Jon Valenzuela Delivers a Hypersonically Theatrical ‘Shot of Adrenaline’ in His Debut Single  –

Jon Valenzuela delivered exactly what it says on the tin with his debut single, Shot of Adrenaline, which contorts rock into complex atypical time signatures as the arrangement moves at a hypersonic pace. Following years as a guitarist in the Sydney scene, Jon Valenzuela stepped away to prioritise his own voice, resulting in the lead single for his upcoming album, Alive Again.

Orchestral polyphonia and operatic elements with a jazzy-free form sense of uninhibited energy feed into the tilt-a-whirl-esque mayhem of Shot of Adrenaline, which is truly unparalleled in its exuberant execution. Mike Patton’s more obscure bands come to mind, particularly Mr Bungle in the California era, with its cinematic sweeps and general refusal to stick to the arbitrary constraints of rock. Giving Jon Valenzuela his wicked sense of distinction is the sense of theatrical whimsy that is locked into the chameleonically progressive explosion of ingenuity.

This release is indicative of the wider album, which explores everything from hard rock to experimental jazz. Written during a period of self-discovery, the track functions as a sonic document of feeling empowered once again. Fans of high-energy, multifaceted grooves will find plenty to get stuck into here as the Sydney artist finally does things his way.

Shot of Adrenaline is now available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify. 

Review by Amelia Vandergast