PushMethod’s blend of melodious hip-hop and jazzy pop rock with a heavy Beatles influence truly puts them in a league of their own. My skepticism of how I’d receive the band was diminished after “Champagne.” The suspense building guitars pave the way for the bass heavy track. The four-piece slows things down during the heart-aching ballad “I’ll Stay,” which clearly shows the Beatles influence within the group. PushMethod tackles some worldly issues in a way that isn’t depressing or just facts being thrown out—they’re more like narratives. An old-time radio or television broadcast starts off “Scars & Stripes,” one of the heavier pieces on the disc. The strong hip-hop elements helped to drive the message of the cut home and the harmonies of the lighter side to the number added a serene effect until the end, where slamming drums and ominous strings close it out.
Despite the seriousness of some of the tracks on the release, there are a few that have a carefree vibe to it. “Get Lost” pays homage to the band’s hometown of NYC and it features a danceable reggae feel. “How We Get Down” is perfect for that summer block party with its swinging and bouncey keys as well as beats. PushMethod ends with another social-political song in “Box Me Up.” The pacing of the verses is reminiscent of a lullaby and is one of the strictly hip-hop styled songs on the disc.
Unlike other groups in this genre, PushMethod writes music that is inspiring and stirs up a call of action within oneself, all while steering away from being too preachy. Even if you typically stay away from rap, give PushMethod a chance—you might be just as surprised as I was.
In A Word: Fresh
