1. Little Brother
Little Brother is an acoustic emo solo project by Trophy Eyes’s vocalist John Floreani. Using nothing but his eclectic vocal range and an acoustic guitar, Floreani shows that he’s just as great a songwriter in a stripped down setting as he is with a full band. The lyrical themes focus on heartache and addiction, while the guitars and vocals perfectly depict the emotion behind them, in a way that is soothing and settling, yet still emotive and moving.
2. Adventures
Better known for their hardcore group Code Orange, guitarist Reba Meyers, bassist Joe Goldman, and drummer Jami Morgan have a lighter, more upbeat indie rock project called Adventures. Meyers and Goldman hold back on their aggressive vocals to produce bright, serene melodies and dreamy harmonies. The simple guitars and breezy drumbeats enhance the endearing tranquility of the vocal energy, creating a sound that evokes a calming sense of comfort.
3. Drown Me
Drown Me is the drone metal side project of Being As An Ocean vocalist Joel Quartuccio. It is without question the heaviest work Quartuccio has put out, in which he delivers his most intense, beastly screams, unlike anything heard in his primary band. The vocals are slightly drowned out (no pun intended) by the dooming, menacing guitars and rumbling drums. Every thick layer of heaviness combines to make tumultuous noise that erupts through your speakers.
4. The Madden Brothers
During the five-year hiatus of classic pop punk band Good Charlotte, frontmen twins Joel and Benji Madden released “Greetings From California,” the first album of their acoustic/pop side project The Madden Brothers. Although it is mainly acoustic, there are some occasional electric guitars, as well as harmonica, violin and keyboards. The twins also deliver some captivating three-part harmonies in songs such as “We Are Done” and “Brother.”
5. Snarl
Snarl is the hardcore side project of Parker Cannon, better known for his gritty clean vocals in pop punk band The Story So Far. Utilizing a harsher aggression with his voice, we hear Cannon’s turbulent energy in a different light backed by pounding drums, raging guitars and frantic dissonance. Both lyrically and musically, it is basically the opposite of The Story So Far’s latest album “Proper Dose,” which has a consistent theme of letting go of anger.
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