Album Review: Kelowna-Superstar

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A Solitary figure stands in an alleyway, holding a guitar. Th figure stands facing a neon sign that reads superstar.
Photo courtesy of San PR

Words by Anselm Anderson

Scotland's Hard rock band Kelowna are set to release their debut album Superstar in a couple of weeks. The five-piece hails from "Up North" in the British Isles and received critical acclaim for their five-track EP last year. "Superstar" will be their first full-length, and an opportunity to listen to them.

The ten-tracker is full of raw emotion and depth, capturing the band's different moods through bluesy riffs, powerful ballads, and soulful vocals. Formed in 2024, the band consists of vocalist Davy Wilson, lead guitarist Paul Moody, Bassist Simon Amos, Keyboardist Ian King, and drummer Rory McEwan. This combination produces magic on each track through every lick and insightful lyric. I hear similarities to bands like Bad Company, Deep Purple and Dire Straits because they capture the seventies sound with a thick tone and a feel-good vibe.



Photo Courtesy of San PR

Kelowna, like many British bands at the moment, have steadily built a loyal fanbase through hard work and appearances at local festivals, such as Winterstorm and Bonfest this past year. This energy and work ethic pay off on "Superstar", a collection of personal songs that evoke memories of music when it was written with heart and passion. The songs are diverse in sound and tone,  including blues and hard rock. The album begins with the slick rhythm and blues of "Midnight Rider", which should not be confused with The Allman Brothers' famous track. The guitar-driven "Second Place" picks up tempo with a nice groove. The music flows well, emphasising hooks rather than technical guitar playing.

The album takes a melodic route with some heartwarming ballads, featuring tantalising electric acoustics and vocals. Wilson's voice is soft and warm, making it suitable for the band's softer rock songs like "Raven Lady", "Meet You", and "Wordsmith". I like how each track is multi-layered with soft, rumbling basslines and gentle, bluesy grooves that seem to build like a cloud drifting on a midsummer's day. There is a sense of peace and harmony in songs like "Monster" and "Insanity", which are driven by thunderous rhythms. Meanwhile, "Song for Cathy" reveals the band's remorseful side.

Overall, Kelowna have recorded an impressive debut rock album, full of charm and nostalgia. Each song brings joy and delight with ten solid, well-crafted rock songs that are bound to appease the regular rock fan

Kelowna are set to release "Superstar" on August 28th via all streaming platforms.


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"Superstar" Track listing:
1. Midnight Rider;
 2. Second Place;
3. Wild and Free;
 4. Raven Lady;
5. Meet You;
 6. The Wordsmith;
7. Insanity;
8. Monster;
9. Song for Cathy;
10. Faith in the Music.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS BELOW;
https://www.facebook.com/kelownarockband
https://www.instagram.com/kelowna_rockband
https://www.youtube.com/@KelownaRockBand
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6j5I5HIICxu1PNQ2XV0yVy




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Copyright: Anselm Anderson ©

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