Aloha Radio
California Scheming
OC has no shortage of reggae and roots music. And actually, some of it is actually damn good! But a lot of it sounds the same. Everywhere you look, there are groups of tank top-wearing bros of all types combining their favorite reggae sounds with some faster punk rock and rap elements. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s hard for anything to stand out from the crowd when it all sounds kind of like Slightly Stoopid. Aloha Radio broke that mold with both of their albums this year (California Schemingand Stoked and Broke), as the four-piece took the working recipe and added some extra spice in the form of charismatic frontwoman Lauren Mulderrig. Although both albums are worth listening to, California Scheming contains just the right blend of chill reggae vibes with poppy rock tunes to please both roots fans and top 40 listeners alike. They haven’t blown up just yet, but Aloha Radio sounds like what should be playing in most dorm rooms on lazy afternoons. After opening for Shwayze this summer, it seems like they’re already halfway there. (Josh Chesler)