Review: The Used – Heartwork

Adam Grundy May 4, 2020

There were a lot of moving parts that came together to make Heartwork, the eighth full-length studio album from The Used. For starters, the band made the conscious effort to reconnect with their longtime collaborator/producer John Feldman. The Used also welcomed a new guitarist, Joey Bradford, into the fold for this album as a permanent band member. Lastly, the band decided to use some outside collaborations, including Travis Barker, Mark Hoppus, Jason Butler, and Caleb Shomo, to enhance their sound on this album further. All of these efforts paid off as The Used have created one of their strongest and most cohesive albums in years.

Review: Hala – Red Herring

Mary Varvaris May 1, 2020

When we discuss romantic comedy films, we think about the leads, namely (for me, anyway) the self-deprecating humor of Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts’ undeniable charm and wit. Conversely, we also think of the songs that soundtrack first kisses, heartbreak, and the cheesy romantic gesture leading to our gorgeous couple’s reconciliation. Maybe it’s the heart-warming ending of The Breakfast Club, with the triumphant “(Don’t You) Forget About Me,” immediately springing to mind. Maybe you adore Love Actually and can’t help swooning over “White Flag” by Dido. Or the playing of Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine” as Hugh Grant’s Will mourns rejecting Julia Roberts’ Anna in Notting Hill. No matter what song comes to mind for you, here’s the star whose music should feature in the next Netflix rom-com: Hala.

Review: Conversation – Realization / Release

Adam Grundy Apr 30, 2020

Toronto post-hardcore rockers Conversation are set to release their second EP in the “Honesty EPs” collection called Realization / Release. It’s on this new EP that they continue to expand upon their influences that range from scene heavy-hitters such as the Deftones and Underoath, with the pop sensibilities of Silverstein. The record was produced by Sam Guaiana (Silverstein, Hundred Suns), who brings out the best in the Canadian band. With intricate guitar parts, soaring vocal melodies, and post-hardcore elements thrown into the mix, Conversation has made a dramatic artistic statement on their latest record.

Review: Forever Honey – Pre-Mortem High EP

Mia Hughes Apr 24, 2020

In some alternate universe, in a John Hughes soundtrack that never was, exists Forever Honey’s ‘Christian,’ 30-some years earlier than it would come to exist in ours. The opening track of the Brooklyn band’s new EP ‘Pre-Mortem High,’ ‘Christian’ is all zig-zagging bass, jangling guitar and rapturous synth, a coming of age scene in a new wave palette; some escapade on a warm summer night, a joyful high tinged with the mourning in knowing it won’t last.

As it is, ‘Pre-Mortem High’ was written not for a movie but for the moments in our young lives that feel cinematic anyway. When emotions are intensified to fill a panorama, when every word spoken feels vital. ‘Christian’ feels ecstatic yet filled with painful disappointment; conversely, end track ‘Where We Are Sometimes’ is devastating yet full of hopeful love. It’s an encapsulation of the intensity of youth, the certainty that every conflicting feeling is entirely congruous.

Review: City Mouth – Coping Machine

Adam Grundy Apr 23, 2020

I want to introduce you to your next favorite band: City Mouth. Running out of the gate with shimmering synths, infectious harmonies, and melancholy lyrics with a tint of hope, this Chicago-based band is on to something special on their latest LP that they have affectionately titled Coping Machine. Drawing comparisons to the synth-pop sensibilities of Motion City Soundtrack and clever songwriting of The Format, City Mouth has carefully crafted a collection of songs dealing with thematic elements such as preserving one’s mental health and staying true to yourself. The album was mixed by Marc McClusky (Weezer, Motion City Soundtrack), and his dedication to bringing out the best in the band comes shining out of the speakers from the very first listen.

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Review: Papa Roach – Infest

Adam Grundy Apr 22, 2020

“Cut my life into pieces / This is my last resort!” With those loaded words, Papa Roach immediately gained the attention of an army of misguided teens looking for their way in a confusing world. Infest was a massive record for a lot of reasons. In essence, it had a great lead single in “Last Resort,” fantastic marketing, perfect timing in the rap-rock scene, as well as ultra-talented musicians backing up what they wanted to accomplish in their sound. The music landscape in 2000 was littered with tons of rap-rock bands looking for their breakthrough in a crowded, and at times, confusing rock scene. What made Papa Roach stand out from the pack was their ability to grab their audience from the first listen and give them a feeling of belonging to something bigger than themselves. I’m sure many of us can remember the first time we heard the guitar riff of the lead single on the music video that seemed to be airing on MTV more often than not, and how it made us all feel something.

Review: Incubus – Trust Fall (Side B)

Adam Grundy Apr 20, 2020

With their first new music released in three years, Incubus has returned with an expansive EP called Trust Fall (Side B). Much like their last release, 8, the music presented on this EP tackle a wide range of emotions and styles. What I have always appreciated about this band is that they never make the same record twice, and they continue to push the boundaries of their expectations on what their music is and can be. This record is no exception to this rule, as Incubus continues to cover new ground on this collection of songs.

Review: The Strokes – The New Abnormal

Adam Grundy Apr 16, 2020

When I first listened to the new album from The Strokes, I wasn’t quite sure what to think of it. It had everything that I have come to expect from a Strokes release, but I felt like it was missing some ingredient to it that made it feel complete. These feelings quickly evaporated the more I listened to The New Abnormal as it has become my favorite Strokes album since their incredible debut. This odd transition of uncertainty to favorability speaks a lot to the bands’ character and approach to songwriting. The New Abnormal is The Strokes’ first new album in seven years, their sixth studio album in total, and was expertly crafted under the tutelage of legendary producer Rick Rubin. There is plenty to unpack on this latest release that features plenty more ups than downs.

Review: The Menzingers – Chamberlain Waits

Brett Bodner Apr 14, 2020

The Menzingers released their second album, Chamberlain Waits a decade ago, and what a decade it’s been for them. It was an album that would build the foundation for a small town Pennsylvania-rooted band that would go on to consistently pack venues with fans all over the world.

Chamberlain Waits represents The Menzingers on the cusp of pulling off something truly special. While 2012’s On the Impossible Past is the staple Menzingers album (with After the Party in a close second place), Chamberlain Waits had all of the ingredients of what makes the Menzingers great; Relatable lyrics that set a scene in your head, catchy choruses that make you want to scream them at the top of your lungs and guitar riffs that will hook you in immediately.

Review: The Wildfires Projekt – From Which We Came

Adam Grundy Apr 13, 2020

On the latest EP from The Wildfires Projekt, the wide range of emotions felt while listening to the record only further showcases the tragic beauty of the world we are all living in right now. This band is comprised of Johnny Zirkel and was co-written/produced by Ronnie Winter (The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus), and the duo of artists work very well together. The record teeters on the edge of post-hardcore in the same vein as Circa Survive and Saosin, with plenty of newer elements thrown into the mix as well. With a wide range of themes such as tackling depression, anxiety, and addiction, The Wildfires Projekt has crafted a well thought out collection of songs worthy of your attention.

Review: Dua Lipa – Future Nostalgia

Garrett Lemons Apr 10, 2020

It’s no use explaining what’s happening in the world around us—you already know. Everything we’ve known has been upended and changed forever. We’re still years from discovering what that new normal actually is. It’s heavy, it’s infuriating, and it’s scary: it’s grief. Everything we hold dear—vacations, concerts, healthy daily life—is canceled. There isn’t an end in sight, but there is an abundance of graphs, uncertainty, and fear.

We need an escape. Enter Dua Lipa’s—I’ll go ahead and say year-defining sophomore album, Future Nostalgia. Three years ago, “New Rules” was ever-present on the radio, a top ten worldwide, indisputable Song of the Summer candidate. The US was behind the rest of the world on discovering “Blow Your Mind (Mwah)” and “Be the One,” whose style laid the groundwork for her second album’s sound. However, two 2018 collaborations with Calvin Harris (the tropical house-influenced “One Kiss”) and Silk City (the straight dance-pop of “Electricity”) kept her pop star rising.

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Review: Blurgundy – Wither

Mary Varvaris Apr 9, 2020

“Blurgtones” was the long-time running title for “No Authority,” a magnetic tour-de-force in melodic post-hardcore from Pennsylvania outfit Blurgundy. The band’s second EP, Wither, came about during long sessions listening to Deftones, O’Brother, and Seahaven. Bassist and vocalist Logan Ressler wrote the main riff during these sessions, writing the bulk of the song with drummer Michael Cross. While “Betrayer” and “You Should Stay Home” were written as a group, songs like “No Authority” and “Reverie” were written by two members – “Reverie” was mostly written by Ressler and guitarist Matthew Subers. Ressler is the band’s secret weapon, as his endlessly creative mind ticks through guitar riffs and melody progressions. He doesn’t stop there: Ressler has recorded, mixed, and mastered every Blurgundy song thus far.

Review: Violent Soho – Everything is A-OK

Brett Bodner Apr 8, 2020

Violent Soho are back with their first record in four years called Everything is A-OK, which seems ironic given our current world affairs. The new album was written before the COVID-19 crisis hit the world like a ton of bricks, but you could now make the argument that Everything is A-OK has arrived at just the right time; a moment when we can relate to the themes and ideas scattered throughout the record.

After taking a break following 2016’s Waco to focus on other musical projects, the Australian rockers– consisting of lead singer/guitarist Luke Boerdam, lead guitarist James Tidswell, bassist Luke Henery and drummer Michael Richards – are picking up right where they left off with their new album.

Review: All Time Low – Wake Up, Sunshine

Adam Grundy Apr 6, 2020

Even for longtime fans of the band, many of us were taken back by surprise by just how good Wake Up, Sunshine is. All Time Low have crafted their quintessential mid-career masterpiece that picks all of the best elements of each of their previous studio album efforts and expands upon these landmark moments with glowing results. The songs never stray too far from what All Time Low have accomplished in the past; they do these moments bigger and better on this record. This is one of those albums that grabs you from the very first listen, doesn’t disappoint, and still leaves you with a feeling of warmth and comfort through each of your repeat spins. In an age where some bands are postponing their releases in favor of garnering more attention in the fall, All Time Low have graced us with an early-summer treat that will stay in our daily rotations for the foreseeable future.

Review: Pearl Jam – Gigaton

Brett Bodner Apr 2, 2020

We are currently living in uncertain times with fear, anxiety, and stress riding high, especially as many are self-quarantining to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Sometimes what you need to get you through is a calming force, and for many, temporary relief came in the release of Pearl Jam ‘s new album, Gigaton, their first new record in just over six years.

Gigaton arrived at a moment when people needed a break, and many Pearl Jam fans were fortunate to be rewarded with one of the best albums in the band’s deep discography. The new record is one that was a genuine collaborative effort, and it amplifies the sounds of a band still loving what they do as they head into their fourth decade creating albums.

The new record is loaded from front to back, in what is truly a balanced record. There are moments of peace, calmness and relaxation, with an equal amount of rockers that you’ll be air-guitaring along to.