A R I Z O N A and Kevin Garrett

Today I have some music for you by two artists who are absolutely incredible. Last night I got the chance to see Kevin Garrett and A R I Z O N A perform live in Austin. I haven't been to a concert in a long time, and this was definitely a concert that was a wonderful welcome back. Both artists have a more mellowed out and low key kind of sound, and both artists tend to favor the more R&B route. Now I want to start with A R I Z O N A since they opened the concert. This is a band that came out of Boston, and I love how they make it a point to explore the more obscure parts of music. We have seen a lot of up and coming artists who are really diving into this more obscure side of music, but A R I Z O N A does something very different with their music. A R I Z O N A creates new soundscapes and boundaries that overlap genres. The band purposely focuses on transcendent topics such as love and loss. But what is best of all is that there isn't any restraint. Their music is so free and flows so smoothly and you can hear how limitless their music actually is. There isn't a sound that makes the songs seem abrupt or cut off or trying too hard. That freedom is something which makes the band stand out and it translates over to when we listen. When I heard these guys on stage, not only did they sound as good as they do in the recordings, but I could feel that lack of boundary. There wasn't a sensation like the band was holding back or trying to control things. Everything just flowed organically. And of course they performed some of their biggest hits. But this song is one of their lesser known songs. I absolutely love this one because there is a depth within the lyrics that run through multiple layers. A R I Z O N A turns this song into a euphoric anthem about the fact that people go through a lot in life. I love the way the mood and tone of the song juxtaposes against the lyrical beauty of the song. The steady rhythm and deep but soft vocals are a beautiful combination and enchant us into wanting to stay for the whole song. It gets to a point where our ears cannot pull away, but crave more of the song. The song makes us want to get lost in that special euphoria, that sound that keeps our soul full. The three producers that make up A R I Z O N A are people whom I cannot wait to hear more of. With their debut album out, A R I Z O N A is starting to really gain some momentum, and I am just glad I was able to be there from the beginning. Hearing how much they have done from their first single to releasing an album is an incredible experience, and their music has just gotten even more wonderful. Now today's second song is by Kevin Garrett, the headliner. Now I have to say, this song is a little more upbeat and faster paced than most of his music. However, I love that Kevin Garrett is still able to maintain his signature sound. Kevin Garrett's style is one that is hard to describe, but I guess the best way to go about it is to say that he is an alternative R&B artist. But that doesn't fully cover his scope and ability. The man ranges from being a soulful singer to being a melancholy singer to being a bit of a dream pop singer. This song is a mix of sounds and Kevin Garrett does a good job of showcasing his ability to carry his voice through a more rhythmic song rather than a smooth and moving R&B piece. This song is one that isn't normal for his repertoire, but I love the way it sounds. The thematic elements of broken hearts and a troubled relationship remain. However, Kevin Garrett is able to change the tone of the song to being a bit more of a flow and fast moving piece. The song feels like it has more of a current which pulls him under, paying homage to the song title. The ballad is one that has a bit more bounce to it, but never loses its chill vibe. After meeting Kevin Garrett, I couldn't help but enjoy his shy awkwardness and see how different he is when on stage. The man we see on stage singing is a confident individual with a rich and sultry soft voice. While his music reflects the pain filled heart he may still carry, there is much more to Kevin Garrett, and it was really cool to be able to see that. I hope you enjoy the music and please feel free to comment!