“Born to Compose. God given gifts, a strong will, and intense determination has propelled Michael Joseph Green forward to this point in his career. Even with a couple of decades under the belt, there’s still a great deal to accomplish in the world of music.”
Canadian singer/songwriter Michael Joseph Green has released his newest album, SUBTERRANEANS, on Aug. 19., and it is quite epic!
“Music can be devastating. A song can be devastating,” Green says. “A vibe, a groove, a beat, a hook, a melody, a lyric…devastating.” Devastation doesn’t judge, he emphasizes, and this record is beautifully devastating.
“Sure, life can get chaotic … life can get messy,” he says. “But amidst the chaos can come great art. The struggle can produce authentic art. Like throwing punches under water, overcoming the depths can produce great records. SUBTERRANEANS is one of those records.”
The title track is an enticing way to open the album; we are met with an intense dramatic soundscape that is easy to follow along with. It consists of powerful instruments, especially guitar and Green’s vocals themselves. Listening to this song will make you feel unstoppable, bobbing your head up and down, as it is reminiscent of the good rock/metal songs of the ’80s.
“ZERO” opens with a fun rewind sound effect, throwing us into another refreshingly intense journey. Green’s raspy voice perfectly complements the chaos as he reflects on how “The world moves on”. “WAR” keeps up with the strong guitar/percussion tempo. Themes of struggle and reflection weave throughout the album – in this track especially. “THE UNDERTOW” plays around more with audio effects and different layers of sound. It is pleasing to the ears and the title is very fitting.
“FOR GOOD MEASURE” is emotional, yet still upbeat. “STATIC” continues this trend in the middle of this record, as well as “BEAUTIFUL (LIE TO ME)”. There is something in this record for everyone. “BLOODWORK” continues to experiment with different sounds. We are met with more catchy guitar, showing off its multiplicity.
“COLORBLIND” is as striking as its title, guiding us further through this fun, wild ride. “ALIEN” is anticipatory. This one also reminded me of the classic songs we grew up listening to, with Green’s own creative twists.
“DOWN TO EARTH” is on the slower side, but hits right in the heart. “THE LETTER” is an “epic conclusion”. It is a great closing track, encapsulating the record as a whole and its hauntingness that will stick with you.
“Born out of the uphill climb that is the music industry, comes an album as genuine as any album that has dropped before it. The blood, the sweat, and the tears is what makes the 12 tracks on SUBTERRANEANS pulsate … As classic as a rock ’n roll record gets, with a foot firmly rooted in the present.”
Green is quite inspirational when he says: “Amidst the chaos can come great art. Amidst the mess can come great music. And that’s what music is for…to get life back on track. To give life rhythm”.
Find this and more great new music on our Alchemical Multigenre Mixdown playlist on Spotify.
Emma Page, a recent Journalism graduate of The George Washington University, possesses a passion for music journalism and storytelling in all its forms. Originally from Baltimore, MD, when she is not writing, she can be found at a local concert or making music of her own.
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