California-based musician Aaron Skiles is known for his guitar-driven, anthemic songs that bridge the gap between classic rock and indie rock. He has just released his new album, Angels, Demons & Coin Flips, featuring ten songs that offer a big, sharp sound meant to make an impact. The album is co-produced by Josh Jove (Eagles of Death Metal, The Shelters, Social Distortion), who is also featured as lead guitarist.
Angels, Demons & Coin Flips kicks off on a high note, jumping right into an energetic anthem called “Ain’t No Marks”. A song all about living life on the edge, it features driving guitar riffs that balance the accessible melodies, creating a singalong style that is sure to immediately grab attention.
A standout track on the album, “We Bat Last” has a vibey punk sound alongside a nostalgic, retro feel with the style of the backing melodies. I defy anyone not to move along while listening to this one. “This is an anthem for the picked-on underdog,” Aaron says of the track. “The song is about knowing that the odds are stacked against you and that “the others” unfairly hold you to a hypocritically different standard. And yet you recognize that you’ll survive and thrive in the end.”
From there, listeners are treated to catchy indie rock at its best, with “Maybe It’s Alright” and “Nothing Pure”. “The Same” is a song about realizing that once things change, they can never be the same again. Another song with dynamic energy, and incredibly infectious melodies. There’s a ’90s alt rock element to this one, and all the different layers of melody and hookiness create a great earworm. Plus, who can resist a guitar solo?
The album gets a little more raw and rough around the edges with “Down A Notch”. In the artist’s own words, “when you think you have it made and everything you do is great, sometimes it’s good to have your ego reined in just a bit. In this old-school punk rock anthem, getting put in your place is celebrated and even welcomed.”
Another highlight on this album is the punk-tinged indie rocker, “Johnny”. This is the kind of song live audiences connect with most, and will find themselves singing along to. “Johnny” is an instantly likeable track with impeccable rock riffs.
“There’s something about the eyes that tells you more than any words ever could,” Aaron says of the next song, “Green Eyes”. “Eyes are the windows to the soul, and this mid-tempo rocker brings you on a beautiful journey.” The album takes on a brighter, hook-driven character with “Think It Over,” an infectious track with an almost Weezer-like feel.
“Broken Pieces” closes the album out with a mellower track that slowly builds, creating an emotion-fueled finality. “It’s a song about recognizing that no matter what you do, you can’t go back,” Aaron says. “With a beautiful, melodic soundscape and harmonies throughout, this song recognizes hope within sadness and points towards acceptance and letting go.”
Overall, Angels, Demons & Coin Flips finds the perfect balance between gritty and hooky, in sonic defiance against the over-polished rock sounds that have become increasingly common. Reminiscent of catchy ’90s alt rock when the focus was great melody and raw guitar work, Aaron Skiles has put together an album worth listening to on repeat.
Stream Angels, Demons & Coin Flips from Aaron Skiles:
Spotify / Apple Music
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