Review: Ronx Releases “Another Year & I'm Still Here"
Quarantine has given many people a lot of free time. With all that time on one’s hands, it is very easy to get sucked into negative mental health spaces or find a lack of motivation to do your typical routine. Luckily, with all this free time, artists are finding themselves creating much better music for us to all enjoy. Artists have been using this time to critique themselves on their works, and improve as musicians. Today’s artist is a group of people that Mission Music Foundation is proud to support and know of. This band can get pretty sad, and yet almost remind you if Blink-182 mixed with Yellowcard and Green Day. The name is Ronx.
Credit: Daniel Diaz
Who is Ronx?
The pop-punk trio is based in the Bronx (Brooklyn), New York, and mainly influenced by bands such as Neck Deep and Blink-182. Their choice of energetic instrumentation, memorable melodies, and honest lyrics, have started to craft a similar sound in the genre, and is shown very clearly on their first two EPs, titled “Welcome Home” and “I’ll Just Go.” The trio consists of Joshua Reguillo (Bass/Vocals) Miguel Vasquez (Guitar/Vocals) and Alexy Perez (Guitar), who when combined on a stage, create memorable songs and performances that the NYC music scene has grown to love and support. Ronx averages 90-100 monthly listeners on Spotify and had their biggest year in 2018. In 2018, they announced two singles and their debut full-length record, “Division St.” Ronx’s goal with music is to send a positive message, letting listeners know that they are never alone in anything that they may be going through and that they can overcome any obstacles they face in their life. One that Mission Music Foundation absolutely agrees with. In 2019, the band released two more singles as well, “On My Own” and “Roses” in which an intention to send hope and positivity through the lyrics, and show how much the band’s sound has matured and evolved since their formation. Ronx closed out 2020 with a holiday single entitled “Emo Christmas,” and has more music in store for the new year. During shows they can be found hanging out with the crowd, having a good time, and overall setting the intention of loving and supporting everyone around them.
Credit: Daniel Diaz
“Another Year & I’m Still Here”
The first track, “February” has an intro that reminds you of Christmas music dance vibes where food is being served and everyone is having a good time. The next 30 seconds build into a more rock/heavier guitar that reminds one of a similar A Day To Remember, but more pop-rock sound. Lyrically, the vocals are sad and emotional. Joshua and Miguel provide heavy, deep sounding and talk about going through a mentally challenging February. The chorus spends some time building into an energetic, harmonic, and groovy type of song. The break after the first chorus adds a nice breather before the next second verse which sounds like something that you would hear at Emo Nite. Overall, a great first track.
The second track, “Lost In A Dream” has a 5-second introduction that sets the mood to be a sad song. Between the guitar riffs and bass, the style of this song is a nice compliment to the first track. The song quickly builds into an energetic, move-around, fun song that one would very easily find themselves dancing or “Moshing” (Safely!!) to. It would not be a surprise to see some safe moshing at one of Ronx’s future shows. Vocally, the lyrics add a layer of questions and statements that bring your state of mind to visualizing a teenage boy having a crush on a girl, but unable to tell her. The chorus adds a series of nice harmonies. The second verse progress into an almost future state of mind, where the girl ends up using the boy. The boy holds on, however, to the idea that they are perfect for each other.
“Houston”, the third track on the EP, is certainly a calm and soothing song. A big change-up from the previous two songs which has more of an emo-pop vibe to it. The song is written with more acoustic guitars versus the prior electric guitars The instruments are very upbeat and positive, which may take you to the type of music video where others are best friends are having a great time together. The lyrics are very love-like and cute upbeat style, which shows that Ronx knows how to be positive as well. They aren’t all sad! The vocals are sung in a very Blink-182 style, which has beautiful harmonies and compliments the lyrics well.
“Forever”, Ronx’s fourth track on this EP adds a similar and much slower-paced vibe to Black Veil Brides, and if Blink-182 mixed with Neck Deep and Justin Bieber’s “Mistletoe”. Lyrically, the energy is sad and powerful. The story begs the listener to keep holding on and to reach out for help in times of need. It tells of someone trying to validate and an almost anti-suicide message. Vocally, the lyrics are sung in a very loud and passionate way which has similar harmonies to the rest of the EP. The energy is very in your face, and almost angry, but in a heartbroken vibe. The bass fills the emptiness and the song ends on a voicemail that holds a very sweet and supportive message.
The final track of the EP, “Roses (Reimagined)” Features a guest vocalist, Saxl Rose who adds a nice layer of surprise to the EP. The song is probably the most emo-pop out of the whole album. There is a really fun trumpet that goes into the song, and a song that you could probably find yourself clapping and/or crying to. The bass is very deep and adds a layer of energy to the otherwise, calm and relaxing song. The vocals are sung in a unique taste that would have brought Blink-182 to a pop song. The drums are soft and timed in a positively calm manner. Overall, bringing the EP to a very nice and accomplished finished.
Overall
Based in the Brooklyn, New York music scene, it is very clear that Ronx is and continues to make big and powerful moves that have gained them deserved attention. The sad boys created a unique and inspiring, but also emotionally charged EP that everyone struggling should listen to. One can find themselves not only smiling but also cry listening. Ronx releasing a five-tracked EP shows that they are musically willing to challenge themselves in a positive direction. The 5 tracks all tell a very different, yet understandable and real-life stories that everyone can relate to. It is now understood that especially during pandemics, there are still artists who only continue to improve and challenge themselves which have been proven to create incredible works of art.
Written By: Blake Matthews (he/him)
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