Artist: John Stowers
Album: Re-Open
Released: 2024
Website: https://johnstowers.com/
John Stowers is Los Angeles based pop rock singer/songwriter. Raised in rural Missouri where it was difficult for him to catch the music on the radio he found music through his older brother's record collection that consisted of classic rock and soul music. To quote a snippet from his bio that sums up his style perfectly "there are echoes of everything from Liverpool to Memphis" in his songs. At first listen The Beatles influence is quite apparent, but that seems to be the launching pad for far more than just Liverpool. I found his songs quite catchy at first listen and downright intoxicating after multiple listens.
The first track Open is a delightfully catchy pop song in the style of Train. It has a 90's vibe, a relaxed vocal delivery and a fantastic mix. John seems to have an innate sense to write the hook and sink it into the listeners ears instantly. So many artists are concerned with doing something extraordinary that they lose the power of a simple catchy melody and heartfelt performance. Things don't need to be complicated to be done well and this song is a shining example of it.
The next cut Over The Wall has a glaring mid 60's Beatles influence, yet feels contemporary at the same time. It is difficult to write good pop songs and not have McCartney and Lennon seep into the fabric of them in some way. It is a refreshing throwback that is done so well that the obvious Beatles influence is just plain fun. ELO was a band that could put their spin on a strong Beatles influence and make it their own, as does Stowers on this wonderful track.
Rocket Out Of Here is a standout track and possibly my favorite on the album. It is difficult to narrow it down to just one, but this song is definitely on the short list. Clocking in at just over 3:30 it is a perfect pop tune in every way. It has all the ingredients that make pop so addictive when it is done at this level. The simple approach rears its head again in all of its beautiful glory.
Kiss The Girl is an acoustic piece that has The Beatles influence throughout. The solo guitar is complimented by a cello droning in the back. The vocal again is just so relaxed that it drips. It is difficult to narrow down what the focal point of Stower's music is. Is he primarily a musician, singer or songwriter? The answer is yes to all of them. He is a creative force and an artist in the truest sense.
Stowers' music feels like a songwriter that grew up on the British Invasion, found his hooks in the 80's, but truly found his voice in the 90's when the production became simpler and less glittery. This is a must listen for fans of The Wallflowers, Oasis, Counting Crows and Train. These eight songs make up a wonderful pop rock record. There is depth to it that makes it difficult to pigeonhole it into pop, but the hooks are so memorable that it has to be thrown into the pop ring in some way. It's pop for adults, not because it is dated, but because it isn't. It has that quality that timeless music has... and it has it to spare. On a scale of one to ten, I proudly give it a twelve.
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