Tuesday’s Top Tasty Tracks
My favourite four tracks from all the songs released this week.
Dirty Laundry – All Time Low
I really haven’t liked much ATL has done since their debut So Wrong, It’s Right. They’ve continuously tried to break into radio by signing to a major label, and then returning to indie when that didn’t work out. Well, they’ve now signed to Fueled By Ramen Records. If anybody can make ATL have some radio success, it’s FBR, who have helped bands like Fall Out Boy, Panic at the Disco, Paramore, Gym Class Heroes, fun., and a little band called Twenty One Pilots all find continuous radio success. That’s a pretty successful label. If this song is any indication of what’s to come on the new album, I think they really have a shot. Dirty Laundry is much more of a soft pop-rock song than the pop-punk ATL have been known for, but it shows a maturity and seriousness about their craft that they’ve only dabbled with before. Alex’s vocals sound like he actually cares again, which is awesome. He uses dynamics and doesn’t belt out every note. There’s a subtlety to this song that is great, matching vibes of the new Paris song by Chainsmokers. Time will tell, but I think this might be the album that transitions this band from the ‘scene’ to a bigger stage. Fingers crossed.
RIYL: Maroon 5, All American Rejects, PVRIS
Damaged Goods – Kingdom of Giants
It’s been way too long since KOG released an album. Ground Culture came out in the fall of 2014, and while they were extremely hyped up last spring, they only dropped a single with nothing to follow. FINALLY, they announced their new album with a new single. This song kicks off right where their last album left off with blistering shredding and heavy intensity. Damaged goods matches what KOG do so well, which is cleans on the chorus and aggressive vocals on the verses, with a heavy breakdown overlayed with a solo/hook at the bridge. As you can see, they’re not breaking the mold as far as song structure goes. However, the addition of female vocals in the bridge is a welcomed change, as it shows this won’t be Ground Culture 2.0, but more of a progression from that album. Even the chord progression has more of a hard-rock vide than a metalcore vibe, which is cool to see. I’m really looking forward to this new album.
RIYL: Architects, Invent Animate, Fit For A King
Help – Papa Roach
Papa Roach? Are you kidding me? I know, it shocked me too. I haven’t liked anything these guys did since Scars. However, this song caught me by surprise. The acoustic guitar and the chord progression really reminded me of early Three Days Grace, which was one of the best bands of their day when radio hard rock was big. While this definitely isn’t a Last Resort level of song, I really like this song as a new Papa Roach song. With a good message of actually looking for help instead of cutting your life into pieces when things get tough, it’s great to see that this band isn’t just living the rockstar lifestyle. Jacoby still has those powerful vocals that have almost gotten better over time. I dig this song.
RIYL: Three Days Grace, Seether, Skillet
On Her Mind feat. Pouya – Volumes
Oh Volumes, where to start. I honestly hated this song the first time I heard it, and I’m willing to bet you will to. Give it a few more listens. If you hate it after, say, five, then it’s not for you. This song is definitely one that grows on you over time. A hip-hop infused metalcore song is a departure from the djent that Volumes has been so well known for. While Myke joining Volumes should have been a telltale sign to their fans that this would be happening, as he had a shortlived R&B career before this, one look at the comments section of this video will prove how polarizing this song is for their fanbase. The use of Pouya in this track is the most impressive venture for these boys, as it’s purely a hip-hop beat and bass line over his rap. It’s not as if Volumes are teasing that they may go in the hip-hop direction, and then do so a few albums later. They dive right in, second single for their new album, featuring an underground rapper who isn’t involved or associated with the scene in any way. I honestly think it all works well together, and Myke’s vocals over the chorus could work in a trop-house song just as easily as they do here. Volumes is pushing the boundaries of the genre, and I love it. I hope they bring in $uicideboy$ for the next album.
RIYL: Issues, Sylar, Limp Bizkit
Alastair Heinrichs 