Leaone, Gigsy, & Civic Green
After spending the afternoon playing loud guitars, I decided to take a break from my own private rifftopia. Luckily, my inbox had just what I didn’t know I needed.
“Kings County” is the title track off the upcoming album (of the same name…that’s how title tracks work… The album is called Kings County and the song…ok…you get it…) due October 21st by Independent artist Leaone. It’s a refreshingly cool tune with vocals front and center, delivered with an intimacy and immediacy that earns your ear’s focus. The tune starts with sounds of a city street which set the mood for an understated piano laying a foundation that is eagerly complimented by energetic, yet appropriately unobtrusive drums.
It’s the vocals effortless carry the tune through some nice lyrics. To the chorus that starts with: “This is my manifest destiny. My Renaissance. My Kings County.” All topped off with a smooth falsetto.
The song builds nicely with synths and a nice arrangement, but the voice stands out above it all with a “this is just between us” closeness that has you hanging on every word. If you’re in need of some sweet indie vibes (and who isn’t?), look no further.
Gigsy has submitted her synth-pop-rock EP, Modesta (VOLUME TWO), and I have submitted to its power.
This is a trip worth taking, so strap in for a some killer grooves, sweet shifts, and compelling arrangements. The first track, “Bump in the Night” is aggressive, almost industrial and seemingly designed to keep me awake at night. Track two is “Snakeskin” and it’s giving me good Twenty One Pilots vibes. “RENAISSANCE” slows things down a bit, but doesn’t lighten up. Nice grooves, changes, and vocal layers & refrains make this both catchy and interesting.
Half way through and “I’ll Be the Bitch” greets your ears with a delectable assertiveness. I like the use of the vocal effects, coloring the song with the pitch shifting coolness. “The Art of InnoSINce” moves with The Prodigy-like ferocity and continues the recipe of breakdowns and buildups, refrains and changes that make this EP so good! It’s very listenable. The EP includes two bonus tracks that are definitely worth checking out… I will let you discover their vibe on your own, but rest assured that I will be listening, too. Well…listening again, because I already listened!
I’m living proof that you don’t have to get all dressed up to leave the house. Heck, most days are “pajama day” in my world.
Dispensing with frivolity of unnecessary adornments, “Nowhere Close” is a friendly pop rock tune by Civic Green that resides on their recent EP called Sailing the River. With guitars that strum along providing unobtrusive accompaniment to the vocals, songwriter Danny Hall distills this tune down to its essential parts. Well placed changes in dynamics show a maturity in production choices to fit the arrangement. It’s a tune that would translate well to an acoustic set, for sure.