Singles Roundup: Michael Monroe, Yours Truly, James LaBrie, & Any Given Day

This week's look at bite-sized pieces of music comes in the form of surprise. There are two unexpected one-off singles, and an album announcement I was not even thinking to expect.

Michael Monroe - Murder The Summer Of Love

Let's start here. I have loved the previous two albums Michael Monroe put out, but I was not expecting a new one to be coming. I'm not sure why, but it was a complete surprise to see this song pop up, along with the news of an album coming over the summer. "Blackout States" was a shock to my system when it came out, and there is still a part of me that thinks rock 'n roll could learn a lot from that album, along with "One Man Gang". This song doesn't change the formula. It's gritty in that old-school punk way, which befits Michael's voice, but dedicated to being an anthem. Perhaps it isn't quite as strong as singles from its predecessors, but it sounds fresh compared to the stale realities of rock, and it shows the magic isn't yet used up. The coming album will be one of the big events of the summer.

Yours Truly - Lights On

This is now the second one-off Yours Truly has put out in recent months. Unlike the previous one, this finds the band reverting back to their core strengths. They have proven themselves to be among the very best at writing slightly emo pop-punk, and that's exactly what they deliver again here. There is a bit more shimmering dance to both the guitars and the programmed sounds, but Mikaela nails her delivery of self-doubt with a swelling melody and just the right amount of attitude. This song sounds like the logical next step from "Self Care", and if it's a harbinger of more to come, I'm all on board.

James LaBrie - Devil In Drag

I love James' last two solo albums, so hearing this will be an abrupt about-face, and with a different writing partner, was cause for concern. Gone is the modern death metal and pop melody fusion, and in its place is a more acoustic and restrained sound. Organs and synths augment the acoustic groove in a highly 70s vibe, but the song moves into the present day when the chorus comes, and James is allowed to show his melodic best. He often sounds better on his solo work than in Dream Theater, and this is no exception. It lacks the bite from his previous records, but maybe it was time for a change. This is different, but still a pleasing number that has me interested in hearing what else they have in store.

Any Given Day - Apocalypse

I hadn't thought of Any Given Day in a while. Their "Overpower" album was excellent, taking the sound of Mark Tremonti's solo outings, adding in growled vocals for even heavier verses, and then doing it better than the man himself. They have now returned with a new single that picks up right where they left off. They swing from verses of crushing groove and wrenching growls to a chorus that is the best of radio rock. The two sounds take the elements of metalcore further in both directions, and it shouldn't work this well, and yet it does.