True vocal prowess
Saskatchewan, Canada natives Reignwolf are new to the rock scene, but they’ve already made a huge impact. Falling somewhere between indie rock and blues-rock, they are led by Jordan Cook, who has released the album Seven Deadly Sins as a solo artist back in 2010. The rest of the group consists of Stacey-James Kardash and Joseph Braley (aka Texas Jo). Their debut album Hear Me Out is fantastic, full of catchy guitar riffs, some psychedelic elements and a great vocal range from Cook.
The album begins with “Black and Red” which features White Stripes-esque vocals from Cook with a synthesized guitar riff that practically sings along with Cook. Cook’s vocals are soulful throughout the song, and the variation from the very past portions to the slower ones make it an exciting addition to the album. The second song is “Alligator” which begins with a memorable bass line. The vocals in this song are nearly masked by the instruments at points, but that’s what makes it stand out. When the vocals are alone, they sound as if they are being sung through an older speaker, distorting them and adding a trippy element to the song.
Some other notable songs on the album are “Wanna Don’t Wanna,” “Son Of A Gun” and “Fools Gold.” “Wanna Don’t Wanna” features some of the best vocals of Cook’s on the album. It seems to be about spite, as Cook sings “there was a time you were in my head / kept you inside because I wanted you dead.” Besides the single “Black and Red,” this is arguably the best song on the album, and it really shows a bright future for the group. “Son Of A Gun” begins slower, with low, sensual vocals that rise in the chorus. It’s another great example of Cook’s range and of the groups’ musical prowess, as the climax of the chorus is absolutely beautiful. Finally, “Fools Gold” is a more typical indie rock style song, but it’s the familiarity of it that makes it so good. The lyrics talk about how the speaker is “falling for your fools gold,” and the way the vocals flow make the listener feel like they are falling themselves.
The album ends with “Wolf River,” which begins with some of the softest vocals heard on the album and a guitar riff reminiscent to that of “House of the Rising Sun.” It’s an eerie sounding song, but it definitely stands out from the other songs on the album. It’s also only 1:14 long, making it a short and sweet way to end out the debut of this exciting group.
Hear Me Out is available for purchase now, and Reignwolf is currently touring the U.S. and Canada.
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