McKeever – “Crystallized”

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Photo Credit: Fraiser Frais

The debut single from Toronto-based solo artist McKeever, “Crystallized” is a dynamically captivating rocker with striking shifts from percussion-fronted ruminations to guitar-laden exhilaration. McKeever has fronted Toronto-based garage-punk act Teen Archer since 2006, and that project’s ardent energy carries over here as well — further bolstered by elements of alt-rock and neo-psychedelia, with influences cited such as T. Rex and The Strokes.

Ruminating percussion and deep, dark guitar undercurrents excel into a more glistening, melodically approachable burst prior to the vocals’ emergence. The percussive contemplation and distorted guitars interchange upfront alongside the verses, with the title-touting hook expanding the feeling beautifully. The “catching my breath,” bridge excels with its hypnotic, jangly twist. The track impresses in its first minute+ with a myriad of clever structural twists, emphasizing the project’s exciting and versatile rock sound.

In addition to presently fronting Teen Archer and drumming for Hotkid, McKeever’s is also a former member of the acts outfits Pink Wine, The Ketamines, The Ultimatemost High, and Guitar Army.

This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of November 2022’ Spotify playlist.

Mike Mineo

I'm the founder/editor of Obscure Sound, which was formed in 2006. Previously, I wrote for PopMatters and Stylus Magazine.

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