Oldies – Concert: 12/28 – A Flock Of Seagulls + 5 others @ Foxwoods Primer Theater
Oct. 11, 1985 (glam pop/rock)
Don’t let the monotone, dusty-colored, almost morbid cover of Simply Red’s debut album, “Picture Book,” fool you, because immediately on the first track, you hear a synth, pop funk rhythm and Mick Hucknall’s silky voice to set the upbeat tone. Beyond the hits, “Picture Book” is filled with tight arrangements, horn sections, and subtle grooves that showcase the band’s musicianship and storytelling. They chose the title and cover very carefully to inspire nostalgia, old photographs and an old picture book that would bring up old emotions, and stories that are being told throughout. This approach set “Picture Book” apart visually from other ‘80s releases that favored flashy, extravagant artwork. To showcase the full extent of their talent, the inclusion of ballads “Heaven” and “Holding Back the Years,” which became their first of two No. 1 hits they had in the U.S. Although this contains all the bells and whistles of a pop album, what became their most popular was their appeal to emotion, which also explains their heavy jazz and soul influence that matches Hucknall’s vocals. The theming of this album was very relatable to the struggles that a working-class individual would go through, and combined with the musical talent of six other people, this album skyrocketed to the No. 2 album in the U.K., U.S., and Australia. Overall, this album should not be as lost to time as it is and this kind of contagious funk needs to be studied because this debut is hit after hit. I recommend “Come to My Aid,” “Money’s Too Tight,” “Picture Book” and “No Direction.”
Oct. 12, 1978 (soul funk)
After her band, Rufus, dissolved, Chaka Khan took her first step into a solo debut album, and that album broke every expectation. Chaka produced a classic and one of her top hits off the first track, “I’m Every Woman,” which some might read as egoistic, but that’s not what the message is at all. Khan uses every ounce of her soul to preach about women’s collective strength, multifaceted capabilities, and inner power. Her voice continues to string the theme of the album, although this time not using her sheer volume (although that too), but her whispery and controlled strength in “Roll Me Through the Rushes.” However, my favorite song is “A Woman in a Man’s World,” firstly because my favorite songs have meaning and inspire change and emotion. Secondly, I like this one because this is how she shot herself away from her (man) band, and she had greater success than she ever did with them, going off on her own. She sings, “It’ll make me strong if I don’t give in, ‘cause the harder the fight, oh the sweeter the prize I’m sure to win.” And she’s right, of course, but I am just blown away at the sheer duality of this album while she still maintains the same theme of defining herself. This album came out two years after Stevie Wonder’s “Songs in the Key of Life,” and to me, they are on the same level of impact, unskippableness, funk, so let me introduce you to the (better) version of that album. I recommend the songs “I’m Every Woman,” “Sleep On It,” “The Message In the Middle of the Bottom” and “Life Is a Dance.”
Oct. 13, 1967 (soft rock)
Covered by Wet Wet Wet in 1994 for the movie “Four Weddings and a Funeral,” “Love Is All Around” spent 15 weeks in the U.K. at No. 1. However, I personally prefer the original, which sounds a lot more genuine to me. Though The Trogg’s version only reached No. 5 on the charts, the song was not as appreciated at its time as it should’ve been. But who doesn’t love a heartfelt serenade with the softness and harmony that only singing about love could produce? The message is also super cute. You love someone so much that it impacts every aspect of your day, and everything beautiful reminds you of them.
Global – Concert: 12/13 – The Heavy Heavy @ Space Ballroom
The wait is over!! MICO, currently on his first headline series of shows titled the “Internet hometown hero” Tour, has released his latest and awaited collaboration with fellow musician, Haiden Henderson. “Parasite” has been teased for weeks, with fans who attended his show uploading photos and being granted an early teaser snippet of the song. His stage presence is unmatched, and he remains humble and relatable as ever. Starting on Twitch and SoundCloud, MICO has made a name for himself through his talent and fantastic sense of humor. His pre-show playlist and fanbase are a lovely mix of fans from all corners of the music industry, whether it be musical theatre, electronic, K-pop, indie, or rock. The lyrics give us an inside view of what it feels like to be addicted to someone, to the point you cannot let go of them, even if they’re hurting you, like a parasite.
Have you ever crashed out and lost your mind in a public space over a relationship? If you have, this is the song for you! Say Now is back again with another smash hit titled “Supermarket,” with lyrics about reaching that breaking point over a boy and realizing how ridiculous you feel. The English pop trio made their debut in 2022, originally working under the name of ‘needanamebro,’ before deciding on ‘Say Now’ in July of 2023. If you’re a fan of Little Mix, KATSEYE, or SZA, give Say Now a listen; they have the potential and sound of becoming the next big thing. It would come as no surprise if they start to take off in these coming months, and I hope to see their popularity blossom like their music has throughout the years. Bringing back that Y2K girl group trend has been in the making for a while now, and this group has got the concept NAILED, with three different girls that blend and balance each other out perfectly.
Thailand’s K-pop prince BamBam has made his return to Thai music with a new EP titled “HOMETOWN,” featuring artists like TimeThai, Jeff Satur, Ink Waruntorn, and a song produced by Pharrell Williams. This is his first release in Thai since his solo debut back in 2020. BamBam was introduced as a member of the hit K-pop group GOT7 when they debuted back in 2014, having major success until 2021, when their contract with JYP Entertainment expired and several members chose to pursue solo careers while still remaining a group. All of the members have released at least one solo song, and BamBam’s return to Thailand for promotions of his latest project, before his EP was “Chuang Asia Season 2,” a survival show not much unlike the program all trainees go through before being chosen to debut. BamBam has been highly praised for his openness with his fans and clear honesty on topics that are still stigmatized for idols like dating and going out. His latest music video for “Wondering” is one that would be considered highly controversial in the K-pop world, considering it contains a scene of BamBam and the lead actress kissing. However, times are changing in the K-pop world, and things are becoming more and more accepted.
Hip-Hop/R&B – Concert: 3/20 – Cash Cobain @ Toad’s Place
If you knew me in 2022-2023, you would know how much I loved Lil Mabu. “MATHEMATICAL DISRESPECT” and “MR. TAKE YA B*TCH” were my go-to driving songs. This past week, Lil Mabu released a new song titled “wanna feel,” which has a very different feel than his other songs. Instead of his fast-paced, hype rap, Mabu slows things down and actually sings. The repeated line, “I wanna feel, I wanna feel more than the sex appeal,” shows a more emotional, reflective side of him that fans haven’t really seen before. Personally, I’ll never dislike a Lil Mabu track, but this one especially stands out to me. This shows that not only is he evolving as an artist, but he will forever have that same charm that made me fall for his music in the first place.
In anticipation of his upcoming album “Lil Herb,” which is set to release on Nov. 7, G Herbo teamed up with Jeremih for a smooth new single titled “Whatever U Want.” The track leans into a slower, more soulful vibe, with Herbo’s verses blending seamlessly with Jeremih’s silky vocals. Repeating lines like “I will do it all for you,” the song shows a softer side of Herbo that contrasts nicely with his usual hard-hitting flow. Between gearing up for a new tour, preparing his album, and dropping this single, Herbo is clearly in his grind era, and “Whatever U Want” proves he can balance vulnerability and swagger with ease.
Everyone’s favorite baddie, PinkPantheress, dropped a remix version of her beloved May 2025 mixtape, “Fancy That,” cleverly titled “Fancy Some More?” The project reimagines her original tracklist with a fresh spin, featuring remix versions that highlight her dreamy sound in all-new ways. The album also brings in some incredible collaborators, including SEVENTEEN, JADE, Zara Larsson, and Ravyn Lenae, each adding their own flair to PinkPantheress’s signature style. One of my favorite parts about this release is the layout. When you first click on it, you’re met with three discs, the first and second packed with remix versions, and the third holding the originals. It feels like a love letter to her fans, giving us both nostalgia and something new to obsess over, truly the perfect PinkPantheress experience.
A Boogie Wit da Hoodie also released a new single this week, titled “Part of Me.” Although mainly known for his hit song “Drowning,” which we were all jamming to in 2017, A Boogie has continued to stay consistent with evolving sounds. This marks his first solo track since his 2024 album “Better Off Alone,” and it feels like a refreshing return to his smooth, melodic rap roots. The song blends catchy hooks with a danceable beat. It’s fun, the kind of track that just feels like a late-night drive. Personally, I’m already planning choreography for it because the rhythm is impossible to sit still to. With “Part of Me,” A Boogie proves he’s not just keeping up with the current sound of hip-hop; he’s shaping it, one vibey single at a time.
Country/Folk – Concert: 11/15 – Warren Zeiders @ Mohegan Sun
One of country music’s most underrated female artists, Lauren Watkins, released her second studio album, “In A Perfect World,” this week. Watkins is someone I have had my eye on for a couple of years now. She opened for Conner Smith, one of my favorite artists, when I saw him in January of 2024. Her voice isn’t spectacular, but her writing is great, and she has some fantastic songs. Her music never really fails to put me in a good mood, similarly to Smith, and this album was no different. This album features a lot of fun songs, like “Britches,” “I’ll Get Through It” and “Lose My Cool,” the latter of which was released in April as the first single of the album. It is reminiscent of her debut album “The Heartbroken Record,” with a good mix of upbeat songs and a couple of slower songs. My favorite on this album is probably “Slippery Slope” with John Morgan, as I just like the duet style of the song. Also, I wanted to show some appreciation for the album cover, which is probably one of my favorites of 2025. It reminds me of Dolly Parton’s iconic “Jolene,” and I really like it. The record needs to grow on me a bit more, but I’d argue it has the same potential as “The Heartbroken Record,” which was one of my favorite albums of 2024.
Dasha, of “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’)” fame, released an eight-song EP this weekend, titled “Anna.” The title of the EP is a tribute to the single she released three months back, titled “Oh, Anna!” This album features a mix of some songs with similar sounds to “Austin” and a couple of slower-sounding songs like “Please Stop Changing,” “I Don’t Mean To” and “Train.” She has definitely found her sound, but is also willing to shy away from it a bit, which I can appreciate. She is experimenting with the pop-country style, which typically isn’t my favorite, but for her, it works. I never even got bored with “Austin” when it got popular, and I will frequently listen to it if it comes on. I think Dasha shone with the aforementioned “Oh, Anna!” a song where she sings about her younger self and how she misses that version of her. I would even argue that this song is her magnum opus, as you can’t tell through the lyrics just how much she misses her childhood innocence. Lyrics like “I didn’t even know that you were gone, ‘til I was drunk on Broadway, and they were playin’ our song,” and “I feel more like a scared little kid than I ever did back then” help to convey the message that Dasha has lost her childhood wonder and misses it. There is something about childhood that just about everyone can resonate with, and Dasha did a great job of recognizing that and singing to her strengths. An eight-song EP is practically an album, which Dasha hasn’t released since “What Happens Now,” so new music from her is always welcomed.
Her second week in a row on the weekly, Megan Moroney announced she was releasing her Am I Okay? Tour as a live album, covering the 24 songs played on the setlist. Of course, I have my favorites by Moroney, but this album gave me some new live favorites. Primarily “Girl In The Mirror – Live,” and “Mama I Lied – Live,” the former of which was on her debut album “Lucky.” I’d even go so far as to say “Mama I Lied – Live” is the best rendition of the song, and it may even sneak into my top 10-15 favorites from her. I was lucky enough to attend the tour, which was one of my favorite concerts ever, so any live rendition won’t hit the same. Even though I am not a huge live album type of guy, and this one probably won’t get too much play from me outside of these first two weeks, it’s still an exciting release for me and all of her fans.
Though I didn’t know who Madison Cunningham was before this week, this song was really interesting. I’m not sure if the style of her music is really for me, but she is bound to find fans thanks to her unique sound, which shines in this song. The backing beat was probably my favorite part, but I am someone who likes a good voice, which she has, but it’s not for me. According to her Spotify bio, Cunningham was named by Hozier as “one of the most talented creative forces in our generation,” and has worked with artists like Lucy Dacus, Remi Wolf and Mumford and Sons in the past. On top of that, her 2022 album “Revealer” won the GRAMMY for Best Folk Album. Her praises have been sung by some big names in the genre, which helps to show her staying power. Though I wasn’t too impressed by this single, I plan to listen to “Revealer” and see if my opinion changes at all, which I hope it does.
Rock/Alternative – Concert: 11/26 – Eggy @ Toad’s Place
“Ensenada” by Sublime is their latest single, and their second single with their new lead singer, Jakob Nowell, the son of Bradley Nowell, the original singer from the 1990s. This weekend, the band releases a live acoustic version of “Ensenada” that really shows off Jakob’s impressive vocals and a little bit of the energetic performance energy that he has. Many fans have been stunned by how similar Jakob sounds to his father, and it is no different in this live recording. Any fans of Sublime will definitely enjoy “Ensenada,” and this acoustic performance is a great, raw and stripped-down version.
“Sick Sad World” by Bob Vylan is another great example of their trademark mix of punk-rock, rap and hip hop. Like much of their other work, it is a very politically charged song that has many references to some major figures in British politics. They talk about the overall state of living in England right now while talking about issues and struggles that are similar to many around the world. Bob Vylan has found themselves in plenty of controversy in the past because of their aggressive political messaging, and this single is definitely a continuation of that, showing that they aren’t afraid of the backlash.
“Lovin’ You” is a new album by the former lead singer of The Verve, Richard Ashcroft, and if you are a fan of stuff like “Urban Hymns,” then this is definitely an album that is worth checking out. Ashcroft does experiment with his sound a little bit in this album, with certain songs having a lot more pop influences than others, but overall, the album clearly has the same singer and songwriter as The Verve and has a very similar sound. I found specifically songs like “Out of These Blues,” “Oh L’amour” and “Crimson Fire” to be some of the songs that had the most of that older 1990s sound. This album comes after Ashcroft spent the summer as the opener for the European dates of the Oasis reunion.
“Better Days” by Yellowcard is an album that feels very 2000s, with the band really keeping their sound over the years. The album does a very good job of capturing their classic, energetic pop-punk sound while still changing enough to make it new and modern. The album was produced by blink-182’s Travis Barker, who also played drums on every track. If you were a fan of Yellowcard’s stuff from the 2000’s like “Ocean Avenue,” then this album is definitely worth listening to, but even if you have never heard of Yellowcard, if you like the sound of 2000s pop-punk, this is worth checking out.
“The Beep Test” by God Alone is a very fun and energetic mix of styles, genres and sounds that works very well. The album is very aggressive and has some catchy hooks and guitar riffs, but is also very impressive in its ability to transition from very heavy thrashing-like sections and more indie-like sounds. God Alone is a post-metal band from Cork, Ireland that mixes hardcore, electronic and heavy post-metal into a very aggressive and unique sound. Some have described this album as “controlled chaos,” and that is exactly what it is.
Pop & Indie – Concert: 11/29 – American Thrills @ Space Ballroom
Maisie Peters is officially in her lover era with the release of two singles last week, “You You You” and “Audrey Hepburn”. Peters can be recognized for her opening performances on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, as well as Riley Moger and I’s WQAQ karaoke rendition of her song “Lost The Breakup.” Anyone who’s listened to my shows knows that I’m a big Maisie Peters fan, and I am so incredibly excited for this new album. Both songs are soft and calming, the second even feeling like a lullaby at times. The “Audrey Hepburn” lyrics remind me of Ed Sheeran’s songs, while the song sounds like a calmer version of something from Noah Kahan. I highly recommend giving both songs a listen.
Kelsea Ballerini pulls through yet again with stripped versions of seven songs from her most recent album, “Patterns.” Now these versions are definitely on the country side, but Folk and Country genre manager John Pilato and I have an agreement that I get to cover any Kelsea releases because I love her. The original version of “Patterns” definitely has a stronger pop presence than these versions do, and it sounded more angry at times. The stripped versions sound sad and raw, which is to be expected since the release came weeks after her breakup with Outer Banks actor Chase Stokes. The only song that is still upbeat is “I Would, Would You,” which is a song about friendship and was something she had a lot of fun with on tour. Some songs, such as the title song, have some new lyrics that are fun to hear, while others just have a different vibe or little moments that were added on tour. While I prefer the original versions, I do really like how different these are and will keep listening to both versions.
Sofia Camara, a 23-year-old pop singer, released her album “Hard To Love” last week, and I loved the song “Complicated.” She sings about having to end a friendship because it was becoming too complicated not to fall for each other. Camara’s voice is insanely good, and the song itself is so fun. Any of WQAQ’s pop girlies would love this.
It’s no surprise that, as a Disney Cast Member, I chose Shakira’s new song “Zoo” from the upcoming Zootopia 2. This song isn’t as good as “Try Everything,” but it definitely has more of a Shakira sound. This song has a very similar beat to Shakira’s song “Waka Waka,” which I think is really fun and makes it catchy. I think this song will be a lot of fun in the movie. I can already see it playing over the credits at the end. I’m sure whatever scene it’s in will fit perfectly, as the song is really good. I just don’t see it being as popular as “Try Everything” was. I’m very excited to see the new movie when it comes out in November.
