Album Reviews

This section includes a running list of the music reviews we publish. We also publish a lot of interviews, curate playlists, and podcast. Want to submit your music?

January Zero Delivers Wistful Indie Pop Rock on The Long Radio Silence

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman April 5, 2017 10:40 pm Tagged With: indie rock, Pop, singer, songwriter, Virginia

Singer/songwriter Gareth Phillips releases his music as the collective January Zero and their smooth, soothing, but still jamming blend of instrumentation and sonic ambience deliver an engaging and refreshing indie pop rock record titled The Long Radio Silence. Written and recorded at The Cellar, Phillips home studio, the tracks were eventually handed over to Jim […]

Jacob Didas Flows With Soul On New Album, Lucid

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman April 5, 2017 9:28 pm Tagged With: Alternative, Hip Hop, Jazz, rap, Rock

Buffalo born, Hawaii based alternative Hip Hop artist Jacob Didas delivers a fresh, genre blending collection of tracks on his new album Lucid. From the opening Drumroll to the finale, Vision, Didas displays his love of all things music from beautiful piano intros to jazz improv solos all layered with his Hip Hop founded rhythms and […]

Jay Clark Band Prepares To Unleash Debut Album Cocked and Loaded

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman April 5, 2017 1:32 pm Tagged With: Ohio, Rock, rock n roll, southern rock

Jay Clark was on his way to California to visit his brothers who he had not seen in years. While enjoying each other’s company over drinks and good food, the brothers challenged each other to make their dreams come true over the next twelve months. Shortly after that weekend reunion, Jay’s younger brother quit his […]

Dusty Grant Makes A Powerful Debut With This Longing Heart

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman April 4, 2017 9:15 am Tagged With: Acoustic, Folk, Kansas, Rock, singer, songwriter, United States

Wichita, Kansas based folk/rock singer/songwriter Dusty Grant has arrived on the scene with a powerful new single (and video) titled This Longing Heart. Despite this being his solo debut, Dusty sounds like a veteran songwriter with this intense, high-energy, cathartic song. The driving acoustic guitar and Dusty’s soulful but grungy vocals create an atmosphere guaranteed […]

edMto Arrives With Debut Single, “Over The Ground”

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman April 4, 2017 8:53 am Tagged With: dance, Electronic, Europe, house, Sweden

Up and coming Swedish electronic/dance/house producer edMto has released his debut Over The Ground (Axns Mix) which is currently available as a free download via EXNS Records. Over The Ground is an infectious track guaranteed to seep into your senses and cause you start moving and grooving through a flurry of pleasing sonic arrangements. Including […]

Power Pop Group Tears of Joy Release New Single, Lice

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman April 3, 2017 12:01 pm Tagged With: Alternative, Pennsylvania, Pop, power pop, Rock, United States

Evan Kadan (guitar, vox), Jake Leya (drums, vox) and Evan’s brother Zack (bass) make up the Pittsburgh power pop/rock trio Tears of Joy. Their new single Lice is now streaming and available for download. Having been involved in the Pittsburgh indie, DIY scene for quite some time, Evan and Jake are each involved in various […]

Chad Carman Unleashes Haphazard Hazmats HipHop Powerplant

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman April 3, 2017 11:32 am Tagged With: Alternative, Experimental, Hip Hop, rap

After spending the last week driving through California, Nevada and Utah bumping classic Hip Hop on XM radio (while on tour with The Great Peso131 of The Fearless Four), I have to say that Chad Carman‘s new project Haphazard Hazmats HipHop Powerplant is a familiar and welcome Hip Hop record. Falling closer to the alternative/experimental […]

Finding Hidden Gems with Captain of the Lost Waves

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman March 30, 2017 10:20 am Tagged With: Experimental, Folk, Rock, United Kingdom

Captain of the Lost Waves delivers a truly refreshing and engaging sonic experience with their newest album Hidden Gems: Chapter 1. If Nu Vaudeville ever becomes the next big trend, Captain of the Lost Waves are at the forefront with their infectious, gothic-esque, epic and quite elaborate display of creative talent. Think spirit of the […]

IRTH Capture Raw Emotion and Experiences In Song, China Shop Now Available

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman March 28, 2017 11:44 am Tagged With: Canada, dream pop, Electronic, trip hop

Canadian creatives IRTH have a long history touring and playing music in the folk trio Dirty Grace, but now they are making their debut as the minimal yet powerful and engaging duo IRTH. There are many unique things one could point out about this masterfully creative duo but the one thing that stands out the […]

Gumshen Release New Single and Video, Fallacy

by Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman March 28, 2017 11:14 am Tagged With: electro-pop, nu disco, Progressive, Rock, Seattle, synth pop

Seattle progressive future funk/nu disco/synth pop rockers Gumshen have released their new single, with accompanying visuals, Fallacy. Gumshen deliver a unique, refreshing and quite exciting blend of funky, electro, synth pop despite the darker context of this particular song. Fallacy tackles the idea, and resulting emotions, of death arriving before we have become what we […]