Kingnaldo | Memorandum

“Don’t forget who you are” Kingnaldo sings in “Hollywood Blow,” the first single on his third release, Memorandum. It is only fitting that he makes such a statement, because at times, Memorandum sounds as though Kingnaldo isn’t exactly sure who he is. He clearly attended the School of Grunge, but instead of fully immersing himself in that genre, he bravely ~ and perhaps quizzically ~ veers off into other, more obscure, bits of audio anarchy.

Memorandum owes a debt to Soundgarden and Stone Temple Pilots. Songs like “Timeless Bliss” churn with a heavy grunge growl below swirling guitar leads, as Kingnaldo connects with his inner Scott Weiland. But weird breakdowns in “Vital” and “Loser Confuser,” in which he trades in his flannel shirt for a pair of nu-metal Adidas sweatpants, are indeed confusing and create a disjointed listen.

Kingnaldo takes his influences and puts them together on Memorandum, but simply putting together two separate genres like grunge and nu- metal leave an uneven listening experience. To take those two elements and combine them to create something wholly new and original seems to be Kingnaldo’s honest attempt here, but it doesn’t quite come to fruition.

Although occasionally unfocused, Memorandum does often capture genuine angst and tension, with some songs packed like a string of dynamite ready to explode. But too many times those anticipated blasts leave the listener hanging.

For more, visit kingnaldo.net.

By Jason Savio

Nick Jonas | Nick Jonas

A decade ago, when Nick Jonas recorded his first solo album, he was a Disney-fied prepubescent member of a tween-leaning trio of musical brothers. But gimmicks and purity rings be damned, the youngest Jonas brother has confirmed he’s all grown up with the release of this, his second self-titled album (he was known as Nicholas Jonas back then). Skeptical is one word that quickly came to mind when this CD landed on my desk for potential review. If his new image hadn’t already broken the Internet and your social media feeds, you should know the former boy band member has been flexing more than just his musical muscles, and it’s working for him on all fronts.

“Chains” is the first single, and its ominous beckoning recalls Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me A River” from his debut album back in the day, when he also was just a former boy band member (*NSYNC) setting out on his own. Well, we know JT has become a pop superstar in his own right, shedding all doubts of naysayers. Dare I suggest this youngest Jonas may actually be able to do the same? Jonas is trying to shed his old image, no doubt, and toughen it up a bit with songs like “Jealousy” and “Wilderness” and sexify himself with tracks like “Teacher” and “Numb” (with Angel Haze). “Push” plays up the power of his falsetto and captures his softer side when he sings of grown-up heartbreak. His duet with Demi Lovato (“Avalanche”) is radio ready, and if you hit up the clubs, you can expect to hear this remixed on repeat as a dance floor anthem. He’s got the pipes to back all this up, too ~ maybe just enough to turn this skeptic into a fan.

For more, visit nickjonas.com.

By Michael Wood

Bette Midler | It’s the Girls

I mean what doesn’t she have going for her? She’s beautiful and confident, comfortable in her own skin even at nearly 70 years old, funny as hell, an excellent actress (Beaches, Hocus Pocus, Gypsy, The Stepford Wives, etc.). She is a great dancer and can sing her ass off. She’s more than a triple threat; she’s Bette Midler.

Midler’s newest CD release (and 25^th album, if you can believe it), It’s the Girls, doesn’t disappoint. In her own unique style, she reworks and covers some of the most famous girl-group hits such as the Ronette’s “Be My Baby” and the Supreme’s “Can’t Hurry Love.” She even tackles TLC’s “Waterfalls,” slowing it down and making it even more soulful, which is definitely worth a listen. Midler herself calls it “an exquisite explosion of estrogen.” If you love the oldies, this album is for you.

Her strong and jazzy vocals are the perfect match for some of the most-loved songs of all time, but my personal favorite is her rendition of “Mr. Sandman.” She doesn’t stray from the original style of the song, but she just does it so well, paying homage to what it was meant to be. Plus, it makes me think of Back to the Future, and that makes me smile.

With her infectious smile and cabaret style of delivery, I think the woman is really equipped to sing anything, whether it is an R&B album, a girl-band tribute or a McDonald’s commercial.

Midler will be perform June 12 at the TD Garden in Boston and tickets are available now. With every ticket purchased, you get a free copy of the album.

Check out more at bettemidler.com.

By Jennifer Russo