Mike Valdes & The Noise

I’ve had the pleasure of listening to Mike Valdes & The Noise’s recently released album Dreamer. He describes himself as a “dapper gentleman who makes piano-driven rock & roll sounds,” which is completely true. There are four ways to win my heart: puppies, chocolate, gang vocals, and precious harmonies. This album definitely had the harmonies and group vocals that I adore. Two out of four isn’t bad at all. This album has brought me back in time to when I used to spend every weekend at a local venue seeing artists like Sing It Loud, All Time Low, Jack’s Mannequin, The Rocket Summer, My Favorite Highway, etc. I’ve been waiting for music that is just the right amount of alternative rock and pop/rock similar to those groups, and here it is.

The album starts with an inspirational beginning about dreamers with words like “behind every great achievement is a dreamer.” It welcomes the listeners with the tune that you’d hear from music box, and it makes you feel like a child with dreams bigger than the world. There is a continuous dream-like feeling throughout the entire album that makes you feel like you’re floating on a cloud. Each song is filled with texture and many elements. The song titled “Tragedy” consists of a layered sound, with my favorite…gang vocals. It continues to “Sanctity” with an upbeat and fun sound that I couldn’t help but dance along to. The album then turns to a lovey dovey sound with lyrics like “you are my stars. You are my dreams. You mean everything to me” that is a hug to the listener. The sweet lyrics in “Questions” and “Brokenness” can certainly make the one you have feelings for blush. The album is sequenced well, and has different elements that make each song significantly different. The album closes with a revolutionary song, “Difference” with deep lyrics about changing our hearts because “love is build to fall apart.” It leaves the listener thinking, which is a thoughtful way to close an album.

Overall the album consists of relatable lyrics and catchy melodies that will keep you listening. Listening to Dreamer is an experience. - Unsigned & Unleashed