Taking listeners on a sonic journey like no other is versatile and genre-defying Nashville-based band The It City, blessing listeners with their highly anticipated album Tinderbox.
Nashville, AKA music city, is known for its genre-fusing sounds and expansive collaborations. Harnessing that is the 4-piece band The It City, comprising DJ Phillips, Derrek Phillips, Rich Brinsfield, and Reed Pittman. Known for sharing stages with legends like Elton John and Maren Morris, the band blends funk, pop, soul, and R&B to reflect the diverse musical essence of their stomping grounds.
Doing that perfectly is The It City's newest album, Tinderbox, a rich blend of original songs and unique covers. The band describes the project as a "fiery combination of our influences and our own creations. The result is a swaggery, funky soup, and we can’t wait for everyone to hear it."
The album kicks off with the large and in-charge introductory track, "Give Me That Sunshine," blending funk, pop, and soul to bring listeners a radiant, anthemic listening experience. It sets the tone for the vibrant album perfectly, leading into The It City's second tune and cover of Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation." It's a groovy, funky listening experience that's bound to get you out of your seat and on your feet.
In track three, "Waiting For My Moment," The It City offers a deeply relatable and toe-tapping tune that toys with the idea of imposter syndrome and just scraping by in life. But, it's one of the most playful and exhilarating tracks on the album, similar to track number four, "Fire," featuring the charismatic stylings of Alicia Michilli. This electrifying tune sends chills throughout the body with bold grooves and Michilli's attention-commanding vocals.
Moving onto track five, "Every Little Thing," The It City dives deep into a mysterious, alluring atmosphere with hints of alternative that ramp up the song's hazy and sensual atmosphere. Before we know it, we're hit over the head with an all-too-familiar intro from track six, "The Ocean," a riveting cover of Led Zepplin's original tune. The addition of Kiley Phillips' shimmering and powerful vocals makes this track irresistible from every angle.
Reaching the album's second half with track seven, "You Could Break My Heart," The It City dives deep into a passionate and steamy piece that rains down with mysterious vibes and chilling instrumentals that leave us locked in for the ride. Turning up the heat is track eight, "Don't Start a Fire," ramping up the energy with thrilling funk-pop instrumentals that effortlessly lift the mood and get listeners moving to the beat. It's an upbeat anthem that anyone can get down to.
The It City offers 3 minutes of introspection in track nine, "I Wanna Go Home," reflecting on life's exhausting ways and wishing to go home and be left alone from the world's outside chaos. The subtle groove makes this track one of our favorites. In track ten, "Put the Pistol Away," The It City smacks the speakers with a foot-stomping bluesy-country-pop tune that sparks our energy effortlessly. It's a big, bold banger that vibrates the speakers to their core.
Reaching the album's eleventh track, "Shatter," The It City takes us through a glimmering listening experience with a cover of Maggie Rogers' original tune. This upbeat and anthemic rendition is like food for the soul, leading us to the album's end in track twelve, "Let It Burn." This powerhouse song is the perfect choice to close the album, offering listeners hints of pop, funk, soul, and upbeat alternatives to start a fire in our speakers and burn the whole place down. It's an excellent closer that perfectly sums up the album's energy and vast musical influences.
Do yourself a favor and explore the versatile, dynamic stylings of Nashville-based band The It City with their latest 12-track album, Tinderbox, now available on all digital streaming platforms.
Comments