Three dynamic new rock tracks that will get you moving

Holden Road – “Overdrive”
-From the days of Jimmie Rodgers, musicians have been singing about going to California as a place to find new opportunity. Actually, long before Rodgers the people of the Gold Rush were seeking that success in Cali. This song is more of a Jack Johnson acoustic groove than it is some old timey country ballad, nevertheless it moves with a contemporary rock style that’s sure to win a lot of fans. As a historian in my other life, I have to admit I liked the line about the subject reading history. I legit smiled out loud at that one. The whole song is a vibe and the aforementioned Jack Johnson or even Dave Matthews fans might get some energy from this one.

The Kowloons – “James Dean”
-“She says you’re not bad, but you’re no James Dean.” I mean, to be fair, there was only one James Dean and because he died young he became immortalized. So… tough standard. Nevertheless, this song is absolutely dripping with artsy cool. The sound is polished, the lyrical theme feels sophisticated and appropriately artsy. Now bear with me on this comp… but… I hear some Head and the Heart vibes here. I know they’re more folk than pure pop rock, but it’s what I hear. I hope our regular readers of both folk and pop rock will spin this one and let me know what you think. I feel like it’s a really nice intersection of several genres I enjoy… and am happy to share here.

Out in Front – “Forget July”
-If you’re a fan of up tempo rock energy with a spirited pop rock energy (especially in those powerful chords), this is sure to be a song that will stand out. Some tracks are “maybe” approvals, but this one was a definite yes. I could feel the energy almost straight into my veins. I’m not sure if I’m the intended demographic for this (probably not… tbh), but I connect with it for sure. As someone born in July, I’d rather not forget July, but I sure understand wanting an entire month to stop existing because of the terrible memories it evokes due to a breakup. The raw emotions in this composition are visceral and clearly accessible to the listener. I cannot FATHOM how exciting this would be to hear live, but maybe one day I’ll give to see Out in Front in concert. I can just hear the crowd screaming this chorus.

Image courtesy: Madie Renner IG (Out in Front)