Three new alt rock tunes that will remind you that there’s a lot of ways to make great “rock” music

My Wonderful Boyfriend – “Chip City”
-There’s a genuineness to this recording that captured my attention right away. It’s something about the creative rolling of lyrics from line to line. Thinking about that vibe of clicking with friends and feeling at home comes through here. I also really appreciate the depth of the vocal with its raspiness in the middle register and just the right amount of strain at the top. It feels like the vocalist really cares about the message. It’s not the same genre, per se, but I am reminded of how I felt when I found Water Liars; there’s a depth and sincerity in the performance that makes me take notice… and nod my head along with the beat.

moodtwn – “Never Knew”
-I am not a producer and I wouldn’t know what to do in front of a sound board for a billion dollars, but I can tell you I hear it when production pops. THIS song is outstanding in the production mix. The vocal resonates with this appropriately syrupy mix, allowing it to take up an outsized space in the middle of the track. The guitars and rhythm section hold up the bottom, but the song feels right in the sweet spot of alt rock music in the middle. The lyrics are complex, featuring that vibe when “nothing ever satisfies” with a message of optimism. “You just never know…” is about saying that, mildly optimistically, things could always get better. It’s a message of hanging on, seeing what happens next, because you never know what you’ll find. As a music blogger who goes through a stack of songs every day, I feel this on an existential level; you never know if the next song will be a banger alt rock tune!

REVERSE REVOLUTION – “Crashing Out”
-I never know if it’s appropriate to lead with the demographics of an artist (age, background, location, experience, etc.). But in this case, these young people from the other side of the world are some of the most talented rock artists I’ve found in years. The writing here is outstanding. They are exceptionally gifted and have some top tier coaching, but the end result is a sound that is transcendently appealing. In other words, it doesn’t matter how old they are or where they’re from, this is a hit! I genuinely hope that Reverse Revolution are the type of band that catch a wave and become a household name. The lyrics here are simple, but relatable if you’ve ever had anyone (parents, bosses, any authority really) pushing you until you crash out. The fact that they convey that message with a ton of emotion and passion makes it that much more believable!