Album Review
Jonathan Brenner’s “Instagram Success” LP
Filled with the sort of earthy tonality that some would just as soon come from an uncompromisingly passionate live performance in a quaint venue somewhere, the guitar parts that are fired at us from start to finish in Jonathan Brenner’s Instagram Success are perhaps the most charming element to behold in this second album from the singer/songwriter, but they’re not the only component vital to the creation of the record’s one-of-a-kind harmonies.
With the help of a potent vocal from Brenner, these strings will form a boldly colorful melodicism unmatched in his first album, whether it be in “It’s a Dyin’ Art” and “Key to My Heart” or deeper cuts like “Hangin’ on the Edge over You” and “Silly Little Habit,” it’s as strong an entity as they come. This is a player who makes communication feel like more of an art form than it has for a long time in pop music, and more than a couple of critics are making note of it.
I love the production quality here, especially with regards to intricately melodic songs like “Not Gettin’ Drunk, Not Gettin’ High,” “Ride That Money Train,” and “The Balla of Orson Jones,” but I can’t say that all of these tracks wouldn’t sound even better in a live setting than they do in this capacity. There’s no dispute as to whether or not the bones of the aforementioned compositions could withstand the pressure of a stage environment; contrarily, I get the impression that they were designed specifically with the energy that an audience’s emotional reaction in mind.
Brenner has the energy of an old-fashioned troubadour in Instagram Success, and I for one would love to see and hear how it translates in person sometime. Although he benefits quite significantly from the way everything in this mix was seemingly tailored to his needs as a songwriter and a vocalist, there’s something more unrestrained lying in these poetic verses that makes me yearn to hear what he can do when there aren’t any studio walls around to restrict his output.
Jonathan Brenner isn’t playing by major label rules in his second album; from my assessment, he’s going out of his way to establish himself as an outside of the box-style of songwriter who cares more about making a big harmony than he does forming a familiar but catchy hook riddled with the usual indulgences we hear virtually every five minutes on the FM dial.
His spirit and his dedication are pretty refreshing to come by in 2024, and if he can continue to refine his sound moving into this new chapter in the history of alternative rock and crossover Americana particularly, I think he’s going to make a considerable impact on his scene sooner than some would expect him to. This is a record that lives and dies by the spaciousness of its concept, which, isn’t what a lot of critics are going to be left raving about this April. To me, Brenner is quite the methodical singer/songwriter, but at the end of the day, it is his moxie at the microphone that gives me the biggest thrills in Instagram Success.
Loren Sperry
Album Review
R3b3l I explores self-discovery through sound on “A Different Frequency” album
In a music scene often ruled by lyrics, R3b3l I proves that you can tell a powerful story without a single lyric. “A Different Frequency” is a twelve-track instrumental hip-hop and rap-inspired album inviting you into a deeply personal journey of growth, self-discovery, and purpose, speaking its message purely through mood, rhythm, and expression.
“Dance Before the Throne” opens the album, immediately establishing the tone of reflection and reverence. From here, “Elevate” and “The Wave” continue, adding momentum and a sense of movement and change. Each piece is a chapter in a larger story, allowing you to interpret the music with your own experience.
Songs like “I AM Power,” “Level Up,” and “Awaken” seem to be a big part of the progression of the album. The energy is one of empowerment and inner evolution. “The Jazzy Hop” is a nice change of pace in style, with a smooth, groove-flavored taste that shows R3b3l I’s versatility. Meanwhile, “Carousel,” “Raindrops,” and “Heartbeat” are moments of introspection that balance uplifting themes with emotional depth and openness.
The project wraps up on an emotional high with “Ancestors,” a heartfelt tribute to the forebears and the invisible forces that still influence us on our journeys. It’s a fitting way to close out an album about connection, growth, and purpose. “A Different Frequency” is more than a collection of tracks with carefully constructed instrumentals and thoughtful sequencing, and it’s a rewarding journey for those who want immersive instrumental hip-hop with heart, imagination, and substance.
Album Review
Cashus King & Big O deliver a 14-track journey of growth with “Water to Wine” album
Hip hop duo Cashus King and Big O release their new concept album “Water to Wine,” which is about transformation, faith, and purpose. The album is inspired by the miracle at Cana in the Book of John, where water is the raw human potential, and wine is the final stage of growth, formed by pressure, time, and belief.
The opening track, “Barry Water,” sets out the theme of origin and unspoiled energy, while “LikWid (Big Fish)” dives into the depths of identity and survival. “Precipitation” is a change under pressure, and “Cherry Cola” is a reflection that balances life’s sweetness with reality. “Streams” has an emotional flow and direction, and “Drownin’” has a weight of struggle and internal conflict.
“Hydration (Reign)” provides strength and renewal, then “Drippin (Soakin Poems)” shows creativity flowing through lived experience. “Potions” addresses transformation as self-crafting, and “Swimmin’” addresses endurance in the face of adversity. “Holy Water” gives a feeling of cleansing and Spiritual introspection, while “Like Lava for Water” balances heat, pressure, and transformation in movement.
The final part of the album, “Dark Agua,” continues the story with an exploration of self-awareness in the shadows, and “Wine” closes out the album as the pinnacle of transformation. The album includes guest appearances from Blu, Fashawn, L.O.U., P-Rawb, Big Tone, G-HOLY, Frannie EL, and Shari and is a body of work about becoming who you were always meant to be.
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