by Steven Miller

Alexandra Dariescu, a Romanian pianist renowned for her technical skill and innovative programming, has released an album featuring the piano concertos of Clara Schumann and Edvard Grieg. Clara Schumann and Edvard Grieg Piano Concertos, released under the Signum label, present a fresh take on these classical masterpieces, offering a blend of youthful exuberance and deep emotional resonance that mirrors Dariescu’s artistic journey.

Dariescu’s choice to feature Clara Schumann’s Piano Concerto is particularly compelling. Composed when Schumann was still a teenager, [...]

by Shannon Smith

Montréal’s Kee Avil, known for her intricate blend of avant-pop, post-industrial sensibilities, and experimental folk, returns with her sophomore album, Spine. This record, a follow-up to her critically acclaimed debut, Crease, presents a fascinating evolution in her sonic landscape, offering listeners a raw, stripped-back experience that still pulses with her signature intensity. Where Crease was a labyrinthine journey through dense, gothic atmospheres, Spine focuses on the tension between simplicity and complexity, human frailty and machine precision.

Spine unfolds as an exercise in controlled minimalism, with each track [...]

by Steven Miller

Since hitting the rock scene in the 80s with the band Guns N’ Roses, Slash’s guitar work has always been synonymous with a particular kind of raw, unfiltered energy—a tone that straddles the line between controlled aggression and melodic eloquence. With Orgy of the Damned, his latest offering, Slash steps away from the high-energy terrain of hard rock and dives headfirst into the rich, muddy waters of the blues. Released on May 17, 2024, under Gibson Records and Sony Music, this album is a collection of classic covers; it’s a homage to the genre that lies at the very foundation of rock ‘n’ [...]

by Steven Miller

Nic Vardanega’s New Beginning is a solid project by an Australian-born guitarist and composer, now a seasoned New Yorker. The album consists of eight of his compositions that explores personal and universal themes of renewal and growth. Performed as a trio with Ben Allison on bass and Allan Mednard on drums, Vardanega’s third album delves into the essence of guitar, bass, and drum trios, a format that has long inspired him.

The album opens with the title track, a vibrant piece that showcases Vardanega’s adept melodic lines and intricate chordal structures. The Latin-infused rhythms and rich textures [...]

by Shannon Smith

Lane 8 brings a refreshing and emotive twist to Virtual Self’s “Ghost Voices” with his latest remix, featured on the fifth anniversary compilation album V by This Never Happened, released in July 2024.. This remix not only showcases Lane 8’s production prowess but also highlights his ability to infuse tracks with a unique blend of atmospheric and chill vibes. This track exemplifies Lane 8’s signature style, blending atmospheric soundscapes with engaging beats, sounds, and synths that appeal to avid listeners and those seeking a chill background ambiance.

Virtual Self, an alias of renowned [...]

by Steven Miller

In the vast forest of bluegrass music, a mighty poplar has emerged, firmly rooted in tradition while reaching for new heights. This self-titled debut from the bluegrass supergroup Mighty Poplar brings together five of the genre’s most esteemed musicians, each contributing their unique flavor to a harmonious whole.

Mighty Poplar consists of an all-star lineup: Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse on vocals and mandolin, Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers on banjo and guitar respectively, Greg Garrison of Leftover Salmon on bass, and Alex Hargreaves, currently touring with Billy Strings, on fiddle. This [...]