Artist: American Authors
Album: Seasons
Record Label: Mercury Records
Suggested Tracks: Track 7- Deep Water, Track 1- Stay Around
American Authors are a pop/rock band based in New York City. The band is made up of lead vocalist and guitarist Zac Barnett, guitarist banjoist James Shelley, bassist David Rublin, and drummer Matt Sanchez. The group’s first album, Oh, What A Life was released in 2014, including the hit song “Best Day Of My Life.” The band originally formed in 2006 under the name Blue Pages, before changing record labels and finding success as American Authors. American Authors infuses classic rock, pop, and alternative sounds. Their most recent album Seasons, was released at the beginning of this month. Seasons was recorded in a studio outside of Nashville, and the change of location is exemplified a change of sound, straying from the typical American Authors pop-style hits, throughout the whole album.
Track 7- Deep Water is a heart felt anthem of a song. It mixes strong pop and rock beats with a calming but powerful melody. The use of piano really carries this song and ties all of the different genres within the song together. The lead vocals by Barnett are filled with raw emotion that allows the listener to really connect to the song. Deep Water exemplifies an array of emotions with its sturdy lyrics and instrumental. The listener can sense doubt, hurt, power, excitement, and disappointment at different parts of the song. Despite all of these things, the song is beautiful and empowering at the same time. Barnett uses his voice to show both its strength and vulnerability. This song is a much more raw side of American Authors.
Track1- Stay Around is the most popular song on the album for good reason. Stay Around is the type of song you hear in the car, at the club, in a video game, at a sporting event, and anywhere else that pairs well with energetic music. The lyrics are relatable to everyone, and the use of instrumentals on the beat is fun to listen to. The melody is electrifying, and the lyrics are very catchy. The song leans more towards Rock n Roll, while infusing Pop beats and Hip-Hop and Rap style vocals with a strong but simple chorus. The use of percussion carries this song. When paired with Barnetts clear and concise vocals, the song is a hit for anyone that enjoys Pop-Rock music. Stay Around is the type of song that makes you want to get up and dance at the club or go for a run in the morning. It’s the type of song that you can’t help but bob your head to- even in LA traffic.
Overall, Seasons is a new and different sound for the American Authors. Some of the songs on the album stay true to their more original music, but there is a lot of new stuff going on too. The album as a whole is a complete 180 from American Authors smash hit “Best Day Of My Life” released in 2013. They have shifted much further away from the mainstream pop-sound, but have similar uses of banjo and percussion in their music. Seasons is a fresh side of American Authors that will expand their fanbase and open new doors for them as well.
