You know we couldn’t close the year without reviewing one last Frontiers album. Admittedly, this album is a bit of an anomaly by Frontiers standards. Instead of this being the latest from a veteran ’80s act or a new supergroup consisting of veteran ’80s musicians, today’s album in review comes from a brand spanking new artist. How new? So new that at 20 years old, she made history as the youngest artist ever signed to Frontiers. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Cassidy Paris.
Despite being 20, Paris has been rocking out for close to a decade now. Her father is Steven Janevski of Wicked Smile and The Radio Sun fame. He passed down his love of classic hard and heavy music, and subsequently a real knack for musicianship, to Paris at a young age. A unique partnership with former Danger Danger singer Paul Laine helped develop her talents as well, as the two collaborated in a songwriting and production capacity. Fast forward nearly a decade, two EPs, and countless shows later; Paris is ready to take the rock n’ roll world by storm with her debut full length, New Sensation.
Par the course for a Frontiers release, New Sensation emphasizes hooks and melodies above all. The vast majority of the album can be categorized as AOR in the vein of fellow rising star revivalist, Chez Kane. There’s an undeniable ’80s vibe to the arrangements, production, and delivery, which is fine by me. Whether it be the opening pomp of “Danger”, moody vibes of “Searching for a Hero”, or closing neon-lit nirvana of “Midnight Desire”, Paris establishes herself as a force to be reckoned with. What she lacks in sheer power and absurd range, she makes up for in distinct character and raw passion. In other words, she doesn’t “over-sing”.
The one aspect of this album I can see being a turnoff for those of a purist disposition is a handful of cuts that emulate the pop rock mania of ’00s Top 40 radio. One can’t help but recall the likes of Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson, and P!nk when listening to songs like “On the Bright Side”, “Song for Broken Hearted”, and “Addicted”, just to name a few. And you know what? Trve and kvlt and br00tal as I claim to be, I have a soft spot in my heart for that sound. Mind you, I’m going on 25, so these aughts flavored outbursts are pure nostalgia to my ears. So while this approach may not go over well with your average 50 and up melodic mafioso who’s still rooting for a proper Britny Fox reunion, don’t worry Cassidy, it’s cool with me!
New Sensation lives up to its title, leaving this fellow 21st century rocker stuck in the ’80s wanting more. As a songwriter and performer, Paris is off to a roaring start, showcasing great potential for a flourishing future. Assuming the hype of this album and Paris’ live shows carry into the new year, chances are we’ll be hearing from this young gun again sooner than later. As the old saying goes, “What’s old is new again.” And Cassidy Paris is the New Sensation to keep an eye on.
7 out of 10
Label: Frontiers Records
Genre: AOR
For fans of: Chez Kane, Pat Benatar, Lee Aaron