Abbey’s Choice: 

Two Gallants “We Are Undone”

In a lineage of popular blues rock beats, Two Gallants combine metallic guitar riffs, juggernaut rhythms on the drums and sheer musical dedication to compose their newest album, “We Are Undone.” The record opens with the title track “We Are Undone,” building slowly from grunge to blues into a vicious call to arms, setting a rock tone rather than the band’s typical lo–fi sound. Halfway through the penultimate track, “Murder The Season,” the rock kicks in again, restarting the melancholic call to arms  before leaving us with the piano–heavy ballad “There’s So Much I Don’t Know.” Overall, “We Are Undone” showcases Two Gallants’ angsty attitude towards the world. Through jamming guitar riffs and rattling rhythms on the drums, Two Gallants hammers out rhythms as if each cymbal deserved its own personal beating.

Abbey’s Rating: 4/5 Stars

What Ana said: 

“We Are Undone” is an emotionally compelling album that is full of energy and powerful instrumentals. The album uses some classic rock characteristics such as incredible guitar riffs, as well as a more modern and technical style. The track “We are Undone” is raw enough that it accentuates lead singer Adam Stephen’s vocals to create a fervent sound. At first , the album may seem a little edgy, but it morphs into a heart wrenching work of art. The keyboard, drums and guitar all play against each other and it’s almost conversational. Two Gallants has always known what they are doing when it comes to music, and “We Are Undone” is no exception. The way the band mixes and matches different compositions to create an unrestrained sound is close to perfection. “We Are Undone” is an album that sets a new standard for Two Gallants and their  future albums.

Ana’s Rating: 4/5 Stars

Ana’s Choice: 

Kodaline’s “Coming Up For Air”

Irish rock band, Kodaline, is slowly making its way into a mainstream crowd with its new album “Coming Up for Air.” Before that actually occurs, Kodaline has to steer away from a path that so many indie bands find themselves trapped in— the road of cliches and romance. Lead singer Steve Garrigan’s vocals are so soothing that they could conciliate an angry bear, hypothetically, of course. The lyrics in “Coming up for Air” contain words that you’d find in a sappy love poem or a motivational speech: words without depth. Even the title of the album is the title of a novel by George Orwell. However, the album is not a total loss. The band redeems themselves through its instruments. The acoustics in “Better” are perfectly played to create an ecstatic sound. It’s safe to say that Kodaline has a bright future, but still has quite a bit of work left to do.

Ana’s Rating: 2/5 Stars

What Abbey Said: 

Composed of a deceptively–simple hook, line and sinker effect with driving beats of rhythmic percussion, “Coming Up For Air” opens on a high note. There’s confidence to be found all throughout the album with the shifting dynamics of the track “The One,” and the unexpectedly–upbeat sound to “Coming Alive” shows that this is no great reinvention of Kodaline’s sound, but rather a series of tweaks and augmentations to their old vibe. The roaring guitars of “Human Again” will pleasantly shock listeners, as riff–driven tracks further indicate Kodaline’s desire to push themselves musically to reach new horizons. If anything, “Coming Up For Air” is an attempt to incorporate everything that Kodaline has learned on stage into their recorded output—it’s bolder, brighter and considerably more spirited.

Abbey’s Rating: 3/5 Stars