Album Review - The New Futures "Radioactive"

The New Futures are one of the bands I've had my eye close on for the past few months. They have been moving quickly, and gaining a lot of momentum. Without wasting any time, they've unleashed their first EP onto the internet entitled Radioactive, and they are ready get you up and jamming.

The New Futures Go To The Ocean With New Single

I'm so clever with titling these things, aren't I? Oh, how I amuse myself. Now is the time for Summer music, and here is yet another song that is going to get you in the mood for the season, but in a bit of a different way than songs I've posted about in the past. Why, you may ask? Because it's The New Futures and they are hardly conventional. Well not 2010's conventional, anyway. Check out "Ocean".

Remember how I said that it would put you in the mood for a different kind of Summer? Well it is a Summer song, but it's more of a 90s Summer song. Don't get what I mean? Well it brings back memories of the golden era of the late 90's feel good easy going rock. Think Sugar Ray and you'll be on the right path to what these guys sound like. The point is, I'm loving this song. Plus there's a pretty sweet jazzy saxophone solo in there. Don't see that every day.

The song is a bit hard to understand. It seems to be about a guy who is trying his hardest to convince a girl that he can be her everything. There are many comparisons and metaphors to beaches and the ocean, given the title. The only problem is that the chorus is a bit hard to make out. The lead singer's voice is great, I just find the mix, along with the higher note he hits, to be a bit distracting as far as the actual lyrical content goes. Other than that, I'm completely digging the song.

This is their second single set to be on their first major release, an EP called "Radioactive" due out July 2. This means that there are three more tracks left to be heard. What more can they have in store for us? I certainly hope that "Ocean" gets a video. Mostly because it's Summer themed and they might be shirtless.

Oh, there I go being awkward again.

Grab this track on iTunes, and be sure and pre-order the EP while you're at it!

The New Futures Release Debut Video

Remember that band I was talking about a few weeks ago, The New Futures? Remember how I said they were fools for hiding behind that cover photo for their single "Sunshine"? Well they've stepped out into the light (really, no pun intended) and they are showing just how attractive they are. Ok, so they are actually just doing a music video, but I'm allowed to spin anything any way I want.



Seriously, though. Look at the lead singer, Sam. He's pretty attractive, I can't lie. They are all easy on the eyes, which layers on top of them being talented already. I'v already touched on what a breath of fresh air this track is, so let's move right on to look at the video itself, shall we?

Unlike many videos of today, especially for the rock genre, this video follows a story line. For the first half of the video, the lead singer is being interrogated in a dark room. They quickly reveal that he and the rest of the band had stolen some rare jewels, and he was the only one caught. They call in the big guns, which happen to be a sexy lady, to try and get the confession out of him SVU style. Eventually he's rescued, but he can't get the girl out of his head. He does what any rational jewel theif would do -- kill all of his friends and go off with the girl.

Yeah. That happened. While a bit illogical, it does make for a nice twist ending. The fact that he killed off the rest of the band was pretty ballsy in itself, even if it was just for a fictionalized story line. Band dynamics are a common problem in the music industry, so it could be a good thing that they are able to take a joke like this, and prove it to their fans early on. I guess it's kind of a promise of endurance. Or maybe it was just for the laughs. Who knows?

The track is up on iTunes if you dig it.

The New Futures Release Debut Single

I guess I'll lay off the punny name titles for a little bit and keep this straight to the biznass. Well this new group  The New Futures, is straight out of Seattle, and since Jinkx Monsoon is from there, it's now relevant. Let's talk about "Sunshine."

First off let me say that is album cover is bull. These guy's aren't too bad lookin' (actually they are kind of cute. No homo -- also it is an occupational hazard for artists to come on this site and get hit on, so they should understand), and yet they got an old 50s radio on the cover instead. I guess it's artistic, but I wish they'd been on their own cover debut. Then there's the bit where we have to deal with the irony of them being from Seattle with a single called "Sunshine". Anyway, this is about the song itself, not the minor things, right?

"Sunshine" is a very grunge fueled rock explosion. It is a huge throwback to the mid 90s mix of grunge and rock with a little bit of pop sprinkled on for good measure. After looking at the actual context of the song, being that he has that one girl who is his sunshine despite him being "dark and cold", the title isn't all that ironic.

The band is lead by blonde and adorable Sammy J. I'm sure he appreciates that comment. Anyway, the rest of the members Gustavo Carmo on guitar, Chip Reno with the bass, and Robert Ray Baker Jr. bashing on the drums deserve some love, too, as the single illustrates that all four of these guys have some amazing talent. The 2000s were all about bringing back the 80s, but so far the 2010s have seemed to be all about the 90s vibes, so The New Futures should fit right in, and catch some major attention doing it.

Be sure to stop by iTunes to preview and buy their new song!