Originally Published on July 15th
About the Artist
Music is evolving. Everywhere I look, artists are becoming more creative, utilizing more complex instruments and techniques, and the production process is more and more innovative. It is exciting, it is raising the standard, and it is the “new norm” in a weird way.
For instance, Radical West, out of Las Vegas, Nevada, are showing ways to be a diverse and dynamic talent. Forming in 2020, this 5 piece band have been focused on releasing music to build a catalog, playing shows to grow their fan base, and developing a platform on social media to expand to a global stage.
In 2021, they released their debut album, One Year Later, preceded by the single Reaction, in September. Introducing listeners to a very groovy, pop-interlaced R&B sound to their indie rock foundation, Radical West instantly established themselves as a complex band with intricacies; both instrumentally and vocally.
One Year Later is an album that features multiple musical influences. There are implementations of R&B, Blues, Jazz, Pop, and indie rock. Radical West challenged themselves musically by incorporating these diverse genres, introducing complex rhythmic changes and transitions within their music, and vocally, where a variety of techniques were showcased throughout the entire works from lead and backing vocals.
The production value of their debut is also worth mentioning, as there is great separation of sound; from instrument to instrument, and with the vocal performances as well. Yet, it all comes together in the recording so all are represented in their individual and collective work.
Since releasing their debut LP, they released a Live Session EP in 2023, as well as two singles; Part of the Machine and The People, in 2024 and the single Dance my Problems Away in 2025.
Radical West have also been garnering a recognizable name for themselves as a live act. They appeared at Life is Beautiful as part of an ensemble of talent that included sensational acts such as Green Day and Billie Eilish, and have recently been seen performing at a Fremont Street event on the strip in front of a large audience supporting their music.
Radical West are earning a large following by posting content on social media that have earned thousands of followers and been viewed millions of times. With the high quality of their releases, their exciting reputation for live performance, and their continued growth on social media, this radio-ready talent are poised to have a breakthrough year later in 2025 or 2026.
About the Song
On July 11th, Radical West released the song Is This Worth Your Time? which is their second release in 2025.Is This Worth Your Time? I was independently produced by Radical West. It runs at just over three and a half minutes.
About the Music
Is This Worth Your Time? opens with a syncopated, staccato verse that instrumentally plays off of the leading vocal giving off a very groovy, rhythmic feel as we start to unpack this song. Keys, bass, and drums are centered with the vocals and accented guitar is panned left and backing vocals are mixed around the lead, giving a chamber feel to the vocals.
The chorus opens way up. The vocal part is so good it honestly makes it a little hard to tell what else is happening around the lead and backing vocals. It is still rhythmically syncopated but more legato. The drums and bass are locked in perfectly.
As the second verse comes in, there is more supplementing the structure; ornamental synths, vocoders backing the vocals, etc. as we go into the fantastic second chorus which is as significantly brilliant as the first.
The bridge can be looked at as a two-part performance. It starts with synth solo that is a more legato version of the verse progression. It moves to triplets, more legato, and a guitar solo, leading to the pre-chorus for the final chorus.
As Radical West build into the last chorus, the band has fully opened up their performance. The sound space is full. The rhythmical quality is some of the best performance I’ve heard by a band in a long time. I’m not just talking about the drummer. The entire band is locked into the accents and it plays to every musical part.
Final Thoughts
Radical West are a very, very good band. I am going to boldly predict this band will crossover and it’s very possible that Is This Worth Your Time? will be the song that takes them there. They might be the most radio-ready artist I’ve reviewed.
Musicians can’t just make it on having a good recording. It all starts with the live performance. If Radical West are bringing the same energy in their performances that they are in their sessions, it’s only a matter of time. The only thing they need is to be in front of an audience. They will have success gaining a following with every performance. If I were an artist starting out in the 20’s as these guys are, this is the blueprint I would want to follow: strong live performance, well-produced sessions and calculated releases, and building a strong social media platform.
Radical West already have the three key ingredients to getting noticed by mainstream audiences in this generation of musical discovery. It’s only a matter of time before it happens. Is this worth your time? is most definitely worth our time. It’s brilliant.
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Listen to Is This Worth Your Time?:
Fifteen Minutes of Fame Music Entertainment 
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