KIT - No Mercy

With punk sensibilities and a track length that is all business, KIT's new single, "No Mercy" starts off with a very introspective lead in and then fires into this blistering rapid fire rant letting you know just who and what you're messing with.  I think where this song draws it's power from is that part of you and your life that has just had it, officially.  You've said and done everything you can to avoid a conflict but you've been pushed further than you care to be and now, it's time to let them know what's up.

We've all been there.  We've all tried our damnedest to be civil but there's that one person that just pushes your buttons.  You've explained that your calm has been damaged and that you are at the end of your rope but try as you might; they just keep coming for you.  And now, as you stand over them and see their broken form; they'll realize.

Kit Walters is one of my favorite male vocalists in the past 10 years because there is just a stripped down honesty to his voice and how he knows exactly to use his instrument to get every bit of power or emotion out of his lyrics.  He's thoughtful and exceptionally giving as an artist because you know what he's feeling as he sings.  You can hear every nuance and subtle moment in his delivery.  The first time he utters, "No Mercy" - I'm sold.  Hook, line and sinker.  The man knows how to give us what we need.

Debuting the song on Diffuser was a stroke of genius as it's going to reach even more people and expose them to what Kit has to say.  This track is a bit of a departure from their "Through The Fire" EP but it's an amazing example of his range and versatility.  Electro Rock is awesome and I dig the hell out of it too, but there's something genuine and real about some down, home guitar rock that hits you right where you live.  I think there is a universal appeal to this track that they may not have received if it was more synth heavy.  Don't get me wrong, I love synth pop/rock/dance etc etc; but there are times when I just need raw vocals and powerful guitars and this track certainly delivers all of that.

Crozet - I'm On Fire (Bruce Springsteen Cover)

I really feel like someone out there is doing great things specifically for me because "I'm on Fire" is my absolute favorite Bruce Springsteen single and now there have been 2 bands in the past 2 months that have covered it and put their own stamp on it.  This track is by the New Jersey, synth group Crozet which I am not exceptionally familiar with but am going to be doing a lot of research into in the next few days.



What they've done on this track is take something that had an initial melancholia to it and punch it up with their use of upbeat synth and that saxophone.  If you want my attention, throw a sax into a song and you've won me heart and soul.  The vocal isn't as potentially creepy as The Boss' version because his could come across as a bit aggressive.  Crozet's version is much easier as a whole and has less of an unchecked longing that could lead to a restraining order in it.  There's still an ache of loneliness that is built into the track but that comes with the territory.

I mean how many times in your life have you been left with just an overwhelming sense of need because you care about someone that much?  I think it's a normal feeling when you want to be with someone to need them in your life.  This track fully encapsulates that in a pretty incredible way.

Crozet on the Web

http://www.synthrecords.com/crozet/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearecrozet
Twiter: @WeAreCrozet
Tumblr: http://wearecrozet.tumblr.com/
BandCamp: https://crozet.bandcamp.com/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/crozetmusic
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/WeAreCrozet

Highway Superstar - Skylines

One of my biggest complaints with the Retro New Wave movement is that the ratio of pure instrumental tracks to tracks with vocals is far in favor of the instrumental.  I understand why, it's far easier for a producer to make a track on their own without needing a vocalist and when it comes to Highway Superstar, he doesn't need a vocalist.  His tracks are smooth and elegant without being overproduced.  He knows his genre and knows exactly how to make the best of it.

In this track, it's easy to imagine yourself just lazily driving around being wrapped up in a cool spring afternoon checking out all the sights.  There's nothing rushed about this track and it just takes it's time to get you where you need to go.  What you do have around the two minute mark is the introduction of a gorgeous sax track that just elevates the whole piece.  Again, it's about knowing the song and knowing just what the song needs and Alex is definitely a master of that.

This is a great way to start off any laid back drive or just an evening in.  And the best part is that it's currently a free download so get it while it's still free.