Emerging Artist Reviews

Album Review: ZRINSKI "Smooth Cool Driver"

by The Metalverse

Updated January 12, 2026

Album Review: ZRINSKI "Smooth Cool Driver" — Zrinski releases debut album "Smooth Cool Driver" | The Metalverse.net

Hailing from Arizona, solo artist Zrinski released their debut album Smooth Cool Driver. The project fulfills Zrinski's lifelong dream of creating music, completed in midlife, showing that you're never too old for heavy music, and it's never too late to accomplish your dreams. Zrinski is also a published author of the short-story book, "The Dragon and Divine Dancer: A Story of the Heart". Smooth Cool Driver delves into comics and noir themes, adding a unique aesthetic to some of the tracks that focus on a "classic superhero" feel.

The self-titled track begins with an old-school organ tone that reminded me of acts like The Doors, while distant lofi metal guitars and slamming drums create a solid backbone. Singing is soon introduced and has the same slightly distorted lofi filter on it as the guitar, creating an almost textured feel as smooth and clear keys are contrasted by lightly distorted guitar and vocals. The song builds into an ambient guitar solo as vocals intensify, slowly fading away.

Boogie on Down the Road starts with a traditional rock 'n' roll guitar tone as vocals continue the lofi sound and drums keep the groove going. Unexpectedly, rock guitar fades away as trap beats, atmospheric instrumentals, and lofi spoken verses create a sound that feels somewhere between psychedelic trippiness and retro futuristic disco music. The song continues with the surprising and intriguing sound that is entirely different from the beginning of the track, keeping things interesting. Electric guitar is introduced back into the mix eventually and returns to a more classic rock sound.

Rock and Roll Magic follows its namesake, following along the rock roots of the previous track while continuing with the lofi vocals that seem to be a staple of Zrinski's sound. The contrast between the vocal style that wouldn't be normally associated with rock and reminds me more of genres like disco, psychedelic, or indie genres, and the rock-reminiscent electric guitar, bass, and drumming creates a unique sense of variety.

We Live To Rock You starts with a metallic clanking as drum cymbals introduce bright guitar and thumping bass lines. Interestingly enough, vocals kick in with less of a lofi effect on them, feeling clearer while keeping a slight echoing delay that pings around the background of the mix. Bouncing guitar leads cut through the mix as the metallic drum hits are brought back into the mix with soaring vocals. As the song progresses, the vocals become more and more eccentric changing into raspy screams.

Fading Away (I May Be Dying But I'm Not Dead Yet) starts with a vocoder sound that's new for the album so far, as guitar and booming drums join the fray. The track captures an old-school sound as some electronic influences remind me a little of the style of earlier songs, with the slight disco and psychedelic elements/

When I Do The Deed marks the first of the last 4 songs that introduce the comic book aesthetic. Sharp guitar leads slash through the mix as megaphone-esque vocals are emphasized over heavy guitar riffs and drum beats. In a bridge, the song introduces spoken lyrics before and during the chorus, in-between singing, creating an interesting sound that almost feels like it's breaking the 4th wall by having conversations during the chorus.

A Thrill Tonight starts with speeding guitar and drums, while piercing synths pan between your left and right ears. Clapping splits apart eccentric vocals as background instrumentals fill in the soundscape. Climbing bass lines, vocals, and synths were the most noticeable elements for me as the guitar and drums took a more polite place in the back of the song.

Wake Up starts with impactful drums and more forward guitar leads that create a mellow rock sound. Signing is soon taken away as spoken lyrics are met by jazz electric keys, rapid hi-hat beats–I enjoyed this change in dynamics and liked how it kept the song fresh from feeling monotonous.

The final track is My Dirty Little Pussycat, which was about as freaky as I expected it to be from the name. The sound follows the lofi rock and roll vibe from earlier in the album, keeping a consistent sound as the lyrics of the song slowly transform from uncomfortably horny to serial killer vibes.

Overall, Smooth Cool Driver is a pretty distinct album from Zrinski, blending classic rock, lofi/indie music, and some electronic elements into a cohesive sound. You can stream Zrinski's debut LP, available on all platforms now!