After a long hiatus, we’re back. Indie artists have been blowing up our email with news about their new releases, so it’s time to start returning the favor with the continuation of our review series, “Get it or Forget It.” This edition will cover three amazing artists, with lots more to follow. Grab your coffee and check them out.
Artist Name: See
Album Name: Ties
Label: Blue Élan Records
Genre: Electronica
Track Listing: 1. Green Line Killer; 2 Closed Eyes Open; 3. Blue Await; 4. Potions; 5. See Cries
Publicist: MAD Ink PR
Review: Teenage sensation See is the youngest artist on Blue Élan Records impressive list of artists, but her potential for stardom cannot be denied. Although her EP Ties was released last year, she is just beginning to create a buzz on the music scene, thanks in no small part to her YouTube channel, where she has been releasing acoustic versions of her songs, as well as her two official music videos. Her first single, “Potions,” has received more than four million views, while her latest single, “Green Line Killer,” has already gotten more than 50,000 views in less than a week.
Needless to say, it really is all about the music, and all five tracks deliver, both musically and lyrically. Although listed as “electronica,” her music has elements of rock and pop that underscore the extremely mature lyrical content. Hard to believe See is only 19 years old. We believe this artist will have a long career ahead, making her a worthy addition to the Blue Élan roster of Grammy winners and nominees. We especially like the final track “She Cries,” which deserves radio airplay now.
Recommendation: This one is a no-brainer. Definitely Get It and be the cool kid on the block as you share in her current and future success.
Artist Name: Emily Zuzik
Album Name: Angelenos
Label: Self-released
Genre: Electronic pop-rock
Track Listing: 1. Gravity; 2. Alone; 3. Spiritual Heart; 4. Warrior; 5. Oh Yeah (feat. Knower); 6. Modern Lovers (Louis Cole remix)
Publicist: None
Review: The music immediately grabs your attention and then that voice comes in, lifting your spirits as the lyrics open your mind to the amazing artist who has composed and performed these songs, which are nothing short of masterful. This is one of those albums that you can just put on repeat and revel in the magic. These songs are perfect for chilling, and should also find a home in the soundtrack of your favorite movie or television show. The first notes of “Gravity” awaken your senses and makes you want to listen to the track all day. That trend continues with “Alone,” for which we shared the music video back in January, and stand by our assessment that this artist is destined for greatness. We especially like the instrumentals in “Spiritual Heart.” The music takes a different turn on the final three tracks, with “Modern Lovers” being the best of the three.
Recommendation: If you don’t rush out and get your copy of Angelenos, then you should seriously consider therapy. This is one of the best releases of 2017, and we strongly recommend you Get it.
Artist Name: Mark McKinney
Album Name: World in Between
Label: Texas Evolution
Genre: Country
Track Listing: 1. 90 Miles; 2. Bridge; 3. Bacon & Eggs; 4. Rainy Day Money; 5. Sunshine; 6. Alright; 7. Yours; 8. Stories; 9. Close; 10. Monday; 11. Revolution
Publicist: KG Music Press
Review: Like Chris LeDoux and Pat Green before him, Mark McKinney has made a decent living playing his music in the great state of Texas. However, with the release of his fifth studio album, World in Between, Texas can no longer contain his greatness, which is destined to spread throughout the US and the world. If the songs on this new album are any indication, McKinney should become a household name and a regular on country radio, as well as a popular performer at the ACM and CMA. His songs have a great musical feel that is conducive to a good two step, and his instrumentation will appease even the most sophisticated country music lover. He immediately grabs our attention with “90 Miles” and “Bridge” before stealing our hearts with the dynamic “Bacon & Eggs,” and its amazing backing vocals by his wife Cassie. On and on the hits keep coming. This one is our early favorite for best Country album of 2017.
Recommendation: Run, don’t walk and Get It. If you love country music that easily provides the soundtrack for life, then this is definitely the album for you.