Little Stranger music review
Little Stranger Sing It High single review
and
Buddha the Beast album review
Website - http://heylittlestranger.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
Across my desk (which is really just a table in the lobby at Qdoba while I wait to clock in) comes an interesting band that makes me feel good immediately, Little Stranger. The Sing It High single is pretty sweet and prompted me to dig deeper into this Alternative/Hip Hop duo of John and Kevin Shields. Therefore, you're getting a 2-for-1 review here.
Sing it High itself is a well oiled machine. It has melodies, harmonies, rich lyrics, excellent beat and the chemistry of John and Kevin are perfect! I was singing along in less than 10 seconds. What an incredible way to be introduced to these artists! I read about their "magnetism and in-your-face delivery" and am pleased to see that it is truth. They also touted originality as being their forte and I can somewhat agree with that as well. If you want to feel good, immerse yourself in style and relax into a new favorite, Little Stranger will do all that with Sing It High. Okay, then what about their other stuff?
Well, since the upcoming single won't be released until February 23rd I had to go back in time to sample their other offerings. That is what brings me to review Budda the Beast, their debut album. When I let this play I kicked back in this uncomfortable bench seat and let the flow happen. What I found was that it all seemed organic. John and Kevin let their magic pour through their talents and I had a straight 32 minute chill. I was surprised to find a good dose of originality. Every beat sounded excellent! In fact, I was convinced that even without my Samsung headphones I would be similarly thrilled!
As debut albums go, there's always a chance for mediocrity to show up somewhere along the way but that's just not the case here. I think the blurb is true, these guys strive to have a variety of songs to separate themselves from other artists and their own stuff! I mean, who does that and can pull it off?
The video is interesting too. They made this deliberately and it works. It's quirky, like they are, and their dog loves it! All they do is chill in their car and enjoy their own music. And you go on the trip with them. Simple and genius, like this album. With so much going right for their debut I'm super stoked to check out their next one. Yes, Little Stranger, big things do appear to be coming your way in 2018!
Listening to the youtube video stream was the only way for me to review it at this time. Normally, that is a bummer but not so here. It's truly a great way to instantly love these guys! There are 10 songs on here and the album smoothly transitions into each song for a singular experience. The album starts off with Rosewater and goes right into Easier or Harder, Nightmare, Mindfulness of Breathing, Potions, Bar 31, Dirty Murderah, Pt. 1, Mrkt 22, Wop Wop, and ends too soon with Everybody Looks the Same.
At first I'd say Nightmare was my favorite but after listening to them for a second round it only got better. Was it Potions or Bar 31 or...or... Nope, not possible. My favorite wound up being the whole album. It only took two listens to have this album jump into regular rotation for my music library.
And the video itself was pure genuis! The video effects on certain songs were a nice touch and dammit if I didn't want some watermelon. Then the Yoo-Hoo was pulled out and, well, that's just perfection! Lucky Charms too? You boys know how to road trip! Okay, back to the music...
Budda the Beast hit me right in the sweet spot. It was memorable, the vocals matched well, the harmonies were placed correctly, the beast were all awesome and each song was a true masterpiece.
Currently, they are doing a fierce tour in the U.S. California will be singing praise this month and in March they'll bring mastery to the Northeast & Southeast. Recently, they released a string of eclectic music videos to their fans. If you're not a fan yet, go become one now! Check out the picture for their tour dates and if you're in the area go have some fun! Heck, sit and chill with the video first if you aren't convinced by reading this long, truthful review.
On one end of the shovel: Perfect style and overall likability. Nothing more needs to be said!
On the other end of the shovel: If you hate music you won't like this.
How deep can I dig this? With a perfectly fun, intelligent sound, style, production and video to boot Buddha the Beast did everything it needed to for me to dig their debut and the single, Sing it High, 10 out of 10 feet deep!