Review: Lauren Mayberry – Vicious Creature

Albert Einstein once said, “A ship is always safe at the shore, but that is not what it is built for.” Lauren Mayberry takes a brave step forward on Vicious Creature, the debut solo project from the front-woman of CHVRCHES that features a fun mix of pop anthems filled with thoughtful lyrics and great beats. Mayberry mentioned in a Rolling Stone interview leading up to their release of this record that, “So much of this process has been an exercise in empowering myself to listen to my own intuition — something I really trained myself out of. That’s ultimately why you start making things — because you felt a feeling, and you wanted to articulate that somehow. I think it was important for me to relearn that kind of independence, and recognize what I bring to any table I choose to sit at.” By crafting an album different than what she has grown accustomed to creating with her bandmates, Mayberry solidifies herself as someone willing to take creative risks to grow as an artist.

Adam Grundy 4 months ago

The sophomore effort from Battleviews, composed of husband and wife duo Ryan and Natalie Raichilson, is a heartfelt collection of songs that have a lasting impact on anyone who takes the time to listen to it. Two Ghosts was recorded in Ryan and Natalie’s home in Metuchen, NJ, and the LP was mixed and mastered by Steve Sopchak (Ice Nine Kills, Motionless in White). The themes range from the unbridled joy of parenthood, the heartache that comes when the realization sets in that your kids won’t stay young forever, to the feelings of loss plus a slight detour to an 1800’s ghost story. The warm vocals from both Ryan and Natalie are filled with a love towards Indie/Americana music, with some slight nuances to their songwriting to keep things fresh and exciting. Two Ghosts is a record you can put on as you sit by the warm glow of the fireplace during the winter season and ponder your next steps in life. The soundtrack that these two musicians have created here is a glowing testament to their dedication put towards their craft.

Adam Grundy 4 months ago

Recently I was able to connect with the “Singing Surgeon,” Dr. Elvis Francois, to discuss his new holiday-themed single called “Sound of Christmas.” With joyful melodies and festive lyrics and heartwarming moments under the mistletoe, the song captures the magical sounds of Christmas—from caroling voices to the laughter of family. The feel-good anthem arrives just in time for the holidays. I asked Dr. Elvis Francois about the inspiration behind the holiday single, plus what he likes best about this time of year. This artist will also have a new EP, called Alignment, releasing soon as well.

Adam Grundy 4 months ago

The debut EP by Queens, New York-based emo band, Career Day, called I’ll Always Be This tackles a wide variety of themes such as the current working environment, substance abuse, mental wellness, and dealing with it all one day at a time. During the span of four crisp songs that span just twelve hard-hitting minutes, Career Day quickly highlight their band’s strengths with a sound that strays somewhere between The Starting Line, Motion City Soundtrack, and Hawthorne Heights. The band is Ryan Maguire (drums), Robbie Levin (bass), Jacob Cutler (guitar), and Desmond Zantua (vocals) and were formed during the pandemic. By leaning into their core influences, Career Day are starting their musical journey on the right foot.

Adam Grundy 4 months ago

Turkey day is happening this week, so that means that Record Store Day Black Friday is right around the corner. This year’s celebration of indie record stores occurs on Friday, November 29th, 2024, and features a fresh slate of new vinyl reissues, exciting exclusives, and in some cases, the first pressings of many key titles. The full list of RSD Black Friday releases can be found here, but be sure to check in with your local indie record store to see what they will be carrying this Friday. In this preview, I’ll be diving into some of the most sought after releases and offer some tips for newcomers to secure these titles.

Adam Grundy 4 months ago

The 6x Platinum debut by English rock band, Bush, is getting a comprehensive vinyl reissue today in honor of Sixteen Stone’s 30th anniversary. You probably know the hits by heart. “Everything Zen,” “Little Things,” “Comedown,” “Machinehead” and “Glycerine” were the five massive singles released from this album that still stand the test of time today. The album was recorded at Westside Studios, London with producers Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley, and marked the breakthrough of legendary Alt Rock frontman, Gavin Rossdale. Through his gritty vocal performance throughout Sixteen Stone, Rossdale captivated audiences far and wide on this record that if you didn’t own it yourself, you likely knew someone nearby who did. Bush had recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of Sixteen Stone with a comprehensive Greatest Hits tour that coincided with a singles compilation and put their decades-long career back into focus.

Adam Grundy 4 months ago

This past week I was able to connect with the frontman of a new solo indie rock project, The Afro Nick, to discuss his electric new single and video for “Get There Before Noon.” Nick, who’s signature, ‘wild and expressive hair,’ matches his unique, carefree sound, is releasing the feel-good triumphant anthem this Friday the 22nd. This track is a hypnotic melody with psychedelic, powerful guitar riffs and Nick’s rich and soulful vocals. In this interview, I asked Nick about his process for writing new material, and the collaborations put forth on his new music.

Adam Grundy 4 months ago

It is my utmost pleasure to introduce everyone to Circus Trees, a relatively new emo band comprised of Finola (vocals/guitars), Edmee (bass) and Eoghan (drums/guitars) McCarthy, who are already making their mark on the indie scene. The band has been releasing music since 2018, and their latest release called This makes me sad, and I miss you is a solid collection of post-rock, grunge and lo-fi music. The record was produced by Eoghan and Finola, and it showcases their growth as musicians and artists with a clear vision for their music. Their sound is similar to the punk brashness of Bully, the lyrical depth of Soccer Mommy, and the indie emo of Momma and Snail Mail. Circus Trees may just be the next great undiscovered band, but they won’t be hidden for much longer if this album is any indication of their future plans.

Adam Grundy 4 months ago

After the tragic passing of longtime front-man Chester Bennington in 2017, Linkin Park were faced with an impossible decision. Should they retire the band, or find a way to carry the LP flag with a different vocalist? From Zero has a dual-meaning: Xero was the first name of the band and From Zero also refers to the re-birth of Linkin Park with two new band members in Dead Sara vocalist Emily Armstrong and drummer Collin Brittain. The new album was produced by vocalist/guitarist/band leader Mike Shinoda, and it has a familiar sound and feel, even with a lot of new elements injected into the band. Armstrong and Brittain each make their presence felt throughout the record that is filled with stadium-ready anthems that borrow key sections of past Linkin Park albums all with a renewed focus towards the future.

Adam Grundy 4 months ago

Recently I was able to catch up with lo-fi indie pop artist, SOLAK, to discuss everything that went into his latest single called ”Pandora.” Not to be out-shined by the new track, SOLAK has also released a new album called Atlas today. In this interview, I asked this talented artist about the themes expressed on Atlas, his experience working in the studio on the new LP, as well as what he hopes his listeners will take away from his music.

Adam Grundy 4 months ago

This past week I was able to connect with a talented shoegaze solo artist, called Sunnsetter, who is releasing their latest music video for “Take A Shot.” I also asked Sunnsetter about their approach to writing music as well as how they put together the pieces of their new LP, called Heaven Hang Over Me.

Adam Grundy 5 months ago

The countdown is complete for Zebrahead and they have finally released the exciting, concluding chapter in their trilogy of EPs, called I. I is the follow-up to the III (2021) and II (2023) EPs, completing the band’s III.II.I. series. “Finally, the last EP is here… this series represents where our heads have been during and since COVID,” shares bassist Ben Osmundson. “It’s been a trying time for everyone, and now it’s time for fresh starts. See you on tour!” Having already released a good number of singles leading up to I, culminating in today’s single release of “Puppet Stringers,” the band continues to be armed with an arsenal of slick tunes to take on the road. By getting back to the core values of what makes this band so damn special, Zebrahead leaves just the right taste in our mouths on this electric EP filled with passion and breakneck energy.

Adam Grundy 5 months ago

The new EP from Koyo comes hot off the heels of their well-received debut LP, Would You Miss It?, and features two re-imagined songs from their catalog, plus a new song indicating where they can take their sound in the future. Mile A Minute impresses by showcasing what this band is capable of creating when they strip away most of the energy behind their songs and get to the core of what makes Koyo unique. “Ten Digits Away (Deluxe)” kicks off the record with an acoustic guitar-based approach, and vocalist Joey Chiaramonte dials back his trademark growl to a smoother approach that took me back a bit in its crisp delivery. The expanded song comes from a previous EP of the same name, and acts as a great companion piece to the original, while adding in some piano and other backing instruments to round out their sound.

Adam Grundy 5 months ago

Recently I was able to catch up with folk-pop artist, David Steinhart, to discuss everything that went into his new single called “Row.” The track comes from Steinhart’s newly announced LP, Released, that is out everywhere music is sold on January 10th. With a warm vocal approach, complemented by picturesque guitar playing, Steinhart shows how he maintains a loyal following over his impressive career.

Adam Grundy 5 months ago

A couple weeks back, I was able to schedule a Zoom call with Jimmy and Timmy Brown of Dose of Adolescence to discuss what went into the writing and recording process of their new album, Zircon Ave. The band has toured extensively with bands like Anberlin, Dirty Heads, Switchfoot, and more, and this latest record is their first full-length album in nearly a decade. Zircon Ave hits music platforms this Friday, but you can pre-save the album here.

Review: Lauren Mayberry – Vicious Creature

Review: Battleviews – Two Ghosts

Interview: Dr. Elvis Francois

Review: Career Day – I’ll Always Be This

Record Store Day Black Friday 2024 Preview

Review: Bush – Sixteen Stone

Interview: The Afro Nick

Review: Circus Trees – This makes me sad, and I miss you

Review: Linkin Park – From Zero

Interview: SOLAK

Interview: Sunnsetter

Review: Zebrahead – I

Review: Koyo – Mile A Minute

Interview: David Steinhart

Interview: Dose of Adolescence