Anna Hillburg’s latest album, Tired Girls, brings solid songwriting and tones to the indie pop genre, encapsulating the essence of contemporary womanhood through its intricate soundscapes and lyrical depth. With Hillburg’s decades of experience in the Bay Area’s music scene and a background that boasts collaborations with acts like Shannon and The Clams and The Dodos, her third solo album unfolds as a journey through her evolving artistry with her songwriting, instrumentation, and thematic exploration.
Tired Girls, released on October 13, 2023, by Speakeasy Studios SF, benefits from the collaboration between Hillburg and [...]
Big Boss Man’s latest single, “Das Freak,” from their upcoming album Bossin’ Around, is an eclectic mix of ’60s R’n’B, Soul, Latin, Funk, and Bongo-Hammond-Fuzz. Big Boss Man has carved a niche in the music industry since their inception in 1998. With a rich history of hundreds of concerts and festivals across the UK, Europe, and beyond, their music has not only graced live audiences but has also found a home in film, television, and advertising – notably in the international NIKE WORLD FOOTBALL ’06 campaign and the BAFTA-nominated short film “Sweet” by The Mighty Boosh.
“Das [...]
Val Giamo’s latest album, Stay With Me For Thirty Minutes, released in December 2023, is a musical journey filled with her ability to weave intricate stories through the emotive sounds of solo piano and, piano and cello. Living in Gothenburg, Sweden, Giamo has honed her craft over the years, drawing from a rich array of influences and experiences. From her classical education in Russia to her explorations in various music genres, her work culminates in this album—a narrative journey shared with cellist Axel Vilborg, who joins her for two selections.
The album opens with “Let Us Find A Place,” immediately [...]
Laura Misch Released Sample the Sky on October 13, 2023, by One Little Independent Records, and it turns out to be a captivating auditory expedition through the peripheries of London’s untamed landscapes of electronica-based sounds. This debut album is a collection of songs that will grab your attention with their intimately woven narrative of care, connection, and an acute influence from listening to the whispers of the natural world. Through Sample the Sky, Misch invites listeners into a realm where organic electronic productions, well-penned lyrics, and the breathy echoes of saxophone merge seamlessly with elements of singing and synthesis [...]
In world music, the fusion of traditional forms with contemporary sounds often results in a sound rich in heritage and expression. Fiesta at Caroga, the latest offering from The Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective, is a vibrant program of this synthesis, marrying the rhythms and textures of Afro-Caribbean music with the expansive possibilities of world music. Under the leadership of guitarist Jose Guzman, this octahedron ensemble embarks on a celebratory journey that is sure to get your blood and feet moving.
The album starts with “Descarga 2,” a track that sets the tone with its robust Afro-Caribbean salsa [...]
Sony Classical’s recent unveiling of Venice by cellist Anastasia Kobekina marks a pioneering venture into the depths of classical and baroque music through the lens of Venice’s evocative landscapes. The album displays Kobekina’s unparalleled musicianship and bold journey through a city that has captivated her imagination and artistic exploration. Kobekina, celebrated for her almost overwhelming sincerity and fearless artistry, navigates through this repertoire of twenty-three selections, embracing a range of modern and baroque cello techniques with an imaginative flair that is fascinating.
Venice is a concept album where [...]
María Dueñas’ debut album, Beethoven and Beyond, is an exhilarating musical exposition, illuminating the intricate weaving of virtuosity and expression that characterizes the young violinist’s style. The album’s tour de force lies in its exploration of cadenzas. This musical endeavor amplifies the dynamic interplay between the perennial works of legendary composers and Dueñas’s nuanced, innovative interpretations.
Kicking off the album with Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, Dueñas unveils the musical palette she will [...]
Bonnie Raitt is back with her latest album, Just Like That…, her first album in over six years. The Rock And Roll Hall of Famer continues to draw on all the influences that have shaped her legendary career while simultaneously creating something that articulates the circumstances and challenges of these unprecedented times. Just Like That… was recorded in Sausalito, California, with an all-star band that included two longtime members of Raitt’s band, bassist James “Hutch” Hutchinson and drummer Ricky Fataar, as well as two new musicians, Canadian Glenn Patscha on keyboards and backing vocals and Nashville guitarist Kenny Greenberg. Her longtime [...]
Halestorm has released their album Back From The Dead, which is eleven songs produced by Nick Raskulinecz that takes the listener on a journey through navigating mental health, debauchery, survival, redemption, and rediscovery while still maintaining faith in humanity. Already the title track has earned the band their sixth #1 on Rock Radio. Halestorm has grown from a childhood dream of siblings Lzzy and Arejay Hale into one of the most celebrated rock bands of the last two decades as their music has surpassed a billion streams worldwide. Halestorm is Lzzy Hale on guitar and vocals, with drummer Arejay Hale, guitarist Joe Hottinger, and bass [...]
Battle Beast is releasing their next installment of European power metal with its sixth studio album called Circus of Doom. The female-fronted metal band is buoyant with symphonic metal driven by agile guitar playing and the grit of singer Noora Luohimo. Who has lost none of her fire over the past 9 years. The sextet has created an album that is easy to listen to while still maintaining an aggressive metal edge. The ten songs have many hooks, riffs, and rebellious driving grooves.
The album sports many symphonic metal anthems, the best being the title track, “Circus of Doom.” There is an edge to the song with its aggressive guitar riffs, [...]