Clash Bowley, a familiar name in the realm of solo ventures, piqued my interest with the announcement of his latest collaboration, Cleaver, a project undertaken alongside Steve Howell. As I dived into the eleven-track album entitled Cold Berlin, it became evident that influences from luminaries like Bowie, Eno and Pink Floyd seamlessly interwoven throughout the sonic fabric, delivering an atmospheric, cosmic and often monumental experience. I also wouldn’t be surprised if they were inspired by Robert Fripp who also came to mind when listening to some the guitar patterns on this album

Dave Barrett, an Illinois-born artist, has been carving his niche lately with a streak of releases. Following the earlier drop of Stockton Ave, Barrett revisited the past with a remastered rendition of Fate and Stitches, a gem dating back to 2002. Across both albums, Barrett’s artistic signature seems unwavering over the past two decades. Yet, that steadfastness isn’t a flaw; in fact, it’s a testament to his honed style that resonates profoundly. With a distinct voice, Barrett’s compositions exude comfort, individuality and most significantly, relatability. 

Jesse A James and his band have maintained a rather enigmatic presence within the musical sphere. In an era of oversharing and constant digital presence, their approach to keeping a low profile is a nod to the mystique that once thrived in the ’90s. 

Their most recent release which is a full album called The Standoff quietly entered the scene, venturing into the domain of slightly experimental rock that’s hard to pinpoint. Spanning eleven tracks and approximately forty minutes, it presents a diverse mix of songs and approaches. Certain tracks stood out, beckoning me back for repeated listens. The album’s tone appeared enigmatic, oscillating between moments that seemed whimsical, almost teetering toward parody, and others that earnestly sought to encapsulate the essence of a genre.

Ridgewood, New Jersey — Pressing on though life taught me how to really be mindful of the journey towards success it also made me reinforce all that’s been instilled so that every moment will be a memorable experience

With heart felt lyrics and strong instrumental this artist grabs thee attention of all ages with his crafty concepts about living through life challenges and making his way to the top with poised determination

Jack McGuire, Joey Chang, Katherine Kyu, Josh Davidoff and Carl Michnovicz collectively form the band known as Ranch Hands. McGuire, having a background in producing electronic music and contributing to sound design in theater, sought to meld these two realms in their musical endeavor on Figure This Out. 

Despite an initial intention for the songs to exude humor, they unexpectedly took on a more melancholic tone. While the comedic element might not be overt, the compositions showcase a depth of songwriting brilliance that invites further exploration. Delving into the intricacies of their work reveals a nuanced and emotive musical landscape that transcends initial expectations.

Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom —

Now based in Nottingham, via the unlikely route of Nigeria and Greece, Victoria Hoffman’s new single, Hallelujah, is released on 15th of December and captures her gospel style and confessional lyrics. Having only started writing songs in 2018, Hallelujah is her 5th single and comes ahead of a proposed debut album release in the Summer 2024. Hallelujah will be available on all online platforms including Spotify and iTunes. 

Bluesy, smoky, sexy, and raw, wht.rbbt.obj (“White Rabbit Object”) represents a “femme fatale” in the realm of guitar-driven alternative rock from Chicago, Illinois. Originating as a clandestine side project for a married couple they started playing shows and working on their EP Whiskey Hotel Tango.

The music on this EP sizzles. It’s edgy, has attitude and often contains performances that resonate with a technical and creative spark. For the most part the influence felt overt and the band isn’t trying to push these songs into experimentation but rather harness the energy, spirit and vitality that made rock such an electric experience. The band has done enough to create a signature sound that defines their name.

Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany — After their promising debut „Miss you as a Friend“, Hamburg-based Americana-Band Sunset Mavericks released „A Leap of Faith“ on Friday, November 3rd.

The second original of the Band is a light singalong-number that extends the band’s range within the Americana genre. An added electric guitar brings a swing feel to the song, also the overall arrangement is set to fully serve the lead vocals of Lillemor Spitzer.