Vinyl Theatre "Starcruiser" Review
Alt-pop is a tricky genre to hone, and this Milwaukee-born band does it justice with their upcoming album, Starcruiser. Vinyl Theatre are back for their third full-length album and are killing the game after parting ways with Fueled By Ramen last year.
Trophy Eyes "The American Dream" Review
Australian punk rock band, Trophy Eyes, released their first full length effort since Chemical Miracle in 2016. It is evident that they put a lot of time and consideration into their junior album, The American Dream. It features punchy, heart-wrenching songs just as their previous releases, but in a new way.
Detour North "It's History, It's Poetry" Review
Detour North’s It’s History, It’s Poetry has been a highly anticipated release within the local Chicago pop-punk scene this year, as the group has not released new music since January of 2015. With three years between releases, there was a lot of time for the band to change and evolve as musicians, as individuals, and a unit.
Like Pacific “In Spite Of Me” Review
Like Pacific blew the scene apart with their debut full-length album Distant Like You Asked a little over 2 years ago, and now they have brought their sophomore album to the table and it couldn’t be better. The Toronto-based pop-punk band brings raw lyrics and intense tunes to the table with In Spite Of Me, which reflects the same Like Pacific you know and love while still feeling even more coherent as a whole than their debut.
Real Friends "Composure" Review
Chicago pop-punk band Real Friends’ third full-length effort, Composure, trades the band’s trademark high-gain guitars and fast, aggressive drums for clean, chiming guitars and smooth vocal melodies that highlight a maturation in sound that only select few bands have been able to achieve. Composure takes subject matters that Real Friends have touched on before and explores them in a much more poetic and yet still much more relatable way than before. The record feels genuine, honest, and presents a clear and important message.
Save Face "Merci" Album Review
Storyline albums are making a comeback and Save Face is at the head of this movement. New Jersey’s finest rockers have released their first full-length album, titled Merci, and not to be dramatic, but we are losing our minds over it. After releasing their debut EP Folly in 2016, Merci has been in the works for well over a year and a half and has been highly anticipated by the band’s following.
We The Kings "Six" Review
With Six, we see We The Kings modernizing their sound with synths and production elements, yet still keeping that pop-rock energy that helped propel them to the mainstreams. The group sounds familiar yet refreshed, bringing back some of the intensity and raw rock power that wasn’t quite as there with their 2015 release Strange Love. But does the refreshed sound offer something for fans both old and new?
State Champs "Living Proof" Review
A recurring claim within the pop-punk scene today is that bands are losing sight of the music that they used to make, or that they have moved in a different direction than was anticipated or desired by fans. Albany natives State Champs’ third full-length album, Living Proof, sets out to respond to that remark, showing that a band is capable of pushing the boundaries of their sound, while still remaining true to their roots.
August Burns Red "Phantom Anthem" Review
When one talks about influential metalcore bands, it’s virtually impossible not to have August Burns Red in the conversation. Ever since the release of their first album Thrill Seeker back in 2005, the crew of vocalist Jake Luhrs, guitarists JB Brubaker and Brent Rambler, bassist Dustin Davidson and drummer Matt Greiner have carved out their own place in metal, coming out with six more albums of intricate riffs, fast-paced drumming, and gritty vocals; and as they put out number eight with Phantom Anthem, it doesn’t look like the train is stopping anytime soon.