Reece Mastin - Heartache Blues

Australia's Reece Mastin, now an independent artist, released his new album earlier this month. It took me awhile to finally get around to listening to it, but Reece has never steered me wrong before so it definitely remained on my list. Having given the album a spin this weekend, it's a solid collection of the kind of straight-ahead rock music that we don't hear nearly enough of these days. The song that stood out most to me on first listen was Heartache Blues. Honestly, I'm not a fan of the blues genre in general, so the title itself didn't necessarily draw me in. But, the sound is much more feel-good 80's-tinged rock than I'd expected. It's totally the type of drive-around-with-the-top-down song that tends to fit well with the summer. The lack of a truly impactful chorus lets it down just a bit, but the verses are incredible. It sounds a lot of something that would've been on Brandon Flowers' current (excellent) album.

Reece Mastin - Rebel And The Reason

Reece Mastin, of Australian X-Factor fame, just released his newest EP. It’s his first as an independent artist. To be completely honest, that’s usually a bad thing in my opinion. More often than not, it means cheaper production, less striking songs, and music that tends to be more indulgent than universal. For Reece, I feel like it’s exactly the opposite. The production and songwriting is top notch, but more than that, it feels like he’s actually creating the music he wants to. What I’m most impressed by is the sheer amount of catchy hooks throughout the EP’s running length. Rebel And The Reason is the collection’s title track and first single, and it’s among the finest songs Reece has recorded. His vocals sound incredibly strong, and I love the dramatic melody and arrangement of the chorus. It’s got an epic, yet mature, feel to it. A very pleasant surprise.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. Buy the EP here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Reece Mastin - Wolf In The Woods

"Listen close, the music never dies"

As this year's X-Factor Australia lurches to its finale (not the biggest fan of the acts this year), we're treated to a new single from the show's winner of three years ago. Other than this year, the Australian iteration of XF has been incredibly reliable when it comes to crowning a deserving pop star. Reece was one of my favorites, even if his material after the show didn't always live up to his potential. I'm assuming he's still with his record label, even though this new song has more of an authentic, independent feel. Wolf In The Woods might actually be his best single yet. Its propulsive beat, powerful rock vocals and catchy-as-hell guitar refrain hit me immediately. More importantly, it feels much truer to Reece as an artist than his more teen-poppy image ever did. If this is the type of thing he's got up his sleeve for the next album, it could be something really special.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. Buy the last album here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Reece Mastin - Girls (All Around the World)

"I've been everywhere"

There's something refreshing about how Reece Mastin's music is kind of a throwback to the Sum 41's and Blink 182's of the late 90's/early 00's. It's not even a style that I love all that much, but it holds a strong nostalgia or me, and I was a huge fan of Mastin's triumphant run on X-Factor Australia two years ago. Girls (All Around The World) is his new single, and continues the brand of punchy pop/punk he released on his first album. It really sounds like the Summer, which I guess makes sense since it's that time of year in Australia. But it's kind of a strange track to hear as Winter is creeping up on us here in the States. Still, a blast of sunny singalong pop isn't unappreciated by me anytime of the year!



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. Buy the single here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Top 50 Singles Of 2012: 40-36

40. Girls Aloud - Something New



A poptastic comeback from a poptastic band. They showed us yet again that there is no other group out there like Girls Aloud.

39. Carly Rae Jepsen - This Kiss



This was never going to be as big as her breakthrough, but kudos to her for going with such a kitschy 80's retro sound.

38. Muse - Survival



The most deliriously over the top single in a discography filled with them. Sure, it's silly and a bit stupid, but that's what makes it fun.

37. Reece Mastin - Shut Up And Kiss Me



A blitzkrieg of teen pop/punk with a surprisingly sticky hook. A great way to break the X-Factor mold.

36. Samantha Jade - What You've Done To me 



The best winner's single ever to be released from a singing competition (okay, I guess that doesn't mean all that much), expect this to smash even further in 2013.

Top 20 Albums Of 2012: 20-19

20. Reece Mastin - Beautiful Nightmare



After a string of excellent singles, Reece released an album that didn't sound like an X-Factor winner's debut. This is a good thing, as it positions him as a popstar in his own right. The surprise here was the willingness to play with genres. His pop punk sound is strong throughout, but there are also some musical departures that make this a true surprise.

19. Alphabeat - Express Non-Stop



After a foray into 90's dance music, Alphabeat returned in 2012 with their classic brand of kitschy bubblegum pop. Though not as strong as their first two releases, you can't discount this band's consistency. It's a pure jolt of energy, and you may feel a bit guilty for listening to it, but so what? This is the kind of pure pop that could only come out of Europe.

Top 50 Singles Of 2012: 50-46

50. Donkeyboy - Pull Of The Eye



An enticing blend of Europop, old-school techno and delicious melody. The Summer song that was released a few months too early.

49. Carly Rae Jepsen & Owl City - Good Time



It achieved the impossible. It made Owl City tolerable! You can thank Carly for that.

48. Reece Mastin - Shout It Out



The song that proved Reece was more than one X-Factor-assisted hit. A fantastic blend of pop and rock.

47. Rihanna - Where Have You Been



Not quite We Found Love, but an excellent follow-up that extends the sound, while dirtying it up a little.

46. Straight Up! - Family 



Indie release from Swedish popstars in the making. This has one of the most addictively propulsive choruses of the year.

Reece Mastin - Beautiful Nightmare

"She keeps me up all night"

Unfortunately, this season of X-Factor Australia has kind of devolved into a boring non-event, particularly after one of their best contestants inexplicably left the competition and the should-have-been-winners were voted off in a "shock" elimination in week two. But, putting that all aside, last year's competition was awesome. The main reason was Reece Mastin, who won the season and was pretty much predetermined to since his first audition. Some things are just that obvious, and Mastin's vocals, charisma and style are something the show was very, very lucky to have. Now, after a string of successful (and good) singles, he's finally released his debut album (his covers cd last year doesn't count). It's chock full of harmless, but addictive, punk/pop/rock and this, the title track, is one of the best examples of his brand of music. Actually, this kind of reminds me of the final material from another Aussie band, Short Stack. Not bad at all.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the album here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Reece Mastin - Shut Up & Kiss Me

"No need to tease me"

It seems like every other post on this blog nowadays is about some X-Factor contestant. But the fact is (despite the crappy US version), this series actually produces stars. Since winning last year, Australia's Reece Mastin has been catapulted into stardom in his native country. His post-show single, Good Night, was a massive hit, but we've all been wondering what his first official album single will sound like. As it turns out, the song sounds exactly like what I thought it would. But that's no bad thing. Mastin's blend of rock, pop and punk is bound to go down a storm on the charts. This track in particular is tailor-made for radio. It's catchy from the get go. Both hooks in the chorus stick. Mastin, like One Direction and Leona Lewis before him, is the type of performer that could potentially go global. It'll be harder, since the Australian version of the show is lesser known around the world, but with a song and image like his, I can definitely see it happening. What do you think? It's already on top of itunes in Australia.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the single here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Reece Mastin - Good Night

"Let's go back to rock and roll"

Yes, I'm a bit of a freak when it comes to X-Factor. I'm currently watching three (UK, US and AU), though the Australian version ended this week. And unlike the trainwreck that is the US version (I'm watching purely out of loyalty, enjoying none of it), the Aussies got it completely right with their winner, Reece Mastin. Sometimes I think people need to be reminded of the definition of the show's title. From the beginning, Reece had undeniable x-factor. I'd argue that he's the best contestant in all three series, but even so, the Australian version had the best contestants this year so it was a hard fight to the finish. This is his winners' song. And in a refreshing surprise, it's not a ballad. Yeah, the melody and production might as well be Pink's Raise Your Glass, but at least it's current and radio-ready (unlike 99% of the winners' singles). Reece was amazing throughout the show (this and this and this) and even got to duet with the always wonderful Kylie Minogue in the final. I have a feeling they'll try to launch this kid internationally like they're doing with One Direction. I hope so! (and at 16--correct me if I'm wrong--he may be the youngest winner in the show's history. though how old was that Martin kid from Denmark when he won?)



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Watch his X-factor journey here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.