We post a lot of mini reviews on our social pages, sharing the latest and greatest tracks that come our way. Here are a few Listen Up! features you may have missed!
False Advertising – “Next Big Thing”
“It’s got huge energy, a massive dose of edginess, and a punky alt-rock style. The newest single from the Manchester trio’s recently released full-length, The Sorry Window, “Next Big Thing” offers a relatable take on the pressure of other people’s expectations versus following your own intuition. Be forewarned: you’ll be yelling along with this one, so make sure you’re in a safe space before turning it up.
Black and White Rewrite – “The Wreckage”
This track hits the perfect spot between melody and aggression, with the Winnipeg band channeling influences from Chevelle and The Used. The soft, restrained vocals in the opening provide a perfect contrast to the heavier sections, and the strong melodic hooks keep everything balanced. Strong guitar riffs and the explosive chorus bring plenty of energy, showcasing the band’s blend of hard rock, post-hardcore, and screamo.
It’s a song about accountability, according to the band. “Based on a true story, The Wreckage is the tale of a hit-and-run which kills a seventeen year old girl, wherein the drunk-driver who caused the accident has to face his own accountability for the choices he made.”
Keegan Powell – “Long Way Through Doom”
It’s packed with energy, blending classic rock vibes with fast-paced modern indie rock. Bright, infectious, and full of swagger, it’s a perfect summer track.
The artist makes a concerted effort not to stay firmly placed into any specific style or genre with each release, and “Long Way Through Doom” continues that trend. A self-imposed experiment, the song was initially meant to be an instrumental without any vocals, but evolved from there.
“I purposely assigned myself to write a ‘big dumb rock song,” Keegan explains. “Once I gave myself that M.O, the main riff just came out of my hands.”
PICKLE JUICE – “A Little More Time”
It’s an accessible track with stellar vocals and an indie rock vibe.There’s an underlying CanCon feel to it (which is a sentence I’m sure only Canadians will understand), and a chorus that makes you want to join right in. However, though there’s a liveliness to the song, it’s also reflective and emotional; a bit of a sonic departure from the BC-based band’s usual grittier sound.
“The song pays homage to loved ones taken from us far too soon,” explains drummer Pete Lavery. “It began as lyrics written through personal loss, and when it resurfaced to the rest of the band, the music grew around that same emotion. It was difficult to work on, but it helped us heal through the process.”
“A Little More Time” is the second single from the band’s new EP, The Whiteroom, out now.
