Happy First Friday! Hope you’ve all had a good week after the Monday holiday, and are ready for the weekend. Here are five albums being released today for your consideration.
Artist Name: Gaelynn Lea
Album Name: Learning How to Stay
Label: Self-released
Genre: Singer-songwriter Pop
Track Listing: 1. Bound by a Thread; 2. Dark to Light and Dark Again; 3. I See it Too; 4. Jim & Judy’s Wedding (Larry Unger); 5. Lost in the Woods; 6. The Last Three Feet; 7. Someday We’ll Linger in the Sun; 8. I Wait; 9. Grace and a Tender Hand; 10. Metsakukkia; 11. Moment of Bliss
Publicist: Self-promoted
Review: We met the delightful Gaelynn Lea at last month’s Traveler’s Rest Festival, and found her to be one of the kindest and most humble artists we have ever encountered. She was launched into the national spotlight after toiling in the dark for 20 years when she won the 2016 NPR Tiny Desk Contest, and she is truly worthy of the attention. Her performance at Traveler’s Rest brought down the house, and three members of The Decemberists and the vocalists from Lenore joined her for her finale. Her new album is likewise incredible. She starts off slow and easy on “Bound by A Thread” before cranking it up with the upbeat “Dark to Light and Dark Again.” She truly sums it up with her lines, “No matter how far we have climbed, we can not do it on our own.” Her violin playing is without equal, and our dream collaboration would have her playing a song with I’m With Her’s Sara Watkins. “I See it Too” will bring you to happy tears, while the stirring instrumental “Jim & Judy’s Wedding” will make you want to waltz across the floor. We could go on and on about this incredible album, but suffice it to say that all of her songs are so inspirational that you will want to hear them over and over again. Put this one on repeat – you’ll thank me later!
Recommendation: If you buy only one album in the next 10 years, it simply has to be this one. Get it now!
Artist Name: Lil’ Red & The Rooster
Album Name: Soul Burnin’
Label: Self-released
Genre: Blues
Track Listing: 1. Soul Burnin’ Wrong; 2. Catch the Train; 3. Listen; 4. Narcissistic Blues; 5. Coq a Doodlin’; 6. Black Cat Fever; 7. Respect Your Sisters; 8. Tic Toc; 9. Hey Mister Mister; 10. Big Boy Boogie; 11. Chicken Scratch; 12. Occupy my Mind
Publicist: ABIK Radio Promotions
Review: Lil’ Red & The Rooster have their own brand of the blues that incorporates some Americana (“Soul Burning’ Wrong,” “Hey Mister Mister,” “Chicken Scratch”) and jazz (“Listen,” “Black Cat Fever,” “Tic Toc,” “Occupy my Mind”), giving it a rich and full sound. They also provide some killer blues guitar, that makes you want to hear these songs again and again. And if traditional blues is what you want, there is plenty of that as well (“Narcissistic Blues,” “Coq a Doodlin'”). They even rock it up a bit on “Big Boy Boogie.” In other words, this album is da bomb!
Recommendation: Regardless of how you like your blues, this one is a worthy addition to your collection. We highly recommend you Get it today.
Artist Name: Teen Ravine
Album Name: Teen Ravine
Label: Self-released
Genre: Pop
Track Listing: 1. Hall of Horrows; 2. Friend of a Friend; 3. Bad Dream; 4. Stay; 5. Steady On; 6. Only You; 7. Above Average; 8. Permanent Honeymoon; 9. This One Time
Publicist: Auteur Research
Review: Teen Ravine have a hit on their hands with their debut album, which continues the success they have already found with the release of the singles “Bad Dream” and “Friend of a Friend.” The critics, including Noisey, NY Magazine, DIY, The Line of Best Fit and The 405, are spot on in their analysis, marking these newcomers as future superstars. These songs are extremely radio friendly and just damn good fun, and would make a great soundtrack for your next party or get-together with friends or family. They remind us of early Steely Dan.
Recommendation: Run out and Get this one. You won’t regret it.
Artist Name: mmph
Album Name: Serenade
Label: Tri Angle Records
Genre: Instrumental
Track Listing: 1. Minuet; 2. Tragedy; 3. Woodlawn; 4. Elegy; 5. Serenade
Publicist: Promo Juke Box
Review: We reviewed his previous EP Dear God back in March 2018, and this new one is further confirmation of our original review. It shows a deeper dimension to his composition and performance skills, and is even more commercial than his first EP. Starting with “Minuet,” we feel a stronger, rockier edge to his music that Apple should definitely look at for future use in their commercials.
Recommendation: Add this one to your collection if you like great music.
Artist Name: Jonathon Long
Album Name: Jonathon Long
Label: Wild Heart Records
Genre: Contemporary Blues/Southern Rock
Track Listing: 1. Bury Me; 2. Shine Your Love; 3. That’s Who I Know; 4. The Light; 5. Living the Blues; 6. Natural Girl; 7. The River; 8. Pour Another Drink; 9. This Road; 10. Where Love Went Wrong; 11. Pray for Me
Publicist: Rick Lusher
Review: This album, produced by 2018 Contemporary Blues Artist of the Year Samantha Fish on her label, Wild Heart Records, announces to the world that there is a new voice in contemporary blues who isn’t afraid to borrow from Southern Rock and Country to give his music something more that is normally associated with the blues genre. His music is extremely radio friendly, and would fit in a myriad of musical genres, making it perfect for cross-over on different formats. The album is non-stop fun, and we simply love Long’s voice and his lyrics. This is our kind of blues, and we will shout it out from the rooftop that there is a new king in town.
Recommendation: Don’t even think about it. You simply must Get this one!