Sounds Of The North – A Round-Up Review of North American Artists

The North American region spans a large area, including both Canada and the United States of America as its main territories. I decided it was time to explore the music of the region in a new round-up review. All the bands and artists listed here perform music of varying genres, meaning you should be able to find something to love!

Review by Jane Howkins

Photo by Jordan Kinsey

Jordan Kinsey – Together Alone

First up is musician and singer-songwriter Jordan Kinsey, with her beautiful cover of Melanie’s Together Alone. It’s quite rare that we share cover songs here, but I felt the track was so lovely that I couldn’t help but place it in this list! The piano provides the main instrumentation here, although a subtle string section can be heard in the background at times, adding a subtle beauty to the piece. And of course, Jordan’s vocals are absolutely stunning, adding a haunting tinge to the track.

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Eleyet McConnell – Surrender

Eleyet McConnell is an artist who has been nominated for several awards, and it’s not hard to see why after listening to Surrender! It starts out pretty slowly, with just Eleyet’s gorgeous vocal lines, as the music builds up around them. The vocals remain the key stand out point of the track as they’re utilised perfectly here, displaying a great deal of passion and talent. In terms of the music, it’s an old school rock ballad, made complete with some killer guitar licks and some lovely synth effects.

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Sarantos – Rain Guitar

Sarantos blends an old school 80s country-rock sound with the modern pop-rock scene, making for quite an interesting mix. Rain Guitar is a bit of a slow burner, but the steady pace really works wonders with Sarantos’ passionate vocals, allowing them to truly shine through. The occasional slide guitar present in the mix adds a country vibe to this Americana-rock track, but it never takes over, instead used in quite a subtle way. The chorus is catchy too, ensuring you’ll be singing along to the titular refrain in no time!

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Patrick Doval – Back Home

If you like your indie-rock, then Patrick Doval could be your new favourite artist! Back Home also mixes in moments of Britpop, rock and alt-rock, using a fast beat that will get your heart pumping in no time. The bass and palm-muted guitars match the speedy tempo perfectly, with some lovely little spidery guitar licks also tailing off from the music on occasion. Patrick’s vocals have a flair of the dramatic about them, but they sound great here, adding a unique quality into the track.

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Gary Dranow – Hadrian’s Wall

We’ve featured Utah artist Gary Dranow a few times of late – already we have a new track for you, titled Hadrian’s Wall! The track starts out with a great burst of energy, added to by the twin guitar licks that appear. Gary’s vocals sound particularly exquisite here, singing in a fantastic way – the lyrics are really interesting too, so make sure you pay ample attention! The song takes on several different movements as it progresses, keeping your interest constantly poised. This might be one of my favourite songs on this list!

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Madam Who? – Peter Meter

Madam Who? is an artist who really mixes the genres together, with Peter Meter having elements of rap, rock, pop, indie and electronica. The verses feature a slightly discordant melody that at the same time sounds really groovy, as the vocals rap along in time to the beat. However, the chorus completely transforms the song, turning it into more of a traditional pop-rock tune, complete with catchy lyrics. It’s great to hear an artist trying something new, for which Madam Who? should be lauded!

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The Project – What’s it going to take

The Project is an act created by musician James Davis, who has had quite a career in the music industry! What’s it going to take shows James’ musical credentials off, as it features some fantastic songwriting skills. It also features Mykele Hill, adding another talented artist into the mix. In terms of genre, the track is probably best described as a pop-rock song, although the guitar licks and vocal style also lend themselves well to the classic rock scene, blending the styles together effortlessly on this catchy number.

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Anne Bennett – Second Death

Next up we have Salem artist Anne Bennett, who creates dreamy, cinematic pieces of music like Second Death. It’s got quite a dark and melancholic vibe, hinting at the post-punk genre that became so popular in the 80s. A gorgeous guitar motif carries throughout the tune at times, against the steady rhythm section. Anne’s vocals are the main point of attention here though, singing across the music in a hauntingly beautiful way. Why not try something a bit different and check Second Death out?

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The One Tonic – Not Gonna Waste It

The One Tonic are an energetic electro-rock group, with more than a hint of pop also thrown in for good measure. Not Gonna Waste It is an epic sounding piece of music, making for something incredibly anthemic. The production is a little raw at times, but the songwriting is absolutely top notch, creating something that our more experimental listeners should enjoy. The verses are dark and creeping, before the amazing choruses kick in, raising both the vocals and tension up higher. Those guitar licks are pretty cool too!

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