Insight & Critique
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

White Owl Red - Afterglow

3/4/2020

1 Comment

 
Picture
White Owl Red

Afterglow
self-released; 2019

​4.0 out of 5

By Matt Jensen

White Owl Red aka singer/songwriter Josef McManus has been prolific. His anticipated fourth White Owl Red album is called Afterglow. White Owl Red’s  Afterglow takes us on a thoughtful emotional journey that profoundly explores themes of love, loss and redemption.

The album contains ten songs. I would say there is a mix of a number of different genres with these songs like folk, traditional Americana, country and rock. There is an organic quality to the music that is undeniable. It feels like you’re listening to musicians playing together in a room.

He opens with the title track “Afterglow” and it is a bright and hopeful sounding song in terms of the music but the lyrics certainly paint a different picture. I mean the song seems to be about a very turbulent relationship that didn’t end on good terms.

You can hear some of the warm country flavor on “Hold On.” I’m a sucker for laptop steel and this is no exception. The song is 180 degrees from the previous song in terms of topic. This is about love but an undying sort of unconditional love.

The energy gets picked up on “Hell and the Blues” which revolves around a sweet bluegrass inspired drum beat, harmonica and much more. On top of that the song is mighty catchy. I was already familiar with the ultra catchy “I Walk the Line (for you) which is a tip of the hat to the man in black. If you weren’t dancing already then “Out On The Waters” will have your number.

One of the most heartfelt songs was the ballad “Through is Through.” The most rock oriented song by a quite a bit is “Tip Top Bob’s” which is borderline garage rock. He goes back into reflective ballad mode with “Wake Up.” “The Way I Feel” is somewhere in the middle of a number of genres and might be the best vocal performance. He closes with “Working Class Heros” which at least in sentiment seems like it could bring people together.

There is no denying these are well written and delivered songs that are cohesive. This is another impressive release in his discography. Recommended.

official website
Tweet
1 Comment
white owl red link
3/5/2020 08:13:57 pm

Get a copy of afterglow on vinyl at crowdsource site qrates. Ships from London.
https://qrates.com/projects/19746-afterglow

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by divideanconqer
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
Book Your Band

© Divide and Conquer 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact