StevenGB - Only Child Syndrome E.P.

StevenGB

Only Child Syndrome E.P.
self-released; 2015

3.5 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

I have to admit it takes a lot of guts to drop your day job and attempt a career at music in this day and age but that is what StevenGB did. At twenty-seven years old StevenGB enrolled in the Music Institute of California and started perfecting his craft. He recently released a four-song EP entitled Only Child Syndrome, which contains an original mix of soul, reggae, ska and rock.

From an aesthetic perspective, the EP is just about perfect. Everything from the guitars to the drums sit exactly where they are supposed to and are never competing with each other. 

The first song is called “Adios Mothsfuka” and contains a soulful vibe that is smooth and sensual. I loved the sound of the clean, crisp guitar and the overall relaxed feeling the song gives off. The lyrics are a bit lewd so just a fair warning. The song really doesn't have much of a hook but he manages to engage with his overlapping vocals parts and his delivery.

The second track “Near Jah Bonfire Flames” is a fun song that is rooted in ska and reggae. StevenGB sings some of the song in Spanish and despite whether or not you understand the language the vocal melody is catchy. He sings, “time to get drunk and jack shack with some rum, sand between my toes and a guitar on my back and I sing, All night long, Near nah bonfire flames.” 

“Intoxicated (Superoxide)” has a similar reggae, ska feel but is a bit more laid back and chill this time around. Guitar chords pan back and forth on your speakers as StevenGB sings. The end of the song is the closest he gets to rocking out. He closes with “Beautiful Strangers” which interjects acoustic guitars in the mix. One vocal was panned hard right and the other hard left, which was enjoyable but something you rarely hear.

I can only imagine StevenGB is probably working on a full-length and with Only Child Syndrome he builds a solid foundation of what we can expect from his future releases. 

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