Get it or forget it – 070 Shake, Mr. Pong, Elise Wunder, Under the Oak, Dreamend

It’s been a very busy first quarter for new music, and it keeps on coming in.  This has been helpful in the wake of several setbacks we have endured in the past few days.  We are so thankful for the power of music, and there is no more powerful music than indie music.  Here are five more artists to check out.

Artist Name:  070 Shake

Album Name:  Glitter

Label:  G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam Records

Genre:  Hip-hop

Track Listing:  1.  I Laugh When I’m with Friends but sad When I’m Alone; 2.  Somebody like Me (ft 070Phi); 3.  Lost in Love; 4.  Mirrors; 5.  Stranger; 6.  Glitter

Publicist:  Stephanie Gotch

Review:  The mainstream acceptance of hip-hop music has been steadily on the rise over the past decade, helped in no small part by two Fox series, Star and Empire.  The songs on Glitter could have been pulled directly from the soundtracks of those two shows.  They mix their hip-hop/rap sound with some of the finest R&B/soul music we have heard in a while.  We love the collaborative effort of the 070 artists, and especially 070 Phi, who adds a hard line rap to the smooth sound of 070 Shake.  This one is definitely worth the time to listen, and enjoy the beat

Recommendation:  You should definitely check this one out.

Artist Name:  Mr. Pong

Album Name:  Echoes Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Covers/Instrumental

Track Listing:   1.  What a Wonderful World; 2.  Lost Without U; 3.  I Can’t Feel my Face; 4.  Sorry; 5.  Hotline Bling; 6.  Happy; 7.  Let me Love You; 8.  Passionfruit; 9.  I Feel it Coming; 10.  Despacito

Publicist:  Presstown Media

Review:  Steel drums are such unique instruments.  This entire album is composed of steel drum adaptations of diverse mega-hits from Louis Armstrong’s classic “What  Wonderful World” to The Weeknd’s “I Can’t Feel my Face” to the recent world-wide hit “Despacito.”  It is a relaxing collection that can easily be put on repeat for an extended period of introspection, chilling or just having some great music in the background.  This one will make a sterling addition to your musical library, and we think you will pull it out time and time again.

Recommendation:  Definitely Get this one.

Artist Name:  Elise Wunder

Album Name:  Desert Lonely

Label:  Self-released

Genre:  Country/Americana

Track Listing:  1.  Empty is Blue; 2.  Icarus; 3.  In Your Arms; 4.  Stormy Weather; 5.  Desierto Solitario

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  We have had this hot little EP in our possession for the past five months, waiting for its release so that we can review it.  It was definitely worth the wait.  Elise Wunder has a true country voice that enables her to do what every good country song should do – tell a story.  The stories are interesting, and the songs are well-crafted.  Wunder’s voice soars above the instruments, taking the listener to new heights as her lyrics tell that story.  This artist is on the rise, and deserves industry attention.  We expect great things from her in the future, and with the release of Desert Lonely, she is well on her way.

Recommendation:  You simply must add this one to your collection.  Get it today.

Artist Name:  Under the Oak

Album Name:  Big Sky

Label:  Winding Way Records

Genre:  Americana/Folk

Track Listing:  1,  Take in the Spring; 2.  You’re not Alone; 3.  Big Sky; 4.  Don’t Fall on Me; 5.  Beyond the Physical; 6.  Beautiful People; 7.  Wandering Around; 8.  Warm Sun; 9.  Bring me a Carpenter; 10.  Dream Song

Publicist:  Self-promoted

Review:  From the first note of this breathtaking album, the sweet soulful voice of Maggie Pope soars, joined in orbit by her partner Adam Monaco.  Their harmonies are heavenly while the instrumentation, including strings, is simply divine.  This is the album we have been waiting for, with deeply moving arrangements, songs that are instantly memorable, and a message that no matter what life brings you, you don’t have to walk it alone.  It is filled with encouragement, strength, hope and inspiration, and deserves industry attention.

Recommendation:  Don’t even think about this one – Get it NOW!

Artist Name:  Dreamend

Album Name:  untitled

Label:  Graveface Records

Genre:  Indie Rock

Track Listing:  1.  intro; 2.  falling; 3.  in tune we rest; 4.  a year and a day; 5.  PDM; 6.  inside the head of a monster; 7.  halfway between you and me; 8.  remember the first time; 9.  in my heart; 10.  to see this moment

Publicist:  Noisy Ghost PR

Review:  From the beginning, it becomes quickly clear that this is not your normal album.  The eerie sounds emanating from the speakers indicate that this one is gonna be good, different and truly unique, as only great indie music can be.  Ryan Graveface, owner of Graveface Records has resurrected his band Dreamend after a six-year hiatus, and we are so glad he has.  Graveface is a true musician who truly understands what it takes to make a great album, not just from the producer/label side but also from the artist side, as this amazing untitled album demonstrates.  It is hard to pigeonhole this music into a genre, but we would put it in the generic indie rock category for now.  It truly belongs in its own as yet unnamed genre, but suffice it to say that these songs are unique and memorable, and will stay with you long after the final note.  They do bear a resemblance to the music of Blue October, mixed with ELO and arranged by Trent Reznor.  In other words, put this one on repeat.

Recommendation:  Get it ASAP.  It will become one of your favorite musical pieces.