Browsing Tag

Classic Rock

Mario Vayne – Electric: A High-Voltage Homage to 80s Rock

Posted on 26 March 2024

It may have been almost a year since we got hooked on Mario Vayne’s earworm, Baby, but there was no forgetting the rock virtuoso’s infectiously euphoric energy and charisma, which is just as visceral in his latest single, Electric.

After a tenderly melodic and choked-with-sunset-strip-atmospherics prelude, Electric riffs its way into a vibrant homage to the 80s, boldly asserting that the future of classic rock is charged with an exhilarating, new energy.

Following the success of his debut single which captivated over 200K Spotify listeners, ‘Electric’ is poised to ignite the airwaves in a similar vein. Vayne’s journey, from a shy child crafting songs at eleven to a dynamic frontman in the UK and Australia, culminates in this release. His hiatus during the grunge era only seems to have honed his craft, leading to this moment of resurgence.

‘Electric’ is a testament to Vayne’s belief in following his rock-licked heart. The track is a fusion of adrenalizing riffs and memorable hooks, all set against the backdrop of 80s iconography. Yet, it’s the sheer zeal and fervour that Vayne pours into his music that truly defines the song. The lyrics, more than just words, are mantras for living, weaving through the music and urging listeners to embrace a vibrant lust for life.

In an era where optimism can feel scarce, ‘Electric’ offers a potent reminder of rock’s unifying power. Mario Vayne’s name might have been synonymous with the rock legends of yesteryear had this track been released in their time. Today, it stands as a signal that the spirit of classic rock not only endures but evolves.

Electric was officially released on March 8th; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Little Villains – Café De Stam: The Ultimate Hard Rock Antidote to the Ennui of Our Times

Posted on 8 February 2024
Café De Stam by Little Villains

The transatlantic hard-rock heavy-hitters Little Villains are priming themselves for the unleashing of their fifth studio LP, Café De Stam. Get a taste of the vintage-wrapped rancour to come by adrenalizing yourself with the recently released title single.

By melding classic rock rhythmics with the frenetic mayhem of metal, the title single will go down a storm with Motorhead and Venom fans. Little Villains ensured none of the high-octane energy from their rock n roll to the core performance was lost in the raw production of the infectiously razor-sharp hit, which proves how tight the fourpiece’s sound has become since their debut.

The anthem of defiance brought to life with an infectious sense of devil may care rebellion, goes beyond paying an ode to the pioneers; it is the ultimate aural antidote to the ennui of our modern times.

Stream and purchase the title single, Café De Stam, which was officially released on January 25, on Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

BlueMelt’s ‘Stardust on Your Dress’: A Nostalgic Riff-Laden Reverie

Posted on 27 January 2024

BlueMelt, spearheaded by the adept London-based Vito Tardia, has unleashed a sonic tempest with their latest single, “Stardust on Your Dress.” For anyone who kneels at the altar of rock, the track is a rite of passage. From the first note, you’re plunged into a whirlpool of nostalgia, driven by a lead guitar that dances with a fiery passion through the overdriven amplification.

The release masterfully blends the soul of classic blues with the grit of modern rock, creating a sound that is both raw and refined. The garagey texture of the track adds a layer of authenticity, a nod to the unpolished gems of rock’s golden era. As the guitar solos soar, they paint a vivid picture while the technical precision becomes a testament to Tardia’s skill and dedication to his craft. Each note is meticulously placed, yet there’s an underlying wildness that can’t be tamed.

Stardust on Your Dress is a journey back to the roots of rock, yet it propels the listener forward, hinting at the boundless potential of BlueMelt’s future endeavours. This track is a must-listen, not just for rock aficionados but for anyone seeking a taste of musical fervour that’s both nostalgic and exhilarating.

Stardust on Your Dress will officially release on January 26; stream the single on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Duncan R Foley put the soul in sleaze (rock) with ‘You Better Rock and Roll’

Posted on 19 January 2024
https://artists.spotify.com/c/artist/3tU5EeamYytwpkY2oa5WWS/profile/overview

Duncan R Foley’s latest single, You Better Rock and Roll, is an acknowledgement that, sometimes, there’s no better sugar for the pill of reality than a soulfully sleazy dose of rock and roll. Foley delivered the antidote to ennui within the expressively expansive release, which allows the shimmering overdriven rock chords to douse you in sonic salvation. Devoid of rock cliches but with all of the key cornerstones, the single is a remedy for rock monotony. There was no room for pretension in the vocals, just pure soulful energy, which comes alive through Foley’s determination to leave the world a better place with his talent.

The Belfast-residing artist brings a fresh vibrancy to the genre, infused with the spirit of his diverse musical journey from Zimbabwe to Johannesburg to the Emerald Isle. This track is a testament to his resilience and adaptability, echoing his mantra of pushing forward and making the most of every moment.

Production-wise, the track is a polished gem. Foley’s collaboration with Jonathan Shaw of Ibilion Studio brings a level of professionalism and finesse that elevates the song. The hypnotic bass track and solid backbeat create a foundation that allows the guitars to soar, resulting in a sound that’s seductive in its soulful sleaze.

With this release, Foley not only cements his place in the rock pantheon but also promises a future rich with sonic explorations and heartfelt expressions.

You Better Rock and Roll will hit the airwaves on January 19. Stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Zarah established herself as the powerhouse innovator the modern rock scene has been crying out for in her latest single, Blind Woman

Posted on 27 October 2023

Following the critically acclaimed reception of her debut single, What Have We Become? the LA-residing soul rock evocateur, Zarah, has proven she’s far from a one melodic masterpiece wonder with her sophomore single, Blind Woman.

The classic rock cuts may have been stripped back in Blind Woman, but the yearning atmosphere that drifts between the enticing tension in the instrumentation and her dynamic vocal range, which can deliver everything from the raw timbre of Lydia Lunch to a rock-licked iteration of Kate Bush’s high register, is a lesson in sonic alchemy. She’s a siren of pure power and soul.

In addition to Zarah Maillard’s singer-songwriter achievements, the powerhouse of charisma, creativity and talent is a novelist, television personality, producer, and performer, who has performed with Goo Goo Dolls.

If you can’t get enough of Blind Woman, your appetite for Zarah’s synthesis of classic and modern rock will be sated upon the release of her debut LP of the same title. We can’t wait to get lost in the escapism of it.

Blind Woman will officially release on October 27; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

History battle cries in Solemn Pledge’s concept EP, Joan of Arc: Savior of France

Posted on 18 September 2023

There are concept EPs, and there are hair-raising sonic manifestos where history battle cries and culture breathes; the recently released EP, Joan of Arc: Savior of France, from Solemn Pledge is at the vanguard in the latter camp.

No matter how much time stands between the legacy of Joan of Arc and our present-day epoch, her trailblazing tale will always leave the imagination alight, as definitively proven by the rock opera retelling from the duo comprising Genevieve Elia and Michael Justin Lee.

In the standout single, To Free France, the classic Iron Maiden-esque rock tones lend themselves viscerally well to the narration of the wrath of Joan of Arc. Elia’s dynamic vocal range effortlessly encapsulates the sheer hell-hath-no-fury resilience of the feminist icon who is revered as one of France’s greatest military heroes, despite her age, gender, and discernible lack of military training.

Stream Joan of Arc: Saviour of France on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Mario Vayne put the power in pop rock with his debut single, Baby

Posted on 1 September 2023

If you take your classic rock with a pop twist, the debut single, Baby, from the Queensland-hailing singer-songwriter and guitar virtuoso Mario Vayne efficaciously hits the anthemic spot.  There isn’t a stadium on Earth that Vayne couldn’t fill with his boundlessly powerful vocals that could charge a national grid.

With as much passion as I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing by Aerosmith, the serpentine rhythmics of White Snake, and Journey-esque melodic hooks, Baby is a triumphant Tour De Force for the solo artist who cut his teeth fronting various rock outfits in the UK and Australia. Between the 70s rock nostalgia and contemporary production stylings lingers Vayne’s tendency to make everything he vocally touches turn to euphonic gold. If this isn’t the start of a promising solo career, I don’t know what is.

Stream Baby on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The prodigal sons of classic rock, Torn Rhythms, strike again in ‘Stay With Me’

Posted on 21 July 2023

Proving that there is still capacity for creativity in classic rock is the critically acclaimed Virgina-hailing five-piece Torn Rhythms, with their latest melodic masterpiece, Stay with Me.

There are shimmering clean guitar tones by the smorgasbord in the rhythmically enrapturing single, which plunges you into a panoramically immersive narrative right from the first verse. If anyone was giving out black belts for songwriting chops, Torn Rhythms would be adorned with them for their ability to make their vignettes come to life in visceral colour.

Listening to their instrumental melodies meander with precisive purpose is as easy as breathing; as for the vocals, they’re just like honey. If you’re as reverent to the traditional style of songwriting away from beats and loops and also happen to have a penchant for The Byrds, Tom Petty and Bob Dylan, you’ll want to stick with Stay with Me.

Stream Stay With Me on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Shake, Rattle and Roll with GaryHalacan’s Latest Nostalgia Slice, Hip Dip

Posted on 14 July 2023

GaryHalacan took rock n roll right back to its roots with their latest jive-worthy single, Hip Dip; there are scat vocal melodies, frenetic blues keys hammering and adrenalizing fretboard work by the smorgasbord.

As the nostalgic tones shake, rattle and roll, reminding us the genre existed way before the emergence of the Rolling Stones, the party-rocking atmosphere of the single is maintained throughout the release which proves the only thing GaryHalacan takes seriously is keeping the vibes high and the riffs soaring.

GaryHalacan is the music project of the Ohio-hailing engineering professor Paul Paslay. After growing up on a steady diet of classic rock, Paslay spent his high school and college days in choirs and multi-instrumentalists in bands. During the early 00s, the muse found him, and he started to write original music, influenced by everyone from the Beatles to DEVO to Spinal Tap. For Hip Dip, Paslay collaborated with musicians from across the globe, including musicians from France, Peru and Argentina to create a sure-fire serotonin spiller.

The official music video for Hip Dip is available to stream on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Blomqvist & Mattjus borrowed a few tones from Dogs D’Amour for their acoustic rock triumph, Dangerous Curves

Posted on 10 June 2023

Any fans of bluesy rock in the same vein as Dogs D’Amour, Pretty Boy Floyd, and The Quireboys won’t want to hesitate to get the acoustic rock LP, Right on Time, from the devilishly reverent duo, Blomqvist & Mattjus, in rotation.

Track 6, Dangerous Curves, is the perfect introduction to the duo’s redefinition of the iconic rock tones that built the sonic landscape in the 70s, 80s and 90s. With vocals that could give Massive Wagons a run for their money and catchy choruses that would be best enjoyed while driving with the top down, this infectiously low-down and dirty acoustic anthem is far too irresistible for a solitary play. The celebration of sensuality veers just close enough to 80s sleaze to scintillate it with salaciousness, but the sense of bluesy soul quickly perturbed any sense of vulgarity.

Right on Time was officially released on May 23; get stuck into it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast