by Shannon Smith

Jack White, the former frontman of The White Stripes, released No Name on August 2, 2024. It marks the next step in his solo career with its boundary-pushing sonic adventure, which blends his familiar gritty rock with inventive experimental sounds.

The album opens with “Old Scratch Blues,” built upon blues-inspired guitar riffs and White’s trademark vocal style. The raw, garage-rock energy is paired with lyrics reflecting themes of emotional turbulence and self-reflection.

“Archbishop Harold Holmes” is a track that will catch you off guard with its heavy seventies-styled riff that blends [...]

by Shannon Smith

Jessie Murph’s debut album, That Ain’t No Man That’s The Devil, showcases her approach to today’s songwriting and genre-blending, but her vocal skills are the most impressive. From breath control and pitch to emotional nuance, this 12-track project underscores Murph’s ability to connect deeply with her listeners through emotive voice alone.

Murph’s control is evident throughout the album, particularly in tracks like “I Hope It Hurts.” Here, she moves effortlessly between her chest voice and her upper register, holding sustained notes [...]

by Steven Miller

Found in Space: The Music of Gregg Hill buzzes with the power of collaboration, diversity, and the timeless appeal of jazz as a genre that thrives on collective energy. Trombonist and bandleader Michael Dease, known for his reverence for jazz history and his formidable technique, brings together a stellar group of musicians from different backgrounds, ages, and experiences. This project, guided by the intricate, genre-defying compositions of Gregg Hill, serves as a platform for Dease’s belief that ensembles are at their best when they embrace diversity—racially, gender-wise, and [...]

by Shannon Smith

This summer, country music fans were treated to a compelling new release by Christian Hayes, a rising star from Rome, Georgia. His single, “Cheyenne,” stands out in the summer heat in the country music landscape.

Hayes, known as “The Lullaby Kid” due to his ability to blend raw emotion with soothing melodies, brings an authenticity to his music that resonates with listeners. His songwriting, honed since childhood, draws from experiences of love, loss, and longing. Each section of “Cheyenne” feels like a diary entry, with Hayes inviting listeners to share in his [...]

by Steven Miller

Jesus Molina is a 27-year-old prodigious talent from Sincelejo, Colombia, who has established himself as a force in the jazz world. A Berklee College of Music alumnus and Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation award winner, Molina’s multifaceted musicianship spans piano, keyboards, soprano saxophone, and vocals. His latest album, Selah, released on May 24, 2024, under Dynamo Productions, is a spiritual and musical journey that brings listeners into a realm where jazz fusion meets divine inspiration.

Selah, a term derived from Hebrew, often interpreted as “praise” or “lift,” is the perfect title for [...]

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, [...]