Can’t Wait Till This Is All Over is a new single from Nuremberg, Germany based artist, Sven Andrew. Written during the COVID-19 lockdown, the track is from his upcoming album, Created in Quarantine. The song is a crossover/synthpop jam, notable for its pristine production (both the song and the video) and solid songwriting. What distinguishes this song from other lockdown related releases is that Sven captures the existential angst and anxiety associated with these bizarre times. The video helps to accentuate these elements through the artist’s expressions and the surrounding settings. The ambiance is peppy and upbeat, while being refreshingly honest about the situation. There’s an underlying unease about the future but also an anticipation. The content is topical, but Can’t Wait Till This Is All Over is a top notch pop song and can stand on its own. Sven is a capable vocalist, and this track will still be musically enjoyable long after the pandemic related material seems dated.

For more info:

https://www.svenandrew.com/

Ripped Jeans is a new single from Mechanicsburg, PA based artist, Ashton D. Rose. It’s safe to say that this sort of jam has a lot going for it. The song has an authentic indie intro, featuring guitars, strategic noise and vocals with enveloped in a nice, deep reverb. Then a beat kicks in and we’re treated to some danceable indie pop goodness. Ashton strikes a nice balance between the avant garde and the stylish. He doesn’t come off like he’s trying too hard. The ambiance is hypnotic enough for one’s mind to get lost in. This is just the sort of track that girls love to vibe out to on the dance floor. It’s subtly emotional, slightly sensual and thoroughly enjoyable. Ripped Jeans is refreshing to listen to and reminds me of being young. It’s cool to see that indie songs like this are still even being made.

For more info:

Fuck You Covid-19 is a new single from artist “Cool Ass” (real name Marc Marut). Out of all the recent COVID-19 related jams I’ve reviewed (and there have been many), I have to say that this one is the best so far. Given the title, one might suspect that it’s a joke song that was just thrown together, but it actually really rocks. Featuring robust guitars, clever lyrics and a rich, invigorating sound, the track is an instant contemporary classic. My favorite parts of the song are the synth interludes, which sound like something out of a Leisure Suit Larry soundtrack. The lyrics humorously incorporate COVID related motifs (washing hands, wearing masks, don’t touch your face, etc) and lament the inability to go out and do things with friend. It’s a fun song obviously but with an underlying message that’s intended to lift people’s spirits in a rather dreary time. Musically, the sound reminds me of 90’s alternative pop/rock bands like Cake. This artist really has a lot of talent. The video for this song compiles participatory footage that people submitted for it, all of whose contributions managed to add something to the ambiance. Seriously, this song is damn good.

For more info:

https://coolass.tv/get-fuck-you-covid-19/

I’m Free is an upcoming single from Chicago-based gospel artist, Stanley Stubbs, which is being released on My Father’s House Records. Stanley got involved in music at an early age, and he formed his own band, “Sudden Impact,” in 1979. A few of his influences are Duke Ellington, George Duke, Andre Crouch, and The Hawkins Family. That should give you an idea. His sound is smooth, classy and liberating in a positive way. Titles like I’m Free and I Release To You are not merely titles but also serve as a metaphor for the vibe of the performance. He really puts his emotions into the vocals and just lays it all out there for the listener. It’s powerful, passionate and uplifting. This is the kind of vocally driven music where you can’t fake it. Stan can sing well, and he belts each verse out of the park. You can also tell he cares a lot about his craft and the meaning behind the music. There’s some great energy and sunshine in these recordings.

For more info:

http://www.myfathershouserecords.com

https://twitter.com/sstubbs53

https://www.instagram.com/Stubbsstanley/

Broadcast is a recent album from Ottawa-based artist, Stan Sitwell (aka DJ Tim Mills). A well-traveled DJ who got his start in Tokyo and has been in the game for over 20 years, Sitwell has cultivated a unique and avant garde sound. A lot of dance party songs are a dime a dozen, but there’s nothing cliche in these recordings. Stan describes his genre as “blendstep, ranging from trip hop to house.” The blended elements definitely make for a memorable concoction. Combining retro-futuristic synths with fresh house vibes, organic percussive sounds and string instruments, the result is a surreal, (and pleasantly jarring) musical fun house. This is like 21st century ice cream truck or circus music but with an edge.

Complex and artistic, the songs almost feel like sound collages at times. The production is solid here, but that’s obviously not the main attraction. It’s tough to say what my favorite track is, because there are so many changes and components within each song. Every track had at least a couple of parts that I found really engaging. The synth-driven opener I Try, and the future-folk gem I’ve Done It All are both miniature masterpieces though. Broadcast is one of the most creative and amazing dance music albums I’ve heard in recent memory. I could listen to this for hours.

For more info:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/39YsbvhYY3ZAhcie86Xlna

2020 Vision is a new EP from Kevin Gullickson of Radio Drive. The album contains 6 of Radio Drive’s most successful singles released over the past several years. It might seem cliche to say that these jams rock, but I could honestly feel the bass through my laptop. I’ve reviewed thousands of recordings, and very few have had that effect. The guitars are nice and thick, offering up a jolting, no-nonsense sound on some songs, while conveying a sentimental precision on others. This music is classified as alternative, but it’s more of the powerful variety rather than the whiny, depressing sort (though I happen to enjoy that style as well). This guy actually sings much better than the typical alternative rock vocalist. That’s for sure. At times, his vocals remind me almost of power rock legends like Kevin Cronin, just really solid technical ability and a clean, shattering voice that’s simply been adapted for another genre. Overall, the music is very bright and colorful, like Blind Melon but with more punch to it. My favorite track on this EP is A Taste of Heaven, which is truly a perfect song. The guitars and vocals blend so well into one another that the enhanced result feels like a product of melodic alchemy.

For more info:

http://www.radiodrive.net
http://www.facebook.com/radiodrive
http://www.twitter.com/radiodrivemusic

Open Up Your Mind is a new single from Canton/Detroit based band, Second Hand Mojo. Scheduled be released on 7/31/2020, the song captures the authentic classic rock sound. It’s so cleanly recorded and professionally performed, it would not seem out of place on a Top 40 radio station’s rotation in 1987. The vocals are excellent. No autotune or processing sorcery, just a guy who can actually sing. The guitars have some spice to them, too, with some complex riffs and a refined vintage tone. This is like one of those songs you’d hear during the end credits of classic ’80s movie, where you’re all pumped up after the euphoric conclusion. Open Up Your Mind just has that feel. One can’t help but marvel at the musical craftsmanship displayed in this song. It just doesn’t get much better than this.

For more info:

http://www.secondhandmojo.com
https://www.facebook.com/2ndhandmojo/
https://twitter.com/2ndhandmojo

Best Friend is a new single from artist, KoKou Kah. The track is from Kokou Kah’s latest album, Nefi. Featuring a mellow beat that combines synth and organic, tribal elements, the song is laudable for its melodic chord changes, which provide some goosebump inducing hooks. KoKou Kah doesn’t try to dazzle us with flashy vocals, but he sings with detectable sincerity, and the lyrics are sentimental. He also excels at rapping, maintaining a keen sense of timing as he delivers rhymes with a fluttering quickness. The beat has enough of a kick to it that you can dance to this jam, but don’t discount the melodies.

For more info:

https://www.instagram.com/kokoukah
https://www.facebook.com/kokoukah
https://twitter.com/kokoukah

Bump Yo Head is a new single from artist, Robin West. Blending elements of R&B, soul, and smooth jazz, this peppy jam is brimming with fresh style. Robin’s a great singer obviously, but just as importantly, she belts out her lines with personality and flair. She makes the most of every vocalization, squeezing out every last drop out of melody from words as she delivers them. The often repeated chorus phrase is instantly catchy. This is one of those songs that would easily be a hit if it were given mass exposure. Production quality is terrific, and the jazzy beat and backing vocals give the music an almost retro vibe. Bump Yo Head is so fundamentally well-performed and free of gimmickry that it feels like it could be from another era. This is solid gold.

For more info:

https://www.instagram.com/robinwest_trackmama/
https://www.facebook.com/robin.west1

Firebrand is a new album from Alias Wayne (the side project of singer/songwriter Ranzel X Kendrick). While the songs blend elements of country and rock, they would better be described as Americana. The music is exceptionally polished, but the production allows for the recordings to retain their organic, indie cred. This album doesn’t contain any of the processing excesses of contemporary recording, such as autotune. In that sense it has a slightly classic feel, like you’re listening to a 60’s style song that has been rediscovered and recorded with top-tier 1980s gear. The vocals are quite good, with creative lyrics that touch on unconventional subjects (for this genre) like environmentalism and various social phenomena. The songs go into curious detail and will really provoke you to think about what they’re about, which is a credit to the storytelling ability of the artist. No major surprises here, though. This guy is a pro musician who has been developing his craft since he was a kid. The technical skill is a given. Firebrand distinguishes itself with its creativity and imagination. This fun little album is thoroughly engaging.

For more info:

https://ranzelxkendrick.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ranzelxkendrick/