Mitch Linker — Honest Emotion Meets Anthemic Pop-Rock Brilliance
In “If I’m Being Honest,” Mitch Linker delivers the kind of emotionally honest, mid-tempo anthem that could easily sit on a playlist between OneRepublic and The Fray. From the first verse, Linker’s voice, earnest, raspy, and strikingly distinct, draws you in with an intimacy that feels both personal and universal.
The song builds with a steady pulse, and when the chorus hits, it soars. This is no stripped-back confessional; it’s a full-bodied pop-rock moment with big guitars, layered harmonies, and a hook that lingers. Think the emotional immediacy of James Bay fused with the radio-readiness of early John Mayer, wrapped in the atmospheric swell of Keane.
https://open.spotify.com/track/7CkHYVYiC6Jg52MULovlrp
But what sets this track apart is the personality in Linker’s delivery. There’s a slight tension in his vocal phrasing, like he’s holding back just enough emotion to keep from unraveling. It’s refreshing in a world of overproduced pop. The electric guitar work adds just the right grit, cutting through the glossy production with urgency.
“If I’m Being Honest” doesn’t reinvent the genre, but it doesn’t need to. It’s a strong, well-crafted, emotionally satisfying single from an artist who sounds like he’s just getting started.
https://mitchlinker.bandcamp.com/
Marius Billgobenson Invites Listeners to Step Into “IN PARADISE – Just Another Day” with New Single Out – August 8th
RIYL: George Benson, Gregory Porter, Sade, Al Jarreau, Santana
August 8th, 2025 – Internationally acclaimed smooth jazz artist Marius Billgobenson unveils his latest single, “IN PARADISE – Just Another Day”, a soulful and rhythmic celebration of resilience, healing, and joy. With his signature blend of jazz, R&B, and Congolese influences, Billgobenson offers a radiant reminder that even amid uncertainty, there’s beauty in the everyday.
Produced by GRAMMY-winning legend Paul Brown, the track brings together a world-class lineup of musicians including Tony Braunagel (drums), David Garfield (keys), Shane Theriot (guitars), and Freddie Washington (bass) to deliver an effortless groove rich in warmth, hope, and lyrical soul-searching. Marius’s magnetic vocals and emotive guitar work are on full display, evoking the spirit of artists like George Benson and Gregory Porter while carving a lane that’s entirely his own.
Filmed by Alex Brown, the official video transports viewers into a lush, dreamlike landscape that reflects the song’s central message, finding joy, purpose, and connection in the moments that matter. It’s a visual and sonic escape that invites us to rise with the sun, work with intention, and let our dreams guide the way forward.
LISTEN TO “IN PARADISE – JUST ANOTHER DAY” HERE
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE – OUT FRIDAY, AUGUST 15TH
The new single follows the success of “A Little Bit of Honey,” which charted in the top 3 R&B/Soul songs in Canada and earned Marius a finalist nomination at the 2024 World Songwriting Awards. With “IN PARADISE – Just Another Day” he continues to build on a deeply personal yet globally resonant body of work, one that explores vulnerability as a strength and music as a source of light.
ABOUT MARIUS BILLGOBENSON:
Born in the Congo and now a global citizen of sound, Marius Billgobenson is a smooth jazz artist, humanitarian, and cultural ambassador whose music fuses African rhythms with jazz, soul, and storytelling. A vocal advocate for social justice and environmental awareness, he uses his platform to inspire empathy, unity, and transformative change. His songs, always personal, always powerful, remind us that in the face of hardship, art can still offer peace, connection, and paradise.
Learn more about Marius Billgobenson – HERE!
ABOUT THE SINGLE
“IN PARADISE – Just Another Day”
Release Date: August 8, 2025
LISTEN HERE
“IN PARADISE – Just Another Day”
Music Video Release Date: August 15, 2025
WATCH HERE
MARIUS BILLGOBENSON ONLINE
INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE | BANDSINTOWN | WEBSITE
Nico Rocks and Klubjumpers Drop Electrifying New Single “BAILE” – A Latin EDM Anthem Built for the Dancefloor
July, 2025 — International Singer, Producer, and Multifaceted Entertainer Nico Rocks is heating up the summer with his high-energy new single “BAILE,” a pulsating Latin EDM track created in collaboration with the Billboard-charting production duo Klubjumpers.
Blending infectious reggaeton rhythms with dancefloor-shaking beats and vibrant horn sections, “BAILE” invites listeners into a euphoric state of movement and celebration. Designed to transcend language and cultural barriers, the song taps into the universal joy of letting go and losing yourself to the music.
“BAILE” was produced in partnership with Klubjumpers, a veteran duo known for remixing tracks for artists like Jason Derulo, Britney Spears, and Madonna. Their signature sound adds a polished, club-ready edge to the record, positioning it as a surefire hit for Latin nightclubs, festival stages, and party playlists worldwide.
A visualizer for “BAILE” will accompany the release, reinforcing Nico’s mission to unite cultures through sound and motion.
Listen to “BAILE” now on all major streaming platforms.
About Nico Rocks:
Nico “Rocks” Calero is a multi-talented artist from New York, making bold strides in both the music and entertainment industries. A professional child actor turned chart-ready pop vocalist, Nico is already building an impressive legacy—and he’s only just getting started. From a young age, Nico proved he was born for the spotlight. His early acting career included standout roles in acclaimed television series, films, and national commercials, earning him multiple Best Actor awards and critical recognition.
In 2022, he took a major leap into music when he was selected as the youngest member of the legendary boy band Menudo, launching an exciting new chapter in his career. With Menudo, Nico performed on some of the most prominent national platforms, including Live with Kelly and Ryan, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Sherri Shepherd Show, Hoy Día, and Despierta América, quickly becoming a fan-favorite and standout performer. A milestone moment came in 2023 when he took the stage at iHeartRadio’s Fiesta Latina, performing alongside Latin music icons Olga Tañón, Chayanne, and Luis Figueroa. He also received personal praise from Simon Cowell and Howie Mandel following his standout appearance on America’s Got Talent. Now emerging as a solo artist and songwriter, Nico is making waves with a sound that reflects his multicultural heritage and New York City roots.
His growing discography—four original releases and counting—is available on all major streaming platforms, blending vibrant pop rhythms, infectious hooks, and heartfelt storytelling. A dynamic live performer, Nico received high praise for his electrifying set at the 2025 Puerto Rican Day celebrations in NYC, where he performed fan favorites at the 116th Street Festival in Harlem and led the parade with a powerful rendition of “Aguanile”—igniting the crowd with energy and charisma. His latest single, a high-octane collaboration with platinum-selling producers Klubjumpers, marks a bold new direction for his evolving sound.
This fall, Nico returns to the screen with featured roles in two major TV series: Only Murders in the Building and The Beauty. He’ll also make a holiday season splash on the big screen, starring alongside Martin Sheen in the highly anticipated film “The One.” Talented, driven, and mature beyond his years, Nico “Rocks” Calero is more than a rising star—he’s a powerhouse performer, a magnetic force in pop culture and a name to remember.
Big Scrimps Announces Debut Project Facing East: The Holy Processions
The EP is a Chaotic, Comedic, and Surprisingly Beautiful Hip-Hop Collage Born of Friendsgiving and Late-Night Inspiration
Los Angeles, CA (August 1, 2025) – What started with an offhand comment over leftover stuffing and Action Bronson impersonations during a Friendsgiving Feast in 2023, has evolved into so much more. Big Scrimps has officially announced the release of their highly-anticipated debut EP Facing East: The Holy Processions—a genre-blurring blend of raw creativity, offbeat humor, and collaborative energy. The collection drops Friday, August 1 on Bandcamp and Soundcloud.
https://soundcloud.com/big-scrimps
The concept for the project originated from one of the trio’s two emcees, The Honorable Brother Muscles, who pitched the outlandishly entertaining idea: let’s record some songs comprising DJ drama-style ad-libs, Action Bronson-style absurdist parlance, and a heavy dose of comedy. Minutes later, the other of the trio’s two emcees, Big Man Z, happened to mention a few deep cuts he’d played while cleaning for the evening’s festivities. Within days, ideas were flying. Texts were flying even faster. And Facing East: The Holy Processions was beginning to take shape.
Inspired by these two ideas, Producer and Scrimps Co-Founder/Facilitator goodie goodman, who also releases music as “Creature Benny” and “goodie” hastily stitched together early versions of three beats from the songs Big Man Z sent over and he told the crew “These beats are the stage and you are the players. So, we doing this or what?” It turns out that they were, and, in fact, they did.
Over the course of eight chaotic, laughter-filled sessions across a year’s time, the trio turned random freestyles into strange anthems. Every track was Frankensteined together from hours of audio—freestyled, chopped, reworked, and sometimes scrapped completely. The process was late-night texts, in-depth discussions, and constant revisions. And the result? A beautifully unhinged body of work that can’t quite be described, but somehow feels right. And bumps pretty hard too.
While the original blueprint was DJ Drama meets Action Bronson, the final product is less a derivation and more a meditation—through humor, chaos, and bars—on the joy of making something purely because it feels good to make it. It’s art by way of alchemy. Comedy through cadence. A holy procession of nonsense and brilliance.
The official tracklisting for Facing East: The Holy Processions is as follows:
“Shootin’ Verbal Missiles / Gimme the Remote”
“Diuretic Flow”
“Another Tuesday”
“Pernicious Goo Drown Slow \\ Horseplay”
“Sweet Whispers (Chemtrails of Tears)”
“Big Scrimps at a State Fair Near You”
Author, Radio Personality, Podcaster & Music Historian Brian Orlando Debuts His First Book ROCK ‘N SOUL TAROT
Interpreting the Cards Through the Universal Language of Music
What happens when decades of rock radio stories collide with ancient Tarot wisdom? You get Rock ‘N Soul Tarot, the groundbreaking debut book from longtime rock radio host, music historian, and second-generation psychic Brian Orlando. Equal parts memoir, intuitive guide, and Gen X musical time capsule, Rock ‘N Soul Tarot brings a fresh, deeply personal perspective to tarot interpretation—anchored through the universal language of music. Rock ‘N Soul Tarot will be released as paperback and eBook through Aurora Coriales Publishing on August 6 and available at barnesandnoble.com and amazon.com.
Using timeless songs, real backstage stories, and insights drawn from a 20-year career in rock and roll radio, Orlando redefines tarot for a new generation of seekers. With heartfelt candor and deep reverence for the cards, he connects each of the 78 tarot archetypes to the emotional pull of music—from heartbreak ballads to power anthems.
“If traditional Tarot books have left you confused by contradictory definitions, it’s time to ditch the conflicting advice and develop your own understanding,” says Orlando. Rock and Soul Tarot invites readers to throw out the rulebook and instead create personal, powerful meanings using the music that shaped them.
This isn’t just another Tarot how-to—it’s an invitation to explore the highs and lows of life through a soundtrack that spans classic rock, alternative, grunge, punk, and soul. Whether you’re a longtime reader or just discovering tarot, this book will change how you interpret the cards—and yourself.
Praise from the Rock Community:
“Orlando wears his heart openly, whether it’s talking about Springsteen, the Rangers, his mom, or the path he continues to forge—it’s all genuine and honest.”
— Dave “Snake” Sabo, Skid Row
“You don’t exist in rock and roll radio without BIG stories to tell. Dig into the book. Hold on to your hat for the ride.”
— Vinnie Dombroski, Sponge
“Orlando’s authenticity, generosity, and unshakeable love for the music community have made him an integral part of my life. This book is a testament to his journey.”
— Kevin Martin, Candlebox
Whether you’re looking for a new way to understand Tarot or just want to take a deep dive into the soul of rock and roll, Rock and Soul Tarot is your backstage pass to intuitive discovery.
Check out Rock and Soul Tarot Podcast on your favorite streaming platform:
Listen on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/show/5JfFi8J8voHIMGUoY9jX7M?si=dc992c0a1ffd4734
Listen on Apple here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-and-soul-tarot/id1641338149
Follow Brian Orlando:
Facebook @brian.anthony.376
Instagram @orlando0616
Bonnie Milne – Perception LP (MTS Records)
From the very first notes of Bonnie Milne’s debut album Perception, you sense you’re entering a deeply personal sound world—one that leans into emotion not with melodrama, but with quiet conviction and remarkable poise. Released via MTS Records, this nine-track collection finds the Canadian composer and pianist crafting modern classical music that is rich in atmosphere, reflective in tone, and deeply resonant in feeling.
Already familiar to listeners through her singles “New Beginnings” and “Stolen Night Sky”—the latter a recent #2 hit on the UK iTunes Classical chart—Milne expands her sonic canvas on Perception, while remaining anchored to the expressive clarity of her piano.
The opening track, “Perception,” sets the tone with its spacious phrasing and elegant melodic contours. Milne’s pianism is sensitive and economical, favouring lyricism over virtuosity. Her style feels intuitive and emotionally honest, a refreshing antidote to the overly technical performances that can sometimes dominate contemporary instrumental music.
On “Eloquence,” she introduces additional textures—flute, cello, and percussion—yet the piece remains understated, almost weightless. The interplay between Alyssa Wright’s cello and Dawn Ellis-Mobbs’ flute is subtle and evocative, and Dave Hewitt’s gentle percussion brings a soft pulse to the piece. There is a serenity to the composition that invites contemplation, rather than demanding attention.
“New Beginnings,” previously released as a standalone single, still shines here as one of the album’s most immediate and stirring moments. The melodic dialogue between piano and cello (Kevin Fox) unfolds with a sense of purpose and quiet optimism. It’s a testament to Milne’s ability to compose music that feels both grounded and expansive.
Perhaps the album’s emotional centerpiece is “Stolen Night Sky,” offered in both a full ensemble version and as a solo piano piece. With contributions from Shane Guse (violin), Fox (cello), and Hewitt again on percussion, the ensemble version is cinematic and full of yearning, conjuring images of lost memories and long-past moments. The solo piano version strips the work to its emotional core, highlighting Milne’s gift for expressive phrasing and emotional restraint.
Tracks like “Uncertain” and “Linger Longer” explore more introspective territory. Here, Milne demonstrates a superb sense of timing, allowing silence and space to play active roles in the emotional trajectory of the music. The phrasing feels unforced, as though the music is discovering itself in real time.
The album closes with “Cherish,” the newly released single, which comes in two versions. The ensemble arrangement, featuring organist Dan McCoy, Alyssa Wright, and Karen Richards on flute, carries a spiritual warmth, while the solo version is intimate and deeply moving—a quiet benediction that lingers in the heart.
Perception is an impressive and emotionally intelligent debut from a composer who clearly writes from the soul. Milne’s work never shouts—it listens, reflects, and speaks when it has something meaningful to say. With its blend of classical structure and cinematic feeling, this album will appeal to fans of Ludovico Einaudi, Max Richter, and Ólafur Arnalds.
A quietly stunning collection—and a voice worth following.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/16dHjgACIwwRzAizZ0JzdY
–Nigel Smithton
Ashes Awake Finds “A Better Way” — A Fiery Testament of Redemption in a Broken World
In a world that seems hellbent on glorifying chaos, here comes Ashes Awake, a Christian metal band rising from the rubble of addiction, doubt, and despair, armed not with condemnation but with compassion—and a crushing riff or two. Their debut single, “A Better Way,” doesn’t just throb with distortion and double-kick fury. It bleeds authenticity.
This isn’t just another hard rock redemption cliché. No, this feels lived-in. Real. Like waking up on the cold tile of your lowest moment and finally looking up instead of down. From the first verse—“I was lonely / Looking for someone to / Comfort all my fears”—you’re ushered into a confessional booth wrapped in distortion, where vulnerability is sacred and salvation comes in waves of sonic fury.
Musically, “A Better Way” bridges the sacred and the savage. The track opens with a clean, haunting melody that quickly escalates into a metallic onslaught—guitars layered thick like spiritual armor, drums pounding like a battle cry, and a vocal delivery that walks the tightrope between anguish and exaltation. This isn’t about polish—it’s about purpose.
Ashes Awake taps into that sacred well where bands like Disciple, Red, and early P.O.D. drew power: the gospel of grit. It’s an unapologetic testimony, wrapped in a wall of guitars and propelled by heart rather than ego. When the chorus hits—“There’s got to be a better way / Finding the strength I need to say / That you’re always there for me”—you don’t just hear it. You feel it in your chest, like an altar call that grabs you by the soul and shakes you awake.
What sets Ashes Awake apart is the earnestness. These aren’t rock stars preaching from a pedestal. They’re fellow travelers on a dirt road, scarred and seeking. “Sick and tired of promises / Only Love can show the truth,” they declare—not in judgment, but in solidarity. This is a band that’s been through the storm, found the cross, and came back with a message forged in fire: Love wins.
Sonically, the production leans modern but avoids the trap of over-compression. There’s enough rawness in the mix to feel organic, but it’s clear these guys know how to build atmosphere—each bridge, each vocal swell, each drum break feels placed with purpose. It’s cinematic without being self-indulgent. Think Hope in a mosh pit. Grace with a backbeat.
And then there’s the final chorus—repeated, impassioned, like a prayer shouted to the heavens: “There’s got to be a better way.” It’s not a question. It’s a declaration. A war cry for the wounded. For the addicts, the broken-hearted, the ones who never felt good enough. Ashes Awake is here to tell them there is a better way—and they’re going to scream it until someone listens.
With this debut, Ashes Awake doesn’t just enter the Christian metal scene—they torch the door on the way in. “A Better Way” is a searing introduction to a band with a bruised heart and a heavenward gaze. And in a genre that often trades soul for spectacle, that’s more than refreshing. It’s revival.
–Lonnie Nabors
Fashion Creator Turned Artist Malvika Returns with Culture-Fueled Electro-Pop Anthem “High Note”
Los Angeles-based artist and fashion creator Malvika returns with her second single, “High Note,” releasing August 1st on all major platforms.
Building on the success of her debut “Love Is a Game”—which garnered over 1M+ views across social media—”High Note” continues to shape Malvika’s genre-bending musical identity. The track blends glossy electro-pop with trap-infused R&B and layers of South Asian instrumentation, including veena and flute, delivering a sound that is both dynamic and deeply personal.
Lyrically, “High Note” explores ambition, identity, and creative autonomy. “I just wanna hit a high note / Tell ’em all the things they don’t know…” Malvika sings, as the chorus opens up into soaring synths and a powerful, bass-driven groove. While the track nods to vocal range and artistic success, it also gestures toward something more intimate: the journey of rising above anxiety, doubt, and expectation—with both style and self-awareness.
A standout lyrical reference to “PRNDL” (the automatic gear shift) offers a playful wink to Malvika’s self-professed passenger princess energy and lingering driving anxiety. Like her previous single, she also includes a quiet cultural marker: just before the second chorus, the word “Sur”—Hindi and Gujarati for “note”—can be faintly heard, honoring her South Asian heritage with intention and subtlety.
Released during South Asian Heritage Month (July 18–August 17), “High Note” reflects Malvika’s commitment to blending cultural influence with sonic innovation. Known to her 200K+ followers as @stylebymalvika, she has been featured in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and ELLE for her bold, cross-cultural storytelling. This time, she brings that signature aesthetic into her sound.
“The goal wasn’t to make something overly perfect,” Malvika shares. “I wanted to have fun, ease up on the formalities, and create something that feels honest and a little more intimate.”
https://www.instagram.com/stylebymalvika
Soul-Pop Artist Nadia Tagoe Unveils Dreamy New Single, Imaginary Girl
With a voice often compared to Amy Winehouse and Norah Jones, Canadian singer-songwriter Nadia Tagoe returns with her second single, Imaginary Girl – a dark and soulful pop track that tells an intimate story. Following the warm reception of her debut single Daydreams, which earned local radio play and blog buzz in multiple countries, Imaginary Girl finds Nadia leaning further into her signature style: haunting vocals and a soundscape that feels timeless and cinematic.
Written during the early stages of a romance, Imaginary Girl explores the desire to remain a mystery while falling in love to preserve the magic. “It’s about preserving a fantasy in hopes of keeping someone around,” Nadia shares, “that feeling that if someone knows the ugly parts of you, it might fall apart.” The song draws parallels to childhood imaginary friends, but repurposes it for the concept of an ideal romance
Produced by prolific composer Simon Victor Linsteadt, Imaginary Girl pulses with ethereal textures, and seamlessly transforms as a cool kick drum that emerges in the second verse. The result is a slow-burning track that feels both dark and whimsical.
Originally from Waterloo, Ontario, Nadia spent two years living and performing in Australia before returning home to Toronto to focus on her solo career. Her rich, soulful voice carries traces of jazz, R&B, and blues. While her songs often explore heartbreak and longing, her artistic persona remains vibrant and unmistakably energetic.
Now based in Toronto, Nadia is preparing for a new season of performances while continuing to carve out her space as a voice for dreamers and hopeless romantics. Imaginary Girl is available on all streaming platforms and Bandcamp on August 1st.
Link: Listen to Imaginary Girl on all platforms –
https://linktr.ee/nadiatagoe
Socials:
https://instagram.com/notbadia
https://tiktok.com/notbadia
https://nadiatagoe.com
Nashville’s Rising Americana Artist Ridge Banks to Headline “Cowboys and Foxes Tour” Across England in August 2025
Prepare for a summer of soul-stirring music as Nashville-based singer-songwriter Ridge Banks brings his acclaimed “Rugged Acoustic” sound to the UK for the very first time. This August, Ridge Banks and his band The Wall of Sound will embark on the highly anticipated “Cowboys and Foxes Tour,” with stops in Loughborough, Leicester, Sheffield, Essex, Hinckley, and Bristol Harbour.
Raised in Fenton, Michigan and now based in Nashville, Ridge Banks has carved a unique path in the world of Americana, blending heartfelt storytelling with intricate fingerstyle guitar reminiscent of greats like Jim Croce and Eric Clapton. His genre-bending sound draws on blues, rock, and country influences, layered with the lyrical depth of modern troubadours such as John Mayer and Ed Sheeran.
A finalist for “Best Male Artist” at the International Acoustic Music Awards and recently named “USA Artist of the Year” by the Elite Music Awards (2024), Ridge is no stranger to the global stage. His latest single, “Blues Catcher” (January 2025), features musicians from both sides of the Atlantic, showcasing the cross-cultural energy he now brings to UK stages.
Touring with his collaborative ensemble Ridge Banks and The Wall of Sound, the “Cowboys and Foxes Tour” is a celebration of musical roots and transatlantic harmony. Each performance promises an evening of rich melodies, foot-tapping rhythms, and the emotional honesty that defines Ridge’s sound.
Don’t miss this unforgettable debut UK tour from one of America’s most compelling new voices in roots music.
http://www.ridgebanksmusic.com
Tour Dates – August 2025
3 Heather Music Festival – Heather
5 Leicester General Hospital – Brain Surgery Unit – Leicester
8 The Mini Monocle – Loughborough
9 The Metal Monocle – Leicester
10 Fleckney Festival – Fleckney
15 Baton Rouge @ Queens – Leicester
16 The Greystones – Sheffield
20 Stoneygate Congressional Church – Leicester
23 The White Lion – Sheffield
29 The Real Ale Classroom – Leicester
30 Live at Baton Rouge – Hinckley
“In Art & Soil The Same” LP by Brielle Brown
In Art & Soil The Same, by Brielle Brown, is an album for the ages and times, about the saturation of everything and how we need to get back to more simple things and resist the static norms of the last decade, or maybe two or three in the greater scheme of things. This is not done through political messages, instead through a more humane and healing approach. With Brown’s background accounting for her therapeutic and songwriting skills coming full circle after over 20 years running.
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/briellebrown/
The first piece to sink your ears into is “Blessing,” and a blessing it is. To get the album started with a wonderful play on what’s going on outside with the bluebirds on this cool hand clapping tune. “A New Sacred” is an almost gospel folk tune about a trip to Eden to find the fruit from the trees, keeping with the overall concept of nature and it carries adventurous sets of words. “Tethered” explores the patience of relationships as time keeps ticking away with an approach to vocals reminiscent of 10,000 Maniacs, which can also be felt on some other tunes here.
“Get Back To The Garden” is one of the several highlights of the album which covers the topic of returning to what you started, interpreted however you want but in the shape of relationships. The mood continues with starting over after healing, which is what “Birthright” tackles with a brooding ballad. You can’t miss its menacing charm holding the album up thus far and if you’re moved by anything on the album, these two alone should do it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0D5M03Ct_A
“Dust ‘n Bone” is the ultimate love song of “In Art & Soil The Same”, which contains some great slide guitar.This is the point where Brown’s singing reaches its peak and reminds us of greats such as Bonnie Raitt and others. On “Old Lessons In A New World” with its narrative about mistakes of the past is simply another gem with excellent use of piano. The more you hear it the more you like it, with everything here bringing something to the table.
BUY THE ALBUM: https://createmusic.fm/inartandsoilthesame
“The Heart Of The Matter” is the Don Henley cover, sung as if it were the female vocal version made especially for Brielle Brown. Everyone should hear this remarkable cover as it does all the same effort to bring a tear whenever you hear it and that’s one of the qualities of the original version. “Hymn in C” is the little ditty that leads to the final piece of ear candy on the album and it’s another pleasant tune before going into the last one. “Beautiful Resistance.” It might be the end but it comes in like a new beginning and drives the bus home on this great album with an anthem.
Garth Thomas
Shab’s ‘LIPSTICK’: The Power Anthem Painting Pop With Confidence
Nothing says “pick-me-up” quite like the swipe of your favorite lipstick – much like the shiny, ’80s pop-fueled glitz and glamour of SHAB’s aptly titled hit, ‘LIPSTICK.’ Predicted to make its way into the U.S. Top 40, this summer anthem is more than just a radiant, disco-pop party that lingers in your mind for days; it’s a powerful reminder to step into your confidence, embrace femininity, and express your strength and beauty without apology.
On the surface, ‘LIPSTICK’ is an infectious track with rhythmic grooves, harmony-laced melodies, and a sense of playful pastiche. But beneath the shimmering production lies the same heartfelt call for self-love that powered her critically acclaimed ‘ONE SUITCASE.’ Rich with vibrant color and as timeless as a Charlotte Tilbury nude, it’s the perfect soundtrack to celebrate beauty this National Lipstick Day.
Lipstick has long symbolized individualism and pop culture – beginning in Ancient Egypt, evolving through the 19th century with the birth of the modern formula, and reaching its pinnacle today as a bold emblem of empowerment. It’s more than cosmetic; it’s a statement.’ LIPSTICK,’ in both name and sound, captures this spirit flawlessly, reflecting SHAB’s ongoing advocacy for women’s rights and her remarkable journey as a refugee who has fought to live freely and authentically.
With her unique ability to fuse female empowerment and lived experience into poetic lyricism, SHAB has crafted a track that’s as emotionally resonant as it is irresistibly catchy. LIPSTICK is not just a celebration of beauty: it’s a radiant call for anyone ready to reclaim their voice.
Festival Guide: Last Minute Festivals [Aug/Oct]
Reggae Land
The UK’s biggest Reggae Festival returns in 2025
National Bowl, Milton Keynes
August 2nd-3rd
Website | Facebook
Reggae Land 2025 is set to be a vibrant celebration of reggae music and Caribbean culture, taking place on Saturday, August 2nd, and Sunday, August 3rd, 2025, at The Milton Keynes National Bowl. Over the years the festival has featured performances from renowned artists, including Gyptian, Chronixx, and Capleton, promising an unforgettable experience for reggae enthusiasts.
Les Plages Électroniques
Les Plages Électroniques are back for their 18th edition, ready to break records once again
Cannes, France
8-10th August
Website | Instagram | Facebook
After three sold-out days in 2024 with 60,000 attendees, 90 artists and performers, and countless hours of live music still resonating on the beach of the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, the Les Pages Electronique has unveiled the first names for its line-up—all set to perform on the festival’s Main Stage.
Artists Include: Charlotte De Witte, Eric Prydz, Peggy Gou, Tiësto, Booba, Luidji, Francis Mercier, Jersey, Kungs, Purple Disco Machine and more.
Panorama Festival
Panorama Festival isn’t just about music – it’s about framing unforgettable experiences in extraordinary places
Puglia, Italy
14-16th August
Panorama Festival is a visionary celebration of electronic music, art and sustainability in Southern Italy’s most iconic natural amphitheatre and it returns for its fourth edition from August 14–16, 2025. The magical three day event transforms Cave del Duca into a world-class setting for immersive experiences in the limestone heart of Lecce, Puglia, with a mix of heavyweight international names, emerging talents and plenty in between all set to play.
Artists Include: Peggy Gou, Black Coffee, Solomun, Marco Carola, Mochakk, PAWSA and more.
Rototom Sunsplash
Europe’s biggest reggae festival celebrates its 30th edition with its biggest line-up yet
Benicàssim, Spain
16th – 23rd August
‘Celebrating Life’ is the theme that will define the 30th edition of super-sized international reggae festival Rototom Sunsplash, taking place from 16 to 23 August 2025 in Benicàssim, Spain. This eight day extravaganza is the largest reggae festival in Europe, boasting 18 zones of music, wellness and cultural activities plus a reggae university to educate about the culture and so much more.
Artists Include: Shaggy, Burning Spear, Tarrus Riley and more
Mysteryland
For the last 31 years, Mysteryland has been one of the leading electronic music festivals in The Netherlands
Haarlemmermeer (near Amsterdam), The Netherlands
22nd – 24th August
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Mysteryland is a colourful collaboration of artists, DJs and creatives, considered to be the leading electronic music festival in The Netherlands. Situated in between sparkling ponds, rivers, and forestry hills of the Floriade terrain near Amsterdam, the festival welcomes more than 125,000 attendees from over 100 nationalities. The festival covers all genres within the spectrum of electronic music.
Artists include: Adriatique, Eric Prydz, Fisher, Hardwell, Oliver Heldens, Indira Paganotto, Marlon Hoffstadt, Patrick Mason & more
NIBIRII Festival
The legendary Bootshaus Cologne (Germany’s #1 Club – DJ MAG 2024) brings back its electrifying three-day festival, NIBIRII to a stunning lake setting in Düren
Düren, Germany
22nd – 24th August, 2025
Website | Tickets | Instagram
NIBIRII Festival, promoted by the iconic Bootshaus Cologne, is Germany’s most essential weekender for GOA, Techno, and D&B fans, returning on August 22–24, 2025. With 60,000 people and over 100 acts, it will take place on over four stages across three days at the stunning Dürener Badesee in Düren.
Artists include: Andy C, Delta Heavy, Bou + B Live 247, Camo & Krooked, Friction, Harriet Jaxxon, Andromedik, Reaper, A Little Sound, 1991, & Arcando.
BEONIX Festival
Expect warm Mediterranean weather, crystal-clear waters, and the opportunity to explore the rich history and culture of Cyprus by day, before dancing the night away to world-class DJs.
Limassol, Cyprus
19th – 21st September, 2025
The highly anticipated BEONIX Festival returns to Cyprus this September, bringing a stellar lineup of electronic music talent to the island. Set to take place at the ETKO venue in Limassol, BEONIX continues to cement its reputation as a must-attend event for electronic music lovers. Despite being a relatively young festival – this marks only its fourth edition – BEONIX has already made waves in the electronic music industry.
Artists Include: Adriatique, Anfisa Letyago, Dubfire, Avision, Carlo Lio, David Moreno, James Zabiela, LNTX, Saraga, Spartaque, Tania Vulcano, Xavi Emparan, and Yulia Niko
Blacklist Festival
Germany’s leading bass festival Blacklist is back at the mighty Turbinenhalle in Oberhausen
11th October, 2025
Turbinenhalle in Oberhausen
Oberhausen’s Blacklist Festival is unique in Germany as the only festival that caters to real bass heads. It is a tasteful and in-the-know celebration of sounds across the low end spectrum for fans in Germany but also across Europe. It has become the biggest brand for bass culture in Germany and hosts scene-leading shows of the highest caliber. It now boasts a community loyal to the core and its own unique take on bass culture that always comes to the fore.
Artists Include: Black Tiger Sex Machine, Born Global, Code: Pandorum, DJ Snake presents: The Outlaw
Varun Sheel Unveils Genre-Defying Indie Pop Gem with ‘Cool Like You’
Boston-based artist Varun Sheel returns with ‘Cool Like You’, a shimmering indie pop single that blends infectious grooves with introspective depth. Laced with disco-tinged guitars, crisp 808s, and hook-heavy vocals, the track explores the emotional toll of self-erasure in the name of love and belonging.
Known for his fusion of Bollywood melodies, Western pop structures, and diasporic nostalgia, Sheel continues to carve a singular sonic identity. Rooted in a classical Indian vocal upbringing and sharpened by self-taught guitar prowess, his music bridges cultural and stylistic worlds with remarkable cohesion.
Following acclaim for previous singles like ‘More Than Friends’ and ‘Over You’, ‘Cool Like You’ reaffirms Sheel’s place among rising indie pop talents. Both emotionally resonant and dancefloor-ready, it’s a compelling listen for fans of genre-blending, globally informed pop.
Emotional Equations and Quiet Implosions: Peter Donovan’s ‘Scientific Crimes'”
By all rights, Scientific Crimes should be a clinical dissection of love gone wrong; but Peter Donovan, Seattle’s quietly magnetic songwriter laureate, turns what could’ve been a thesis into a heartbreak ballad that feels more like a bruise; tender, slow to fade, and impossible not to press on.
Donovan’s gift has always been his ability to wring human ache from the everyday; he’s a songwriter who sees metaphor in malfunction, who knows that emotional wreckage is best told in snapshots, not sermons. Here, he gives us a breakup song that doesn’t explode so much as it unspools, quietly unraveling like thread slipping through fingers. The phrase “scientific crime,” borrowed from an overheard bus breakup, anchors the track’s emotional thesis: trying to rationalize the irrational, to map grief with logic, to chart a heartbreak like an equation gone wrong.
Musically, it’s classic Donovan; literate but never showy, rootsy without leaning on clichés. The arrangement builds gently: Charles Wicklander’s electric piano twinkles like satellite debris; Eric Vanderbilt-Matthews’ synths hum with melancholy; and Donovan’s own acoustic strums keep everything grounded. Aimee Lefkowicz’s harmony vocals add a welcome ache, echoing like the voice in your head that asks, “What if?”
There’s something almost cosmic in the way Donovan writes about endings, stars collapsing in on themselves, gravity failing, laws of motion turning cruel. Lines like “it defies all logic, it’s a scientific crime, but forever’s not forever sometimes” feel like thesis statements for the human condition; a world where entropy always wins, no matter how carefully we draw the charts.
If his 2025 concept album Community Theatre proved Donovan could build a Broadway-worthy narrative arc, Scientific Crimes reminds us he’s just as devastating when he zooms in on the quiet implosions. There are no villains here, no screaming matches, no grand betrayals; just the slow, silent drift between two people; a heartbreak rendered not as a meteor strike, but a planetary shift.
For fans of Conor Oberst, early Wilco, and anyone who’s ever tried to turn pain into poetry, Scientific Crimes isn’t just a song; it’s a study. A gentle, devastating case file on how we try (and fail) to make sense of the things that break us.
Poignant, poetic, and profoundly human; Donovan delivers one of his finest works yet.
SOCIALS:
https://www.instagram.com/peterdonovanmusic/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/peterdonovanmusic/
PHOTO CREDIT: Nikki Barron
SO-LAR, YC Beatz Release “Titan”
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Inland Years Present ‘Keep Your Eyes on the Road’ Out Now
Brooklyn-based Inland Years returns with Keep Your Eyes on the Road… a lo-fi, fuzzed-out folk record full of tape hiss, jangle pop, and late-night honesty. Out now, the album blends 60s-tinged psych and garage influences with the melodic minimalism of artists like Tony Molina and The Reds, Pinks & Purples.
Written and recorded alone in off-hours between work, caregiving, and everyday life, the record captures the quiet drama of motion and memory. Moments half-forgotten, repeated, or missed. The lyrics drift between emotional waypoints while guitars buzz and bend under the weight of analog wear.
https://inlandyears.bandcamp.com/album/keep-your-eyes-on-the-road
“It’s about the stuff we carry; between places, between people, between versions of ourselves.” — Inland Years
This is the project’s first LP-length release, following a series of small run cassettes. Though home-recorded and self-produced, Keep Your Eyes on the Road has gained traction via WFMU, CHIRP Radio, WQFS, and tastemaker blogs like Rosy Overdrive, Various Small Flames, and Left Off the Dial.
The cassette edition is already sold out, but the album is available digitally everywhere on BSDJ.
https://instagram.com/inlandyears
Don Broco’s “Cellophane” Is a Nu-Rock Confession in a Post-Everything World
Don Broco’s new single “Cellophane” doesn’t whisper. It doesn’t ask permission. It enters the room with a crash, punches the clock, and detonates a few sacred genre cows on the way to your soul. There’s something unapologetically raw about it—not just in the music, which rides a jackhammer riff into the center of your skull—but in the message. Underneath the glossy production and hybrid assault of styles is a naked confession: *I’m not okay, but I’m still standing.*
That kind of honesty is rare in rock music these days, especially when it comes wrapped in the armor of aggression and the swagger of arena ambition. But Don Broco have always been a band that refused to choose between the mosh pit and the mirror. “Cellophane,” their first release under Fearless Records, is more than just a banger—it’s a battle cry for the broken, a nu-metal-tinged war chant for anyone still pretending to have their act together.
Let’s talk sound first. Produced by Dan Lancaster (he of Muse and Blink-182 sonic sorcery), “Cellophane” walks the tightrope between precision and chaos. The rhythm section hits like a hydraulic press, while the guitars bite and twist with just enough industrial sheen to keep things dangerous. Rob Damiani’s vocals are a masterclass in dynamic range—crooning one second, snarling the next, then breaking into a near-scream that sounds like a man peeling off his own skin to show you what’s underneath. It’s not just vocal theatrics. It’s an exorcism.
The lyrics? They cut deeper than expected. “Cellophane” is about the fragile veneer we wear to survive—how we wrap ourselves in layers of false strength, hoping no one sees the cracks. It’s about admitting the illusion, and the fear of what happens when it finally tears away. In a world where curated confidence is currency, Don Broco are throwing their vulnerability into the ring. That takes guts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8CEs2tvKy0&feature=youtu.be
And yet, the song never wallows. This isn’t a pity party; it’s a call to arms. There’s a groove running through it, a defiant pulse that says, “Yeah, I’m broken—but I’m not done.” It’s that tension—between darkness and defiance—that makes “Cellophane” one of the band’s most compelling tracks to date.
Now signed to Fearless Records, the future is wide open. The label’s president Andy Serrao called them “creatively fearless,” and he’s not wrong. Don Broco don’t just blend genres—they set fire to the dividing lines. Rock, metal, pop, electronic—it’s all just paint on their sonic canvas. And “Cellophane” feels like a new brushstroke in a work still in progress.
With a global tour on the horizon and a track that hits with both muscle and meaning, Don Broco are stepping into the next phase of their evolution. And if “Cellophane” is any indication, they’re not just ready for the world.
They’re ready to blow the whole thing wide open.
– Lonnie Nabors
Nzondi Releases “Eaton Canyon Falls”
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Hit-Boy Releases “What’s the Deal”
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