Music

Stop, Rock, and Roll

Love is in the air this season, and who better to direct this love at than Rhode Island musicians. Here are my picks for this edition of Stop, Rock, & Roll!

Dred Buffalo continue to hone their craft, climbing into the upper echelons of New England rock & roll. Their newest offering, “Heavy Love,” showcases the band at their funkiest, emphasis on FUN. A groovy bassline, augmented by cowbell and guitars straight from ’70s radio, immediately begins the ride in style. Skyscraping vocals mix with gritty riffs to make one of the most powerful choruses I’ve heard in a minute. The music video is also a thing of beauty.

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Do you wish country music was more understated and indie-rock tinged? Would you like it if Noah Kahan merged with Bon Iver? If you said yes to either of these, then Jack Wilmot’s new song is for you! Dusky acoustic guitar combines with faint percussion and Wilmot’s voice, which strikes a careful balance between carefree and emotional. In these cold months, this song provides a slice of summer.

At first listen, I couldn’t tell if this song reminded me more of ’70s punk and metal or ’90s post grunge and alternative. I then decided it fell somewhere in the middle, which was just fine with me. The chorus features some gnarly riffing combined with some classic stacked vocals. Overall, the song is one of those classic-sounding tunes that immediately brings to mind a car speeding down a desert highway. Considering the title, I suppose that’s fitting!

Rosenkranz’s new single, featuring production from Jack Riley, brings out the best of both parties. The tight production evokes a unique feeling tinged with nostalgia for the bedroom pop of 2017. Rosenkranz’s vocals fit the song like a glove, jumping from delicate to nearly rapping during one verse. Everything works texturally in a way that is hard to achieve.

ST. JOE & THE DORMS – “TRUE STORY”

Rosenkranz’s new single, featuring production from Jack Riley, brings out the best of both parties. The tight production evokes a unique feeling tinged with nostalgia for the bedroom pop of 2017. Rosenkranz’s vocals fit the song like a glove, jumping from delicate to nearly rapping during one verse. Everything works texturally in a way that is hard to achieve.