Saturday, March 7

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Altameda – Body Spray: Nostalgia and Escapism Wrapped in Alt-Folk Rock
Folk Rock, New Music

Altameda – Body Spray: Nostalgia and Escapism Wrapped in Alt-Folk Rock

Altameda return with their latest single Body Spray, blending elements of alternative folk, Americana, and rock in a sound that feels both familiar and forward-looking. The track opens with a strong melodic foundation and is driven by emotive, rousing vocals that give shape to its central themes — longing, memory, and escape. Lyrically, Body Spray reflects on the complexities of a fractured relationship, with the narrator caught between painful experiences and a nostalgic pull towards their youth. The title itself becomes a metaphor — recalling memories of mischief and rebellion, but also serving as a symbol of impermanence. As the song builds, it captures that tension between looking back and moving on. This is Altameda’s first release since their early 2024 duet with Frazey Ford, ...
Kevin Driscoll – You Could Have Told Me: Acoustic Energy with a Cinematic Edge
Acoustic Folk, Folk Rock, New Music

Kevin Driscoll – You Could Have Told Me: Acoustic Energy with a Cinematic Edge

Kevin Driscoll’s new release You Could Have Told Me is a well-crafted acoustic track, driven by rhythmic guitar patterns and a vocal delivery that carries both tension and restraint. It’s a performance that suggests something much bigger underneath — as though the song could explode into a full-band arrangement at any moment, but chooses instead to hold back. There’s an emotional weight to the lyrics, delivered with clarity and purpose. The acoustic tone leans toward folk, but subtle elements hint at broader influences — from blues and alternative rock to more emotive styles. One listener described it as “Nine Inch Nails playing folk music,” which, while unconventional, captures the dynamic contrast at work here. The track is accompanied by a striking animated video that adds a visu...
Calibro 35 – Discomania: A Funky Reimagining of Umiliani’s Classic
Funk / Soul / R'n'B, Jazz Fusion, New Music

Calibro 35 – Discomania: A Funky Reimagining of Umiliani’s Classic

Calibro 35 return with a sharp and vibrant new single, Discomania — a bold reinterpretation of Piero Umiliani’s 1978 cosmic disco track. Delivered with a rhythmic edge and a confident grasp of groove, their version leans into Afrobeat territory while keeping the strong melodic core of the original intact. The track blends vintage textures with the band’s tight musicianship and cinematic flair. The band recorded the track at Sound Workshop in Rome — Umiliani’s historic studio — adding a layer of authenticity to the project. With its layered keys, infectious bassline, and percussive momentum, Discomania taps into the golden age of Italian soundtrack music, while offering something modern and distinctive. Calibro 35’s ability to bridge eras is once again on display, taking a familiar them...
Joanne Bird – I Might As Well: A Thoughtful Track from Upcoming EP Railroad Tracks
Americana, Folk Rock, New Music

Joanne Bird – I Might As Well: A Thoughtful Track from Upcoming EP Railroad Tracks

Joanne Bird’s latest single, I Might As Well, introduces her EP Railroad Tracks with a gentle, reflective composition that blends indie folk with touches of Americana and jazz. The track opens with soft instrumentation and steady acoustic guitar, soon joined by a vocal delivery that feels both personal and controlled. There's an understated charm in the production—simple but layered, allowing the song to grow gradually. Written during a five-month journey through the U.S., I Might As Well captures the sense of openness and possibility that can come with travel. The chord progressions move the track forward naturally, supporting lyrics that reflect on the emotional freedom of new experiences. Bird’s vocal tone sits comfortably in the mix—clear and expressive without being overly stylise...
Cam Blake – Endless: A Reflective Acoustic Track Written in the Wake of Heartbreak
Acoustic, New Music

Cam Blake – Endless: A Reflective Acoustic Track Written in the Wake of Heartbreak

“Endless” by Cam Blake is a stripped-back, intimate track that captures a personal moment of emotional clarity. The arrangement is minimal—just voice and guitar—but the production gives it a warm, airy quality. Blake’s vocal performance carries the song, combining gentle phrasing with a strong melodic line that draws attention to the lyrics. Written in Canada following the end of a relationship that inspired much of his Five Months in Manchester album, “Endless” stands out for its honest and direct delivery. There's a clear sense of space in the recording, which allows each word and note to land with impact. The acoustic setting suits the tone of the song, allowing the emotion to sit right at the surface without being overly stylised. Blake’s background in indie rock and R&B occ...
Mason Via – Melt in the Sun: Uplifting Bluegrass with Heartfelt Harmony
Acoustic Folk, Americana, Folk, New Music

Mason Via – Melt in the Sun: Uplifting Bluegrass with Heartfelt Harmony

“Melt in the Sun” by Mason Via blends strong melodic hooks with heartfelt lyrics, supported by a warm and energetic bluegrass arrangement. Opening with a bright and inviting instrumental section, the track sets an optimistic tone that runs throughout. The vocal delivery is rich and emotive, layered with harmonies that enhance the overall texture without overpowering it. The musicianship is tight, with each part clearly articulated—from the rhythmic guitar and mandolin interplay to the tasteful touches of banjo and bass. It’s a great example of contemporary bluegrass that nods to tradition while leaning into modern songwriting and arrangement. Via’s band, Hot Trail Mix, features a group of experienced and award-winning musicians from the Asheville/Boone area. Their chemistry is clear...
Odie & I – Murder Blues: A Haunting Take on Appalachian Folk Traditions
Blues, New Music

Odie & I – Murder Blues: A Haunting Take on Appalachian Folk Traditions

“Murder Blues” by Odie & I is a dark, atmospheric slice of Appalachian-inspired blues. Opening with rich, gritty guitar tones and wailing harmonica, the track quickly sets a raw and evocative tone. The vocals lead the charge — powerful, weathered, and full of conviction — delivering a chilling narrative drawn from the real-life quote: “I sent three to Heaven, two to hell.” The arrangement is sparse but effective, combining distorted electric guitar with moments of acoustic fingerpicking. The harmonica weaves through the track, intensifying its emotional weight without overwhelming the mix. It’s a stripped-back, storytelling-driven performance that draws clear influence from traditional murder ballads and backwoods blues. Odie & I has crafted a track that feels steeped in pla...
Delilah Rose Explores the Divine Feminine on “Sophia”
Alternative Rock, New Music, Psychedelic Rock

Delilah Rose Explores the Divine Feminine on “Sophia”

“Sophia,” the latest single from Meanjin-based artist Delilah Rose, opens with a strong guitar-led groove that leans into classic rock territory, blending a rolling rhythm with vocals that are both bold and slightly ethereal. Recorded live off the floor, the track carries an organic, slightly raw quality that complements its lyrical depth and sonic texture. Drawing influence from 70s rock aesthetics, “Sophia” pairs swampy guitar tones with a vocal performance that feels emotionally present and layered. There’s a cinematic feel to the arrangement—something that could sit comfortably in a David Lynch soundtrack or a Nick Cave setlist—helped along by its dynamic shifts and strong melodic structure. Thematically, the track is grounded in personal transformation. Written after a period o...
Funky Instrumental Groove from Synthonic on “All Day, Every Day”
Jazz Fusion, New Music, Nu Jazz / Jazztronica

Funky Instrumental Groove from Synthonic on “All Day, Every Day”

“All Day, Every Day” by Synthonic opens with laid-back guitar lines, soon joined by a steady piano rhythm and a relaxed drum backbeat. The groove locks in quickly, with keys and brass contributing a warm, funky energy that defines the track’s character. It’s an instrumental that balances finesse with feel, building gradually into sections rich with electric piano textures, blues-influenced organ licks, and tightly arranged horn riffs. The project features some of the UK’s top session musicians, including Vasilis Xenopoulos, Jack Birchwood, Valere Speranza, and Jeremy Dunning. It's the creation of Kieron Garrett — a London-based composer, performer, and producer who founded Synthonic in 2018 after years of experience performing in jazz venues across the UK. “All Day, Every Day” leans...
“Rising”: A Jazz-Rock Reflection on the Arab Spring
Jazz Fusion, New Music

“Rising”: A Jazz-Rock Reflection on the Arab Spring

Taken from the upcoming album Explode Yourself, Rising is a powerful, exploratory track from Love Unfold The Sun. The composition, originally written in 2010 by bandleader and guitarist/oudist Mustafa Stefan Dill, is inspired by and dedicated to the thousands who sparked the Arab Spring. The track opens with tightly coiled drum grooves, soon joined by a jagged guitar riff that establishes a tense, forward-moving energy. Brass enters to reinforce the motif before a lead guitar line takes centre stage, weaving through the rhythmic textures. As Rising unfolds, the track moves with confidence into jazz fusion territory, showcasing musical interplay that draws on free jazz, Middle Eastern tonalities, and hard rock influences. The track shifts gears in its second half, embracing improvisa...