Browsing Category

Blues Music Blog & Promotion

Meet the ultimate aural debonair in Emanuel Edner’s artfully slick pop hit, My Dear

Posted on 19 April 2024

If The Last Dinner Party added one more guest, based on the zanily baroque theatrics in the title single, My Dear, from his debut EP, Emanuel Edner would be the guest of honour.

Edner, who deserves to go down in history as the ultimate aural debonair, created the ultimate equilibrium between dark and twisted musical theatre and a slick electro-pop aesthetic that would be equally at home in the Kraftwerk discography.

As the track progresses, the synth-swathed groove pockets deepen with the licks of funk and modernised blues, refusing to fit within the parameters of pigeonholes in the process. Yet, it is the Stockholm-born singer-songwriter’s charismatic character which refuses to leave the centre stage that becomes the standout source of magnetism within My Dear, which takes a Machiavellian devil may care approach to mourning a breakup.

It’s impossible not to get caught up in the feverish zealous retro-futuristic energy within My Dear; Emanuel Edner isn’t a talent you would want to underestimate.

Stream the MY DEAR EP in full via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jon Fritz – Cold Hard Rain: A Soulful Storm of Genre-Defying Rock Reverie

Posted on 15 April 2024

When it rains, it pours, and in Cold Hard Rain, the latest single from the singer-songwriter and touring troubadour Jon Fritz, the soulful rock reverie pours deliciously.

After an intro of layered gospel-esque harmonies, Cold Hard Rain sells vintage indie rock sanctuary; the bluesy guitar bends carve chemistry across the upbeat rhythm section as Jon Fritz vocalises in the middle ground beyond college radio rock and grunge. Vedder himself couldn’t have performed this release better.

There are expansive releases; then there are singles that refuse to inhibit themselves by following genre constraints and register as pure unbridled communications from the soul; Cold Hard Rain cascades into the latter camp with the blissfully constructed melodies that turn on a dime between 90s nostalgia, 80s soaring solos and 70s rock n roll stripes. It is within these cohesive confluences that John Fritz truly shines; try as you might, there’s no resisting being injected by the rugged euphoria which resounds in the rhythmic downpour of Cold Hard Rain.

Cold Hard Rain was officially released on April 4th; stream the single on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Be a (Bar)Fly on the Wall with Jude & The Strangers’ Standout Single Beggar’s Tavern

Posted on 10 April 2024
vhttps://youtu.be/lkQ5-JY2qsQ?si=_iyY6k5qhmczSu_v

Some tracks ensnare you with hooks, others dig to the depths of your soul; Beggar’s Tavern by Jude & The Strangers dug into the trenches of the latter camp.

Imagine sinking beers with Bukowski, drinking in the sanctifying feeling of listening to Journey, experiencing the panoramically artistic gravitas of Father John Misty, and getting your blues rock licks as a courtesy of the Black Keys simultaneously, then you’ll get an idea of what this era-spanning Tour De Force delivers.

With all the infectious charisma of Jim Jones himself, singer-songwriter Aiden Jude doesn’t just command attention, he drenches his work in kinetic emotion. With a sonic iteration of a borstal breakout to conclude the single, it’s safe to say we’re beyond desperate to hear the rest of the Beggar’s Tavern LP which will arrive in May 2023. The New Jersey music scene won’t know what has hit it after the launch.

Beggar’s Tavern is now available to stream on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Backwoods Creek delivered the ultimate Southern soul-rock anthem ‘Alright’

Posted on 15 March 2024

Sensing cynicism in the universal waters, Backwoods Creek prescribed a potent dose of optimism with their latest single, ‘Alright’. The refreshing take on bluesy soul-swathed Southern rock played fast and loose with the genre constraints while keeping the instrumental arrangement tight enough to unravel as every rock-inclined muso’s wet dream.

Part lyrical mantra, part musical Tour De Force, the UK-based quintet exhibited ‘Alright’ as a masterclass in balancing raw, overdriven guitars and whiskey-soaked vocals with an undercurrent of hope and redemption. It’s a track that carries the dynamic energy of power pop while remaining true to its bluesy rock and roll roots.

The virtuosic cohesion of the instrumentals showcases their skill and chemistry, honed through years of friendship and collaboration, and you don’t have to buy tickets to their live shows (even though you really should) to witness their infectious energy performance energy; the band’s electrifying aura is perfectly captured in this track.

No one can deny that while life is on a downward trajectory hearing everything will be alright prises ennui out of your perception. This life-affirming hit goes beyond reassurance –  it’s transformative.

Alright will hit the airwaves on March 15; check out the release via the official Backwoods Creek website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Martin Packwood wrapped his latest jazz fusion, Moonlight in Paris, in the warmth of the Parisian night

Posted on 15 March 2024

Martin Packwood’s latest single, Moonlight in Paris, is a scintillatingly smooth journey through the streets of jazz fusion, where every note feels like a step along the Seine under a starlit sky. This amorous installation unravels as a sensory expedition, wrapped in the warmth of a Parisian night.

Packwood’s guitar work, reminiscent of the bluesy soulfulness of Eric Clapton, intertwines effortlessly with the jazz keys. The bluesy guitar notes, like whispers of a distant love affair, meld with percussive fills that don’t just give the score structure, they fill Moonlight in Paris with anticipation.  Each progression in the track teases the listener not unlike the narrative arc of a classic romance.

The genius of Packwood lies in his ability to draw from a diverse palette of influences. His style, a confluence of Santana’s rhythmic mastery and the improvisational spirit of jazz, makes Moonlight in Paris a track that transcends mere auditory experience. It’s a piece that paints pictures, evoking the filmic aura of a David Lynch creation.

This release, following Packwood’s consistent contributions to the jazz-rock fusion domain, confirms his place as a sculptor of soundscapes rather than just a musician. Moonlight in Paris is a nocturnal stroll through the heart of jazz fusion, leaving listeners with a longing for just one more night in the city of lights.

Moonlight in Paris will officially release on March 15; stream the single on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

GETNER enriched the Manchester music scene with their expansively influenced Rock n Roll debut, White Walls

Posted on 8 March 2024

Manchester’s newest band of prodigal sons, GETNER, modernised vintage rock n roll tones with the shaking, rattling and rolling reverence in their debut single, White Walls.

With a rhythmic undercurrent reminiscent of The Undertones, an injection of Irish rock roots, garage-y blues rock nostalgia in the same vein as the Jim Jones Revue through the shimmering organ timbres and the barely tamed guitar riffs, White Walls is an expansively influenced Rock n Roll tour de force that asserts GETNER as one of the most promising Manchester bands on the scene.

By thriving on the unique sonic proclivities that each of the four members brought to the table, the band of superlatively talented artists ensured that White Walls hit the airwaves hard enough to bruise it. Feel the impact and be a part of GETNER’s inevitable ascent.

Stream the official music video for White Walls via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Bruce Mack is at the vanguard of fusionism’s new frontier with ‘Silent Witness’

Posted on 1 March 2024

Bruce Mack, a stalwart of the New York music scene, obliterated the boundaries of sound with his latest fusionist Tour-De-Soulful-Force, Silent Witness, which epitomises his flair in blending genres into a seamless sonic soul-stirrer.

Silent Witness is served with soul-infused grooves, blues-laced interstellar melodies, and hip-hop with funk-infused rhythms, and unravels as a revelation in fusionism which entwines elements of the past to forge new innovative sonic trajectories. Every progression in the song is a lesson in avant-garde experimentalism, yet it’s the cohesive, melodious nature of this multi-faceted hit that ensnares the listener. The lyrics which compel the listener to lean deeper into the nuances of the world’s vibrations also signify the artist’s relevance and value in an era that is becoming increasingly out of kilter with our inherent nature.

Mack’s journey in music is as diverse as the sounds he creates. From his early days with doo-wop aspirations to his expansive work with various ensembles and collaborations with artists like Vernon Reid and Melvin Van Peebles, his creative evolution is evident in every note of Silent Witness. His tenure with Greg Tate’s Burnt Sugar the Arkestra Chamber has further honed his skills in creating music that’s not just heard but felt.

Silent Witness will be available to stream on all major platforms from March 1st. Stream the single on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jack Cade – The Glitter Around Your Eyes: Achingly Affecting Americana

Posted on 21 February 2024
Bewilderland by Jack Cade and the Everyday Sinners

If you always turn to Cohen, Waits and Nick Cave for sonic solace, redirect your quest for sanctity toward Jack Cade’s folk-meets-alt-country LP, Bewilderland.

His gruff baritone notes against Helen Muggeridge’s glassy-with-soul harmonies create a heart-wrenchingly sentimental dynamic in the standout single, The Glitter Around Your Eyes. Like all of the most affecting love songs, the alchemic feat of Americana lyrically locks into the minute details of affection to elucidate how deep in the veins the affection runs.

Around the bluesy guitar bends, honkytonk piano keys that give the track a touch of the 70s and the roots-wrapped tones as a courtesy of the slide guitar, the two vocalists portray a hesitant yet fervent testament of passion which reaches the epitome of compelling. Slow dance to it, cry your heart out to it as you mourn lost loves, or make it a playlist staple; whatever you do, don’t pass up on this timelessly touching serenade from the UK-hailing conduit of candour.

The Glitter Around Your Eyes was officially released on January 26th; stream the single and Jack Cade’s seminal LP, Bewilderland, on Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Cat Rian conjured smoky Americana alchemy in her latest single, Read the Room

Posted on 2 February 2024

Cat Rian cast an arcanely bluesy spell in her latest synthesis of country, soul, pop, and feminine firepower, Read the Room. The Las Vegas singer-songwriter delivered a fatal shot to the kinds of protagonists who only get anywhere in life through manipulation. The demure, smoky refrain of “read the room, it’s the least you can do” is an olive branch of catharsis to anyone who has ever felt the frustration of dealing with someone with no boundaries or self-awareness to compel them to step away after the damage is done.

The flawless command of her sultry vocal lines atop the organic luxe grooves allows you to slip into an alchemic sonic experience; one which evokes a sense of emboldened empowerment. Read the Room is right on brand for Cat Rian. Who, along with fronting resident bands at notorious landmarks on the Las Vegas strip, has also teamed up with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, donated proceeds from her song, You are Strong, and headlined the Anti-Bullying School Tour.

As she continues to stake her claim in the industry, she’s determined to bring others to a position of power. She’s an icon in every conceivable way.

Read the Room will be able to stream on all major platforms from February 2nd. Stream it on here first.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Embrace the Chaos of the Soul with Wayne Wei’s Instant RnB Classic, Out of Control

Posted on 21 January 2024

Wayne Wei’s single Out of Control is a timelessly engrossing neo-pop masterpiece. With its staccato chords that luminously shimmer and pop and the enrichment of Wei’s vocal lines which draw you into a world where romanticism and retro timbres coalesce, the track is a testament to Wei’s organic magnetism as a sonic expressionist. The bluesy waltzing melodies lift the spirit beyond any known construct, embodying the essence of Wei’s unique musical vision.

Each element of Out of Control contributes to its overarching allure. The song is a standout track from Wei’s debut EP Cloud Chaser, which encapsulates the beauty found in life’s chaotic moments. Wei’s role as a multi-instrumentalist and producer shines through in this self-produced triumph, highlighting his ability to craft a sound that is both intricate and emotionally resonant.

Describing Out of Control as perfect might seem like hyperbole, but its impact on the mind, soul, body, and rhythmic pulses is undeniable. It’s a track that transcends the boundaries of conventional music, leaving the listener in a state of awe and admiration. Wei’s skill in blending high-calibre production with organic musical elements results in a piece that resonates with the listener long after the final note has played.

Rich in texture and depth, Out of Control promises a bright future for the NY-based Chinese artist. His ability to stay true to his romanticism of retro sounds, while pushing the boundaries of contemporary music, makes this track a must-listen for anyone seeking a truly unique musical journey.

Stream Out of Control as part of the Cloud Chaser EP, which hit the airwaves on January 5th on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast