Listen to the international influence of Imperial Jade
Coming from one of the most culturally diverse and art-heavy cities in the world, Barcelona, up and coming rock band Imperial Jade produces their second studio album, On The Rise. They consist of drummer Francesc López, singer Arnau Ventura, bassist Ricardo Turró and guitarist Hugo Nubiola, who also plays keys. With a sexy, sophisticated and sentimental sound, the band takes us in a time machine back to rock’s glory days by implementing ’70s rock and roll influences.
The band starts off the album by showing listeners, “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet,” on the first song, preparing us for a riff-heavy, high-frequency, retro album. Ventura sings, “I ain’t sayin’ that I’ve seen it all/ but one thing I can tell you is the best is yet to come.” It is the perfect vocal preface for the following tracks. Hailing from Barcelona, dance, good music and loud sounds are a part of the band’s culture, which they express through many songs on the album, like “Dance.” The band showcases their talent along with their culture in their many, riff-heavy songs like this one, which is destined to get listeners movin’ and groovin’.
Imperial Jade doesn’t fail to bring some twang to the mix, as they do on an album favorite, “Sad for No Reason.” This eclectic track, along with many others on the album, has a countryside-rock feel that’s comparable to bands like the Allman Brothers Band and the Grateful Dead. Who doesn’t love a good banjo or cowbell in a rock album?
The band also perfects the art of a buildup, witnessed on “The Call.” They start by setting listeners at ease, then fully laying out all the multiple instruments and sounds in the song. With tons of fun noises, smooth, yet whipping vocals and all the funk one could ever want, the band truly takes listeners on a real trip. They hit the mark on the relaxed track, “Lullaby in Blue,” implementing soothing harmonies along with soft guitar strings. This song relates to listeners who have experienced restless nights where you can’t get that certain someone off your mind. It’s a track destined to give fans the chills and all the feels. Imperial Jade picks up the tempo towards the end of this track, bringing it full circle, and providing a liberating essence that’s similar to songs like “We Are the Champions.”
With cowbells and shakers, electric guitar solos, beautiful melodies, warped sounds and tons of funky riffs, the band perfectly captures the essence and grooviness the ’70s. Transcendental songs like “Struck By Lightning,” put this album into a category of meditative music that listeners will love. This particular track is comparable to “Within You Without You,” by The Beatles, just with a fiercer guitar influence.
They also provide listeners with two bonus tracks, “Hand of the Puppeteer Master” and “Believe Master,” two, old-fashioned sounding songs that touch on the theme of love. From slow tempos to switch-ups, the band takes the album to the next level by returning to classic rock and roll, with high-tempo, riff-heavy music that ties the diversity of the album together. Checkout Imperial Jade’s newest album, incorporating tons of international influences, mixed with some good ol’ rock and roll on, On The Rise.
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