Blacktop Mojo
Under The Sun
Independent
Two years ago, Texasβ very own Blacktop Mojo made waves among the growing rock βnβ roll revival which seems to be sweeping the world with the release of their sophomore album, Burn The Ships. The album pushed them to the heights of being among the most promising up and coming bands. Now, they have returned with their follow-up album, and third full length release, Under The Sun, a record which perfectly capitalizes on their current momentum and exceeds their previous work.
To say Blacktop Mojo set the tone with a truly explosive opening track is something of an understatement. βLay It On Meβ is driven not only by a crunchy, killer riff, but goes on to feature a chorus that is nothing short of epic, and the band even finds time to fit in a fiery guitar solo that if youβre not paying attention, youβll tear all hell apart through your speakers. If βLay It On Meβ doesnβt immediately pull you in with its sheer intensity and power, then I donβt know what will.
Unsurprisingly, Under The Sun is full to the brim with hard-hitting tracks the likes of the Guns Nβ Roses inspired βCome Get Your Coatβ, the sludgy steam roller that is βAll Mine Nowβ, and the lead single, βCanβt Sleepβ, to name a few. While it goes without saying that Blacktop Mojo are performing at the top of their game as a premier up and coming hard rock band, it is the slow, sauntering, and quiet blues of βIt Wonβt Lastβ that perhaps best steals the show. The emotional sway of the track plays off of a traditional blues structure, bringing it to life in a powerful and modern context as the song grows organically to an incredibly climatic and bombastic closing.
In short, Blacktop Mojo is killing it on Under The Sun; ultimately proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that theyβre truly among the most promising new rock bands around. I knew this was one of those bands to watch out for, but after hearing βLay It On Meβ, Blacktop Mojo sounds hungrier than ever to break on through to the next level; one which, if Under The Sun is any indication, they very much deserve. Similarly, the closing title track proves to be just as exciting of a conclusion as βLay It On Meβ, effectively bookending a very strong album with two absolute bangers. Between those two, βCome Get Your Coatβ and βIt Wonβt Lastβ, Under The Sun is a must-hear for rockers everywhere while being the album that fans of Blacktop Mojo have long been waiting for.
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SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BLACKTOP MOJO – UNDER THE SUN
Gerrod Harris