By Quinn Donoghue – Premiere artists, Yelawolf and Shooter Jennings, have joined forces to create a supergroup known as Sometimes Y, and their new self-titled album provides a much needed jolt to the rock and roll genre. The album is a roller coaster in the best of ways, each song being different from the last, leaving the listener excited and anxiously waiting for what’s next. It’s clear that Yelawolf and Jennings are invested in upholding rock n roll tradition with the usage of loud guitars, big vocal production, and bluesy rhythms; yet they’ve also managed to cultivate a sound that is undeniably fresh with their incorporation of hip-hop and pop sensibility. It’s safe to say that the two artists share a musical chemistry that has bred a distinguished and remarkable project unlike anything else.
Some songs on the album certainly stand out from others as being more bare-bones and straightforward rock. The opening track itself, “Sometimes Y,” encapsulates the brilliance of the album, starting off with a hypnotizing electronic intro and then suddenly shifting gears into an explosion of raunchy guitar riffs and piercing vocals that would satisfy the likes of AC/DC and Queen. “Make Me A Believer” is driven by percussive guitar chops, powerful drums, and catchy vocal melodies. The overall structure and musicality of the song is reminiscent of The Killers, yet it’s another song that would satisfy classic rock purists too. The same could be said about “Radio,” a song that causes involuntary head-bobbing due to its groovy bass line and unrelenting guitar jabs. The final song “Moonshiner’s Run” leaves a hell of a final impression. Once again, it keeps its listeners on their toes, bursting into a heavy-rock, Iron Maiden-esque anthem after a banjo-lead intro.
In addition to numerous unapologetically rock n roll tunes, Sometimes Y also features several acoustic-driven songs that straddle the line of folk and pop. “Hole in My Head” is the perfect example of this, as it possesses some similarities to 80s power ballads with anthemic vocals and subtle instrumentation. “Shoe String” contains Fleetwood Mac inspired finger-picking and laid-back rapping similar to Andre 3000. They continue the utilization of acoustic sounds with “Catch You On the Other Side” and “Fucked Up Day.” Both of these tracks showcase a burst of emotional lyrics and melodies, accompanied perfectly by melancholy piano and guitars.
Yelawolf and Jennings prove that it is possible to pay homage to classic artists and genres, while manufacturing something that is completely original. It’s clear that Sometimes Y transcends any sort of creative barriers or limitations. The range of influences behind this project is extremely expansive, yet it doesn’t lack clarity or cohesion at all. If it were up to me, I’d say that these two brilliant artists should continue to collaborate into the future because their new album provides a sense of authenticity and a fresh energy that the music industry needs.
