Theo Black – Turned Around

For many years, we all experienced artists and bands who, although they sounded amazing, explored only indie or alternative music, without even considering experimenting with other genres or venturing into uncharted territory. Don’t get me wrong, there are many excellent music outlets delivering music that sounds wonderful, but sometimes the listener needs something more than plain old simple indie music. Something that will tackle all the senses, both sonically and emotionally. Thankfully, some artists think outside the box, avoid all the cliches of the scene, and deliver music that you would gladly repeat as soon as the last notes and beats fade away. Theo Black, a Miami-based artist, is certainly one of those songwriters and musicians whose music pushes boundaries of what indie could and should be nowadays. With “Turned Around,“ his latest extended play released on all streaming platforms today, he delivers four marvelous indie rock songs that showcase how this genre, when done right, resonates like never before. There’s something about his music that makes listeners return for more. It’s one of those EPs that rewards repeated listens, continuously revealing new surprises, layers, details, and nuances. But “Turned Around” is more than just an indie release. With four exceptional songs included, Theo Black also explores some of the finest properties borrowed from alternative, garage rock, post-punk, darkwave, and probably even more if you dive deep enough to notice everything this profoundly creative artist intended to achieve with his music. Of course, Theo Black remains loyal to the primary sonic direction while those additional sonic ingredients serve as more than necessary enhancements, accentuations, decorations, and other details. They have been included to spice things up and elevate this material to an entirely new level. Besides all of that, the artist infused qualities that meet all the trends in contemporary music production while simultaneously paying homage to the roots of the genre. Therefore,  “Turned Around” is one of those recordings that will not only appeal to the longtime fans of the genre but also to anyone who appreciates tastefully crafted and flawlessly performed rock music.

This epic sonic journey commences with “Follow The Money,” a marvelous opening song that vividly showcases how Theo Black combined post-punk with indie rock. You’ll immediately stumble upon jangly, angular, reverby themes, paired with intricate, lush synths, warm-sounding low ends, and steady beats. Each instrument has its place and purpose in the mix, creating a calm, soothing, ethereal, captivating ambiance that immediately wraps around your listening apparatus and refuses to let go. But Theo Black’s voice is a true star of this show, with such a commanding voice that it immediately grabs attention. His deep, soulful voice effortlessly glides over all those orchestrations, decorating each segment and contributing emotional depth with such precision and finesse. “Plans” is coming up next. It’s a song that also combiness some of the finest properties of indie, post-punk, and darkwave together. The synths lurk around, offering beautiful themes, melodies, harmonies, and pads while the guitar delivers tastefully distorted, arpeggiated chord progressions. This interplay is vividly hearable during the choruses, those moments when all the instruments resonate with such tremendous clarity and power. This fine blend of music genres suits Theo Black’s voice so well, and you’ll notice how his vocal performance emphasizes each synth line, guitar work, and bassline. Speaking of the basslines, they play a significant role here, as they offer more detail, groove, depth, and immensely support guitars and synths without ever feeling overwhelming. In the meantime, the expertly programmed rhythmic patterns, based upon heavy beats, mechanic fills, and various accentutions, dictate groove and pace while keeping the remainder of the orchestrations in line. Everything sounds so perfect, making “Plans” such a standout piece. “Your Love” introduces a more aggressive sound in the beginning, with all those heavily distorted, abrasive, unfiltered guitar riffs that gradually prepare the listener for Theo Black’s alternative rock side of the sonic spectrum. Once again, this is the style that suits him so well. Besides alternative rock and garage rock sound, which is hearable through those heavy guitar riffs, you’ll notice how the artist marvelously balanced this composition with many calmer moments where the palm-muted riffs and basslines roam around. The excellent drumming performance, based upon groovy, well-accentuated, tastefully assembled beats, breaks, fills, and other percussive acrobatics offer detail and dynamics that this composition certainly needs. On the bridge, you’ll hear more electronic rhythmic patterns, such as a nice detail that makes this song even more complex and ear-appealing. This brilliant extended play comes to an end with “Early Mourning,” a tune where Theo Black blends all the mentioned styles and crafts an anthemic alternative rock song with such a memorable chorus. This composition combines both jangly, angular, nearly clean chord progressions and tastefully distorted riffs, paired with the heavy basslines and guest drumming performance of Black’s former Suplements bandmate, Carson Martin. The way each instrument articulates in the mix goes beyond comprehension, creating a wall of sound that immediately suits the listening apparatus. Theo Black poured all these ideas, knowledge, and experience here, crafting such a brilliant piece that will force you to spin this gem all over again.

“Turned Around” is an absolute indie rock masterpiece that not only carries fundamental elements but it also continuously breaks all the rules and shapeshifts the boundaries of the genre. Theo Black’s clever, brilliant songwriting, composing, arranging, producing, and performance are on full display here, as he delivers four marvelous, captivating songs that immediately wrap around your ears and refuse to let go long after this EP ends. If you love your indie rock music as emotive, soulful, complex, and powerful, then “Turned Around” will be right up your alley. Theo Black is an exceptional indie artist you should immediately put on your music radar. Do not miss this gem!