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Category: Reviews

Jeffrey Silverstein – “River Running By”

February 18, 2021February 18, 2021 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The Portland musician's new EP, 'Torii Gates,' is out April 16 on Arrowhawk Records.

Matt LaJoie – Paraclete Tongue

February 17, 2021February 16, 2021 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The follow up to last year's 'Everlasting Spring,' the latest solo venture from the Maine-based multi-instrumentalist explores the essence of the fire element and its role within our earthly and celestial worlds.

Ryan Sambol – Gestalt

February 5, 2021February 16, 2021 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The latest project from the Texas-based musician opts for the frontier over sweaty dive bars, offering a plethora of simple songs that strut and warble with the well-worn vestige of old time cowboy music.

Navy Blue – Song of Sage: Post Panic!

February 1, 2021February 1, 2021 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The New York rapper's second album feels born directly out of last year's inescapable isolation.

Dante Elephante – Mid-Century Modern Romance

January 27, 2021January 25, 2021 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The podcaster and multi-instrumentalist's third LP is loaded with funkified California pop.

Farmer Dave & The Wizards Of The West – FDWOW

January 26, 2021January 25, 2021 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

Farmer Dave's latest musical venture is an enthralling exhibit of Cosmic American space rock.

Charley Crockett – “I Can Help”

January 9, 2021January 9, 2021 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

Featuring a twangy organ-laden groove, the country crooner croons taps into his soulful side to bring forth an earnest interpretation of Billy Swan's classic 1974 love song.

Acres Even – “Earl Greyson” (Music Video)

January 8, 2021January 8, 2021 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The band channels their feel-good beach rock through playful costume arrangements and set designs that range from all-too-awkward prom pictures to quirky kitchen adventures.

Ryan Pollie – Museum At The End of Time

December 18, 2020December 18, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

Side-stepping his usually warm and twangy aesthetic, Ryan Pollie's latest project marks a foray into the ambient realm and is accompanied by an entrancing film.

Rich Jones & Montana Macks – How do you sleep at night?

December 4, 2020December 5, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The Chi-town veterans reunite their musical partnership and heritage for a jazzy affair that confronts 2020's social turmoil from a blunt point of view.

Barry Walker Jr. – Shoulda Zenith

December 2, 2020December 5, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

On his latest solo project, the Portland pedal steel player blends New Age, psychedelia, exotica, and cosmic country while pushing the outer limits of his instrument's traditional vocabulary.

Emilee Emiko – Emilee Emiko

November 30, 2020November 29, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The singer's debut EP crafts a serene and bubbly folk-pop sound somewhere between a more rustic Mazzy Star and Jenny O.'s sensual indie-rock.

romæo – “stare”

November 25, 2020November 25, 2020 ~ gabriellejohnsen ~ Leave a comment

The second single by the Sydney-based artist flips between two modes of insecure heartache.

Chris Stapleton – Starting Over

November 23, 2020November 23, 2020 ~ Alex Johnson ~ 1 Comment

The Nashville star is in his element on his fourth album.

Kevin Morby – Sundowner

October 29, 2020December 5, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The Kansas City songwriter's sixth record is packed full of elemental guitar songs that feel warm and of the woods.

Eva B. Ross – “Jim Beam Moonbeams”

October 28, 2020December 5, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The new track is accompanied by a dreamy lyric video that lends a faded atmosphere to the song's delicate grooves.

Dex Wolfe – Lightness

October 22, 2020December 5, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The Minneapolis musician's debut EP is a culmination of several years spent honing his diverse technical skill set and embracing the ups and downs of living a creative life, overcoming personal grief, and learning self-love.

The Neighbourhood – Chip Chrome & The Mono-Tones

October 13, 2020October 13, 2020 ~ gabriellejohnsen ~ 1 Comment

The band's fourth project considers a new perspective – that of the striving performer, a lens which automatically invites autobiographical speculation.

Del Square & Invisible Movement – “Memories Fade”

October 7, 2020October 5, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

Introspective indie crooner Alejandro Juarez is back with a fresh collaboration that observes the inevitability of change.

Anne Malin – Waiting Song

October 5, 2020December 5, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The Nashville tandem's new record is a hauntingly beautiful Americana album that explores our perpetual disconnection with time in the age of coronavirus.

Esther Rose – “Thirteen”

October 2, 2020October 2, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The stomping country-rocker is the first single from Lemondrops, a new series by Lemonade Records geared towards spotlighting independent artists.

Acres Even – Rose Gold

September 23, 2020September 23, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

Over four short tracks, the Los Angeles natives create a mixture of fast-moving instrumental beds and tender vignettes that together amount to a delightful and carefully-measured chaos.

Pearl Charles – “What I Need”

September 15, 2020September 17, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The L.A. singer's cosmic new album 'Magic Mirror' is out January 15.

Colter Wall – Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs

September 9, 2020December 5, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

On his third album, Wall expands his increasingly deep catalog of cowboy ditties and prairie songs with another batch of high and lonesome tunes alongside his excellent honky-tonk style band.

numün – voyage au soleil

September 3, 2020September 4, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The new collaborative project offers a disparate blend of cosmic soundscapes, western and eastern psychedelia, and computer music.

Annie Dressner – Coffee at the Corner Bar

September 2, 2020September 4, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The U.K. singer-songwriter's third album is unabashedly nostalgic, recalling details in a way that evokes genuine longing.

Marlowe – Marlowe 2

August 14, 2020November 12, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The second collaboration from L'Orange and Solemn Brigham is another captivating work full of laser-sharp lyricism paired with dusty and groove-centric sampling.

Blu & Exile – Miles: From an Interlude Called Life

August 12, 2020August 19, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The legendary duo's third full-length collaborative effort brings their journey full circle, flexing their superior skill and craftsmanship to create an ambitious, 95-minute jazz-rap opus that celebrates and pays homage to a rich musical and cultural history.

Laura Veirs – “Burn Too Bright”

August 10, 2020August 9, 2020 ~ Roberto Johnson ~ Leave a comment

The Portland indie folk singer's new album, My Echo, is out October 23rd.

Charley Crockett – Welcome to Hard Times

August 10, 2020August 23, 2020 ~ Alex Johnson ~ Leave a comment

On his new record, the well-traveled Texas blues man makes you feel as if he's lived through every note he plays.

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  • Q&A: Kipper Gillespie – No Sunshine February 23, 2021
  • David Crosby – If I Could Only Remember My Name (50th Anniversary) February 22, 2021
  • Jeffrey Silverstein – “River Running By” February 18, 2021
  • Matt LaJoie – Paraclete Tongue February 17, 2021
  • Ryan Sambol – Gestalt February 5, 2021
  • Navy Blue – Song of Sage: Post Panic! February 1, 2021
  • Album Book Club’s 50 Favorite Albums of 2020 January 31, 2021
  • Dante Elephante – Mid-Century Modern Romance January 27, 2021
  • Farmer Dave & The Wizards Of The West – FDWOW January 26, 2021
  • Desert Skies: Modern California Country-Rock Essentials January 13, 2021
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