MESSENGERS FROM THE EMPIRE SET TO RELEASE AN EXPLORATIVE NEW EP ‘NEON NOSTALGIA’

For decades, artists have worked tirelessly to curate sounds that purposefully showcase sonic possibilities across the board, but Messengers From The Empire are true pioneers. Self-described as “rap and roll,” this dynamic duo from the East Coast has developed a sound that is pleasantly unlike anything I have ever heard. We get a lot of submissions daily, but sometimes, standout superstars like Messengers From The Empire fill me with optimistic hope and promise for the future. Their EP, ‘Neon Nostalgia,’ is aptly named, capturing aspects from genres across the last 40 years. It is an impressive feat; many attempts to break the mold, but few succeed in doing so exceptionally well, and Messengers From The Empire are killing it effortlessly. They are only making music that they would want to listen to. Duo John William Tuomi III (“Fake-Bit Rebel”) and Joe Di Cicco (“J.M.A.D”) have harnessed their collective artistic integrity and power to create a genuinely impeccable record.

The EP starts with a strong start, guided by a signature crunchy lead synthesizer that sounds good enough to eat, in the song “Lose You.” The introductory sample is a clever way to immediately immerse listeners into the Messengers From The Empire world. The combined efforts of the main melody, paired with a tight rhythm section, are entirely refreshing. Artists spend their whole careers trying to write a hook as good as the one in “Lose You.” I was admittedly surprised by the lead vocalist’s overall tone, but it fits in well with this mix. J.M.A.D has found the perfect soundscape for his melodic vocals to fit into. Unique voices are far more captivating than perfect ones. Here, audiences are introduced to Fake-Bit Rebel’s intuitive rap flow; he is certainly not a “poser” by any scope of the word, clearly having done his homework before embarking on this passion project with his creative teammate.

Next, “Don’t Wanna Waste Time” captures more of the neon 80’s feel that Messengers From The Empire conceptualizes quite well. There is a bit of a nod to pop-punk, too; a lead synthesizer over roaring guitars is a staple for the niche-within-the-niche often referred to as “neon pop-punk.” Artists like Cobra Starship coined this genre, but bands like Motion City Soundtrack would fit in perfectly on a lineup with Messengers From The Empire. This song would suit a live set, with a roaring drum beat guiding an even rap flow. The song’s production insinuates that the duo works evenly to bring these ideas to fruition, creating a cohesive track from start to finish. Sometimes, though, the group’s only downfall is that the lead synth occasionally overpowers the other gorgeous melodic layers. The lead vocals deserve their time to shine, too.

“Drunk On Queens Boulevard” does a great job at world-building. The EP certainly has an NYC feel, and it’s always interesting to hear sonic nods to an artist’s hometown. This earnest homage encapsulates the growing pains within relationships, especially in a big city. I giggled at the line, “I got that dog in me.” Messengers From The Empire’s willingness to be silly will get them far. People love it when bands explore the lines between being severe and not too serious.

Interestingly, the bass line in this song stands out the most, as the melodies would not be possible without it. It’s good it didn’t get lost in the mix since the lead vocals need it to accomplish their goals. The entire EP’s production value has an apparent hands-on feel. I wouldn’t be surprised if the group’s production notes were several pages long until they got their desired results.

“Lost In The Gray” feels like the climax in a movie or book. It’s the build of the story where plotlines finally come together. Again, lyricism stands out; the pair’s collective ability to play on words with tongue-in-cheek references can potentially create diehard fans. Many music listeners are lyric-centric, and this style certainly has what it takes to fall on ears that need musical medicine. However, I wish the lead guitars had more time to stand out for a duo with many moving parts. I’m a big fan of mixes incorporating live instrumentation with synthy electronic stuff. The track features a captivating bassline with a punchy overdrive that could lead one to believe it was an electric guitar playing a lead part. This song would have been an excellent opportunity for a rocking guitar solo that would not deviate from Messengers From The Empire’s mission statement or signature sound. Otherwise, the story told in this song is fantastic; it is relatable without being corny and experimentative enough without losing a sense of creative direction.

Finally, “Messages (2010)” is a sweet callback to the band’s name and a great comedown from the other high-energy tracks. There are some great rhymes in this song. Fake-Bit Rebel has a knack for clever rhymes, an essential quality to possess with a genre-bending effort like Messengers From The Empire. The most lax in production, this closing track allows listeners to process the sonic journey they just experienced. Conceptually, this song summarizes many of the themes explored in the other songs. If you’re going to pay attention to the lyrics of any of the songs, to feel these words, “Messages (2010)” should be prioritized.

This group has the skill and passion to break through in any music scene. Their unique and dynamic sonic choices are powerful, allowing them to create fanbases that will eagerly anticipate each release. Utilizing secret magic tricks, like cleverly disguising one instrument as another masterfully, will get the pair extraordinarily far.

‘Neon Nostalgia’ drops this Friday, September 20th! For more information, click HERE!