ALBUM REVIEW: Troubled Paradise – Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts

Georgia rock ‘n’ rollers, TUK SMITH & THE RESTLESS HEARTS, have put out their newest record Troubled Paradise. Following the release of their second full-length, Rogue To Redemption, last year, frontman Tuk Smith sees this release as a continuation of his message and representation of creating music that means something to people and will have a positive impact. Seeing the state of the modern world, he opted to write a collection of songs about hope without coming off as overly cheesy, as the sort of music he wanted to hear.

In short, this record is something that represents pure escapism that will allow for around twenty minutes of happiness across four songs. Opening things up is the title track itself that is just rock n roll in its purest form that somehow manages to feel vintage and nostalgic of the genre across multiple decades yet still sounding polished and new. It’s a feel-good, high-energy song that will make you feel like a teenager surrounded by fellow misfits as you go on a road trip, windows down, with the song playing at the loudest volume.

That bouncy energy continues in Runnin’ With The Wild Ones where that youthful setting continues as you still picture yourself as a teenager amongst others who understand and get you. And when we get to the anthemic chorus, one cannot help but feel happy as you smile and bop your head along. Moving into Sadie Mae, whose opening guitar notes has you reminded of ARCTIC MONKEYS’ Do I Wanna Know?, continues the feel-good vibes with another rock n roll track that you can’t but picture a live show where the audience sways along in sync.

Closing the record is Love Don’t Live Here Anymore, the only acoustic track of the entire record and, almost by default, the only song that sounds somewhat serious, yet still not melancholic. Instead, you feel like you’re sat around a campfire where you join in on a singalong. The full band does eventually come in, matching the slower pace that helps to elevate the positive vibes of the track and, while the drums feel a little disjointed with the guitar, it has a certain charm to it, and it still works. A lovely short but sweet rock album that will give you a serotonin boost, something we all need from time to time given the world we live in today.

Rating: 7/10

Troubled Paradise is out now via Gypsy Rose Records.

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