“The Extra” comes in at 9 songs and runs to just over 40 minutes. It was released on August 30 through ‘Start Over Records.’
Jasper Cunningham is the drummer from Female President and we spoke to him back in 2023 when they were working on their new EP, “The Healing Ritual.” At the time, Jasper told us that “I’m listening to a lot of alternative rock right now and nu metal. I am making stuff related to that. But I also like classic rock and that influences my drumming.”
Before getting to the review, those nu metal influences are clearly there in the album. Putting my cards on the table here, I review the blues, rock and classic rock sides of things here, with Lorraine handling country and the more pop rock side. We don’t do much nu metal, but we do like Female President!
Jasper said about this album, “Originally trained as a drummer, I eventually learned how to play guitar, bass, and other instruments. Combining these skills with a passion for alternative rock and metal, I spent years writing up my own album and finally finished making it after five years.”
So the album had a long gestation period! Please do note that Jasper is a multi-instrumentalist. I flag that up because solo albums by drummers can be a mixed bag. (I exclude Ringo Starr from that comment because I love Ringo!) I refer to the jaw drop when Peter Criss of Kiss released his solo as part of their grand project of four solo albums all released on the same day; it was a hmm at best! However, I was quite excited when Mark fired this one over to me. We are here to support artists who we like, we feature independent artists and we acknowledge that every artist has to start up somewhere. In the press release, Jasper says, “ Have you ever felt like a background character in your own life? That is where the name comes from. This album has been written over the course of five years, during multiple different stages of my life. It’s a rollercoaster of fighting demons and finding balance.”
He also thanks Owen Mauch for helping him record, mix, master, and for his contribution to some guitar parts on a couple songs. He also thanks Johnny Moss for his vocal feature on “The Dumbest Magic,” as well as two of the single arts. Lastly, he thanks Vikki Fay for creating the album cover art.
And now onto the review. All is quiet for an hour; my son has slipped out to see his friend. My cat is sitting relaxing on the window watching the wheels go by, and I’m on the sofa post-work and pre-getting the evening meal ready. It’s a rainy day in the north of England and I’m ready to rock.
“Analysis” opens with some big chords and guitar before the drums kick in. It is vocally a bit grungy, and the sense of nightmare in the background is strongly delivered. The strong riffy beat alongside the heavy drum sound elevates the opener and sets things up nicely.
“The Dumbest Magic” blasts along. Some great drumming and a turn to punk here—old-fashioned British punk, actually. I know Jasper is all American Man, but there is that seventies London sound infused in this one. It is the angst channeled through the music as the lyrics ask, “How many people will die?” My colleague Benny liked this one; he is the punk on the team.
“Reverse Karma” was the favorite of one of my other colleagues here at the magazine, Mark. This has slower delivery, like a slower footstep. Life is all perspective, but I liked the vocals best on this one; the vocals really showed up in the mix, and they are a powerhouse on this track.
“Nacirema” (try reading the title backwards folks) is a commercial, radio-friendly number, one for rock radio methinks. It is less heavy than the opening numbers and slips into a cruise mood with a more upbeat tempo. The lyrics may still be a bit dark and with a certain sadness, but “let’s just have some fun” is the message for this one. We were all young once and this song is broadly defeating the monsters.
“Winter Poison” took me toward a sort of grunge prog rock. I liked the development of the riffs on this one and the vocals again deliver on cue for the track. It is a dark and heavy track, slow and grungy.
“You Lied to Them” opens with a heavy drum kick and some reflective lyrics about relationships. I think this was my least favorite on the album; it kind of came and went for me.
“Thoughts and Pain” returns to form with a throbbing guitar sound and vocals that sit astride the riff in the mix. It is another punk-infused track with plenty of angst and madness.
“Lead Me On” changes direction a bit with some swirling instrumentalization and some softer melody and is as close to a ballad as the album gets. It’s good! Very listenable and with a powerful chorus that is anchored with a strong percussion sound.
“Somber Fields” closes the album in a melodic way, more of a classic American Rock vibe. This is a song for the open road, and another that I feel has that radio appeal. Another track I liked and it closed the album with a positive feel-good sense.
In summary: This is a confident first album by Jasper Cunningham, and it has a couple of songs that really should get some radio play. If you have a liking for some punk/grunge-feeling tracks alongside some old-style harmonies and touching lyrics, then you really should have a listen. Musically, it cuts the mustard just fine and its a really strong opening ride from a musician with a lot to offer.
Standout tracks: “Somber Fields,” “Reverse Karma,” and “Nacirema”
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By Stevie Ritson