Psychedelic Energy Flows Through Aura Blaze with “Open-Mindedness”

This ain’t our first rodeo with New Jersey’s Aura Blaze – back in 2019, before the world turned upside down, we covered Blaze’s great track “The Sparkling Black”. A fantastic track in its own right, “Black” demonstrates the evolution of Aura Blaze when placed up against “Open-Mindedness”, the title track of of the latest EP from the Central Jersey native.

While his previous output had a more distinct classic rock flavor, the new release feels every bit as much influenced by modern psychedelic pop visionaries like Polyphonic Spree, lush and cinematic acts like U2 or Coldplay, the soaring R&B of folks like Seal, and the beautiful vocal harmonies of the BeeGees. But, don’t fear… there’s a hefty dose of The Doors, Floyd, and The Zombies that still resides in these tracks, as well.

With a bigger, lusher, and more mature sound, it’s undeniable that Aura Blaze’s Rhode Rachel has grown as a musician and is redefining what his band and his music means to him. If I liked him before… I kinda love him now.

thepaintedman

Founder / Professional Nerd

Justin has been running websites since his first Geocities site in 1994, but only did he ever start covering anything of substance years later. After he stopped regularly running local concerts in Northern NJ and the greater Philly area, he knew he needed to step up his writing game if he expected to continue to get free music to listen to. He writes regularly here and at Cinapse, as well as contributing to a few other sites on occasion. He likes music, film, the Philadelphia Eagles, the 76ers, talking about Criminal Justice, reading Intelligence Report, and his family... not in that order. His beautiful wife is far more talented than he is and his kids far more adorable... and crazy.