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

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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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Album Review

C’batch returns with “C’batch – The Vault 2 Soul/R&B/Pop/ Rock/Reggae,” a multi-genre story of emotion and identity

C’batch is back with a bang with a powerful new project titled “C’batch – The Vault 2 Soul/R&B/Pop/ Rock/Reggae,” a 20-track album that expands his archive series with a bold mixture of genres and emotional storytelling. It runs through soul, R&B, pop, rock, and reggae, and creates a large musical space that is personal and expressive.

The album opens up a space for reflection and openness, with “Will This Be the Last Time?” hinting at uncertainty and emotional finality, creating a reflective tone for the project. “Giving You All My Love” is a song of devotion, with warm melodies and an emotional center, while “The Word Is Out (Will I Get Over You?)” is a pop sound with soulful introspection delving into inner conflict.

“Found What’s Right for Me” is about clarity and self-discovery in a more tender emotional space, and “Hey Victoria” is a more direct human connection moment. “Call on Me” brings in an element of reach and emotional dependence, while “Round & Round” echoes repetitive thoughts and patterns in relationships. “Next Time (I Won’t Be Falling)” is a promise of emotional strength and growth. “All Things Are Possible” is positive and open to change, and “Can I Hold On?” is mature with openness and emotional tension.

The album ends with “Mi Wan Yu Fi) Rock Dat Pum Pum,” a reggae track that brings with it a dose of rhythm, energy, and cultural flavor. This project is about going back to different parts, and each song is a moment, a feeling, or a question that still resonates. “C’batch – The Vault 2 Soul/R&B/Pop/ Rock/Reggae” is an unbound expression, fueled by emotional truth and genre freedom.

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