Mike Krol - Power Chords

7.3

The longest record the artist has released so far also turns out to be his most concise and unified, as if we were talking about a single long song with different moods, colours and paces. Krol snatches again, and demonstrates how to canalize heartbreak and self-despair.

Highlights

- The guitars sound loud and angry, lo-fiy and sinister.

- Mike's voice translates feelings pretty accurately.

- There's a strong sense of union in motifs between the songs.

Lowlights

- There's lack of versatility or musical variety in the record, which might cause a bit of repetitiveness after the second half.

- Doesn't he seem a little too much like Cage The Elephant, at times?

Standouts

- Power Chords

- I Wonder

- Nothing To Yell About

Country: USA

Released: January 25, 2019

Length: 33:42

The George Costanzas - Éponyme

3.6

I get it: arguably young guys gather around to fantasize being actual musicians and, while they do have some kind of potential, they're constantly too busy mocking their fears or insecurities with layers and layers of humour and hubbub. But, at the end of the day and, if this album was meant to be satirical, aren't jokes supposed to be funny in the first place?

Highlights

- You can't blame them for their oddly virtuosic versatility, both instrumentally and vocally.

- Youngish joy sets well with lo-fi aesthetics. Good choice!

Lowlights

- Almost just 30 minute-long and it still feels endless at times.

- We know you can actually sing behind those terrible impersonations. Show it!

- Cacophony doesn't always end up in artistic burst, sadly.

Standouts

- Frog Waltz

- Hippy Machine Gun

- S.T.A.R

Country: USA

Released: January 8, 2019

Length: 29:50