Review: New Found Glory – Make The Most Of It

Adam Grundy Jan 23, 2023

There are moments in our lives where we make a conscious effort to change the way we do things. Maybe it’s a change of careers, a lifestyle change of some sort, or an unforeseen change that’s completely out of our hands. New Found Glory are aware of all of these factors going into their latest album, Make The Most Of It, and they do their best to make the best out of a horrible situation. Guitarist Chad Gilbert’s cancer diagnosis influenced the majority of the songs on this album, but the overall message of hope and leaving behind a musical legacy are also prevalent here. Gilbert admitted, “I didn’t want this to be the ‘cancer record’ originally. But when we went on tour and people started hearing the story and connecting to it, I gave up on trying to control the narrative. Not all bands are dealt these cards, but we were. Let’s take these songs and help the disease get awareness and raise money for a cause that’s working on education and research for my rare cancer.” Make The Most Of It features several new songs, seven to be exact, with some reimagined acoustic versions added to end of the record to round things out. The reimagined songs came from their live set at Liberty Hall in Franklin, Tennessee, which came as a surprise to fans and myself alike. This seemed like a golden moment for NFG to give their fans acoustic studio versions of some of their favorite songs of all time, but instead it ends up as a missed opportunity.

New Found Glory has never shied away from their sensitive side, whether it comes from a pop-punk power ballad or reimagining their singles with an acoustic version. This side of them worked best on Coming Home, but the band has showed moments of promise throughout their tenure. New Found Glory have been called many things over their musical career, but “survivors” and “pop-punk legends” seem most appropriate now.

Adam Grundy Jan 20, 2023

Today indie-pop singer Natalie Shay has returned with a new single and lyric video for “The Edge.” The song is about a painful situation between herself and her friendship with her best friend dissolving quickly. Shay mentioned, “This is one of my favorite songs I’ve ever released, and as the feelings are still very raw, I’m hoping to find closure in this.” If you’re ready to cry along with Natalie Shay, you’ve come to the right place. I was also able to catch up with Natalie for a brief interview below.

Adam Grundy Jan 19, 2023

Today is the perfect day to share the latest single and music video from Whitney Walker called “Heather From Here.” In this great sounding track from the singer-songwriter, Walker channels the best part of rustic rock into a heartfelt message of hope. Walker shared:

I used to write songs really quickly, but I stopped being able to write songs as fast when I got sober. It took six or seven years until I could write like that again. I was living in Amesbury, Massachusetts at the time and going through a long breakup with my then fiance. I hated it there. Used to call it ‘Lamesbury.’ It’s right on the water, and kinda has a big class disparity, somewhere between working class and hoity-toity. But this turned out to be a fertile songwriting time for me. I was always channeling the Pixies and Lou Reed in my head. I wrote it on acoustic guitar and it ended up being one of the more under-adorned songs on the album, and the only song on the record without Dana. This was the last song we recorded for the record, and it went quick. I recorded at Will Bradford’s house here in Portland [Maine], and he has this really cool vocal booth. Will [Bradford] played bass, lead guitar and keys. Brooke did the backing vocals. Her range is great as it isn’t what she normally sounds like on TheWorst records. It was very much a label [RascalRecordZ] affair.

If you’re enjoying the sound Whitney Walker went for here, you can check out his full-length record, A Dog Staring Into a Mirror on the Floor, on March 3rd.

Adam Grundy Jan 18, 2023

Today I’m excited to bring everyone the latest single from Philadelphia slowcore band, Swim Camp, called “Dougie (For Sharyl).” The track comes from the forthcoming LP, Steel Country, out everywhere on February 24th via Julia’s War Recordings. On this latest single, Tom Morris shared, “This song is about developing a codependent friendship with someone who is not good for you. They support you, but enable bad behavior. Ultimately this ends up being bad for everyone involved. I recorded this song to tape in a cabin in the Poconos after my friend Sharyl heard the demo and insisted that it become a fully realized song, so it is largely for her.” If you’re enjoying the direction Swim Camp went for here, please consider purchasing the song here.

Adam Grundy Jan 17, 2023

For those unfamiliar with Frightful Places, the emo band comes from the mind of Kevin Tiernan (Mighty Tortuga, Moving Brooklyn), and the self-titled EP tackles the theme of facing your fears head on. The set of songs was produced by Chris Teti, and it shows an artist growing gracefully in his thematic approach to songwriting. The EP was crafted during the pandemic and it showcases a reflection of an artist learning to take his direct influences and create something worthy of his own name.

The EP kicks off with the textured guitars of “Old Frame” that sets the stage nicely for the rest of the record. Tiernan sings over haunting guitars, “And now, a year/ A crooked frame hangs above the stairs / Windows open / ‘Cause I keep coming back / Like a ghost at the edge of the bed,” and its evident that he’s willing to face his fears with an open mind. The title track continues down the exploratory path with more picturesque instrumental parts that allow for Tiernan to hone in on the more atmospheric sections of the song. It’s eerily reminiscent of the vibe American Football went for on their latest LP, and hits its mark just as well.

Adam Grundy Jan 17, 2023

Today is a great day to share the latest single from indie punk rock band Strawberry Fuzz, called “Dropout.” The single comes from the band’s new LP, Strongs Dr., that releases everywhere music is sold on January 18th via CandyShop Recordings. The band is great for fans of similar artists like The Germs, White Reaper, and Black Lips, but they really have a unique style that is truly one of a kind. When speaking on the new album, vocalist Colby Rodgers shared, “The album is a blend of all the people I grew up with in LA. Stoners, pill heads, downers, uppers, straight kids — it’s pretty much all in there.” If you’re ready to discover your next favorite band, you’ve come to the right place. I was also able to catch up with Strawberry Fuzz for a brief interview below.

Adam Grundy Jan 16, 2023

Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the latest single from Chris Garneau called “Overexposure.” The track was co-produced by Benoit Bel (Kate Nash, Will Oldham, Bjork) and focuses on the vulnerability felt after a break-up. On the single, Garneau shared:

This song is about the absence of a lover, the pain of separation, and how a break-up can haunt the heart over the years. I wanted to capture a narrator who longs for a past that glimmered with hope and affection. His desire to ‘go back to that feeling’ is a wish to return to his faith in love and to abandon the regret and despair that now washes over him. Like a haunting spell, the repetitive, circular motion of the melody reflects a sense of overexposing yourself to loss. These thoughts can inundate and torture a person’s mind and take over. This state of entrapment makes me think of someone who continues to press down on a bruise and prevent it from healing.

If you’re ready to get hurt, and fall in love all over again with Chris Garneau, you’ve come to the right place.

Adam Grundy Jan 16, 2023

Today is a great day to share the latest single and music video from Hurt Season called “Afraid To Love.” For those unfamiliar with the artist, Hurt Season finds their inspiration from artists like Pierce the Veil and Santana, while adding some layers of complexity to his music to make it his own. Speaking on the latest single, he shared, “‘Afraid To Love’ is a deep, meaningful song about a break up. Written from the perspective of someone who is tired of being strung along by finicky emotions and commitment issues, it’s a beautiful goodbye.” I was also able to catch up with the artist for a brief interview below.

Adam Grundy Jan 12, 2023

Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the newest single and visualizer video from Colony House, called “Would Ya Could Ya.” This Nashville-based rock band will be releasing their next full-length record called The Cannonballers on February 3rd, and this single is a great introduction for those unfamiliar with the artist. On the latest single, the band shared:

It’s too easy getting sucked into the grind of everyday life… the hustle and the hurry we all willingly subject ourselves to. “Would Ya Could Ya” is about breaking the mold. At surface level, it’s a ‘let’s get outta here’ open road, never look back type of cruiser, but beneath the surface, I think it recognizes that we are often the obstacle standing in our own way and that it’s up to us to make the next move.

If you’re enjoying the direction Colony House went for on this electric track, please consider pre-saving their full-length record here.

Adam Grundy Jan 9, 2023

The world can be a scary place. Wars have been going on since the beginning of time, and with the speed of the internet bringing information to our fingertips in seconds, it has become nearly impossible to block out all of the negativity in our lives. As a parent of three beautiful children, I have tried my best to shelter them from anything that could cause them any type of harm. With politicians in some states complicating matters by trying to re-write, or re-frame historical events in the way they see fit, it seems like a sense of urgency has been created to keep these people in check. Anti-Flag have returned at the perfect time with their 13th studio album, with the aptly titled Lies They Tell Our Children. The music that comes through the speakers sounds as passionate as these punk rockers have ever been, and seven out of the eleven songs found on the LP feature an outside collaborator. These contributions by their friends in other bands never seem out of place, and instead bring more voices into the “fight of our lives.”

Adam Grundy Jan 4, 2023

Today is a great day to share the latest single and video from singer-songwriter Angel Abaya called “Over / On / Under.” The eclectic song comes from her debut album, The Bubble, which will be out everywhere music is sold on May 5th via Earth Libraries. Abaya shared this about the new single, “This song puts you in a chaotic mood. You’re either dodging lightning bolts or breaking shit and robbing a rich guy’s house.” If you’re ready to embrace the chaos, Angel Abaya is the right artist for today.

Adam Grundy Jan 2, 2023

This past year brought a ton of exciting music styles and a plethora of great releases from so many talented artists. I found myself extremely motivated to continue to write, and thus my list is hyperlinked to a lot of my past work from 2022. I hope you find something new that you’ll enjoy, in not only my list, but in also all of the other talented contributors’ lists. I wish everyone a very happy New Year, and I can’t wait to start talking about our Most Anticipated Albums list in a few more weeks!

Adam Grundy Dec 19, 2022

Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the new single and lyric video from Victory Kid called “No Brakes.” This high-energy new single capitalizes on the momentum gained from their previous LP Discernation, and was recorded with Mike Pepe (Taking Back Sunday). Lead vocalist Harrison Nida shared this about the blazing new track, “The song is about ditching doubt, toxic thoughts, and anything else that may hold you back. Recognizing those as they come up and releasing them to become the best version of yourself.” By putting their best foot forward, Victory Kid are keeping excitement in their band high as we turn the page on 2022.

Adam Grundy Dec 9, 2022

Today I’m excited to bring everyone a stream of the recently reissued LP by The Co Founder, called Gymnasium. The reissue of Gymnasium, previously released in 2018 on Slang Church, features two live acoustic versions of the singles from the record that were recorded and released by Slang Church via their Brunch Tunes sessions. The band will also be recording new music next month with producer Jordan Krimston (Oso Oso, The Obsessives, Weatherbox). I was able to catch up with songwriter Hayden Eller for an exclusive track-by-track look at this reissue. If you’re enjoying the LP, please consider purchasing it here.

Adam Grundy Dec 8, 2022

Today I’m excited to bring everyone the new single from The Mortal Prophets called “Death Letter.” The single comes from the band’s debut LP, Me and the Devil, that hits all music platforms on December 9th. The Mortal Prophets’ John Beckmann shared this about the direction of the material, “Life is about unknowing yourself and so it is with making music. It’s about the journey, and I know that will be discernible in the music as new songs and new albums are released over the next few years.” If you’re ready to join The Mortal Prophets on their musical odyssey, you’ve come to the right place. I was also able to catch up with Beckmann for a brief interview below.

Review: New Found Glory – Make The Most Of It

Natalie Shay – “The Edge” (Video Premiere)

Whitney Walker – “Heather From Here” (Video Premiere)

Swim Camp – “Dougie (For Sharyl)” Song Premiere

Review: Frightful Places – Frightful Places

Strawberry Fuzz – “Dropout” (Song Premiere)

Chris Garneau – “Overexposure” (Song Premiere)

Hurt Season – “Afraid To Love” (Video Premiere)

Colony House – “Would Ya Could Ya” (Song Premiere)

Review: Anti-Flag – Lies They Tell Our Children

Angel Abaya – “Over / On / Under” (Video Premiere)

Adam Grundy’s Top Albums of 2022

Victory Kid – “No Brakes” (Video Premiere)

The Co Founder – Gymnasium (Album Stream)

The Mortal Prophets – “Death Letter” (Song Premiere)