Tag: reviews

Blade Rider by Jaime A. Sevilla Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A young woman strives to be the first woman to become an Air Ranger and explore the cosmos in author Jaime A Sevilla’s “Blade Rider.”

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The Synopsis

In a future where stars map the last frontier and infinite space paves the road to dreams, Raven stands at the precipice of her world. In a vibrant, multi-species society filled with possibilities, she yearns to fly amongst the stars as an Air Ranger, an elite group of space pilots that navigate the cosmos and safeguard the world.

There’s only one catch: females aren’t allowed.

As Raven gets closer to her aspirations and learns what it takes to join them, she discovers lasting friendships, new challenges, and what it ultimately means to be a ranger.

Can Raven push beyond the boundaries of societal norms and break through the stratosphere of glass ceilings, or will her star-filled quest for acceptance remain out of reach? Join her on this high-stakes, interstellar ride and experience her exciting journey as she blazes her own path amongst the stars.

Based on the musical by Jaime A. Sevilla, Blade Rider spins an electrifying and poignant tale of courage, determination, and the relentless pursuit of dreams.

The Review

Immediately, what stood out to me about this incredible sci-fi novel was the seamless integration of music and songs into the narrative. As a companion to a musical album, the story naturally took on a lyrical style, not only infusing it with actual songs but also conveying intense emotional moments and powerful imagery throughout. The world-building and compelling character dynamics the story introduces helped balance the poetic quality of the author’s writing, which came to life on the page, and the music readers can listen to alongside it was equally mesmerizing and enthralling.

The heart of this narrative was in the strong themes the author explored. The sci-fi genre was very prevalent throughout this story, and the development of the Air Rangers, the politics and expectations that plagued the program, and the protagonist’s fight against them not only reflect problems in our own world but also showcase Raven’s evolution and growth as a protagonist. The compelling bond that forms between Raven and one of her allies in the story, and the way the narrative homes in on how both women and aliens are treated in this program, make the story so engaging and easy to get lost in.

AudiobooksNow

The Verdict

Harrowing, thrilling, and entertaining, author Jaime A Sevilla’s “Blade Rider” is a must-read (and must-listen to) sci-fi epic! The twists and turns, the inspiring and motivating themes, and the infusion of music, a hint of romance, and heart-pounding action will keep readers invested and eager to listen to the accompanying album. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy of this book on November 11th, 2025, or preorder your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Discover Jaime A. Sevilla, a lifelong musician, veteran educator, and accomplished composer who has skillfully combined his experience in the arts with music and storytelling as an emerging author.

With credentials from the Manhattan School of Music and New York University, his music has graced the stages of numerous concerts and festivals around the world. As both a musician and educator for over 20 years, Jaime has inspired countless students and audiences, working to cultivate a new generation of musicians.

His sources of inspiration include various types of caffeine, the soundtrack of cacophonous children (a daily remix), and his original music, which he eagerly shares with the world.

Connect with Jaime A. Sevilla for a glimpse into his exciting projects and explore his caffeinated world of music and literature.

https://jaimeasevilla.com/

https://amzn.to/476vSMe

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Hammered in Iron (Crafting Humanity Book Three) by Brendan O’Meara Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A decade into a ruthless war, an unrelenting enemy’s latest plans are discovered in author Brendan O’Meara’s “Hammered in Iron”, the third book in the Crafting Humanity series.

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The Synopsis

After a decade at war the BlankZone has begun its final move to eradicate the Federation.

The Federation has fallen. James and his team have fought against the BlankZone’s assault for the last decade traveling across the country to the independent city states operating the last remnants of Federation society. For years, the war has existed as a stalemate. James and the remaining Federation soldiers have organized under NOLA, a new decentralized force based in its namesake city of New Orleans. Meanwhile, the BlankZone has used its Sentinels and inhuman soldiers to raze every city it can, leaving piles of ash in its wake.

With the war against the BlankZone in an unending cycle James and the team have split up on separate missions. As they are returning from a routine operation, James stumbles upon supplies being transported, heading towards the Federation’s desolate north. Along with his team, James makes his way towards the Federation’s destroyed northeastern cities to discover why the BlankZone is focusing their efforts in such a barren location. Join the journey to uncover the next step in the BlankZone’s plan to destroy the Federation. The world has changed drastically and James must find answers before it’s too late.

The Review

Exhilarating and thrilling, the author does an incredible job of upping the ante in this narrative while also making this more character-driven. The intense action and the detailed way the author brings to life what life is like on the front lines of a war-torn world was vivid and richly developed, and the shocking revelations that come from unexpected sources about what the BZ is doing not only to the Exils but their plans for the surviving remnants of the Federation as a whole drives the characters forward at an unpralleled pace, giving readers an intense connection to these characters.

In many ways, this novel was one of the most intimate of the entire series to date. James especially deserves a special shoutout as the protagonist, showcasing the legend that has grown over the years due to his and his team’s exploits and showing both physically and emotionally how the war has left its scars on him and his allies. The return of a hated foe leaves an even bigger scar that will shock readers, and the infusion of a potential love interest for James with a particular character will create more heart and connection that readers will be able to hold onto.

The Verdict

Memorable, heartfelt, and action-packed, author Brendan O’Meara’s “Hammered in Iron” is a must-read and entertaining dystopian action thriller. The mystery of the BZ and what they’re building, the tension that mounts as the world develops, and the rich character development will stay with readers as they eagerly await the next entry in the Crafting Humanity series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Raised in White Plains, New York, Brendan O’Meara formed a love of stories and books from a young age. He has spent his free time over the last decade crafting his debut novel, Cut From Stone, book one in the Crafting Humanity series.

It began in Philadelphia where he attended college daydreaming about a dystopian reality. With a vivid imagination (as described by his middle school teachers) and a passion for adventure, Brendan’s novels will transport you to a different life and capture you from cover to cover.

Brendan lives in Washington, DC with his daughter, wife, and two dogs. You will find him on the weekends drinking a beer watching the Packers and Notre Dame football games. He is an avid reader with a specific interest in sci-fi, anything dystopian, fantasy, history, and all levels of fiction.

Brendan would love to hear from you, feel free to contact him any time at brendan.omeara@craftinghumanity.com.

Finally, visit craftinghumanity.com and sign up for our email lists for news, updates, and information on the rest of the Crafting Humanity series. We will not spam you!

Eyal Erlich Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn music review, Music Reviews, reviewsLeave a comment

When a great band or artist comes around with a unique sound and a heartwarming voice, it doesn’t matter where the band comes from. Great music transcends borders, barriers, and languages. In artist Eyal Erlich, listeners can rest assured that a striking and powerful voice is ready to make a splash for international listeners. 

Hailing from Israel, the artist has made a name for themselves in the country, performing small, intimate shows that showcase a range of songs that are both heartfelt and engaging from the get-go. The artist does an incredible job of embodying what makes the singer/songwriter genre of music so great. The music feels personal, speaks to the everyday person living life, and explores what it means to be human in an ever-evolving world. 

The soft melodies are the first thing that draws listeners in. The songs themselves, which include “Already In”, “All in All”, “Jenny”, and my personal favorite, “I Wish I Knew”, all strike a balance between soft/classic rock, with narrative-driven lyrics that evoke the singer-songwriter vibes of the artist. The song “I Wish I Knew” in particular is a powerful song of love and loss, and the yearning we all feel to go back to the times in a relationship when that love was stronger and more deeply felt, but how too often pain and love lost on both sides make that an impossible future. 

The song “Already In” is a great song that showcases the powerful draw of love, whether at first sight or in that first meeting, and how that kind of powerful connection can draw a person in quickly and blindly, sometimes for good, and other times for naught. The song “Jenny” was a powerful song about that initial loss in a relationship. At the same time, “All in All” changed the tone of the song list with a grittier tone to the guitar riffs, showcasing the price of pursuing fame and what a person would do to be with the person they love most. The storytelling and melodic atmosphere each of these songs creates pierces the soul and stays with the listener long after these tracks end.

All in All (no pun intended), artist Eyal Erlich is a powerful vocalist and great musician that people should be listening out for. The emotional, compelling lyrics lend a great narrative tone to the overall music, and the steady, melodic rhythms will stay with audiences as the artist strives to bring their first full album to life in the coming years. If you haven’t yet, check out each of these tracks as they are performed live on the artists’ YouTube page, and be sure to follow the artist and stream their music now.

All in all https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhVb7uMee_M

Jenny https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA2BYNJnX4I

Already in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pi6OpSKzfo

I wish I knew https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci-Zb2iuOa4

https://www.instagram.com/eyalerlichmusic/

https://www.facebook.com/EyalErlichMusic

Eridanus (Enigma: Book Two) by Kim Idynne Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

The search for a young girl in another realm brings in new allies and new challenges in author Kim Idynne’s “Eridanus”, the second book in the Enigma series.

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The Synopsis

In this sequel to Enigma, Dominic and Surina travel to a mountainous region of Peru in an attempt to enter the celestial realm. Their plans seem to go awry when Surina becomes trapped in the stars alone. Surina and Hannah team up to solve the puzzle of Orion, but in order to get there, they will have to travel the Eridanus: the longest and most enigma-ridden river of the underworld.

The Review

This was a grand entry in the Enigma series. The introduction of new characters and expansion upon the mythos the author built up in the first book of the series was great to see come to fruition in this narrative. The fast pace of the plot and the mysterious atmosphere the author layers throughout the story help create the necessary tension and action that drives both Surina and Hannah forward in their journey.

What stood out, though, was the character development that this narrative took forward. Surina was a great new protagonist to take the reins from Dominic for most of the plot, and the ways that the stars and this new reality begin to change Hannah slowly, and her perspective as she becomes lost in this reality, were heart-pounding and tense. The development of Wibben as a character was equally thrilling to see come to life on the page.

The Verdict

Memorable, entertaining, and thrilling, author Kim Idynne’s “Eridanus” is an excellent entry in the Enigma series and a must-read fantasy-driven book. The twists and turns continue in this mystery-driven narrative, and the puzzles and enigmas themselves were thought-provoking and compelling as the story ends on another big cliffhanger that will drive readers to read book three easily. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Kim Idynne is a Minneapolis-based writer and illustrator. She is the author of several novels for adults and young adults, and she has also published a variety of short fiction. Her first short story, “Meat,” was published in the February 2015 issue of Literary Mama; the following year, Idynne received a Silver Pen award for her story “Fungus.” Her artwork has been featured in journals, books, datebooks, and at galleries around the Twin Cities area. You can check out her work at idynne.com.

Author web site: https://idynne.com

Enigma (The Enigma Trilogy Book 1) By Kim Idynne Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A young man must travel to the underworld to save a young girl from untold danger in author Kim Idynne’s “Enigma”, the first book in the Enigma Trilogy.

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The Synopsis

When twenty-one-year-old Dominic is persuaded to rescue a young girl from the underground tunnels of Wupatki, the two find themselves lost in a strange realm of celestial enigmas, riddles, and otherworldly creatures. When Dominic arrives in the land of the dead, the underworld queen offers him passage home on one condition: he can’t return as the person he was; he must leave parts of himself behind as he travels the underworld road. Hannah is eager to prove herself an expert at solving the zodiac’s mysteries, but failure will lead to self-destruction, and unlocking the gate may unleash a powerful demon on her own world. Enigma is the first book in a trilogy, followed by Eridanus and The Secret of Ophiuchus.

The Review

This was such a compelling first entry into the Enigma series. The author does a masterful job of crafting a narrative that feels imaginative and visceral at the same time. The world-building was the first element of the story that came to life on the page, with the reader immediately transported from the desert ruins found in Arizona to a world where time and reality don’t exist, at least in the way humanity has come to think of them. The imagery of the author’s writing style brought this to life so vividly.

The character development and mythos of the story were the two biggest draws for this first entry in the series. The beginning of both Dominic and Hannah’s stories is chaotic, both dealing with harsh realities from their pasts, and yet Dominic is more of a reluctant hero to begin with, having trouble accepting this new reality. At the same time, Hannah finds herself stepping up into a role she feels born into in many ways. The discovery of her importance to the stars and the connection between ancient mythology from differing cultures and astrology kept the reader invested in this novel and the characters’ well-rounded arcs. 

The Verdict

Thought-provoking, entertaining, and compelling, author Kim Idynne’s “Enigma” is a grand first entry in the Enigma series and a must-read fantasy-driven middle-grade book. The twists and turns in the story, the shocking revelations, and the cliffhanger finale will keep readers on the edge of their seats and eager for the next story. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Kim Idynne is a Minneapolis-based writer and illustrator. She is the author of several novels for adults and young adults, and she has also published a variety of short fiction. Her first short story, “Meat,” was published in the February 2015 issue of Literary Mama; the following year, Idynne received a Silver Pen award for her story “Fungus.” Her artwork has been featured in journals, books, datebooks, and at galleries around the Twin Cities area. You can check out her work at idynne.com.

Author web site: https://idynne.com

We Won’t Go Back (Farewell to South Shore Book Two) by Charlene Wexler Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

In ” We Won’t Go Back, ” author Charlene Wexler’s second book in the Farewell to South Shore series, a woman finds herself reuniting with her mother’s activist friends after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. 

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The Synopsis

We Won’t Go Back, the second book of Charlene Wexler’s Farewell to South Shore series, is the story of Babs, who lived a pleasant life in a northern suburb of Chicago, devoting her time to her husband and two teen daughters. When the Supreme Court signals that it is going to overturn Roe v. Wade, Babs’ life changes as she reunites with her late mother’s fellow activists from the 1970s to take up the fight for women’s rights once again. But family matters continue to intervene—a close relative’s death, meeting a previously unknown half-brother, an unplanned pregnancy, and a nostalgic great aunt who wants her 100th birthday party to be a pilgrimage to the now-downtrodden South Shore community. Through it all comes a determination that We Won’t Go Back to a time when women lacked basic rights.

The Review

This was a powerful and engaging sequel to the author’s first book in this series. The balance between relatable character developments amongst the main cast of characters and the complex storylines that embody the realistic world we live in, at least in the United States, made this a powerful narrative to get lost in. The tension that the author was able to build in the characters’ interactions with one another helped elevate the emotional climaxes of each storyline as they all came together so naturally that readers could connect with each character’s struggles.

The critical themes this book embodied were so relevant and memorable that they became the heart of this novel overall. Themes including women’s rights, the political division that has grown exponentially in recent years, and the impact that it has on everyone from friendships and relationships to families as a whole, all played a role in the dynamics and struggles that these characters endured, including personal losses and shocking revelations, allowing readers to connect on a much more personal level to the characters themselves. 

The Verdict

Moving, emotionally charged, and compelling, author Charlene Wexler’s “We Won’t Go Back” is a must-read women’s and political fiction novel. The narrative’s twists and turns, the characters’ relatability and struggles, and the relevance to our modern world make this one book readers won’t want to put down. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Copyright JS_ECKERT 847-373-3937.

Native Chicagoan Charlene Wexler is a graduate of the University of Illinois. She has worked as a teacher and dental office bookkeeper and as “a wife, mom, and grandmother,” she said. In recent years, Wexler’s lifelong passion for writing has led her to create numerous essays as well as fiction. Her work has appeared in several publications, including North Shore magazine; the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry’s Vision magazine; Alpha Omegan magazine; the book and CD Famous Poets of the Heartland: A Treasury of Beloved Family Poems, Talent, OR: Famous Poets Press, 2014; and the Gazette newspaper of Chicago.

https://charlenewexler.com/

Iguana by Vincent Traughber Meis Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

After losing his parents and ending a long-term relationship, a man relocates to Mexico to find a new beginning. In Vincent Traughber Meis’s “Iguana,” he begins a complex relationship with a divorced young father.

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The Synopsis

Reeling from the end of a long-term relationship and the death of his parents during the COVID years, Dawson Wozniak attempts to reinvent himself in Mexico. He is able to continue his job, working remotely as an editor for a West Coast publisher. He dives into this new world, making friends with ex-pats and Mexicans, including a best-selling author who has abandoned writing, the author’s wife who guides him along the path of his new life in a fun-loving seaside town, and a quirky repatriated Mexican with new-age ideals. 

One night during a raging thunderstorm, Dawson has an encounter with an iguana and then steals a kiss from a young man unsure of his sexuality. A minute later the two men witness the death of a young Mexican falling from the roof of Dawson’s building. These events are forever connected in his head, charting a course for a rocky relationship with Ivan, the divorced father with whom he shared the kiss. Dawson is forced to take a hard look at himself and what it means to be a foreigner in Mexico, causing him to make decisions that complicate his life and Ivan’s. They are thrown into a web of emotional, psychological, and moral dilemmas. Despite the complications, Dawson believes his new life is the antidote to the unfulfilling life he left behind in the States. The enigmatic attraction between the two men finds its own tempo and they keep coming back to each other against all odds while Dawson’s other friends alternate between warning him about and applauding his new relationship. 

The Review

What a profoundly engaging and memorable read! The author created complex, relatable, and thoughtful characters that readers could identify with and become enamored with. The delicate balance between living one’s truth and understanding the complexity of society plays into the narrative as the story evolves and grows, and readers become immersed in the characters’ lives so thoroughly.

The heart of this story is the web of themes that intertwine with one another. The heartbreak that comes with loss, from the protagonist’s parents and the young man who falls to his death, to even the encounter with the titular Iguana, made this theme stand out firmly from the beginning. Mixed with this is the theme of identity, and seeing the protagonist own his sexuality while having to learn about the cultural and societal hardships that the people he becomes close with throughout the narrative made this a powerful story to read.

The Verdict

Thoughtful, heartfelt, and engaging, author Vincent Traughber Meis’s “Iguana” is a must-read novel. The narrative’s nature, delving into the losses that so many experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the idea of personal identity in a changing world still embedded in deep cultures, makes it one of my favorite reads of 2025 thus far. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Vincent Meis grew up in Decatur, Illinois and graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans.

He has worked as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area, Spain, Saudi Arabia and Mexico, publishing many academic articles in his field as well as articles about teaching ESL overseas. He has also traveled extensively in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and Central and South American. He is fluent in Spanish. As result of his travels and time abroad he published a number of pieces, mostly travel articles, but also a few poems and book reviews, in publications such as, The Advocate, LA Weekly, In Style, and Our World in the 1980’s and 90’s. His travels have inspired four novels, all set at least partially in foreign countries: Eddie’s Desert Rose (2011), Tio Jorge (2012), and Down in Cuba (2013) and Deluge (2016). Tio Jorge received a Rainbow Award in the category of Bisexual Fiction in 2012. Down in Cuba received two Rainbow Awards in 2013. Deluge won a Rainbow Award in 2016. Recently his stories have been published in several collections, including WITH:New Gay Fiction, Best Gay Erotica Vol 1and Best Gay Erotica Vol 4. In December 2019, his fifth novel Four Calling Burds will be published. In 2021, he has published two books with NineStar Press, The Mayor of Oak Street, a novel, and Far from Home, a collection of short stories.

https://www.vincentmeis.com/

The Prince of Ileria by Daniel N Fite Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

In author Daniel N. Fite’s ” The Prince of Ileria, ” a young man searching for the parents taken from him as a child must find answers and navigate the drama of high school while participating in a new RPG fantasy world. 

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The Synopsis

Nate Daniels is on a quest to find his parents, taken from him when he was only four years old. Now a high school senior, armed only with his snark and an unshakable belief that his parents are still alive, Nate enters the final phase of his lifelong quest.

Soon, however, a former teacher introduces him to the fantasy realm of Ileria—an amazingly realistic RPG sim unlike any he’s played before. Could Ileria hold the key to his search or is it merely a fun side-quest? Nate must find new friends and forge new relationships as he navigates high school drama, a prickly adoptive brother, and an ever-changing relationship with his bestie, Jan. Oh, and let’s not forget the 400-pound telepathic Ilerian murder-cat who just might help him piece it all together—if she doesn’t eviscerate him first.

The Review

This was such a fun and engaging read. The story really speaks to the RPG, video game, and fantasy crowd in a profound and thrilling way, delving into a unique blend of action and mystery infused into this fantasy world setting. The world-building for this narrative was top-notch, not only giving readers a full experience of high school life but also delving into this exciting new world of magic and wonder. 

The character development became the heart of this narrative, especially Nate’s story and evolution. His love and passion for RPGs and how that translated into his journey to become a hero in this fantasy world, as well as his drive to find his parents and the relationships he developed with his best friend Jan and his sort of brother Thomas, kept the reader invested in his story.

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The Verdict

A blend of Jumanji meets Stranger Things meets Free Guy with a deep fantasy twist, author Daniel Fite’s “The Prince of Ileria” is a must-read fantasy novel and a great start to a brand new series. The twists and turns in the narrative, the rich mythology and world-building, and the thoughtful approach to character arcs will have fans eager for more of this upcoming narrative. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy on May 16th, 2024, or preorder your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

Andru Gomez’s “Drunk at Church” EP Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn music review, Music ReviewsLeave a comment

One of modern music’s greatest pastimes is that of the singer/songwriter. In the United States especially, indie artists have found a way to weave their unique sound and passion into iconic genres like folk and singer/songwriter to create a heartfelt and relatable album or EP that resonates with many people. One such artist out of Idaho named Andru Gomez is set to do just that with the upcoming release of his EP, “Drunk at Church.” 

It has a voice and a sound that blends the soulful tones of artists like Bob Dylan while still appealing to modern audiences with a grit and tone that evokes lighthearted fun and a depth of soul that speaks to the heart. The way this artist can shift from a simple yet prolific melody into a more thoughtful and nuanced vocal harmony will instantly draw listeners into the mix, eliciting the listener to get lost in the lyrics that straddle that line between humorous and profound. 

When listening to a new artist and their music, I often close my eyes and try to imagine what kind of other media I could imagine this music being utilized in. Songs off the upcoming EP, such as “In a Dream” and “75 75” could easily be used in shows such as Sons of Anarchy or Peaky Blinders, capturing both the wildness and gritty tones those dark dramas hold in such reverence while also capturing the cinematic quality of the songs, while other songs on the EP such as “Pope Song” had a very storyteller driven vibe, which almost reminded me of The Man Comes Around by Johnny Cash, which was featured in the introduction of 2004’s Dawn of the Dead. 

If you want to become enraptured and consume great lyric-driven and soulful indie music that is both singer/songwriter and Americana-driven, then look no further than Andru Gomez’s upcoming EP, “Drunk at Church”. The heart and passion the artist poured into the music and the rich diversity in each song’s delivery will stay with audiences and have them yearning for more from this artist. This EP’s release date is TBD, so follow the artist and be on the lookout for this EP soon. 

https://andrugomezmusic.com/

https://www.instagram.com/andrugomezmusic