If you run back in time to 2006 you can find a song called “Taking Its Toll” from Blue Roses by Smile Smile. I am not sure how I ever came across that song but it has this wonderfully slow, melancholy kind of vibe that made an impression on me. That band was a joint project between Hamilton and Jencey Hirunrusme that also released a couple other records between 2006 and 2012. After that Hamilton went on to other endeavors including Ryan Hamilton and the Harlequin Ghosts. Their album This Is The Sound is a solid 12-song set from 2019 with my favorite selection being “All Fall Down” and the title track a close second.
This new single (just out on February 20th via Wicked Cool Records) has a short little organ intro before bumping up quickly to a pretty groovy alt-rock style that gets you toe-tapping along right away. The vocal track is front and center with lyrics that mange to wrap some humor around a deeper theme of struggling with faith and what to do about it. This is a nice preview also for an expected upcoming album from Hamilton.
Vote here to nominate this for my best of 2026 list:
Just a few ideas if you have the time: purchase music when you can as streaming does not pay much even times a thousand, support and get to know your local community, live well and be a good neighbor 🙂
I had not heard of this artist before Adam Dawson at Broken Jukebox Media reached out with the opportunity to listen to Better Times before it officially releases on April 17th. After spending a bunch of enjoyable time on the album’s ten songs I also checked out Payne’s 2025 EP Coyote Howlin Blues. I would recommend that as a way to introduce yourself to this singer-songwriter as you wait for the album to come out. My favorite there is “Spiderhouse Blues” but the entire EP is solid.
The Better Times album leads off with the title track which is a simple yet elegant country tune with a lilting acoustic guitar melody and a spare, earnest vocal. There is also a wonderfully mournful pedal steel weaving around the arrangement. The next song “Heartsick” kicks off a double run (which also includes “Down in the Valley”) of country-blues style rompers full of twangy guitars and thumping bass lines. There are some really cool resonator guitar moments also especially on “Heartsick.”
The fourth track “Adilena” provides a nice tempo change and is a stripped down tune with a yearning vocal that evokes picturesque imagery as a backdrop to unrealized love. “Name” is up next (very guitar forward with nice resonator tone giving a very vintage bluegrass edge) and is followed by the introspective “My Father’s Son.”
The opening melody of the album’s seventh song “Kid” has a great Americana feel to it and adds in a healthy dose of harmonica to fill out the sound. Stylistically the next track “Silhouette of Branches” is a close cousin to “Kid” and they both have lyrics that cover some pretty deep topics of personal loss and struggle.
I am always interested in well done “quiet songs,” those that have bare bones arrangements and a subdued tone but still deliver power and meaning in a very graceful way. “Slip Through Me” is a great example of these qualities in action. Payne’s vocal track, tinted with nostalgia and accompanied by a stark acoustic guitar, delivers a poignant, introspective message. It is my favorite on this album. The final track “Terlingua” is a mellow but moving end cap for this ten song set.
The songwriting by Payne on this entire album is poetic and straightforward, delivering characters and places that are very vibrant and real. He has a talent for spelling out the struggles and trials of life, along with a few triumphs, in a way that is very relatable. The musical arrangements, although not intricate or complicated, are performed very well by the talented musicians (see below) and in a way that brings feeling to every note. Better Times is a solid collection of raw, heartfelt songs that blend county, bluegrass and a bit of blues to very good effect.
Vote here to nominate this for my best of 2026 list:
Other musicians on this are: Marty Muse (pedal steel, resonator), Kevin Smith (bass), James Stevens (harmony vocals, percussion).
Just a few ideas if you have the time: purchase music when you can as streaming does not pay much even times a thousand, support and get to know your local community, live well and be a good neighbor 🙂
This band traces back to 2023 for me when I heard the song “Sicker” off their debut album Breathe. That track was full of some furious guitar work and a heavy, thundering rhythm groove. I have not followed along in their progress as closely as I probably should have but I did get a chance to hear their 2024 EP eup•nea which has some very nice acoustic versions of five selections off that debut album.
Although much of Melonball’s music has political overtones and foundation (which everyone can have their own opinion about of course) the solid musical arrangements of the songs and skills of the musicians are always on display. This particular track (part of their upcoming album Take Care) is a step away from their more prominent themes as it centers specifically on personal relationships. The song has a classic clean vocal intro with a simple backing melody that feels very exposed and unguarded. After about forty seconds it jumps into a fast, drum heavy cycle that is like a rush of hectic adrenaline. Oli’s vocals are as powerful as ever throughout the song and do a nice job of alternating between vulnerability and boldness. Overall, this is a great rocker with a bit of a punky edge to it.
Album to be released via Thousand Islands Records / Rookie Records on February 27th
Vote here to nominate this for my best of 2026 list:
Musicians on this are: Oli (vocals), Tommy (drums), Basti (guitar, backing vocals), Jens (bass) and Vik (guitar, backing vocals)
Just a few ideas if you have the time: purchase music when you can as streaming does not pay much even times a thousand, support and get to know your local community, live well and be a good neighbor 🙂
Always watchful for new music from this great San Francisco band I caught this single when it dropped on January 23rd and have been having a good time listening to it. As with all things Tess & The Details this track is packed with plenty of energy, volume and edginess. There is some very nice guitar work on this one that really punches through a tight and loud rhythm section. The vocals are delivered by Tess Stevens with a soft tone that belies the message being delivered. Overall, this is a song with a brash, pop-punk groove that will quickly have you stomping your feet and singing along.
Vote here to nominate this for my best of 2026 list:
Please let me know your opinion also in the comment section below
Just a few ideas if you have the time: purchase music when you can as streaming does not pay much even times a thousand, support and get to know your local community, live well and be a good neighbor 🙂
Getting the email from Mike at Earshot Media about this single dropping on January 20th was one of those strange coincidental moments. I had actually been listening to Classy Punk for Trashy People (Crimson Riot’s 2019 album) a few days before it arrived. That all came about courtesy of yet another Apple Music “chase the next suggested band” session after I had started with the great Minneapolis group Banner Pilot (jump on Collapser when you get a chance). After a couple more turns I arrived at Classy Punk and was pretty impressed both with the unique quality of Gunn’s voice and also the straightforward direction and clarity of sound that only a talented three piece band can deliver. I picked that album up on Bandcamp and had looped through it a few times when I got the chance to hear this new release.
“Cross The Line” has one of those great soaring guitar beginnings that gets you pumped up right away. It steps down just a little bit for the verse bars although the rhythm groove from a very punchy bass and choppy drum line keep much energy flowing. The vocals are delivered with Gunn’s characteristic strength and edginess to round out a well-crafted alt-punk song.
One more quick recommendation about this band – check out “St James Gate” (off 2020’s It Took An Apocalypse) …yes, it is another song about Guinness and related stuff but this one is quite good…have not heard the entire album yet but I will be hoping to get to it soon.
Vote here to nominate this for my best of 2026 list:
Musicians on this are: Chris Reject (bass, vocals), Roxy Gunn (guitar, vocals) and Ryan J (drums)
Stream this now in your usual places and check the video:
The full album (via Leg Lamp Records) is due to drop March 20th – Pre-order for Third Time’s A Charm now open here:
Just a few ideas if you have the time: purchase music when you can as streaming does not pay much even times a thousand, support and get to know your local community, live well and be a good neighbor 🙂
Photo by Jess Jacob / Album artwork by Jolien Wilke
I had a pretty cool moment on a recent Tuesday when Mike from Sweet Beef Agency in San Diego reached out to me with a chance to preview this album (which has since been released on 01.30…no waiting for you if you want to check it out right away). As this was a new artist to me the brief bio Mike included on Berang was a big help. This is a solo project of Belgian singer-songwriter Bert Janssens who “plays heartfelt indie folk with a punk soul.” That sounded like an interesting combination to explore so away I went on several run throughs of this release.
There is a definite folk music heart to all of the songs on Does It Ever Get Better? Even when the tempos are up a bit you can feel it coming through. The lead-off track “The Least Fortunate Timeline” has an eerie, almost mystical first twenty seconds before a yearning vocal cuts in over electrical guitar. Drums soon follow and this one runs on a pretty punchy rhythm the remainder of the way with just a few pauses that almost seem like moments of reflection.
The next two tracks, “Specific Ways of Being” (a boisterous number that fits right into the alt-rock genre) and “Valère” (heavier guitar tone here and pointed lyrics…and those drums are awesome!) lead you to “Don’t Keep Your Soul So Close.” This song is a change of gears that steps down the volume considerably and simplifies the instrumentation. I think it plays well in this spot on the set list and hands off well to “You’ll Be Alright,” which is a softer tune also and has a light, charming melody. Standby for a bit of a ten second cosmic breakdown though around the 2:40 mark…a super interesting moment you are going to have to listen to for yourself to understand.
The second half of the album kicks off with the title track which comes in with a bit of a punky edge and then runs in a pop-rock groove the rest of the way. There is a nice little harmonica moment on this one also and overall it is one of those songs that sticks with you after listening. Next up is “Safe and Satisfied” (a breathy ballad focused around a soft, looping acoustic guitar melody) followed by “A Form of Encouragement” (an infectious, guitar-charged number that I took positive energy from…although I have not quite figured out if it is intended that way…I’ll keep listening).
Next up is “Fair Winds and Following Seas” a track with a dual-personalty that I think is great and which makes it my favorite on the album. This is very much a simple folk song for the first 1:36, slow tempo and a poignant, heavy guitar sound with heartfelt vocals. It can kind of lull you into a dreamy world which is swiftly turned around via a short bridge (distorted guitar and thundering drums) that transforms the music. The second half of this song comes out fast and loud, overlaid by a buzzy, warm bass line. A very cool example of how you can use song arrangement and composition to achieve a unique result and a great song. The album closes out with “Support Of Any Kind” which is a pretty straightforward alt-rocker with some nice guitar moments added in. It serves as a nice coda, echoing the general groove of the album while adding a touch of nostalgia and hope.
This album is a noteworthy release and one that I think you will enjoy if you give it a listen. Berang is clearly an artist with a lot of “real person performing meaningful music with conviction” running through his veins. I will be keeping my ears open going forward.
If you have an extra hour to check it out there is a video on YouTube of a live stream with Berang – pretty cool to watch. It is definitely a solid singer-songwriter set and the sincerity as he performs is notable. You can even see and hear some of the “punk spirit” referenced at the top of this review. The video also includes some backstory for songs on Does It Ever Get Better?
Vote here to nominate this for my best of 2026 list:
Additional musicians on this: David Van den Bosch (drums) and Maarten Iterbeke (bass)
Just a few ideas if you have the time: purchase music when you can as streaming does not pay much even times a thousand, support and get to know your local community, live well and be a good neighbor 🙂
My first exposure to this band was back sometime in 2018 or 2019 when I heard “Casualty Friday” off the 2015 album Appetite for Reconstruction. That song was highlighted by a very heavy rhythm groove that lent a bit of a doom vibe to what is already some great thrash metal sounds. That track, and the entire album itself, has a bit more of a stripped down feel to it and lacks (for better or worse depending on your POV) some of the added chaotic refinement of their later work. Another song (which I consider to be one of their all-time best) on Reconstruction is “Knuckleduster” and includes the fantastic lyric:
“So pardon me for choosing sides, I put the I in team, It’s amazing how jealousy can turn self- preservation into vanity.”
The upcoming album from SkyTigers …Injustice For All is set to drop February 6, 2026 (on Sound Investment Records) and I had the good fortune to preview it through Mike Cubillos at Earshot Media. To describe this album as twenty-five minutes of unrelenting fury would be a severe understatement. The first single “Immortelevision” is available now and you should check it out (see below) for an introduction to what this band is bringing to the table this time around. The energy comes from all sources here with passionate vocals, driving drums, loud distorted guitars and a power-packed bass line. The nine songs are a bit chaotic for sure but it has structure and definition also…a good balance that gives you all the power without becoming a jangled up mess (…and we know…it can happen if you are not careful…). A couple other favorites of mine on Injustice are: “Rubble Without a Cause” (cool sonic opening moments and the guitars are just fantastic) and “Spared No Expense” (clear, prominent vocal line and very nice guitar solo included). They also bring back “Casualty Friday” here and it is a nice redux (even though I prefer the original but I am always stuck in vintage land as we know…).
Just a few ideas if you have the time: purchase music when you can as streaming does not pay much even times a thousand, support and get to know your local community, live well and be a good neighbor 🙂
Having spent plenty of time listening to Sidereal Days (Day 1) since it came out I was excited to see the press release from Dreamspider Publicity on January 23rd that this new single had dropped. Also, even though the actual release date for the full Day 2 album is currently September 25th my understanding is that there will be a single out each month until then…so definitely something to look forward to along the way.
You only have to read the list of musicians (below) to understand you are in for a treat and pushing play brings that thought to life. The music here is delicately crafted, gentle in tone but with a sharp acoustic melody poking through like pinpricks of pain. The big acoustic bass plays so well in this song also, a heartbeat offset by the drum line. Like all of Scorzari’s lyrics the ones here are right from the heart, raw and stark as they weave a story of love lost.
This is a great first single to hear off of Sidereal Days (Day 2) and I will be looking forward to more music from the album soon.
Musicians on this are: Bill Scorzari (acoustic guitar, vocals), Erin Rae (harmony vocals), Marie Lewey (backing vocals), Cindy Richardson Walker (backing vocals), Juan Solorzano (pedal steel), Danny Mitchell (piano, Hammond B3 organ), Chelsea McGough (cello), Eamon McLoughlin (violin), Michael Rinne (upright acoustic bass) and Neilson Hubbard (drums, percussion).
Just a few ideas if you have the time: purchase music when you can as streaming does not pay much even times a thousand, support and get to know your local community, live well and be a good neighbor 🙂
Sometimes it can be very cool to step back into a musical moment from your past and re-experience a bit of those special rhythms, grooves and beats. This new single from ghostbells has some good fresh energy to it but definitely throws back to the electronic dance sounds of the 80’s. The first couple of times listening to this song I had a few flashbacks to some rather interesting times in Tijuana. All of those nights were fueled by entrancing waves of bass and synthesizer played loud and accompanied by those wonderful flashing stage lights. This track has all the heavy rhythm you could want blended well into a relentless techno framework.
This band was new to me and they have a pretty cool back story on getting to this point in their journey. As detailed in the press release from Earshot Media:
“ghostbells’ rise has been anything but conventional. After spending nearly two years writing, recording, and filming videos before approaching labels, the band signed to Out of Line Music in June 2025 with nearly two albums’ worth of material already completed. Just weeks later, with no released music and newly launched social media, they made their live debut at Poland’s Castle Party Festival.”
I have also recently heard that this full EP is going to be out February 5th via Out of Line Music. You can get a pre-order for the CD here:
Just a few ideas if you have the time: purchase music when you can as streaming does not pay much even times a thousand, support and get to know your local community, live well and be a good neighbor 🙂
Having had a chance to preview the first single off this album (“Time Machine”) I was excited to see the press release about this upcoming EP which is set to drop February 20th on Gold Ship Records. I was definitely curious about what the rest of the music would sound like and was not disappointed when I gave Revisions a listen.
Opening on “I Wish You Well” (which is also the second single and out now) the EP starts soft and slow with a gentle guitar melody. That leads into some prominent drums which sound heavy but manage to retain a little lightness…kind of an emotional beat. That general tone carries through the first 2:20 of the song accompanied by an airy vocal. The bridge has a faster rhythm to it with a kick drum and bass guitar giving an impression of running out toward something. Then the vocal comes back in and it all crashes gloriously to a rising finish.
“Surrendered Notions” (a bouncy, energetic blast with soaring guitars later in the song that feel like they touch the sky) is followed by “Liar” (a mellow but infectious track complemented by more great guitars) and then the previously released “Time Machine.”
The fifth song “Misinformed” is a nice change of pace from the general tone of this EP. It has a bit of an alt-pop groove that runs along nicely for the first two and a half minutes before switching gears to a booming finish that has a bit of controlled chaos about it. The album then finishes on “Scaredy Cat” which might seem long at 5:20 but I found it to hold together well all the way through. Overall, the six selections on Revisions make up a memorable set of alternative rock music especially if you like it served with well-crafted sonic guitar moments.
Musicians on this are: Tyler Schlagenhauf (vocals, guitar), Tim Fahlen (guitar), Tony Caruso (bass) and Jason Guadalupe (drums)
You can stream their new single “I Wish You Well” here:
Just a few ideas if you have the time: purchase music when you can as streaming does not pay much even times a thousand, support and get to know your local community, live well and be a good neighbor 🙂
Please let me know your opinion also in the comment section below
jack mesenbourg 