Written by Maria Arroyo
Funk/pop band, Starwolf, shares their latest album, Astro Lobo, out now. Since in 2016, Starwolf has been releasing singles after singles. Starwolf is Tim Moore (drums, synth, percussion), Max Sauer (guitar, bass, synth), and Chris Rhein (vocals, bass, guitar).
Immediately, you’re swept in by this infectious bassline that sets the stage for a fun and exciting listen. “Make You Mine” blends the glam rock vocals with a freeing and psychedelic-sounding instrumentation. They create this interesting and spacey kind of atmosphere that sits very well in the song. It also has just the right amount of modern influences mixed with some great staples of older decades.
“Bad Feeling” is 100% glam rock and shimmer from beginning to end. Imagine if David Bowie, Queen, and Adam Lambert all had a baby this would be the angelic creation if that. I mean I might be a little bias because Adam Lambert is literally my favorite artist of all time, so anything even remotely close to him is totally okay in my book. The production techniques are so well-executed, and the sound is fun and inviting.
The title track, “Astro Lobo,” brings a more futuristic sound to the forefront, while still maintaining those earlier inspirations of funk and jazz. This track literally makes the listeners enter a whole new world, hell, a whole new dimension even. “Astro Lobo” is intriguing and fun, yet introspective, daring, and bold. All of this, and there’s not a word to be said. Now as a vocalist, it is literally the most important part for me, and he managed to completely bypass that and keep me invested from beginning to end.
Bringing in a little more of a softer perspective is “Cha teau de Lune.” Even though it’s on the softer side, the intensity is no less than the other songs, and the vocal line and harmonies couldn’t be more in sync.
Their closing track, “Real Love,” is a great mix of the softer side to his musical style and glam-rock inspiration, which is somehow fun and sensual, all at the same time. It’s a nice change of pace from other releases out, and it’s nice to just fall into the music and forget about the world issues, even if it’s just for a few songs are so.
Starwolf has certainly made quite an impression on me. Their ability to mix the old and the new, the classic jazz and funky rhythms with a more modern and freeing sound just completely astonishes me. Everything from their aesthetic to the immaculate execution of Astro Lobo is incredible, and there’s not a single thing I’d change about it.
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