Review
The northern beaches Hydran beast of Dear Seattle, Blue Velvet and Stumps is conglomerating into one giant radio-rock behemoth. While it's a little disappointing to see this band lose some of their more distinguishing features (no organ? At all?) in an attempt to create something more accessible and radio-friendly, I can't fault them for their efforts. I hope it gets them where they w...
The northern beaches Hydran beast of Dear Seattle, Blue Velvet and Stumps is conglomerating into one giant radio-rock behemoth. While it's a little disappointing to see this band lose some of their more distinguishing features (no organ? At all?) in an attempt to create something more accessible and radio-friendly, I can't fault them for their efforts. I hope it gets them where they want to go.
Review
I really wish I liked this more. I honestly do. There's nothing inherently wrong with this song, but that just might be its biggest downfall: It has nothing going on that would sway you either way to absolutely love it or straight-up hate it. It just plods along inconsequentially, and then it just... ends. That's it, that's all. Like, best of luck to you both, but you're not...
I really wish I liked this more. I honestly do. There's nothing inherently wrong with this song, but that just might be its biggest downfall: It has nothing going on that would sway you either way to absolutely love it or straight-up hate it. It just plods along inconsequentially, and then it just... ends. That's it, that's all. Like, best of luck to you both, but you're not exactly giving me anything to latch onto here.
Review
This is really interesting. It feels like a trip-hop throwback powered by a blue-eyed soul revival. A bit Jamie Lidell? Does anyone remember Jamie Lidell? Also a bit Sam Sparro, and obviously a bit James Blake. Standing on the shoulders of giants means you're about to take a huge leap, young man. If the rest of your shit is as good as this, then consider me on board.
This is really interesting. It feels like a trip-hop throwback powered by a blue-eyed soul revival. A bit Jamie Lidell? Does anyone remember Jamie Lidell? Also a bit Sam Sparro, and obviously a bit James Blake. Standing on the shoulders of giants means you're about to take a huge leap, young man. If the rest of your shit is as good as this, then consider me on board.
Review
I'm not gonna lie, I'm somewhat confused by the decision to lead with this song as your first single when it sounds like an interlude or an intro track. It's pretty enough, all glassy keys and distant vocals. There's no pay-off to the build-up, though - instead, it just fades away, and I feel like that's an opportunity wasted. I just wish this had more to it - and maybe...
I'm not gonna lie, I'm somewhat confused by the decision to lead with this song as your first single when it sounds like an interlude or an intro track. It's pretty enough, all glassy keys and distant vocals. There's no pay-off to the build-up, though - instead, it just fades away, and I feel like that's an opportunity wasted. I just wish this had more to it - and maybe future songs will show that, but it's definitely not here.
Review
Is it strange that I can SEE this song more than I can hear it? A Wednesday night at the Bald Faced Stag (before it was Crowbar), with Lord headlining and the entire crowd clad in cutoff denim. It's pretty surprising to hear a band throwing back to this sort of sound - not to show my age, but it would have paired well with Side Effect X back in the day. Also a little strange to hear a trad...
Is it strange that I can SEE this song more than I can hear it? A Wednesday night at the Bald Faced Stag (before it was Crowbar), with Lord headlining and the entire crowd clad in cutoff denim. It's pretty surprising to hear a band throwing back to this sort of sound - not to show my age, but it would have paired well with Side Effect X back in the day. Also a little strange to hear a trad band going with such slick, contemporary metalcore production but hey - whatever gets the job done. This, admittedly, isn't really my side of the metal spectrum. Still, I have to give them credit for swinging for the fences with this one.
Review
Run Squirrel are a remarkable band. The build soundscapes that burn slowly but brightly and beautifully. Tom's vocals are gruff and blunt, but never short on emotional impact - especially given his forthright lyrical content. This song reminds me a lot of Like... Alaska, Tom's old band, and I don't say that in a sense that the songwriting hasn't evolved. It's that it�...
Run Squirrel are a remarkable band. The build soundscapes that burn slowly but brightly and beautifully. Tom's vocals are gruff and blunt, but never short on emotional impact - especially given his forthright lyrical content. This song reminds me a lot of Like... Alaska, Tom's old band, and I don't say that in a sense that the songwriting hasn't evolved. It's that it's stayed just as strong after all this time.
Review
This is a big step forward for the JW? sound, and I really dig this direction. The reverb is touched up just right, the guitar is right in the tone-zone and the vocal melody is absolutely lush. Ziggy would have absolutely jammed on this.
This is a big step forward for the JW? sound, and I really dig this direction. The reverb is touched up just right, the guitar is right in the tone-zone and the vocal melody is absolutely lush. Ziggy would have absolutely jammed on this.
Review
Genuinely never thought I would hear a New Jack Swing revival going down on Unearthed, but here we are. I dig the Bell Biv DeVoe drums and the Chromeo chorus. I am not *as* sold on the rapping, though. I feel like if it was done with a bit more melody, or even with AutoTune, it would have worked with the rest of the song a lot better. Even with that in mind, it's incredibly impressive that...
Genuinely never thought I would hear a New Jack Swing revival going down on Unearthed, but here we are. I dig the Bell Biv DeVoe drums and the Chromeo chorus. I am not *as* sold on the rapping, though. I feel like if it was done with a bit more melody, or even with AutoTune, it would have worked with the rest of the song a lot better. Even with that in mind, it's incredibly impressive that you were able to recreate this sort of sound.
Review
Really like this one Michelle. You and Tom work so well together as a duo, and the arrangement really works to your strengths vocally. It was always going to take a lot to top the modern classic that is The Fingering Shed, but you've put in the work and it's paid off.
Really like this one Michelle. You and Tom work so well together as a duo, and the arrangement really works to your strengths vocally. It was always going to take a lot to top the modern classic that is The Fingering Shed, but you've put in the work and it's paid off.
Review
This is really something. Strong vocal presence, mathy guitar and a pure pop payoff. All this really needs is a kick in the rhythm section to really launch it to that next level. Some very solid foundations laid down here, with a lot of promise.
This is really something. Strong vocal presence, mathy guitar and a pure pop payoff. All this really needs is a kick in the rhythm section to really launch it to that next level. Some very solid foundations laid down here, with a lot of promise.
Review
It's clear there's a lot of talent and potential in this duo. What I'm not entirely sure of, however, is whether it's being put to its full use. This starts off strong with the Rhodes and the soulful vocals, but soon enough it becomes more generic and electronica-lite. Would have preferred this to go a little harder, or at least take a couple more risks.
It's clear there's a lot of talent and potential in this duo. What I'm not entirely sure of, however, is whether it's being put to its full use. This starts off strong with the Rhodes and the soulful vocals, but soon enough it becomes more generic and electronica-lite. Would have preferred this to go a little harder, or at least take a couple more risks.
Review
It's tough to stand out when there are so many young women out there going for this sound in a post-Royals world, but there's been efforts made here to stamp some degree of identity onto the track and that's absolutely to be commended. I like the glitchy elements of the production, and her voice is obviously top-shelf. I don't feel it's quite there yet overall, but she&...
It's tough to stand out when there are so many young women out there going for this sound in a post-Royals world, but there's been efforts made here to stamp some degree of identity onto the track and that's absolutely to be commended. I like the glitchy elements of the production, and her voice is obviously top-shelf. I don't feel it's quite there yet overall, but she's a lot closer than many others in her position.
Review
Any of you kids ever get into Tunng? That's what this reminds me of. Like a millennial Tunng. It's got legs.
Any of you kids ever get into Tunng? That's what this reminds me of. Like a millennial Tunng. It's got legs.
Review
This is fun. A bit too EB Games playlist for my taste, but you can't fault the production or that fat synth-bass tone.
This is fun. A bit too EB Games playlist for my taste, but you can't fault the production or that fat synth-bass tone.
Review
I liked the subtle Jimmy Eat World reference in the first verse. It's slick and well produced, but it's also not simultaneously soulless like a lot of bands of this ilk can come across. There's a conviction there, and it's just sharp enough a hook to get you in there. Above everything else, Reside seem likeable. That goes further than you'd think.
I liked the subtle Jimmy Eat World reference in the first verse. It's slick and well produced, but it's also not simultaneously soulless like a lot of bands of this ilk can come across. There's a conviction there, and it's just sharp enough a hook to get you in there. Above everything else, Reside seem likeable. That goes further than you'd think.
Review
What a fantastic initiative and a ripper song! Great job, legends. Love and solidarity to mob out west.
What a fantastic initiative and a ripper song! Great job, legends. Love and solidarity to mob out west.
Review
This reminds me so much of kicking out the jams in the garage with my best mates through high school. The louder, the better. It warms my heart to think there are still kids out there doing the same. Keep it up, dudes.
This reminds me so much of kicking out the jams in the garage with my best mates through high school. The louder, the better. It warms my heart to think there are still kids out there doing the same. Keep it up, dudes.
Review
I dig this because it strikes a good balance. It's got a bit of production polish to it, but enough grit still in there to make it sound genuine. The vocals are strong, but not showy. The guitars are right in the tone-zone, not too GarageBand primitive or ProTools slick. Just really solid, no-frills power-pop. I'm on board.
I dig this because it strikes a good balance. It's got a bit of production polish to it, but enough grit still in there to make it sound genuine. The vocals are strong, but not showy. The guitars are right in the tone-zone, not too GarageBand primitive or ProTools slick. Just really solid, no-frills power-pop. I'm on board.
Review
I feel like I'm on the precipice of something massive here, like in maybe 6-12 months time I'll see this woman on the main stage of a festival and the place will be PACKED. The vocals, the beat, the hook... it's all here. It's all ready to go. It truly feels like a "when," not "if" moment. That's pretty special.
I feel like I'm on the precipice of something massive here, like in maybe 6-12 months time I'll see this woman on the main stage of a festival and the place will be PACKED. The vocals, the beat, the hook... it's all here. It's all ready to go. It truly feels like a "when," not "if" moment. That's pretty special.
Review
This is such a sweet, simple offering. It has all the intimacy of an iPhone recording. Paris has a really gorgeous voice, especially when the harmonies kick in. I would love to hear these tracks with a fuller arrangement.
This is such a sweet, simple offering. It has all the intimacy of an iPhone recording. Paris has a really gorgeous voice, especially when the harmonies kick in. I would love to hear these tracks with a fuller arrangement.
