As I have been patiently waiting for the full release of Day 2 (currently listed as coming in 2026) it has been very nice to be able to listen to the previously reviewed “I Stayed” which I first heard back in January of this year. Now this second single is out and it definitely continues the run of truly noteworthy music being created by Scorzari and his talented team of musicians.
Starting quietly on guitar with just a whisper of dobro and pedal steel the mood set is kind of a reflective, everyday kind of hopefulness. The matter-of-fact vocal delivery matches that tone and conveys a powerful story of heartfelt tenderness about the ups and downs of life. As was true of Sidereal Days (Day 1) the musical composition of these first two singles from Day 2 really shines, especially in the delicate touches provided by the musicians. Each song has an engaging musical landscape behind it that is just as compelling as Scorzari’s poignant lyrics. I will remain patiently waiting for more of this album to be released.
Vote here to nominate this for my best of 2026 list:
Musicians on this (other than Scorzari on lead vocals and acoustic guitar): Erin Rae (harmony vocal), Marie Lewey (backing vocals), Cindy Richardson Walker (backing vocals), Juan Solorzano (pedal steel), Joshua Britt (mandolin), Brad Tally (dobro), Eamon McLoughlin (fiddle), Chelsea McGough (cello), Danny Mitchell (piano), Michael Rinne (upright acoustic bass), Neilson Hubbard (drums and percussion)
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I just received the news that this new single had dropped a few days ago and it had been a very long time since I heard anything about this band. Long enough in fact that I had to go back and try to figure out what songs I may have listened to from them in the past. That search took me to the 2013 album Disposition and the track “Therapy” which rang a familiar bell. It holds up after all of this time and is worth checking out on their Bandcamp page. My research also brought up mention of a couple EPs that I tracked down on Apple Music (2014’s Cope and 2015’s In Search of Better Places) which look to be the most recent releases from the band other than a couple of singles in the late 2010’s. The song “Stay Dead, Stay Down” off Better Places really struck me due to its stark musical composition and lyrics.
This new single “Afterlife” comes in mellow with a catchy melody over a heavy drum and bass giving a bit of a solemn feeling that echoes the lyrical message of loss in the first verse. The song does not stay in that somber groove though as the chorus has an energetic message of hope and reunion. The bridge is a soaring crescendo of vocal and guitar that crashes over into prominent but desolate keys that ride out the remainder of the track. This is an interesting and engaging song that marks a solid comeback for The Crash Years.
Vote here to nominate this for my best of 2026 list:
Musicians on this are: Joel Cox (vocals, keys), Will Watkins (drums), Tyler Brantley (guitar), Clinton Reed (guitar, bass), Clayton Welborn (guitar)
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 🙂
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 Minnesota band has been kicking out good old rock & roll since their 2021 debut Truth or Dare. If you have time to go back and give that a listen my fav songs there are “Tell Me What You Think You Know” and “Comin’ For You” which both deliver a lot of that good, clean energy you might remember from the 80’s.
Since that first release the band has changed just a little, becoming a three-piece in 2025 after the departure of guitarist John Funk. This new album mostly features songs from Truth or Dare and 2023’s Brand New Day but also includes a new track “Lover” which (as per their Bandcamp page) “is the first single from (their) upcoming third studio album.” The recording is well engineered and produced and the music is the solid rock sounds these guys deliver so well. This is a good starting point also if you are new to this band and want a sampler of their sounds as you wait for that upcoming album.
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 🙂
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 🙂
jack mesenbourg 