Medicine Man Tear Drops by Aldo Nova Small Change: A Genre-Bending Ride Worth the Listen
Aldo Nova Small Change’s Medicine Man Tear Drops isn’t your run-of-the-mill rock album. Released under Mercury and hailing from the US, this record dives headfirst into a mashup of Rock, Funk/Soul, Hard Rock, and even New Jack Swing. It’s the kind of project that leaves you scratching your head at first but grows on you like an old pair of broken-in boots—quirky yet strangely comfortable.
The standout tracks, “Medicine Man” and “Tear Drops,” are where the album really flexes its muscles. “Medicine Man” kicks things off with a gritty guitar riff that feels like it was plucked straight outta the '80s hard rock playbook. But then—and here’s the kicker—it throws in these funky basslines that sneak up on you. You’re not sure whether to bang your head or bust out some dance moves. That contrast sticks with me every time I hear it. It’s as if Aldo Nova decided to throw genres into a blender just to see what would happen, and somehow, it works.
“Tear Drops,” on the other hand, leans more into the soulful side of things. The vocals have this raw edge that tugs at something deep inside. Paired with smooth grooves and a beat that could easily fit into a late-night jam session, this track is one of those songs that makes you pause whatever you’re doing and just listen. There’s a vulnerability there that catches you off guard, especially after the high-energy chaos of “Medicine Man.” It’s almost like flipping through a photo album—you go from wild party pics to a quiet, introspective moment in the span of two tracks.
What’s fascinating about this album is how it refuses to sit still. One minute you’re vibing to crunchy guitars, and the next, you’re swaying to silky rhythms. It’s messy in all the right ways, like a perfectly imperfect live show where anything can happen. And honestly? That unpredictability is what keeps me coming back for more.
If I had to nitpick, I’d say the production could’ve been tighter in spots. Some transitions feel a little rough around the edges, but maybe that’s part of the charm. After all, who wants perfection when you can have personality?
In the end, Medicine Man Tear Drops feels less like an album and more like a conversation with an old friend who’s seen too much but still knows how to crack a joke. By the time the last note fades, you realize Aldo Nova Small Change wasn’t trying to reinvent the wheel—they were just having fun spinning it sideways. And honestly? We could all use a bit more of that.
