Author: James Cross

These won’t be the last words (or letters) we write about Last Letters

Post author By James Cross
Post date 27 August 2020

Last Letters may not be a household name in the pop punk/emo scene (yet), but the momentum is starting to build.

Not only does Charles Iwuc, the man behind Last Letters, write infectious hooks – the production on his song “You Swore” is reminiscent of Angels and Airwaves guitar delays with the energy of Aaron Gillespie (Underoath) on drums.

The genre isn’t as popular as it once was, so I’m afraid that Last Letters may never get their chance to break out of a niche… But I’m sure that in the heyday of pop punk, Last Letters would’ve been one of the most popular acts there is.

Here’s to Last Letters proving me wrong and breaking through the niche and bringing great music back to the mainstream!

Find Last Letters on: Facebook | Instagram | Spotify | Bandcamp

Tags Aaron Gillespie, Last Letters, New York, NYC, UNDEROATH, USA

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Take a Leap of Faith and check out this song

Post author By James Cross
Post date 21 August 2020

If you’re a fan of mid 2000s emo and post-hardcore, it’s not a stretch to say you’ll enjoy Envied by Angels.

The band is a new project by producer and multi-instrumentalist Adam Blackner.

You can hear the song below, or save it on Spotify.

To stay up to date, follow Envied b y Angels on Instagram!

Tags CA, California, Envied By Angels, Orange, USA

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The Farewell Project – The Peach Pit

Post author By James Cross
Post date 8 August 2020

Swedish indie rockers The Farewell Project have just released a brand new song, “The Peach Pit”.

The song is very reminiscent of the 90s, with clean but gritty guitars and tight vocal doubling that sounds just a bit phasey.

If you’re a fan of The Smashing Pumpkins, Silversun Pickups (their earlier releases, at least), or a plethora of other acts, you’ll probably enjoy “The Peach Pit”.

You can listen below, and find the band on Instagram | Spotify

Tags Sweden, The Farewell Project

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FANGZ discover who they are

Post author By James Cross
Post date 21 July 2020

These days, it seems everyone sounds like The Black Keys or Greta Van Fleet (who sounds like Led Zeppelin).

But that’s not the case for Sydney, Australia, based FANGZ.

The band pack a punch in their songs, with driving beats, heavy guitars, and vocals filled with attitude.

If you’re a fan of PUP, Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes, or other new-school punk acts you’ll be a fan of FANGZ.

Take a listen now!

You can find them on Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Tags Australia, FANGZ, Sydney

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Cambridge found us. Or did we find them?

Post author By James Cross
Post date 19 July 2020

Sydney-based pop punk band Cambridge recently released the track “I Found You”.

While it’s not your typical pop punk song, that’s exactly what I like about it.

Cambridge could’ve created another cookie-cutter, bland All Time Low ripoff. But they didn’t.

Instead they brought together a sound reminiscent of some of Yellowcard’s softer songs with deep, introspective emotions.

This perhaps isn’t surprising, since the band’s leader Brad Smith toured with Yellowcard, as well as many others such as Soundwave Festival (one of Australias largest touring festivals) and the band Mayday Parade.

You can find Cambridge on: Facebook | Instagram | Spotify

Tags Australia, Cambridge, Cambridge (band), Sydney

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Colorado Straightedge release “Broke”

Post author By James Cross
Post date 17 July 2020

It’s not often that I hear a college-age band with the talent that Colorado Straightedge has.

Readers may be surprised how many “Berklee bands” submit music that’s just awful. And that’s a school known for their music program.

But Colorado Straightedge isn’t from Berklee – they attend Vanderbilt in Nashville, TN.

What’s more, even though they met in Music City, the members aren’t even music students!

Having heard a few songs, I can already tell the band is growing. Now that they’re spread out throughout the states, forced to return home by current events, the band is collaborating remotely and improving in leaps and bounds.

“Broke” combines elements of indie rock, shoegaze, and just a pinch of pop for an original blend that sounds like it’s right at home in the modern rock scene.

You can hear “Broke” below, and find it in your favorite streaming app here. The band is also on Facebook and Instagram.

Tags Colorado Straightedge

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Blind Channel cover Anastacia

Post author By James Cross
Post date 14 July 2020

Finnish RMP favorites Blind Channel have released a cover of “Left Outside Alone” in quite an interesting take on the pop song.

Listen now and let us know if you prefer the cover or the original!

You can find Blind Channel on Facebook | Instagram | Spotify

Tags Blind Channel, Finland

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Don’t Whisper – Shout To The World About How Good This Song Is!

Post author By James Cross
Post date 12 July 2020

We’ve been taking submissions for RMP on a site called SubmitHub for nearly four years.

Until recently, I’d never been sent a song via SubmitHub I liked so much that I immediately bought the album. To be clear, I’ve bought albums from SubmitHub artists before, but only after a week or two of listening and getting into the band.

That all changed last week when This Is Falling of St. Louis, MO sent “Whisper” my way.

Instant. Purchase. That’s how much this band impressed me!

Not only is the engineering and production stellar, the band also knows exactly how to catch the attention of listeners.

What This Is Falling did is what everyone who is trying to get their music heard should do – get to the point already.

So many bands send in songs with 30+ second intros, or a video where there’s no music for over a minute before the song starts.

That’s boooooooring!

This Is Falling did the opposite – “Whisper” punches the listener in the face with a massive sounding drum fill. Immediately.

The rest of the song is killer, too. But DIY bands take note: if you want to be heard, follow in This Is Falling’s footsteps and make your single catch the listener’s attention as soon as they hit play!

Find This Is Falling on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Bandcamp | Spotify

Tags Metalcore, Missouri, Pop punk, Post-hardcore, St. Louis, SubmitHub, This Is Falling, Whisper

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The Prom Knights reach for the Stars with new single

Post author By James Cross
Post date 8 July 2020

Mississippi pop punk band The Prom Knights (who began their career as a cover band) have dropped a new song, “Stars”.

The song is a pop punk banger, with solid writing and production that makes the song shine bright in an overcrowded genre.

In their effort to begin a pop punk revival, The Prom Knights are lightyears ahead of the competition with their tight performance and mixing.

You can find The Prom Knights on: Facebook | Instagram | Apple Music | Spotify | Twitter

Tags Mississippi, Pop punk, The Prom Knights, USA

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Rarity ask that you Leave It Alone

Post author By James Cross
Post date 5 July 2020

Canadian rockers Rarity just dropped a new track, “Leave It Alone”. The song is a high-energy active rock track feature tight vocal doubling and harmonies, riffs galore, and hard hitting drums.

While I wouldn’t go as far as to say the band are massively influenced by Three Days Grace, the choruses do remind me a bit of mid 00s Three Days Grace – and that’s by no means a complaint.

Rarity is a great up and coming band that we should all keep our eyes on. Take a listen below!