Web Series Wednesday – X-RL7

By starrymag | March 9, 2022

By: Spring Marie Cullen

 

 

WHAT? X-RL7

 

BY: Mike Evans

 

WHY SHOULD I WATCH?

 

Through unique pixel art animation comes X-RL7, a cyberpunk music adventure. The series follows fictional band X-RL7 as they navigate the trials and tribulations of the infamously difficult music industry. With original music, a cast of wild characters and some serious problems to be solved along the way, this series is an entertaining ride from start to finish.

 

Creator Mike Evans plays a massive role in the series. Not only is he the writer and animator, but he also voices X-RL7’s frontman Omega and lead guitarist PJ. As someone who’s always been fond of the entertainment industry, I love supporting projects like this one; something super creative and original from the mind of a dedicated creator who’s part of every avenue of the show.

 

The most recent episode of the animated series is the most creative yet. In an effort to kill some time before a concert, the band pulls up the in universe version of YouTube (V-Chan) to watch various videos dedicated to X-RL7. Omega, PJ and boisterous manager Alfie (Alan Rogers) watch through old interviews, reaction videos and even concert footage.

 

The coolest part of the episode is the accompanying EP released alongside it. Titled Reimagined, the EP includes five covers of songs that appeared earlier in the series. Alternative YouTube musicians, Nikki Simmons, Patrick Russell, Annie Wallflower, Andrew Baena and Marlene Mendoza lend their hands to the episode by taking the X-RL7 songs in a new direction and making them their own. The collaboration is awesome and one of the most interesting things I’ve ever seen done in a web series. A snippet of each cover is included throughout the episode as the band is making their way through their watchlist, but the EP and all of the songs featured on the series are also available on streaming services. Annie Wallflower’s stripped-down acoustic version of the song “Kindred” was so good I couldn’t resist clicking on the lyric video to have another listen.

 

X-RL7 is eighteen episodes worth of music industry mayhem. Evans has created a rich, electronic rock world that’s loads of fun. Fans of animated shows and alternative electro-music will absolutely love this on and anyone who’s interested in some music industry social commentary will like it, too.

 

WHERE CAN I WATCH? Episodes are available on YouTube.

 

 

 

Follow on Social Media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/XRL7official

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xrl7.official/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xrl7.official

Website: https://www.x-rl7.com/