Music
Lenox Hills Brings The Energy On Epic Double Singles “Girls ‘Round Here” and “I Feel It Coming On”
Nashville based alternative rock quartet Lenox Hills welcomes the bombastic double release of two indie rock anthems, “Girls ‘Round Here” and “I Feel It Coming On” out now. Reminiscent of icons like COIN and The Arctic Monkeys, these two tracks – characterized by roaring choruses impossible to not sing along to – are bound to invigorate any party playlist. Steeped in a uniquely Lenox Hills sound and bursting at the seams with an infatuating charisma, the band continues to showcase the grunge-chic aesthetic they’ve achieved through their enticing synergy. The band has developed their sound over the course of years; having grown up together in the same neighborhood, these best friends are committed to evolving with each other as people and musicians. This double release is Lenox Hills’ first project since their 2020 ‘Names’ EP. “Girls ‘Round Here” and “I Feel It Coming On” irrefutably deliver the epicness that has become a key element of Lenox Hills’ artistic identity.
These two tracks – while displaying a cohesive sound that compliments each other – demonstrate the broad range of Lenox Hills’ creative capabilities. On “Girls ‘Round Here,” rowdy verses driven by Kyle Swenson’s booming percussion get listeners grooving from the very start. This track tells the wistful story of a tender hope for love complicated by a clashing romance. Luke Mullin’s dreamy vocals cut through the boisterous percussion with ease, drawing in listeners with soulful lyricism dripping in melancholy. All encompassing electric guitar (Packy Mullin) and rich bass lines (Kameron Dunn) round out this energetic anthem. In “I Feel It Coming On,” twangy western-inspired fingerstyle guitar introduces this track before a subtle transition to a steady rock groove. Heartfelt and embellished with romantically poetic lyrics, this is the type of feverish love song people dream to have written about them. Prepare to have the particularly catchy, lively chorus of this track repeating in your head.
The band worked on these two singles – which come from the group of tracks compiled for their next project – over the last two years. Having begun the writing process for this project in 2019, after many months of refining and perfecting, the band has created a final product in 2021 that each member is proud of. This project came to life in collaboration with producer Logan Matheny, who has contributed to a variety of notable projects including Jack White, Judah & The Lion, Colony House, and Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes. While the creative process presented its challenges to the Tennessee natives, they managed to capture the band’s essence through an undeniably Lenox Hills signature sound. Stream “Girls ‘Round Here” and “I Feel It Coming On” on all major streaming platforms out now.
Artist Spotlight
LYIA META’s Dazzling Jazz Album Release “Always You”
Prepare to be enchanted by the unparalleled talents of multi-award-winning singer, songwriter, and visual artist Lyia Meta as she unveils her latest masterpiece, “Always You.” With an exceptionally rare contralto vocal range that defies convention and a unique musical style that effortlessly melds jazz, soul, pop, and blues influences, Lyia Meta has once again proven her status as a global sensation among the music industry’s elite.
Lyia Meta, the Malaysian sensation, released her latest album, “Always You,” on June 16, 2023, and is set to captivate the hearts of music enthusiasts worldwide, showcasing her musical endeavor that transcends boundaries. This exquisite 8-track musical album combines jazz, soul, and pop, showcasing Lyia’s unparalleled vocal prowess and lyrical depth that takes listeners on an unmatched emotive depth, infusing each song with a lyrical masterpiece.
The 1st track, titled “Always You,“ exudes nostalgia, a sultry and dreamy ode to love reminiscent of the timeless allure of the Rat Pack era of jazz and blues. Lyia’s contralto vocal range takes center stage, weaving a captivating narrative of love’s enduring appeal.
As the album unfolds, listeners are treated to diverse emotions and melodies. In “Never Enough Time,“ the 2nd track, Lyia’s vocals tug at the heartstrings of a soulful Jazz ballad lasting 4:55 minutes, while the 3rd track, “It’s Up To You“ (04:15 minutes), intricately explores the complexities of love with a jazz sensibility.
“For You,“ the fourth track, is a 04:15 minute heartfelt Jazz melody that explores the yearning and struggle to rekindle a lost relationship with poignant lyrics like, “Do you wish on the stars to have me back? I want to know.” “Save Me,“ the fifth track, delves into the craving for intimacy and attention, set to a melodic Jazz-pop song with a runtime of 3:30 minutes.
“As We Throw Caution To The Wind“ (03:38 minutes), the sixth track, sets the perfect atmosphere for a romantic entanglement, and “To Know What It’s Like“ (04:40 minutes) 7th track takes listeners on a deeper dive into the mysteries of love a soulful journey of self-discovery. The 8th and last track of the album closes with “My Dream Lover,“ which weaves a nostalgic tale of falling in love within the realm of dreams, leaving a lasting impression with a runtime of 04:43 minutes.
Lyia Meta’s “Always You” is a testament to her unwavering commitment to authenticity and musical innovation. Her exceptional vocal performances, intertwined with a seamless fusion of jazz, soul, and more, redefine the boundaries of music and mark her as a rising star in the industry.
Lyia Meta has carved her niche with this album’s release following earning accolades like ‘Best Album’ and ‘Best Female Vocalist’ at the 2022 Global Music Awards. With an inspiring voice that effortlessly traverses the worlds of blues and classical music, she is admired alongside renowned artists like Nina Simone and Amy Winehouse, proving her worldwide popularity and musical prowess.
Lyia Meta’s “Always You” offers audiences worldwide a captivating and soulful musical journey that can now be streamed on various platforms. This unforgettable indie experience is a must-have for any Jazz aficionado’s playlist. Watch out for future album releases, which will become timeless classics.
For more information about Lyia Meta, please visit [website].
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Lyia Meta’s “Always You” on Spotify.
Featured
Singer/Songwriter Robert LaRoche Releases New Music
I’m no stranger to Robert LaRoche’s songwriting. Longtime songwriter, solo artist, and frontman for The Sighs, LaRoche enjoys a well-deserved reputation as a songwriter’s songwriter who commands respect from his peers and has a devoted following stretching back years. I approached his new solo release Forevermore with excitement. My faith in his abilities proved well-placed as LaRoche serves up ten songs rich with the accumulated experiences of a lifetime and brimming with the same unique talents that have secured his place in the modern indie music scene. For those familiar with him, Forevermore is a reaffirmation of his gifts while, for newcomers, it gives them an excellent place to start their discovery of his work.
Acoustic guitar is integral to this album and “Steal Your Heart” announces that from the first. This isn’t a folky singer-songwriter effort, however, as LaRoche’s decades-long experience fronting bands serves him well here and elsewhere. It’s a full-throated ensemble performance replete with satisfying changes and a lyric that veers between aching affection and borderline heartbreak. Zonder Kennedy’s guitar solo puts a fiery exclamation point on “Burn That Kingdom Down”, the album’s second song, but LaRoche’s lyrics are equally impressive. He writes and sings as if this were one of those songs that took a week or so to write and two decades to live. The sense of stakes is audible from beginning to end.
“Forevermore” is a strong title song. LaRoche aims for more of a mood piece with this cut and the diverse instrumentation he utilizes for the collection surfaces here in a pronounced way. He frames the unattainable object of LaRoche’s desire at the heart of this song in tasteful poetic lyrics that he’s well suited for conveying with his voice. Vocal harmonies play an important role in fleshing out many of Forevermore’s songs and sweeten the obvious vulnerability underlying a song such as “Safter Inside”. It adopts the same semi-brisk pace as many of the release’s other songs but never feels rushed.
He serves up a nuanced song about lost love with “Temporary Virtue” and mature listeners will appreciate his unique take on the subject. There’s heartache and regret galore throughout this lyric. LaRoche and the sensitive arrangement conspire well to communicate those emotions. It lays his heart bare in a more direct fashion, at least musically than some of the preceding songs while being no less effective. The rueful “Traitorous Heart” gains a lot of traction from the contrasting laid back character of its arrangement and LaRoche’s scornful lyrics. He lays out betrayal and undermining behavior in a matter of fact manner. There are hints of the underlying resentment, however, provided by the song’s electric guitar passages.
This is a thoroughly successful release from beginning to end. Robert LaRoche deserves fulsome praise for his ability to write about a subject as old as song itself, love, in such an individualistic fashion. He isn’t remaking the songwriting wheel with Forevermore, but he pours old wine into new bottles with a skillfulness that deserves our applause and attention.
Jamie Morse
