Courage My Love
Synesthesia
Warner / InVogue
Having now graduated from Hot Topic to Charlotte Russe, the dynamic songwriting duo of singer / guitarist Mercedes Arn-Horn and twin sister, drummer Phoenix Arn-Horn has matured musically as well since first blowing up on YouTube with the 2010 breakout ear worm, “Bridges.” And along with perennial bassist, Brandon Lockwood, the once scrappy-looking, formerly brash-sounding Canadian combo recently released their latest – just in time to embark on the upcoming 2017 Vans Warped Tour.
Produced by David Bendeth (Paramore, Papa Roach, Breaking Benjamin) Synesthesia boasts a bounty of Plumb-flavored highlights, including the cutting “Animal Heart,” the quirky “Tough Love,” and the super-catchy lead-off single, “Stereo.”
With Synesthesia, Courage My Love has swapped their signature-style, guitar-driven grit for a more sophisticated and polished, radio-friendly sound – less Green Day and more The Band Perry – minus the twang and fiddles. And it’s a stylistic upgrade that serves the trio well.