A series of singles recently released by Riven by Ravens have a way of not only connecting but giving off a driving alternative rock sound with an almost cinematic backbone that feels like most of it was built from an emotional platform and a lot of heart that all shines through on these tracks but still keeps that balance of edginess the entire time.
The songs are part of a 14-track LP set to be released in early 2024 and when you go through these songs, you can get a great feel for what you can expect from the full album.
Although each track gives you a little bit of a different undertone, story, and drive, the connectivity between them all is strong and gives you the sense that the LP might even be a concept record of sorts.
Some of these songs feel like they serve almost as chapters out of a book for example and when you listen to them all in a row you get a great escape.
I think this is really an important aspect because I think certain kinds of records were meant for that reason.
The most recent of the singles release is called "Drift" and it gives you this floating build and intensity that grows into an explosive and heavy alternative rock feel that borders on grunge and even metal but is very melodically driven and just boasts crazy character.
One of the things I love about this track in particular is the vocal Melody and how they arrange the song to swell and grow into what it finally becomes.
Another favorite called "Trainwreck" gives off a little bit of a late 90s early 2000s underground alt Rock vibe and also has a similar sort of build-in intensity to the explosive sections of the song and I love this approach because it gives the sense of these tracks being alive and breathing.
The further you go into the songs the more you get the sense that different influences are thriving within the creation of each one.
You start to get sounds that are a little bit heavier and some vocal screaming but again, it all has this certain kind of heart to it.
You can begin to hear the shape of what the LP is going to be, and you realize that there are going to be layers that can be peeled back throughout the course of this record along with some surprises around the corners of it.
The energy captured on these recordings is absolutely stellar and it almost feels like the players are feeding off of each other the entire time which gives it that sort of live performance vibe.
Maybe some of these were recorded live on the floor and then tracks were added on later.
I could be completely wrong about that, but either way it certainly makes you want to see these guys live in your face because if the energy on the record is the way it is, then seeing them live would be awesome.
These songs have a genuine and authentic power behind them and that sort of cinematic backbone that I spoke of earlier, is almost always evident which brings me back to the emotional drive behind these.
A lot of these obviously come from some place real and talk about life experience so this makes the record connective but relatable as well.
There was a lot of attention to detail throughout the creation of these songs. Not only the way they were arranged and performed but everything right down to the guitar tones for example.
I enjoyed listening to all of these songs back-to-back because it created a sort of atmosphere to step into and in turn that lets you escape.
I love music that lets you escape into it for a little bit so I'm really looking forward to the full album because these songs alone let me forget about my own reality for a moment in time.
Some music is just meant for that.
Also, I just have to say I'm really thankful for the way that these guys are releasing their material.
They're dropping a song at a time for a while and then eventually releasing a full 14 track album so that you can fully soak in everything from beginning to end and that's what I'm really looking forward to the most.
We live in such a single based society and there's nothing wrong with that, but I come from a time where albums were listened to because you bought them physically.
You went to the store, bought a cassette tape, a vinyl record, a CD, or what have you, and you listened to the whole album because you just bought the whole album.
There's a certain experience behind listening to a full record like that and I've missed that in a lot of different kinds of music not just hard rock or alternative or metal.
So, I love how they are dropping their singles and then finally giving you the full shabang because I think that's a very smart way of doing it.
I'm definitely looking forward to the full record and if you are someone that loves good, driving but well-produced, heavy alternative rock that makes you think and feel, then this is definitely for you.
Keep an eye out for the LP from Riven by Ravens and remember where you heard it first.