Get it or forget it – The Daybreaks, Wendy Sweetlove, The Raft, Paradise Kings

We are so humbled by the response to our announcement of the nominations for the first half of 2017 for the LA Music Critic Awards.  You guys are the reason we recognize and share the incredible talent in the indie music scene.  Thanks for your support.  Here are four more great acts, one of which has already been nominated for three LA Music Critic Awards.  Please let us know what you think about them.

Artist Name:  The Daybreaks

Album Name:  Meet me at the End of the World

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Indie Pop

Track Listing:  1.  The Machine; 2.  Do Whatever Gets you High; 3.  Stranger; 4.  Cruel Summer; 5.  Panic; 6.  Hypnotized; 7.  Hold on to Me 

Publicist:  Think Press

Review:  It was just supposed to be a collaboration to write songs for placement in television and media, but the undeniable chemistry between Heather Bonds and Kaleb Jones led to the formation of The Daybreaks, one of the hottest groups in Nashville.  The release of their debut EP will only add to that exposure, as these guys are phenomenal.  They have already garnered one LA Music Critic Award for their stellar cover of “Cruel Summer,” and we believe they will get a few more during their career.  Kicking off with their single, “The Machine,” they hit the ground running and deliver a stunning debut that deserves world-wide attention.   There is not a weak song on this debut, and the EP should be placed on repeat.

Recommendation:  If you love well written songs, amazing harmonies and a musical background that heightens your senses and perks you up, then you should immediately Get this EP.

Artist Name:  Wendy Sweetlove

Album Name:  Dirty Sunday

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Modern Soul/Indie Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Babysitter; 2.  Delilah; 3.  Come to Momma; 4.  Dirty Sunday; 5.  Shadow Son; 6.  Sharp Dressed Man; 7.  Burn it Down; 8.  I Bring the Word; 9.  Come Inside; 10.  Left of You; 11.  Sucker Punch; 12.  El Cubano 

Publicist:  None

Review:   From the first notes of “Babysitter,” it will quickly become evident that Wendy Sweetlove is a powerful performer who will quickly become a household name.  Sweetlove calls her music “Modern Soul,” but we simply call it magnificent.  It deserves to be played on every radio station and will surely continue to gain her new fans.  On top of that, she knows how to put on a great live show, and if you were lucky enough to be at the LA Music Critic Awards Winners Showcase last month in Los Angeles, you know what we’re talking about.  She is currently nominated for three awards, and we believe that she will receive many more during her career.  We are really impressed with her cover of ZZ Top’s “Sharp Dressed Man,” which she has turned into a funky jazz standard.  Favorite tracks include “Babysitter,” “Delilah,” “Come to Momma,” “Dirty Sunday,” “Come Inside,” and “Sucker Punch.”

Recommendation:  If you like your music down and dirty, then this is the perfect album for you.  Although it is not yet available, you can stream three cuts on Sweetlove’s website.  The minute it comes out, we strongly urge you to Get it.

Artist Name:  The Raft

Album Name:  Coming up for Air

Label:  SoLar Records

Genre:  Indie Pop/Dream Pop

Track Listing:  1.  Glad I Don’t Know; 2.  Coming up for Air; 3.  Anarchy in our Guitars; 4.  Regrets 

Publicist:  None

Review:  Phil Wilson, aka the Raft, is a UK artist whose music should do well here in the States.  His sound is smooth, with his sweet voice and musical backing that would be the perfect fit for radio airplay.  His four-song EP delivers the perfect taste that begs for more.  From his first song to the last one, we simply love this EP especially “Glad I Don’t Know.”  Give him a listen and we think you’ll agree.

Recommendation:  Definitely head over to the Bandcamp website and Get your copy now.

Artist Name:  Paradise Kings

Album Name:  Controlled Burn

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Blues/Rockabilly

Track Listing:  1.  ’69 Chevy; 2.  I’d Sing the Blues if I had Em; 3.  Three Strikes; 4.  Slow Down; 5.  Butter me Up; 6.  Patience; 7.  Poor me, Poor me, Pour me Another Drink; 8.  Money Ain’t my Friend (live) 

Publicist:  Doug Deutsch Publicity Services

Review:  The album starts out with a rocking instrumental intro before launching into an incredible vocal that gets your toes to tapping before an uncontrollable urge to dance takes control of  your body.  You can fill the heavy influence of greats like Chuck Berry and BB King in the sound of Paradise Kings, and we think that this band has the potential to take the blues genre by storm.  Best tracks include “’69 Chevy,” “I’d Sing the Blues if I had Em,” “Slow Down” and “Butter me Up.”

Recommendation:  If you love great blues music, then you simply MUST Get this album.  It will be a valued addition to your musical library.