I have had a day of shopping (I hate shopping as there are just too many annoying people!) – but have returned safe (poorer) and ready to listen to some music. A quick scroll through the emails to the magazine with submissions and I settled on a melodic rock album called “Hearts and Minds” by Rocketsmith. To be honest I was not really up to speed about these guys, but the press release will fill us all in!
Press release –
Rocketsmith are a North Yorkshire rock band built around melody-driven songwriting, powerful live performances and emotionally honest lyrics. Drawing on British rock tradition with heartland influences, the band craft songs designed to connect with audiences through strong hooks, guitars up front and big choruses.
Their growing reputation as a live act has seen them share stages with major artists including Bryan Adams, helping build a loyal and expanding fan base.
Their new album “Hearts & Minds,” recorded at 6db Studio, captures the band’s live energy and songwriting focus, exploring themes of resilience, connection and modern life.”
My review:
The album has 11 songs and lasts just under 46 minutes. It is available on all streaming platforms now. It had a release date of May 2, 2026.
“Hearts and Minds” puts down the marker for the album to come.We are straight into a commercial rocker, a track that has a bit of an eighties Bon Jovi feel and a built in energy of its own.
“Stiff Upper Lip” brings a bit of glam rock swagger to the menu, especially with the drum sound (a touch of Adam and the Ants in the beat). It has a nice sing along in the club vibe, leaving the bills and troubles behind for a while and dancing to the beat.
“Blood” brings in some neat harmony singing and some heavier riffs to add to the mix. As we move into the album this is one of those you would have slipped on the Juke Box back in the day while having a game of pool. Raise a glass and a pool cue and hook into the chorus.
“Deal in Miracles” is a slower, initially piano led track. It hooks into the bass and drums to change direction and deliver a power chorus and I liked this one a lot. I could see this doing great live, it’s well written and the energy is absolutely infused. I will pop this one on my playlist! Three great minutes of legal fun.
“Whisper on the Wind” is a rock ballad, a muse to those brown eyes and precious moments. Again, a strong song – the guys are impressing me!
“The Other Side of Fear” retains that confident beat, and is a song for those who survive the hard knocks of life. It is another track that enters the headphones with the immediacy of a live show and the production of the album as a whole keeps that feel of live energy.
“Heart Full of Hollow” – changes direction and brings some elements of country rock to the album.It has a slightly haunting quality – and it slips neatly into the mid-point of the album. It sounds like the title of a dusty Americana track played at 1am in a roadside bar somewhere off Route 66. A bit unusual, but memorable, a bit like the song actually.
“Kingdom” promises to build a kingdom for that special person. It is one of those soaring rock anthem like tracks, a big song that doesn’t like being confined to the headphones. A song that is taking flight. Another nod of appreciation to the drummer.
“Rise” has that fight back mentality built into a heavy riff. I possibly didn’t connect with this one as much as some of the others on the album, but it provides a positive lyric and a good vocal performance.
“LA” opens up with a sassy groove, a strong beat and up front guitars. It’s a driving song for an open road and a bit of sunshine.
“Bittersweet” closes the album in a stripped back fashion. We have the acoustic guitar and an emotive and strong vocal. The track picks up into a swaying melody, This is a track you enjoy for its feelgood sense, a radio track – very commercial.
I’m pretty sure this is an album the guys can be proud of. “Hearts and Minds” understands exactly what melodic rock should do — deliver hooks, emotion, atmosphere and songs that feel built for live crowds and late-night drives alike. Rocketsmith have produced an honest, energetic and consistently enjoyable record here, one that should win them plenty of new listeners along the way.
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You can stream music by Rocketsmith here
Recorded at: 6db Studio
Recording Engineer: Dave Boothroyd
Mixed by: Dave Boothroyd
Mastered by: Sam Proctor
By Stevie Ritson
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