Features

Who’s Hot: Recording Artists: Alternative rock, folk rock, pop rock…it’s today’s rock!

July 10, 2013

Today’s rock sounds vary so much, whether they have roots in the alternative sounds of the ’80s and ’90s, or share influences with more underground folksy melodies, or even pair up with publicity-friendly, money-hungry pop music! These four men have been successful in their own ways dabbling in all of those subgenres, and they’re looking hot while doing it! Don’t forget to go to WhosHotFL.com and vote for your favorite.

John Mayer

Born October 16, 1977

He’s made women (and some men) swoon for over a decade with his soulful sound and lyrics full of angst, introspection and love. John Mayer started his career in Atlanta, and after a well-received appearance at the South by Southwest Music Festival, he released his first studio album in 2001. This album was certified four times platinum and featured his signature hit “Your Body is a Wonderland.” Since then, four of his albums have reached #1 and he has charted six Top 20 singles on the pop charts.

In recent years his talent has been overshadowed by unfortunate bad press regarding his love life and sexual activities. Spilling the beans about being intimate with Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Aniston caused a backlash, then the off-and-on relationship with much-younger Taylor Swift (which predictably ended in a boo-hoo hit single for Taylor) caused even his most ardent fans to pause. But he’s hoping for a resurgence with his newest album, which will be released next month.

Jason Mraz

Born June 23, 1977

Virginia native Jason Mraz released his first album in 2002, but it wasn’t until 2008 and the release of his single “I’m Yours” that he became an international sensation. The song had remarkable staying power — it spent a record-shattering 17 months on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also his first Top 10 single; he earned another with “I Won’t Give Up” in 2012.

If you like a hippie type, look no further. He is a big advocate for raw veganism, which is a little much for me, but I support anyone who has strong principles. He even grows his own avocados on a farm in California! You can’t get much more organic than that, right? He’s also an ambassador for The Nature Conservancy and has been involved in many of their efforts to protect our fragile Earth. He is also a big friend to the gays, having been recognized for his work by the Human Rights Campaign. Keep on doing good!

James Blunt

Born February 22, 1974

You’re beautifullllll….you’re beautifullllll…you’re beautiful, it’s true! Okay, I was DYING to type that. Let’s be real, it’s probably the first thing you think of when you think of the English crooner, and with good reason: it sold over three million copies in the U.S. and was the fourth-hottest single of 2005. You can still hear it on quite a few adult contemporary stations once an hour to this day!

It’s been three long years since he has released an album, but finally he has gone back to the recording studio this spring, working on his long-awaited new project. This is good news for his fans, as he was rumored to have retired! No need to sing “Goodbye My Lover” to him; he’ll still be around to make your heart melt and leave a smile on your face.

Adam Levine

Born March 18, 1979

Who doesn’t have a soft spot for Adam Levine? Is it how he can belt out a ballad and then switch to dance music without missing a beat? Is it the tattoos? Is it his tireless work for LGBT rights? Or is it his BODY? For me, it’s ALL these things.

As lead singer of Maroon 5, his dulcet tones helped make their first album “Songs About Jane” a worldwide sensation, selling over 10 million copies in the U.S. alone, and cementing their place in music history. Subsequent releases in 2007 and 2010 brought them back to the forefront and earned Levine a spot on the hot singing competition “The Voice” on NBC. Seven Top 10 singles later, Levine is riding higher on album sales and love from fans than ever before. His forthright “take me as I am” demeanor and approach helps people feel at home and that indeed makes him very hot.