What a time to be alive in the realm of music! Where most pop artists are pouring out carbon copies of a sound that’s as stale as last week’s bread, Madison Beer breaks through the fog like a breath of fresh mountain air. Let’s talk about her latest album, Silence Between Songs, a project that is breathing life into pop while offering us something tantalizingly close to transformation. Grab your smartphones and open your favorite streaming app, because we’re about to take a whimsical journey into Beer’s sonic wonderland.
Madison Beer’s sophomore album is fresh off the Epic Records press, and its [...]
Marc Ribot—the polymath guitarist and inveterate activist—alongside bassist Shahzad Ismaily and drummer Ches Smith, concoct this musical potion called Connection. Now, for those innocent in the Marc Ribot experience: envision a man on a guitar wielding it like Thor’s hammer, only with dexterity that defies the confines of musical genres. Oh, they’ve got guests, too—each one an ingredient adding zesty overtones to the already dynamic album.
“Connection” kicks the door wide open with a rambunctious two-note riff that tunes into a [...]
Book of Secrets, the illustrious new album from the renowned composer and saxophonist Patrick Cornelius, is an entrancing mosaic of stories told through the art of sound. For those acquainted with Cornelius’s storied past – two decades of flourishing artistry in the heart of New York and accolades including multiple mentions as a “Rising Star” in DownBeat Magazine – this latest endeavor serves as an added expression of his evolving brilliance.
The ensemble supporting Cornelius is exquisite, reflecting both his past and present musings. These skilled [...]
Manchester, a historic music hub, routinely delivers groundbreaking artists to the global stage. Every decade, its streets echo with the sound of a new band ready to etch their legacy. This decade, that roar comes from guitarist and singer-songwriter, Ashley Sherlock, with his debut album Just A Name, released under Ruf Records. The album encapsulates the powerful synergy of Sherlock’s telepathic blues-rock trio, shaped by the ever-vibrant Charlie Rachael Kay on bass and the dynamic Danny Rigg on drums.
The inception of this band, as recalled by Ashley, is reminiscent [...]
Ah, the intoxicating aroma of cultural confluence! Picture this: You’re navigating through the labyrinthine streets of a city that’s both old-world romantic and cosmopolitan—a musical cityscape, if you will. Every turn introduces you to a new melody, and each twist reveals a distinct rhythm. Now, imagine all of these sounds converging into a harmonious world music song, alive and pulsating. Welcome to “Encuentro Theme,” the latest gem from Haitian jazz pianist Reginald Policard and Cameroonian [...]
On August 1, 2023, Albany Records unveiled a masterful tapestry of sound and emotion with the release of From Method to Madness: The American Sound. This exquisite recording is a collaborative effort between longtime friends and accomplished musicians, cellist Clancy Newman and pianist Natalie Zhu. Both artists have journeyed through deeply personal musical trajectories, and their shared album is a celebration of American composers, innovative methods, and a dynamic understanding of music.
The conception of this album is almost serendipitous. Born out [...]
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, [...]