pop – NZ Film Freak

The Days of Aqua Net – After Adam

The Days of Aqua Net is a pop-rock anthem by After Adam, and it’ll be a sure hit with Gen Z.

It’s an innocent recollection of the past, filled with nostalgia, regret and fresh perspectives.

Those were the days of aqua net
Those are the days I’ll never forget
I only have one regret
And that’s not kissing you

It reminds me of the kinds of songs that would be played in the disco scenes of children’s tv shows such as Lizzy Maguire.

The song and music video make more sense when you Google what aqua net is. It’s a brand of hairspray from the 1950s that had a huge comeback in the 80s when the trend for big hair returned.

An enjoyable and innocent tune!

This is a sponsored review via Fiverr.

No Goodbyes – Norman Alexander

R&B singer/songwriter Norman Alexander hails from Queens, New York.

His song No Goodbyes is a catchy yet solemn tune that showcases his natural vocal talent. Despite the electronic tinny drumbeat, Norman Alexander’s voice is a far cry from the auto-tuned, synthetic sounds typical of the R&B pop genre.

A song derived from the loss of his brother and sister, the mournful chorus certainly captures the sadness felt by the singer. I think the emotional heartbreak of the song is a welcome reality check to the genre that’s so often flooded with the far more shallow aspects of life.

An authentic and heartfelt song that is definitely worth a listen. Check it out below!

This is a paid review via Fiverr.

Windows – Greye

Windows by Greye is a country-pop song, which echoes early Taylor Swift and Ashley Simpson.

With squeaky-clean, youthful and energetic female vocals – not dissimilar to the likes of Paramore’s lead vocalist – Greye certainly has a distinctive, almost acoustic folk, sound at times.

With vivid lyrical imagery, I could actually imagine this song featuring on The Hunger Games:

“…and shoot that arrow, who know if it’ll be there tomorrow.”

At more than five and a half minutes in duration, Windows is quite a marathon song. Nevertheless, this song has plenty of emotional suspense and instrumental build-up that keeps you listening.

With clear talent on the band’s behalf, I’m sure this song could easily find its way on to an easy-listening or country tunes radio station, if it hasn’t already. Certainly a harmless, sweet, harmonious and youthful group of musicians.

Greye will be hitting the road on July 15, 2017 for a tour of the Eastern United States in support of Windows. Information and dates can be found at here.

Follow Greye on Facebook and Twitter!

Joshua – Leah Capelle

Leah Capelle is an emerging band from LA, who has a clean and positive pop sound.

Despite the band identifying with being alternative rock/pop, judging by their recent release called Joshua, I found the band’s style to be classic ‘modern country’. They remind me of Wilson Phillips and Carrie Underwood – very G-rated, very safe-listening.

Joshua is described as a song about ‘friendship and freedom’ – a positive message that is rarely explored in typical young rock bands – and reminded me of songs in the Christian soft rock genre.

In the music video, the band’s look conflicts with the sound. Whereas I was expecting to see early Taylor Swift’s ‘Love Story‘ clothing style, the Leah Capelle band sport dark lipstick, heavy eyeliner and revealing gothic clothes.

leah capelle rock band

Nevertheless, the song is professionally produced and the band has undeniable talent.

Check them out:
Facebook
Website

Love Ain’t A Prize – Donica Knight

Donica Knight Can't buy a Southern Girl song review

Another country princess makes a pop song.

Despite being a high-production-value song and music video, Love Ain’t a Prize left me feeling like I had heard it all before. The country-pop genre tends to be quite monotonous for me.
Love Ain’t A Prize is not a poorly-made song, but the chorus repeats itself too often, which makes the writing appear lazy.

The style and sound becomes a self-fulfilling stereotype. The classic black-tassel-wearing and silver-studded band members came as no surprise in Donica Knight’s video.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a bit of country music (Kelly Willis), a bit of pop (Katy Perry), and rock ‘n’ roll (Johnny Cash). But I tend to stay away from the contemporary, flamboyant country-pop genre, due to its gaudy appearance and cookie-cutter sound.
I can see why Donica Knight is growing in popularity in the Southern music scene.

She has shown her diversity and success by opening for acts including Lynyrd Skynyrd, 3 Doors Down, Kid Rock and Jamey Johnson.

Despite my personal take on the contemporary country sound and genre, if you’re into country-pop then Donica Knight is for you. She seems like the kind of artist who excels on stage with a lot of energy, and an engaging presence. She has a strong voice, confidence and style, that I’m sure will be appealing to many.

Check out her website here.

Humanity – Radio Drive

Written as a reminder to people that “deep down we are all the same,” Humanity is certainly meaningful and relatable.

It is a very well produced song for sure – produced by Stuart Epps. You can definitely hear the work that has gone into it.

Because of the band’s name, I was expecting a Radiohead Karma Police sound – intense and deep – which was why I was surprised to hear a relatively bright pop song.

Side by side, hand in hand,
we’ll get the word across the land
Everyone, one by one,
we won’t stop until we’re done
Though we might disagree,
we are all one family
Love and hope and unity,
that’s what makes Humanity

Humanity reminds me of a celebrity charity pop song, with melancholy, choired vocals. The message of standing together is a strong one, and perhaps would have been translated more powerfully in the form of an acoustic song.

This may give it a bit more grit and integrity; one musician, one guitar – Bob Dylan, Alanis Morissette, John Lennon kind of deal.

But, it’s certainly a song that deserves recognition and credit; it’s well-written, and well produced.

Check it out: http://www.radio-drive.com/music.htm and follow Radio Drive on Twitter and Facebook.

Jodie

Are You Thinking What I’m Thinking? – Bernie Journey

Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking? - Bernie Journey Are You Thinking What I’m Thinking? is a funk/electro track being released by Bernie Journey. He is New York-based and a self-described dance/pop singer-songwriter.

His sound reminds me of a psychedelic/glam 90s band. So certainly not a typical ‘pop/dance’ sound, but a perfect karaoke track. I think a heavier bass and bit more variety would make it the JAM.

Check out the promo for the single here:

The song, produced by Phunk Junk Records, is to be released on December 30, 2014.

Are You Thinking What I'm Thinking? - Bernie Journey — Bernie Journey

In addition to this single, there are two remixed versions that will be available by Ros Garcia and El Brujo.

P re-order it from Amazon or wait for its release on iTunes.

Jodie.