Alternative rock / post-grunge. Heavenward is a recent solo project of Los Angeles-via-Colorado’s Kamtin Mohager, who’s become one of my favorite songwriters lately. I loved his work with Teenage Wrist — their EP DAZED was one of my favorites of 2015. He’s also released some great electronic rock records as part of The Chain Gang of 1974. Here on Heavenward’s stellar debut LP, 90s grunge, shoegaze, and Britpop influences shine, along with some really fine introspective lyrics. This would sound amazing live.

Favorites: 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10
Related: Teenage Wrist, Soul Blind, Catherine Wheel, Narrow Head

1. (3:08) Heavenward — Intense rock opener, skyward nostalgic
2. (4:01) * Gasoline — Propulsive rock, great energy
3. (4:13) ** Wish — Driving head nodding alternative rock, great outro, has a pop appeal
4. (4:04) Something Real — Catherine Wheel kind of alternative rock with a gaze intro, also reminds me a lot of Soul Blind
5. (3:54) ** Be My Blues — Reflective track with mainly vox and guitar, arresting lyrics, gets more intense two and a half minutes in, spoken word recording in outro
6. (3:21) Supernova — Poppy radio rock, pretty guitars, good complement to track three “Wish”
7. (3:50) * Tangerine — Huge sound, bright dreamy rock with a Britpop feel
8. (3;22) ** Planned Human Combustion — Catchy rock track, another Britpop number, love the lyrics + outro
9. (5:08) Pneumatic (Fly) — Subdued and at times soaring vox, wall of sound, has a good bridge but otherwise not my favorite
10. (3:11) ** Choke — “Can I drink acid rain and flood it through my veins?” big 90s grunge throwback, some beautiful melodic sections, MOSH PIT