When most people think about rock music, most think of the classics. AC/DC, Metallica, Led Zeppelin, or even some of the more modern acts such as Greta Van Fleet or Machine Gun Kelly. Smooth Restina Glow, however, seeks to channel the likes of Bowie and groups such as the Grateful Dead with their latest release, “Gemini Reign.” It begins with “Turn To Hubris.”
The track wastes no time rockin out with some heavy guitar riffs to kick the album. It transitions into its bouncy flow effortlessly, with a perfectly paced pulse that pops from the drums. The free-wheeling guitars keep the rhythm rocking but always make time to throw their own licks in where they can, adding a dash of personality to the track that will make you come back for more. These moments feel like they add up to a stellar guitar solo around 1:40 with shredding that will make your face melt. With the vocal performance of Colin Wolf for this ramblin’ rock and roll track, “Turn To Hubris” makes an excellent first impression for the album that’s easy to rock out to and gets your blood pumping.
“Overcoming” follows it up. The stringy, upbeat guitars create a sunny atmosphere that comes full circle when the bright vocals of Sarah Stoll. The drums pop and prop up the soft backup vocals, giving the track a depth that you can feel when Stoll’s voice rises above it. While the stringy guitars may seem to get lost in at the top of the track, the wavy guitar solo puts the spotlight squarely on the psychedelic element it brings. It gives the track a dreamy quality as it weeps with electronic enhancement. It comes together to make “Overcoming” a soft landing from “Turn To Hubris” and keeps the momentum of the album going.
“All Your Past Times” is another stand-out track. The slow, creeping guitars set up a dreamy atmosphere when backed up by some feather-light percussion. When the whole track leans into it, the song comes to life. Colin Wolf channels the vocal spirit of Bowie to bring the track to the next level. His vocal prowess is deft, moving gracefully through the instrumentals and rarely overlapping with the instrumentals when the guitars or drums want to make a statement which ultimately takes the track to an entirely new high. This is most pronounced immediately after the psychedelic guitar solo, which would steal the show on this track if it weren’t for the impressive vocal agility on display making “All Your Past Times” an unskippable track.
“Obfuscate” comes in with busy guitar strings followed up by drums that match the pace of the strings. The guitars mellow out into a somber and contemplative sound as they explore the scales while the drums keep their speed when Colin Wolf’s vocals come onto the scene. The bass brings a subtle groove underneath it all which ends up being slicker than grease if you catch it. Lyrically, the track is one raging at exploiting division and aristocratic lies which is apparent in lines such as “harness the machine, keepin’ us distracted from the final scheme.” Other lines such as “mystery, no one learns from history. Are we set to repeat?” Make this intent crystal clear, along with the chorus. It makes “Compelling” feel like a track that has a lot to say and shouldn’t be missed, especially for the insane sonic journey that the guitar solo at the end sends you on.
“Eternal Now” has wavy, psychedelic guitars that instantly grab your attention with the groovy riffs. The bouncy bass isn’t afraid to go low and stay there, allowing the synths and guitars to hit the high notes and dance above the smooth bassline. The wailing guitar solo fits in perfectly when it hits, stealing the show as it sends the track to chill among the stars. “Eternal Now” nails the psychedelic rock angle and shouldn’t be missed for fans of this style.
“Gemini Reign” is an eclectic album with a guitar solo around every corner. The vocal dynamic between Sara Stoll and Colin Wolf keeps things feeling fresh throughout the album and listening to the whole thing in one sitting feels like a breeze. The musical atmospheres set up in this album can be instantly captivating, with the instrumentals always having tons of surprises to make each track feel like it has its own personality. Though not every track holds up to stand-outs such as “Overcoming” and “All Your Past Times,” “Gemini Reign” is a fantastic album that deserves a shot from any rock fan.
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