Every once in a while, I have to take a break from all those hardcore, power-pop, emo, punk, indie, experimental/noise rock, etc. releases you’ve been sending me messages to review lately here at OKR, and review something from an up-and-coming artist you should know about. In this case, it’s Reva K who got a hold of us on the ole Instagram and let us know about her release that just came out this year. Coming into young adulthood typically feels like handling a stupid amount of major life choices and shifting relationships, but Reva K has figured out a way to turn all that young adult chaos into a fun and exciting debut album, ‘Welcome to 20 Something’. This emerging artist from the Chicago local scene has put together a pretty damn good self-produced eight-track collection that fuses the guitar-forward energy of ’90s indie pop-rock with a clean/modern singer-songwriter edge.
The huge smack you in the face highlight on this record is Reva K’s powerful vocal presence, which I think she is still too young for. I mean, damn. While high-energy sing-along songs like “Drive,” “In Too Deep,” “The Noise,” and “Can’t Stop” showcase her raw energy and creative yet poignant songwriting, the notable pop-rock track “Diamond” was the true banger for me on this release. Across all these highlight tracks… one thing holds true… she has all the tools to be a star, naturally gliding from reflective, quiet verses to explosive, room-filling choruses with excellent execution and emotional expression.
Put aside her kick-ass vocal delivery and unforgettable hooks as noted above… ‘Welcome to 20 Something’ also features other amazing musicians, including Grammy-winning drummer Daniel Konopka (OK Go) and Grammy-nominated mix engineer Matt Bishop, who has worked with U2 and Taylor Swift, among others, adding just the right amount of zing to Reva K‘s DIY aesthetic. Reva K‘s ability to pair soaring melodies with thoughtful storytelling already leaves you excited to hear her music years from now as she matures both musically and lyrically. Be sure to give this joyful/fun release a spin, and remember the name Reva K, as this Chicago artist has a bright future ahead of her.
Links of interest:
https://www.instagram.com/revakmusic/
https://www.therevalution.com/
https://revakmusic.bandcamp.com/album/welcome-to-20-something
