted on 31 May 2022

Ahead of his fourth album, Revival, the NYC roots-rocker, Brian Lindsay, teased the modernity-weary, whiskey-soaked soul within it by giving us a sneak peek of the title single, which throws you right back to the time when lighters were held in the air instead of iPhones.

His virtuosic yet humble approach to songwriting is one of the best escapes from the 21st-century that you could possibly ask for. Between the deep yearning romanticism and the swoon-worthy soaring guitar licks, you get the affirmation that Brian Lindsay is the real revival deal. As much as he taps into Springsteen and Ryan Adams-Esque high energy melodicism, he leans into his signature rugged yet smooth intoxicating aural juxtaposition style.

Revival was officially released on May 20th. You can check it out for yourselves by heading over to Spotify or via his official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Building Rockets Band knows that the phone calls should be more regularly dialled on, ‘Dear Friend’

Posted on 29 May 2022

Fueled from their debut 11-track album called ‘How to Bridge the Gap‘, Building Rockets Band remind us that friendships can fade away sometimes as life occasionally takes over unexpectedly on, ‘Dear Friend‘.

Building Rockets Band is an Ironton, Ohio-based indie alternative 4-piece band who have made a name for themselves on their local circuit with a genuine mixture of soul-healing gems.

”From backgrounds in rock, Americana, classical, bluegrass, big band, indie, and country the musicians of Building Rockets each bring their own unique flavor. Telling their stories of family, love, life, and loss through edgy, genre-crossing musicality.” ~ Building Rockets Band

Bringing us a memorable single that encapsulates so many humans who have just reached their 30s, Building Rockets Band sends us into a former world of joy and sadness, that is rather hard to explain if you have lost touch without explanation. Sung with sincere emotion and conveying forth a marvellous melody, this is a track to close your eyes with and recall those special memories that are stuck in your mind forever.

”Influenced by their country roots, rock rebellion, the blues, and everything in between every song brings something different.” ~ Building Rockets Band

‘Dear Friend‘ from Ironton, Ohio-based indie alternative 4-piece band Building Rockets Band is one of those nostalgic soundtracks that take you into a flashback that reminds you of the past and those happy times. Feeling guilty that you haven’t been around more as your footpath moved in a different direction, this is a song to certainly reflect on as you ponder what truly happened.

Picking up that phone to call an old friend, is one way to get those memories flooding back.

Listen to this catchy track on Soundcloud and see more on the IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Robin Lewis speaks for the malaised in his Waitsy Americana acoustic rock single, No Light

Posted on 26 May 2022

Armed with his trusty resonator guitar and Gibson 63, the BMI published folk singer-songwriter & producer, Robin Lewis, has released his Americana acoustic rock heartbreaker of a Waitsy release, No Light, taken from his moody and retrospective lockdown-born album, Everyone Has a Story.

No Light was compassionately composed for listeners all too accustomed to the days which become signified by malaise. In all sincerity, it imparts solace in the reminder that the sun sets on even the darkest of days. Lockdown releases may often get tarred with the same trite brush, but No Light will be resonant for years to come. It’s a stunning exposition of the collective state of our consciousness; now that we know the ‘new normal’ generally blows and there’s no putting the gloss back on the facade of our modern existence. We honestly couldn’t be more psyched to have Lewis on our radar. We’d advise that you reserve him space on yours.

No Light, taken from Robin Lewis’ album, Everyone Has a Story, was officially released on May 16th. You can check it out for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

Jo-Jo & The Teeth gave us the couture of glam rock n roll with their blisteringly hot pop-rock anthem, Don’t Get Too Heavy

Posted on 18 May 2022

‘Don’t Get Too Heavy’ from the London-based outfit, Jo-Jo & The Teeth is the only riff-slicked pop-hooked rock n’ roll debut you need to hear in 2022. A rebellious streak runs right through the glam rock earworm, but like every good hit, it does plenty more than just show its teeth.

If you amped up the visceral attitude in Stevie Nicks’ vocals to 11, they’d still pale in comparison to the hooky veracity of Jo-Jo O’Donoghue’s blisteringly hot pop-rock vocal lines. That’s probably blasphemy, but I’ll prepare to repent for it to do Jo-Jo & The Teeth justice. It’s the least I could do given that she has given rock n roll an Americana iteration of Peaches.

Don’t Get Too Heavy is the lead track from the forthcoming self-produced debut album, No More Good News; I already want it on my turntable.

The official music video for Don’t Get Too Heavy premiered on May 6th; watch it on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Rising Texas Americana/country artist Rī Wolf roams freely with that extraordinary soul on, ‘Two Wild Horses’

Posted on 18 May 2022

Taken off his upcoming 14-track ‘Elemental‘ album that is due for release on the 27th of May, Rī Wolf drops the lead single from this much-awaited release with the cinematic single about that real connection that is so hard to find on, ‘Two Wild Horses‘.

Rī Wolf is a skilled Canyon, Texas-based indie Americana/country solo singer-songwriter, West Texas A&M University Alum and cabin builder.

”After spending the last 14 years as a collegiate track and field coach in Texas and almost 9 years away from music, Rī Wolf is bursting back into the music scene with a Grass Roots Americana sound reminiscent of a West Texas Troubadour making his way back home.” ~ Rī Wolf

Showing us why he is so highly respected and a name to truly take notice of due to his genuine lyrics and outstanding vocals, Rī Wolf wanders freely with that amazing soul who is headed in that same direction as he is. Sung with gliding greatness that seems to inspire you to hold the hand of those who have the same mindset, this is a rather spectacular effort that should resonate with so many of us.

”This song is about freedom and pursuing your passion with the one you love right beside you. That’s how I feel every day getting to play and create music.” ~ Rī Wolf

‘Two Wild Horses‘ from Canyon, Texas-based indie Americana/country solo singer-songwriter Rī Wolf is a rather special single about wanting to brighten that light with someone real who wants to run with you, see the sunset together, and live each day like it’s your last. That freedom feeling is something that holds true in this fantastic new track, that has you looking above, to be grateful for what you have in this world.

Being with that incredible human who gets you and wants to make you better together, is the most remarkable feeling ever after all.

Pre-save this single on Distrokid that will be released with the full album on 27th May and see more content on his IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Country and Roots Originators, Few Miles South, Delivered a Pick-Up Truck of Wholesome with Their Latest Single, Doggone

Posted on 15 May 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFNbJiDfj3g

The country and roots collective, Few Miles South, may have been dubbed the ‘Country Pretenders’, but their latest single and music video, Doggone, set them apart as distinguished escapist originators.

I haven’t been as endeared by Bluegrass Americana since wandering into a festival tent and discovering Hayseed Dixie in a cider-addled haze. Yet, despite the pickup truckload of heckin’ wholesome, Doggone was never in any danger of registering as a novelty.

There’s some serious gravitas in this ode to one of the best fuzzy 4-legged aspects of our existence. Toni’s timelessly arrestive vocals against the punchy rhythms, blazing acoustic guitar solos, and the striking fiddle are an alchemic mix.

Doggone will officially release on May 13th; you can check out the official music video by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Craig Gould tells us how the drink-filled Friday night turned out with, ‘Burned’

Posted on 14 May 2022

Picking himself off the floor during a wild night after work that turned rather outlandish, Craig Gould returns with the 3rd and final single from his upcoming release called ‘Songs from the Campfire‘, with the inventive swig-loaded single, ‘Burned‘.

Craig Gould is a UK-based indie Americana/folk/alt-country artist and mental health campaigner who is a visionary soul that makes music to relate with at the local.

”All of the profits from this release will be donated to CALM – Campaign Against Living Miserably, a charity that Craig is very proud to be working in partnership with. Craig has already used his music to raise over £500 for mental health care within the UK.” ~ Craig Gould

Reminding us that music should be fun and exciting – while filled with stories to make our minds wander – far away from any work or life issues, Craig Gould is at his peak with a glass-tapping performance to get the party started.

”Showcasing Gould’s now renowned storytelling gift, drawing us into the two-sided tale of a Friday night’s drinking session.” ~ Craig Gould

‘Burned‘ from Craig Gould is an ale-soaked bar mat gem that has dancing shoes slipping and laughing-the-night-away with a stumble added in for good measure. This is a drinking anthem that is packed with fantastic stories that so many can connect to, as we are let into a narrative that so many will enjoy and smile with. Featuring his signature charm, gritty vocals and supremely amusing lyrics, this is a single to play loud, when you are having a few cold ones with mates after a long week after work.

Hear this new single on Spotify and see more news via his IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Our Band have those enchanting stars in their eyes to truly treasure on, ‘Up Here on this Mountain’

Posted on 14 May 2022

With beautifully eloquent harmonies that are simply excellent and featuring heart-healing vocals that will have you smiling with that innocent joy, Our Band send us to a place where peace reigns above all else with their latest gem, ‘Up Here on this Mountain‘.

Our Band is an award-winning indie-folk/Americana songwriting duo formed by first-generation Russian-American classically trained pianist/vocalist Sasha Papernik and North Carolina-born guitarist/vocalist, Justin Poindexter.

”Together, they have performed for audiences in some of the world’s greatest venues, from Carnegie Hall to Lincoln Center to the Smithsonian Museum of American Art. In 2018-19 they toured Poland, Germany and Estonia as ambassadors of American music for U.S. State Department.” ~ Our Band

Using all their experience and clearly world-class abilities to produce a single that shall have you sensing that today will be a good day, Our Band delight with an exquisite exertion that shall change your mindset away from any misty doom and gloom.

”Their debut album, featuring American music legend David Amram, was released in 2021.” ~ Our Band

‘Up Here on this Mountain‘ from the wonderful indie-folk/Americana duo Our Band, is one of the more calming singles you will hear today. They form a power team and seem so in tune with each other – as the vocals are smooth as silk and there is so much to fall in love with here – as we close our eyes while going on this tranquil journey.

If only more songs featured this state of kindness, the world would be a much better place.

Listen to this new single on YouTube and see more via their IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Max Minardi took us to Northern California with his folk-pop single, Young & Green

Posted on 13 May 2022

North California’s folk singer-songwriter, Max Minardi, wore his heart on his sleeve and gave us all his shirt in his latest narratively spellbinding indie folk-pop single, Young & Green.

The Lumineers and Mumford and Sons may have given folk-pop a bad rep, but the pop hooks and Americana roots in Young & Green is more than enough to restore the reputation with a single sonic hand.

The intricately spirited piano melodies and the orchestral layers bring the instrumental gravitas to the same level as his naturally magnetic vocals, which carry the same timeless beguile as Cat Stevens, Paul Simon, and Ben Howard, while up against the effortlessly synergistic female vocals.

Young & Green is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast