Kyle Riabko — Before I Speak

Seventeen-year-old Kyle Riabko has the baby face and soulful pipes to be the next squeaky-clean pop hero. Thankfully, he’s too obsessed with sex and his guitar to take that route. His debut release is just a tad over-polished, but songs like "Chemistry" fight through the glossy sheen with libidinous energy and Riabko’s virtuous, bluesy guitar playing. Like the Motown legends he worships, Riabko writes songs that loosen belt buckles without ever resorting to X-rated shock tactics, using a gift for innuendo that belies his age. With its trend-resistant sound and steamy songwriting, Before I Speak is a successful sonic fertility aid.

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