Melodic rock is a simple yet difficult genre to crack. While it doesn’t
feature the complex instrumentation of math rock, it needs sincere
delivery and fitting performances to hit with the intended effect. So,
when we saw a new single from melodic rock artist Cory M. Coons, we
decided to give it a look. Here’s our review of his latest song “Freedom
Road”.
The first thing that jumps out to me about “Freedom Road” is how good of
a lyricist Cory is. He’s the singer and songwriter of the tune, and
we’ve got to give him praise for his flowery flourishes. There are some
truly beautiful lines in here, that stand out and linger in our minds.
They’re simple, but they hit home hard and are honest, all signs of
excellent songwriting.
His delivery is also some very strong stuff, hitting all the right keys
without straining himself. It’s evocative of someone looking forward
while also fondly remembering the past, which we’d wager is exactly the
intended effect. Grounded delivery is always a plus in melodic rock
music like this, and Cory shows us exactly why with his performance
here.
Of course, a good melodic rock song needs good writing, but it also
requires some actual melodic rock, and “Freedom Road” does not
disappoint in that regard. It may be a laid-back song that radiates a
tired vibe, but the instruments here aren’t slacking in the slightest.
On the contrary, every part of the song works really well together.
Shimmering and clear percussion maintain a steady rhythm throughout the
song, with a soft acoustic guitar making up the bulk of the song’s body.
There’s also some backing piano, though everything takes a backseat to
the killer guitar solo that takes place in the latter end of the song.
Production here is clear and crisp, which is good to see.
Overall, “Freedom Road” is a strong example of a melodic rock song that
just works. Soft, raw, and powerful when it needs to be, it’s hard to
find fault with. Fans of melodic rock should definitely give this one a
look, and keep an eye on Cory M. Coons. As fans of the genre ourselves,
we cannot wait to see what he’s got waiting for us in the future.
