MINNESOTA SOUND REVIEWS - 10/27/21
Review by: Jonathan Fuller, Writer @JonnyDarko3
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner/Editor @PlaylistTC
Top songs on the Minnesota Sound Playlist.
Jackson Atkins “Deadman Walking”
Jackson Atkins voice plays off a dry acoustic instrumental with a beautiful timbre and a pleasant wash of reverb on the track “Dead Man Walking.” The guitar provides a marching baseline that pairs well with the simple drum beat. The songs artwork and video feature a cartoon skeleton and his cat trudging through the rain; a melancholy but endearing aesthetic that matches the vibe of the track perfectly. To hear more from Atkins check out the 2020 EP “Bootstraps!”
PRIME & PM “Tubes and Dungeons”
PRIME & PM carries on the sound of midwest hip hop pioneered by artists like SIMS and Atmosphere, with simple beats and minimal synthesizers the song prominently features lyricism. Nonstop flows are only interrupted to make time for an infectious hook that sounds like it could be found on a Doomtree project. The song is a fantastic blend of lighthearted confidence and clever wordplay. To hear more from PRIME & PM check out their latest album “Creatures From the Basement.”
Gentleman speaker “Headless Horsemen”
Folk-rock band Gentleman Speaker blend scratchy guitars, broken down drum tracks and indie rock vocal tones to create “Headless Horsemen” a track with dynamic range and a powerful chorus. One highlight of the track is a short guitar solo with fantastic lo-fi guitar tone. The song comes through a nostalgic style of production reminiscent of the early recordings of iconic bands like Band of Horses or Fleet Foxes. “Headless Horsemen” is the opening track off the band’s latest full length LP “The Well Between Continents.”
See More Perspective “Fallen World”
“Fallen World” is a hip-hop track that features syrupy synth leads, pounding synth bass and a classic, catchy drum beat. The track features a record scratch solo and haunting background choruses. The hook is catchy and the lyrics are thoughtful. You can find more impressive midwest hip-hop from See More Perspective on his new album “Jaws of Life After Death.”
Careful Gaze “Cold Spring”
“Cold Spring” is the latest single from heavy rock band Careful Gaze. The track boasts soaring melodies, heavy melodic guitar and aggressive drums. The song has a considerable amount of energy, but an unmistakably sad undertone that results in an incredibly moving track. The band blends elements of emo, indie and post-hardcore in a unique way and this song is a perfect showcase of that mix and why it works. To hear more from Careful Gaze check out their previous single “Next Dark Dawn” which was released earlier this year!
g00db0iii “Miiindset”
g00db0ii provides a dark instrumental aesthetic on the track Miiindset. Glitchy hip-hop drums melt into swirling synthesizers and gritty, droning samples. Fuzzy bass and knocking drums add energy to the track. g00db0iii’s flows are ambitious and aggressive, showcasing a wide array of vocal tones. To hear more from g00db0iii check out the EP “H I M PART 1.”
