Three engaging new rock tunes that show the versatility of the genre in the 21st century

Ax and the Hatchetman – “Love Songs”
-When I tell people I listen to indie rock, this is exactly the kind of vibe I’m talking about. It’s groovy and just feels cool. You know your friends that are listening to boring old top 40 stuff have no idea that this band even exists and that feels oddly satisfying. But just listen to this chorus!!! This should be a hit song, honestly. The dynamics, the power in the lead vocal, and the saucy guitar licks all work together to create a sound that deserves wide acclaim. It’s so much better than 90% of what passes as pop and rock music these days and I’d love to see this one skyrocket to the top of the charts.

Anthony Green – “Last Summer in America”
-If this vocal sounds familiar, it’s because this is the Anthony Green of Circa Survive and Good Old War collab fame. This is also a wonderful piece of songwriting that will make your hair stand on end. The lyrics take on some challenging themes of modern political and social discourse. The music does a nice job of lulling the listener despite the heavy lyrical theme. It feels like a final chorus at the end of a theatrical performance and I suppose that was intentional. The line about the land parallels Woody Guthrie’s “This Land…” in a way that definitely gives me chills. This is an exceptional bit of songwriting and folk rock performance. It’s tragically good.

D. Marin Perez – “Crying Wolf”
-If you’re a secret 90s alt kid, this song will speak to your soul. I appreciate how this song has elements that remind me of 60s pop rock and then other sections that feel like early 90s Stone Temple Pilots. The connection, the grunginess, the mix of heavy and light… it’s a masterful composition style. I appreciate how the vocal is mixed here as well, not too strong but also loud enough that the listener can follow the lyrics. This is a sophisticated brand of rock that has elements of garage grunge alongside polished vocal harmonies. “Take a look at yourself and you’ll see that you’re the crying wolf.” Are we sure this song was recorded in 2024 and not… 1994? What a cool sound. I feel cooler just knowing music like this even exists. What a jam.

Image courtesy: Ax and the Hatchetmen IG