Say hello to a brand new edition of Stop, Rock, & Roll! Like May flowers, plenty of new tunes have bloomed in Rhode Island. Here are five of them!
ST. JOE & THE DORMS – “TWO-TIMING SON OF A GUN”
The Dorms released their third EP in six months, Grow Up. Despite the quick turnaround, none of the energy and intensity their music is known for was lost. Case in point: the lead track, “Two-Timing Son of a Gun.” With a driving beat reminiscent of The Ramones and The Hives, the track combines blazing solos, swirling chords, bass that switches from funk to punk in the blink of an eye, relentless drums, and vocals that showcase just how much fun the band is having.
CAITLYN MITCHELL – “I LOVE YOU TO THE MOON”
Two months after releasing her heart-wrenching debut single, “Pawn,” Caitlyn Mitchell has completely pulled an emotional 180 with her newest single. Featuring a far mellower atmosphere, the lyrics are quite wholesome, detailing her love for her younger sister. Soft strings, gentle percussion, and melodic guitar provide the backdrop for Mitchell’s soothing yet emotional vocals.
THE HOPELESS ROMANTICS – “MAYBE WE’RE NOT MEANT TO BE”
The Hopeless Romantics have consistently generated excitement with each brilliant original composition, so by the time their debut single dropped, fans were chomping at the bit. The song is an exercise in guitar pop, with every element of the track clicking together like clockwork. The chorus is immediately catchy, and the bridge drives everything home, ramping up the power as the band crashes into the final chorus, the wave receding over one last run-through of the riff.
THE BITTER JOY – “BLOOM”
The debut single by The Bitter Joy sees a deceptively chill verse progression mingle with aching, poetic lyrics. Eventually, the song builds into a barn-burning chorus, featuring gloriously crunchy guitars, and enticing vocal harmonies. The song could easily fall into cliché territory, but the chord choices keep the song from becoming stale and more than work in its favor. Overall, the song takes nostalgic elements of the ’90s and imbues them with the band’s songwriting talent, making it an exciting start for the group.
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NICK DUANE – “MY ESCAPE”
Nick Duane’s latest single starts with pleasantly washed-out guitars and vocals caked in chorus, creating a lightly psychedelic tone. An unexpected synth solo comes in for a moment before an acoustic guitar takes over; both these moves are surprising and help to give the track some more life. The guitar playing must be talked about: It mixes dexterity with dreamy effects, the best of both worlds. Overall, the song conjures up a breezy car ride in early summer under a slightly cloudy sky.
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