TBT: Reach NYC – YUNGBLUD – The Haunt – Emmrose
TBT: Reach NYC – YUNGBLUD – The Haunt – Emmrose
We’re living and reeling and it just keeps getting better
Words By: Sam Odice and Sarah Aurora
2020 has been a trip for all — and as we enter week 78 of this year, we bring you another Throwback Thursday. This week we take a look at the ultimate comeback of a well respected rock band, a colorfully delicious track from an artist constantly annihilating gender stereotypes, a young indie group that are destined for greatness and an indie goddess who’s latest ballad is packed with raw emotions.
Iconic hard rock band Reach NYC has risen from the dead. Originally formed back in ’96 on Long Island, Reach NYC [formerly known as Reach and then Reach 454] were active in the New York music scene for years making a name for themselves. Compiled of Richie Cipriano [ex-Sick of It All bassist, who switched to guitar], Rene Mata [vocals], Dan Martinez [bassist], Dante Renzi [drummer, and guitarist Nick Cavagnaro [guitarist], Reach NYC went on to play alongside notable acts like Papa Roach and System of a Down and of course being featured on the Vans Warped Tour. Yet, after releasing their debut album back in the summer of 2003, the band disbanded by the following year in order to pursue other walks of musical life.
Over the years Mata stayed busy, most notably for orchestrating L.A.-based band Kara’s Flowers signing to burgeoning label Octone Records — a band we now know as Maroon 5. In addition to bringing us an iconic rock group, Mata went on to work at various record companies and now manages producers at AAM. He has worked with the likes of lovelytheband, Dreamers, Albert Hammond, Jr., POD, Bass Drum of Death, Nevrlands, Ocean Park Standoff, Des Rocs, and more. He also worked nights as the head doorman at infamous NYC hotspot Cabin Down Below.
It wouldn’t be until 2019 when friends — both musical and non — would finally convince Meta to get the band back together. After opening for POD in NYC, the band soon realized that despite the fact that it had been 15 years since they had played together, they didn’t miss a beat and a proper comeback was much needed.
Now freshly signed with a new deal with Orchard, Reach NYC have release their latest single, “Back From The Dead”. Their first single in 17 years features guest vocals from Papa Roach’s Jacoby Shaddix, blasting through the speakers in a thunderous manner. This classic rock track serves up all the fixings to be that perfect addition to your morning wake-up playlist.
Speaking on the new single, Reach NYC shared, “‘Back From the Dead’ is a song about taking your life back. Fighting the darkness of depression, the lost of love or a love one, or feeling like your spiritually dead and trying to find your heart again.”
Earlier this month, British singer/songwriter/ multi-instrumentalist and overall musical genius, YUNGBLUD premiered his new song “cotton candy.” Pair with a colorfully sexy music video, YUNGBLUD puts it all out on display, unashamed to fully embrace all things sexual.
Speaking on the track YUNGBLUD shares, ‘cotton candy’ is about sexual liberation. To me sex and sexuality is about freedom and the idea that you can to lose yourself in other people of all genders, of all shapes and sizes to find yourself and figure out who you truly are. Sexual interaction should not be shamed, it should be celebrated because to have safe sex is to spread love and the world needs love more than ever right now. This song is so important to me because I see and speak to my fan base, facing insecurities around sexual interaction and I want to let them know that it is ok to be EXACTLY WHO THEY ARE and have the right to unconditionally love who they want and be loved in return.”
Gearing up to release his sophomore album, Weird! on November 13th — 2020 has been more than a little weird for this breakout artist. From countless new releases including, “Strawberry Lipstick” and “Lemonade,” to being feature on the new Machine Gun Kelly pop punk album and collaborating with Bring Me The Horizon on “Obey,” to even being nominated for a VMA under PUSH Best New Artist. YUNGBLUD continues to push past leaps and bounds, unafraid and unashamed to show all who bare witness as to who he is as an artist and an individual.
Pop/rock band, The Haunt certainly live up to their name with their new release. The second single to be released this year, “Constant” is an eerie and haunting track about the back and forth in an unhealthy relationship. The chorus belts, “Fuck your wants and your needs”, comes straight from the mouth of guitarist and vocalist Max Haunt’s ex-girlfriend, for whom the song was written.
Max’s lyrics paired with sister and frontwoman, Anastasia Grace’s soft yet powerful vocals make for an emotionally vulnerable track. It’s a bit of a departure from the band’s more punk stylings we’ve seen previously, but this new sound works extremely well. The whining guitar and driving beat make for an unsettling backing to the raw emotion of the lyrics. As the song progresses, the beat and guitars continue to increase their intensity, causing listeners to feel like they’re accompanying the couple on this downward spiral.
Following the release of the single, the band announced a series of livestream performances. This includes the Election Day livestream with voter advocacy group, iVoted. This virtual concert will feature close to 700 artists nationwide in order to encourage voting in the 2020 Presidential election. Don’t miss this massive concert on November 3rd and don’t forget to get out there and VOTE!
Earlier this month, indie songwriter Emmrose released her new single, “Ballad For The Boy Next Door.” What starts as a soft, sweet expression of longing, grows into a more pleading outpour of emotions. Emmrose’s vocals – breathy and sweet — pull listeners right into this story of the hopeless romantic that lives next door.
Along with the bittersweet melody, each of the harmonies are provided by Emmrose. According to the producer/engineer of the track, Michael Abiuso, the harmonies were not originally planned for the track. He spoke about blending all of her different performances in-studio together to create this multi-vocalist effect. Along with blending the vocals, the guitar and drum lines were mostly left alone. These raw, unedited elements make for an emotionally charged track.
Emmrose displays vulnerability with ease, consistently bringing her audience into the core of her heart and soul. As an artist, she has an innate ability to tell a story in a three to four minute song. These stories she tells are relatable, heartfelt, and incredibly truthful. At only seventeen, she is commanding attention with her phenomenal talent. “Ballad For The Boy Next Door” is a fresh take on the unrequited love trope, painting a clear and truthful picture of heartbreak.
