The Ratings Game (single review)

By The Widows Peak Bandit
View Source

Joshua Ketchmark has finally released his new album titled, ‘Under Plastic Stars’, and on it, he showcased his ability to draw listeners in through some amazing vocals and phenomenal guitar-play. In the album’s lead single, ’17’, Joshua absolutely shines bright, dropping one of the more heartwarming tracks you would hear today.

I think one of the deepest topics to discuss in life is the idea of channeling that inner youth we all have dislodged in us. Not only does Joshua do that on ’17’, but he was also able to successfully correlate those thoughts with the way he feels today. All in all, Joshua’s words are beautiful, as he patiently lays down these highly sentimental lyrics over this gentle instrumental.

I love the soul/passion/emotion that Joshua sings with on this song! It’s definitely a performance that is worthy of your attention.

OVERALL RATING (5/5)

NataliezWorld (single review)

By Natalie Perez
View Source

Yet another individual whose life plays a role in their career especially music-wise. This be the case and point for Joshua Ketchmark. His latest EP “Under Plastic Stars”, showcases a track that truly and really gets you emotionally. That track being titled “17”, with it coming an accompanying video, performance based of Joshua showing his talents best.

This track going off into details about what else, a relationship and love, like as many other artists and bands as well, go into great detail most of the time, upon their music. Joshua’s track “17”, is very much the same deal. The track expressing his loss of love with his partner, they apparently passing on, as he embraces the loss, but finds it hard at times, but still confides in himself that all will be okay.

The track plays off as an acoustic one, using jus the guitar with some soothing vocals performed by a female, with Joshua’s vocal chords being present front and center. Together the two vocal chords play off one another rather nicely, making the song more or less decent quality. His style of vocalization is very unique and catching, but also like many other vocalists within the artist spectrum, is very familiar and similar as well. Like how he sings brings to mind many other styles out there, ranging from Jason Mraz, Passenger, or Ed Sheeran.

In the terms of the music, again that would have to go to the trio mentioned just now, Joshua’s style is very much like theirs which is nice. As said quite decent, in other words of expression, his music especially this track here, is one that is catching yet very feeling friendly. It being emotionally driven with the lyrical context, whilst the melody portions keep it mellow yet comforting. Surely to be a track that can be heard at any given time, place, or moment in reach. That is how this guy creates and crafts his music, yet it works so well for him and so in his favor as well.

“17”, from the EP “Under Plastic Stars”, is a track of sorts, that is very out there. As the rest of the material off the EP, being forward yet well rounded at times as well. It not being a bad or good thing but a thing nonetheless. His words of art is music served best as possible, his ways with his art being able to take his talents of mood and elements on another matter that will suck you in at all costs.

Simply how this track called “17”, works out. An emotional number, that speaks to the heart and soul that is you, the listener really taking you into the realm of how Joshua is feeling. His matter of instrumental character and singer just being there to complete it. Otherwise there is not anymore to be had or said of this youngster called Joshua Ketchmark. He is a man of his word, and ways of expressing oneself as he does best.

The Bandcamp Diaries (single review)

By Peter Vidani
View Online

Joshua Ketchmark is a singer and songwriter with a truly unique approach to his music. His recent single, 17, is a combination of catchy pop hooks and imitate folk melodies. The track reminds me of the work of artists the likes of Ryan Adams or Damien Rice, with really bare melodies and earnest vibes.

17 is a strong song that holds its own and feels rich and diverse, even in spite of a very sparse and minimalistic arrangement. The acoustic guitar serves as the true backbone of the song, while haunting melodic drones add more to the texture of the track, along with Joshua’s emotional and earnest vocals.

Skope Magazine (single review)

By Ricky Smith
View Source

When words fall short, music is the only aid that can help to comprehend the desires and commune the thoughts of an artist. Joshua Ketchmark is one of those talented musicians who has always used the power of passionate music to convey his ideas and thoughts to his huge audience. With his newly released EP ‘Under Plastic Stars’ Joshua disseminates the versatility of human feelings and emotions in a beautifully covered collection of musical melodies.

Born and brought up in a small town outside of Peoria, Illinois, Joshua has found his musical passion at a very early age when the radio airways occasionally played the songs from various upcoming bands. Inspired by the musical compositions of The Beatles and Queen, Joshua had started to imagine himself beside them as a renowned musician from his early childhood.

Later during the time when MTV has started gaining popularity, Joshua rekindled his intense desire of becoming a singer and started his guitar lessons. Coupled with his special guitar training he had also started writing songs, attending jamming sessions and rehearsals. Joshua collected his multiple talents and started performing at the small local shows. The taste of victory in a local band competition brought him composite exposure and he started recording songs in the studio. From then onwards there was no looking back for him.

Having worked with many famous names in the musical industry, Joshua compressed all his talent and experience into his first solo album, ’List Of Regrets’ which gained a lot of appreciation and brought him a huge fan following. With this new EP ‘Under Plastic Stars’, Joshua desires to reach a new height among his ardent followers. The new single ‘17′ from this album is one of the most emotional songs created by him. The track accompanies a performance video which further adds to the dramatic feel of the whole song.

Based on the theme of lost love, broken relationships and hard times, the song expresses the feeling of solitude and emptiness in proper depth and great details that can easily touch anyone’s heart. The background instrumental support for the song ‘17’ is kept subtle and smooth, which enhances the feeling the song tries to leave behind. The lyrics of the song are written in simple friendly words which can easily reach the mass to relate to this feeling of dissolution and deceit.

The track ‘17′ starts over a melodious prelude with a special acoustic guitar section and a well-tuned female background vocal which instantly creates the mystic ambiance of the song. When Joshua takes over the song in his own intense voice, the stage is already burning with the amazing spectrum of emotions. Joshua proficiently weaves this poignant story of passion and vulnerability which glides through the synchronized gleam of melodious harmony.

With this new released EP and the single ‘17′, Joshua has poured every ounce of his imagination and musical art to craft this amusing song track. With a vibrant musical association and well-synchronized lyrics, he has effectively designed this storytelling art of music that is sure to allure many more fans into his musical world.

9/10 Stars

Dancing About Architecture (single review)

By Dave Franklin
View Source

There seems to be a fad in the last few years for people attach such importance to the passing of the great and good of the rock and roll generation that we forget to highlight some of the amazing artists coming through to fill their shoes. I get that the era of the rock star has passed and a music career is built on very different tenets now, but the oft used phrase of “we won’t see their likes again” is one that really grates, we will see it, we are seeing it..it is all around us if only we look.

Obviously I shouldn’t try to sum up a musician on the strength of just one single, but I will go out on a limb and say that when the inevitable happens and Neil Young heads for that great subsidised farming co-operative in the sky, his fans will be able to find solace in Joshua Ketchmark and songs like 17.

Built of the same raw emotion, simple but far from simplistic song lines, haunting vocals, though pitched in a more accessible place, 17 is a fantastic piece of acoustica, an outpouring of the soul and a song which tips its hat to the classic singer-songwriter whilst helping to write the next chapter of their history. You can’t ask for more than that really!

Beachsloth (single review)

View Source

Sung with heart and soul, Joshua Ketchmark sculpts a highly personal journey with the powerful “17”. Proving to be highly skilled at storytelling, Joshua Ketchmark employs a writerly approach to his carefully woven narrative. The patience utilized over the course of the track further emphasizes its undeniably emotional core. Over the course of the piece Joshua Ketchmark recalls the past with a tinge of yearning, one that comes to define the entire piece. Guitar playing has an intimacy to it that further highlights the caring nature that pours out of the track. Quite patient, Joshua Ketchmark allows the song to evolve with incredible grace, never rushing a thing. Vocals stand front and center from which all else radiates.

For the first stretch of the piece Joshua Ketchmark is accompanied only by his trusty guitar. With a feeling of true Americana, the song unfolds with such ease. The choir adds to the tenderness of the track. Usage of the accordion adds to the romantic spirit of the piece, as the song flirts with rushing headfirst into a glorious stream of color. Allowing for the quiet to speak volumes, Joshua Ketchmark lets the song burst into a glorious stream of beautiful color for the final stretch of the piece. Outright masterful, the way everything unfurls feels majestic, with the drums hitting with such poignancy.

With “17” Joshua Ketchmark adds to the remarkable singer-songwriter tradition with something that feels so raw and visceral.