We Speak Music
The Tempted ‘Passions & Misdemeanours’ – A Bold and Beautiful Evolution
The Tempted’s, Passions & Misdemeanours, is a record that breathes new life into the duo’s already impressive legacy. A stunning mix of alternative rock, blues, and synth-pop influences, this 13-track album finds Brian Callaghan and Michael McDonagh at their creative peak, seamlessly blending genres and creating a sound that is both fresh and nostalgic. The album is an exploration of the emotional landscape, moving between haunting ballads and driving rock anthems with ease. From the first track to the last, the album demands attention, pulling the listener into a world where every note carries weight.
What makes, Passions & Misdemeanours, truly stand out is its impeccable production. Mixed across two continents, the album captures a sense of global influence while maintaining an intimacy that allows the listener to connect with every song on a personal level. The instrumental arrangements are lush yet minimalist, with each track built around strong, deliberate basslines courtesy of Shug Brankin. This balance between intricate production and stripped-down rawness gives the album its unique, timeless feel.
The guest appearances on the album add another layer of richness to its already diverse sound. Mick MacNeil’s keyboards are a perfect match for the band’s evolving style, adding an atmospheric quality that complements the album’s more reflective moments. Meanwhile, Mary Kiani’s soulful vocals inject a burst of energy into the tracks she’s featured on, infusing them with a sense of fun and vigor. These contributions are not just enhancements—they elevate the entire project, taking it to new heights.
Passions & Misdemeanours, tackles themes of passion, regret, and introspection. The album’s title hints at the conflict within the music, where the joy of living is constantly challenged by the mistakes we make along the way. Callaghan and McDonagh’s songwriting remains sharp and poignant, blending personal experience with universal emotions. Whether it’s the sweeping choruses or the quiet moments of reflection, the album never fails to resonate on a deeply human level.
Overall, Passions & Misdemeanours, is a record that cements The Tempted’s place as one of the most inventive and enduring acts in the alternative rock scene. It’s a reflection of the duo’s years of growth, experimentation, and unwavering dedication to their craft. With this album, they’ve crafted a sound that is uniquely their own—bold, beautiful, and brimming with passion.
As if dropping a three-pack project filled with bangers was not eye-catching enough, Burgeoning Ghanaian talent NSRB Dray has served another masterpiece with the release of his new single “Eye for Eye.”
Known for singing from raw emotions, NSRB Dray takes it a step further in this new release where he talks about being in a state of despair and self-doubt.
However, there’s no doubt about his intentions on the record. NSRB Dray goes in hard from the first beat drop on the YNT Deezy-produced track.
On “Eye for Eye,” he glides on the boppy instrumentals for two minutes straight, highlighting the world’s abundance of greed, unforgiveness, ego, and pride.
He opens with his version of the famous Mahatma Gandhi saying, “An eye for an Eye leaves the world blind,” before letting his baritone vocals shine through what can pass a “here’s how the world works” pep talk to the listeners.
The record boasts of superior rawness draped around melodious saxophone sounds by Sam Aryee, missing in so many fine-tuned street-preaching jams lately. NSRB Dray’s delivery stands out as the lyrics pierce the ears and hearts of the listeners to nod and note down.
He shared the reason for his choice of lyrics exclusively to Amplify Ghana, stating that his never-give-up spirit pushed him to send a message of hope to his audience.
“Eye for Eye is a music piece written in a state of disrepair and self-doubt. It talks about not giving up and staying well composed in every situation,” he explained.
After dropping “PLAN B” which touched on a similar subject matter, last year, this new release could easily pass as his master plan, but the singer’s unpredictability and versatility means fans can expect different sounds from him.
“Eye for Eye,” is NSRB Dray’s 2025 welcome message. It was mixed by the singer and mastered by talented sound engineer QID Korle.
Don’t miss out on the message, stream ‘Eye for Eye’ here.
-
We Speak Hip-Hop1 week agoDC Wordsmith Dumi Right Delivers New Maxi Single “Tell Em” & “Inside, Outside”
-
We Speak Actors5 days agoInterview with Leonid Andronov, author of ‘First Draft Survival Guide’
-
We Speak Music1 week agoThe Neon Sea Explores The Hypnotic Dreamscapes In New Single ‘Sleepwalker’
-
We Speak Entertainment1 week agoYT & Epidemic Beats Present: “Graveyard Echoes” – A Hauntingly Powerful EP