New Release Roundup: Barrage Of The Titans
New Release Roundup: Barrage Of The Titans
If there's been a better week for a cappella releases, we're not sure we've seen it.
If there's been a better week for a cappella releases, we're not sure we've seen it.
The sheer quantity of new music released into the ether by the world's top groups will keep you listening most of the weekend.
Grab a beverage and settle in for this week's FloFaves:
The Swingles
No one regularly reinvents themselves quite like The Swingles. Every piece they create brings something new to the table while masterfully displaying the highest level of skill and talent the group has brought to the world for over 50 years. Tenor Jon Smith arranged a deceptively complex version of the American folk song "Hard Times Come Again No More," which The Swingles released as they ended their latest U.S. tour last week.
Pentatonix
In the second release from their upcoming album, the three-time Grammy winners dropped Dua Lipa’s “New Rules” infused with the groove of Aaliyah’s “Are You That Somebody?” proving time and again that they can take a hit right off the charts and make it their own.
The Manhattan Transfer
Its long-awaited new album, "The Junction," won’t be available until March 30, but the group has leaked the first three tracks for fans to hear on YouTube. The third track, released last week, is an original composition by the group in homage to the original party song by The Champs, "Tequila /The Way of the Booze."
Home Free
Country a cappella superstars teamed up with Lisa Cimorelli for a carefree, game-inspired video of Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Lines’ “Meant to Be.” The song is available on Home Free's latest album, "Timeless." In even bigger news, Billboard announced that the group signed a deal with CAA for worldwide representation. Home Free is currently out on its fifth sold-out nationwide tour.
Postmodern Jukebox
Postmodern Jukebox is an early adapter of showcasing talented a cappella alumni. This week’s PMJ tune features none other than Pitch Slapped grad Mario Jose and ScatterTones Outstanding Soloist India Carney on a 1950s remake of Ed Sheeran’s "Perfect." Jose and Carney, who are both are currently on international tours, couldn't be a more perfect pairing.
Peter Hollens
This week’s inspired cover of Keala Settle’s “This is Me” comes from YouTube star Peter Hollens and more than 500 of his friends and fans. This huge undertaking is just latest in Hollens' long line of large- and small-scale collaborations.
Accent
Currently on tour in Hong Kong, the jazz group from all over the planet dropped this new video just before hopping on a plane. Featuring L. Young, Accent tackles "Black or White" from the King of Pop.
Women of the World
On the heels of their album release celebration, Women of the World were featured on Banda Magda’s "Reine de Bois" in honor of International Women’s Day.
Face
Colorado’s favorite vocal band celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with a moving cover of "Danny Boy" featuring a more tender Cody Qualls on lead.
The House Jacks
The Jacks recently reunited for an epic 25th(ish) Anniversary Show, which saw nearly all of the group's alumni on the stage. Shortly after, the current group left for Bend, Oregon, to headline the Bend A Cappella Festival. Notable alumnus and House Jacks founder Deke Sharon was on hand, so the Jacks sang a new arrangement by Swingle Clare Wheeler Girard of their iconic "Summertime" cover. Sharon's trumpet is just as great as you remember it.
Upper Structure
The newly crowned ICCA Northeast champions were featured on the Berklee College of Music page with their version of Adele’s “I Miss You.” If you need more from them, you can also check out their album "Bridges," which was released in January. Their version of "She Used to be Mine" also got some love from the one and only Sara B. this week!
Kenton Chen
The former SoCal Vocal and member of The Backbeats from "The Sing-Off" is well into a successful career as a solo artist. He was featured in last week’s GlowUp hosted by Varsity Vocals alongside 10 other former ICCA stars. He also released this gem with Nathan Alef.
Ember
The new Baltimore-area group released a moving cover of Sabrina Claudio’s “Orion’s Belt” with Alyce McNulty on lead. While officially released today, FloVoice readers got a sneak peek on Thursday.