Blue Magna - 2016

Blue Magna

2016
self-released; 2017

​3.4 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

There isn’t too much information out there about Blue Magna. According to the Bandcamp page the band is Jon and sometimes Amy. Either way the sometimes duo released 2016.

​There is a lot to be desired in terms of recording quality. Most importantly the vocals are completely indecipherable. I barely noticed Jon was singing. His vocals were so distorted with reverb and underneath the mix that I wasn’t even sure what it was at first. The most audible thing was the guitar.

The EP opens with “Your Eyes” which is a bluesy rock song. Somewhere in there was a palatable melody. Occasional guitar solos happen now and then but things become lost in the mix and start to sound frantic at times. Overall, a pretty catchy garage rock with a tinge of blues that deserves to properly recorded and mixed.

Up next is “I Know, You Know, I Know” which has a bit of a ’70s funk vibe. The vocals sounded like he was singing falsetto but I really couldn't make out much of the melody. Notes were smeared. The guitar again was the one element that has some clarity. You could make an argument for the cymbals. Last but not least is “Now and Always” which follows a similar style as the previous songs. The solid blues solos are there.

It may seem like I’m harping on the recording quality but that's really the most important issue in this case. Jon is a good guitar player and maybe a good singer but to be honest I have no idea. He could have a stunning voice for all I know. 

My advice is to save up his pennies and try to get into some kind of recording studio. It doesn't have to be where Adele records but some place that can bring to life some of the ideas he has. I promise that in the long run that course will be the better one to take.

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