Oldies – Concert: 4/26 – Thee Sinseers & The Altons @ StageOne Fairfield Theatre Community

March 14, 1994 “Forever Now” by Level 42 (new wave/synth-pop)

“Forever Now” is the 10th studio album released by Level 42, and it was actually the last album dropped before their original break-up and is their first record of the ‘90s to feature 3/4 founding members. Since they established themselves in their jazz-funk style in the early ‘80s, they have now experimented more with polish, production, and layers. This album is defined by the bass and vocals of Mark King, who was really the defining force of the group, as he was known for his slap-bass technique. Although this album doesn’t lean into the bass as much as previous albums like “World Machine,” King’s groove is still the foundation on which the glossy production builds. The opening and title track, “Forever Now,” sets the tone with bright horns, shimmering synth, and a groovy drum that feels very in place for early-90s pop. At this point, many bands from the ‘80s were trying to venture into a changing musical landscape, where grunge and alternative rock were dominating the charts, but that didn’t stop Level 42 from diving headfirst into smooth melodic pop. A funkier song, “Model Friend,” cuts into the brightness of the pop, and is a good contrast to the positivity of other songs, while this one questions what it means to be a good friend, and why sometimes there’s hollowness instead of genuine connection. One throwback to their earlier sound is “All Over You.” The groove is more pronounced, and the bass plays more of an active role. The theme of love is very prominent throughout this album and is similar to the message in “One in a Million.” One of the most popular songs on the album, “Love in a Peaceful World,” has been compared to Hall & Oates’ vocal delivery. It can also be deemed a “soap-box” song because of its preaching for understanding, peace, cooperation, and love among everyone, which is easier said than done. My personal favorite, “Romance,” is so warm and velvety that you can tell it’s about love even before the lyrics begin. The instrumentation is simple compared to the rest of the album, but I think its slow and tender approach is even better than the happy pop. Contrary to that, the last three songs on the album are actually break-up songs. While “The Sunbed Song” reminisces on a good relationship and memories, versus “Talking In Your Sleep” discussing cheating, and “Don’t Bother Me” being in the healed stage of the break-up and over that person’s game. Together, this whole album could be seen as the timeline of stages of relationships and emotions, that give it a sense of completeness and a resolution. The healthy mix of upbeat pop, funky grooves, and tender ballads demonstrates the full-spectrum journey of human connection, all while being completely polished and maintaining their signature sound. Level 42 proves that even after more than a decade of experience, hardship, and change, they were still able to evolve and craft songs that were unique to them and the era. I recommend “Romance,” “Forever Now,” “Romance” and “Don’t Bother Me.”

March 15, 1969 “Sands Of Time” by Jay & The Americans (pop-rock)

Although you probably didn’t know, Jay & The Americans were one of the most consistent vocal groups of the 1960s and were known for their doo-wop harmonies with orchestral pop arrangements. By the time their seventh studio album, “Sands of Time,” was released, the musical landscape had already shifted into psych-rock, folk-rock, and blues-influenced music, but Jay & The Americans continued their signature style. One fun fact about “Jay” is that there have been two of them over time, first Jay Taynor as frontman, but when he left in 1962, Jay Black took over. Black’s voice was much more defining for their biggest hits, like “Come a Little Bit Closer” and “Cara Mia.” This album is actually entirely covers of their favorite 50s/60s songs because they yearned to go back to a time pre-Beatles, when they were most influenced and allowed them to stay in their roots instead of modernizing. To introduce a new generation to the music they grew up loving, Jay & The Americans add modern production and new instruments like electric bass and drums to appeal to new audiences while honoring the past. The opening track is a cover of “This Magic Moment,” originally recorded by The Drifters, a classic early ‘60s love song that set the tone and genre for the rest of the album. Again, the theme of love will be very persistent in this album, but it’s even more interesting because the title and cover itself are a reference to the hourglass metaphor, where the grains represent how life and love slowly slip away if you don’t appreciate them enough. So while the songs are very upbeat and loving, the overlooking reference to the temporality of our feelings looms over like a storm cloud. The ballad love songs, like “Pledging My Love,” “My Prayer,” “So Much In Love,” and “Goodnight My Love” showcase operatic-sounding vocals from Black that complement light instruments like violins and acoustic guitar. All of these love songs are light, tender, and have emotionally intimate lyrics to complete the loveliness of the musical composition. There are some fast-paced songs, like “Can’t We Be Sweethearts” and “When You Dance,” that follow classic upbeat 60s dance songs like Frankie Valli, Roy Orbison, etc., that have been inspirations to this band. Jay & The Americans will continue to go on in revival-themed albums, like Wax Museum, keeping the love for nostalgia and a twist to recreate the song. Even though this was released in 1969, its purpose is at the heart of modern DJ culture, whose goals are to call back to past music and make it something new for younger generations. I recommend “So Much In Love”, “Since I Don’t Have You”, and “Gypsy Woman.” 

(Single) March 16, 1987 “With Or Without You” by U2 (power ballad/ alt-rock)

Released in March 1987 as a lead single from “The Joshua Tree,” “With or Without You” quickly became one of U2’s most famous songs and their first No. 1 hit in the United States. Today, it’s hard to imagine U2 without this song, but a fun fact they almost abandoned it during recording because they couldn’t decide how to finish it. Musically, this song is built around a simple, steady drum beat, a warm bass, and atmospheric guitar textures that build over time. One of the key tools to figuring out this song was a device called the Infinite Guitar, which allows guitar notes to echo forever. This is how the haunting and swelling sounds build in the second half of the track. Producers Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois played a prominent role in shaping the atmosphere of the song from a louder arrangement into a more spacious and repetitive emotion. Lead Singer Bono wrote the song about the contradictions that appear in love and life, and the title perfectly represents a dichotomy of emotions and conflicts over the people we love. Even though it’s considered a “power ballad,” this song is actually incredibly restrained, hypnotic, and cathartic. This song has been revived in many generations, through radio, media, TV, and films, and has remained recognizable for decades. This song was one of the first to balance intimate emotions and pain with an atmosphere that could fill an entire stadium, which helped make “The Joshua Tree” one of the most critical albums of the 1980s.

Hip-Hop/R&B – Concert: 4/28 – Danny Brown @ Toad’s Place

Jack Harlow released a new album titled “Monica,” and oh my gosh, I am obsessed. As many people know, I have been a big Harlow fan since “That’s What They All Say,” which was released in 2020. This album is completely different from anything in his discography, and I am so here for it. The entire album leans into a slower, more laid-back vibe, filled with smooth, jazzy production that gives the project a relaxed but sophisticated feel. Instead of the high energy many fans might expect from him, Harlow lets the beats breathe and focuses more on flow, storytelling, and atmosphere. This might actually be my favorite release of 2026; there is not a single song on this nine-track album that I dislike. My favorites so far are “Lonesome,” “Prague” and “Say Hello,” but I genuinely loved all nine. I am so here for this new era with Jack Harlow, and I cannot wait to hear more like this.

Last week, Juice WRLD’s team posthumously released another single titled “We Don’t Get Along,” which also features Marshmello. This marks the first Juice WRLD release in a while, and it immediately caught the attention of longtime fans. While I sometimes have mixed feelings about artists’ teams continuing to release music after their passing, I have to admit that this track is one I genuinely enjoyed. The collaboration with Marshmello gives the song a smooth, emotional production that pairs well with Juice WRLD’s recognizable melodic style. His vocals feel raw and personal, something that has always been a defining part of his music. The track carries that bittersweet feeling that often comes with posthumous releases, but it still manages to highlight the talent and emotion that made Juice WRLD such an impactful artist in the first place. Overall, “We Don’t Get Along” feels like a respectful addition to his catalog, reminding listeners of the unique voice and honesty he brought to the genre. 

Saba and No ID released a new single titled “Paygrade Demo.” This single is very laid back, with a very chill and summery hip-hop vibe. This is Saba’s first release of 2026, and he’s really starting off the year strong. This marks Saba’s first release of 2026, and it’s a strong way to start the year. His flow feels relaxed yet confident, allowing the production from No ID to shine while still keeping the focus on Saba’s thoughtful delivery. The two artists work together seamlessly, creating a track that feels both polished and easy to listen to. Overall, “Paygrade Demo” sets a promising tone for what could be ahead for Saba this year, and if this release is any indication, fans have a lot to look forward to in 2026.

Country/Folk – Concert: 6/4 – Scott McCreery @ Foxwoods Resort

Avery Anna’s second EP “forgive, forget” was released on Friday, a project she described on her Instagram as one that gave her “space to really get real, get honest and be unapologetic about it,” and you can sense that even after a first listen. Prior to the full release, Anna dropped two singles: The first being “Fear In God,” her third duet with fellow artists and friend Sam Barber, and the second being “Man Downstairs.” The latter is one of the heavier songs on the EP, alongside “Blood Runs Thicker,” one of the new tracks. This song wasn’t one of my favorites on first listen, but I already liked it much more on the second. I think of the new songs, my favorite is “lonestar alone.” It’s the right kind of tone where Anna excels, and I think it will grow to be one of my favorites off this project. “Life Ain’t Like The Radio,” a song where Anna sings about the tropes of radio country and how life doesn’t always play out that way, is another song I’m not the biggest fan of. For whatever reason, this actually seems like a song meant for country radio, and with the exception of her collaborations with Barber, not a lot of her other stuff impacts the radio. The chorus is catchy, and the lyrics are funny because she laments some of the basic country tropes, but nothing about it really blew me away. The last and final song on the project, the title track, is one that actually might be too slow for me. I know that sounds crazy, because the slower the better for me, but I really wasn’t expecting this one. There’s an argument to be made that it’s one of her slowest songs ever, among the likes of “girl next door,” “butterfly project” and “danny don’t.” I’m a fan of all those other songs, so I imagine it will slowly become one of my favorites as well. Overall, I really do like this project, but I think I need more time to resonate with it. As I listen to it more, I’ll pick up on more of the lyrics and messages, and I guarantee I will love it, like I do all her other stuff. Another great piece from one of my all-time favorite artists.

Gavin Adcock and company finally released “Country Never Dies,” a project he and some of his country music buddies put together to honor the genre’s legacy. Featuring covers of legends like George Jones, Keith Whitley, Hank Williams Jr. and Johnny Cash, among others, the 11-track album features 10 different artists. Some of the bigger names on the project include Hudson Westbrook, covering Conway Twitty’s “Slow Hand,” Vincent Mason covering Hank Williams’ “You Win Again” and Adcock himself, who covers Williams Jr’s “Only Daddy That’ll Walk The Line” and Merle Haggard’s “Mama Tried” respectively. In all honesty, this album was a mixed bag. There were some songs, like Ashley Cooke’s “Southern Nights” and Braxton Keith’s “Slide Off Of Your Satin Sheets,” that I wasn’t a fan of. However, I think Jake Worthington CRUSHES “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” It was easily my favorite off the album, and I think it’s one of the few that actually does the original justice. Other songs like Westbrook’s “Slow Hand” are fun and catchy, bringing a new life to some of the classics, but as I said above, this project was a mixed bag. It’s definitely a bold choice to come out and cover some of country music’s greatest songs, but I think Adcock and friends did just enough not to completely butcher it, but they didn’t nail it either. A solid album I recommend to fans of the classics, if not for just hearing their opinion.

I’m not gonna cover too much of this, as I wrote a whole essay about it on the Nov. 3 weekly if interested. But, I am SO happy Conner Smith finally put his “41 minutes of unreleased country music” on streaming. There’s not only a bunch of brand new songs, but acoustic covers of two of his previous releases from the same project, “Ain’t Got Enough Faith” and “Man I Was Made To Be.” Some of my favorites from this specific release, as well as the long-form YouTube video, include “South of It,” “Never Be Gone” and “Callin’ While I Can.” The latter is one of many meaningful songs from Smith, and its great message made it one of my favorites. More than anything, I’m just putting this on here because of how happy I am it’s finally on streaming. 

Noah Kahan’s second single from his upcoming album, “Porch Light,” was really solid. I don’t love it when Kahan’s voice goes low, like on “Call Your Mom,” for example, and I like it more when he flexes his vocals, on something like “Northern Attitude.” Because of this, I think I like “The Great Divide” more. It is exactly the style of Kahan I like. “Porch Light” definitely got better as it went along, as I think my favorite part was the final minute or so. I have really liked everything that is set to be on this new album, which gets me more and more excited to hear what the project will be like.

Rock/Alternative – Concert: 6/17 – Joyce Manor @ Toad’s Place

“When I Wake Up” is a high-energy, punk-driven single from The Pretty Reckless’ upcoming album “Dear God.” The album will be their fifth album and you can definitely hear the experience of the band in this track. The song is very upbeat and high-energy and at times I found that it kind of sounded like something I would expect from Foo Fighters or someone similar, with powerful guitars and driving drums. To support the release of the album, the band has also announced a world tour later this year, so there really is no better time to get into The Pretty Reckless.

“Still There’s a Glow” is Sweet Pill’s second album, with their debut album released back in 2021. The album is full of sweeping and melodic guitar riffs and the drums always seem to be pushing the songs forward. There are definitely some elements of math-rock in the guitar riffs, but I wouldn’t really call any of the songs math-rock. The album is also very emotional, and it feels like the lead singer, Zayna Youssef, is taking you on a journey with her through some of her lived experiences. There are moments of sadness, anger and confusion and at certain times it feels like Youssef is just unraveling. You can also see this in the song titles, with the last two tracks being named “Holding On” and “Letting Go,” showing the difficult decision-making in emotional moments. There aren’t a ton of metaphors in the writing of these songs; many of them are very straightforward about the emotions they carry, and it works very well. 

Recently, it was announced that there would be a Deluxe Edition of Eagles’ album “One of These Nights,” and as a part of the new deluxe edition, the band has put out a previously unreleased cover of Chuck Berry’s “Carol.” The cover is a fun reimagining of a Berry classic. Eagles do well to keep the obvious iconic parts of the song, like the guitar riffs but blend it with their own sound and style and it really just feels like a less dated version of the Berry song. You can definitely tell it’s a song from the ‘50s, but Eagles do a good job of blending their ‘70s sound to make the song sound more modern. If you are a fan of Eagles, then I recommend checking out this fun cover of a rock classic, and if you are a fan of Chuck Berry, then I recommend checking it out to hear a fresh take on one of Berry’s most iconic songs.

Pop & Indie – Concert: 6/2 – Trousdale @ Space Ballroom

It may come as a surprise to some of you, but I actually enjoyed Harry Styles’ fourth solo album, “Kiss All The Time, Disco Occasionally.” Before I get into my thoughts on the songs, I want to say that I love the album title. I think the social media trends that have come from it have been very entertaining and make for more awareness of the album, it can be used as a cute caption and it’s just fun to say. Styles, a former member of One Direction, has released three previous solo albums and has one of the most successful solo careers of the band. He recently hosted and performed on Saturday Night Live for the second time and it was one of my favorite recent episodes. Last time I talked about Styles, the album’s single “Aperture” was still growing on me but I now enjoy the song more. My favorite from this album has to be “American Girls,” I just find it fun and for me it was the most memorable song on the album. I also enjoy the fifth track “Taste Back,” I like the upbeat aspect and the lyrics. This song very quickly became a trend on TikTok, I actually saw it on my feed before even hearing the album. “Pop” is another one I really like. I actually wasn’t a fan of it at first but it grew on me pretty quickly. While I wouldn’t add every song to my playlists, I don’t necessarily dislike any of them, I find the whole album to be very catchy and fun.

The Jonas Brothers have released over seven albums and it’s not even the year 3000. After announcing the South American and Vegas leg of their tour, “Greetings From Your Hometown” the brothers released a live album of some of their special guest performances from the first leg, titled “Friends From Your Hometown.” Since this is a live album, with a lot of their special guests, it is pretty long, coming in at an hour and seventeen minutes with twenty songs, this album is really making me regret not going to see them in Orlando in October. Orlando’s stop had three special guests including Auliʻi Cravalho, who is unfortunately not on the album. One of the best songs on this live album is “Wouldn’t Change A Thing” with Demi Lovato from Camp Rock. I have talked about my negative thoughts on Camp Rock before but it’s pretty iconic of them to perform this live almost fifteen years later. Lovato joined them on opening night of the tour in the brothers home state of New Jersey. They performed some of their own songs with guests as well such as “Vacation Eyes” with JoJo. That song is from one of their past albums and I prefer the original over the live duet. I think the most fun part of this album is when they did other artists’ songs, some of my favorites are “She Looks So Perfect” with 5 Seconds of Summer, “I’m Just A Kid” with Simple Plan, and “The Middle” with Maren Morris. Overall I think it’s awesome that they made a live album with these performances because they were a big talking point on their tour. I will be adding some of these to my playlists and I recommend giving it a listen if any songs you like are included.

Jack Antonoff is back at it with Bleachers second single “dirty wedding dress” from their upcoming album “ everyone for ten minutes” releasing May 22. This song has a classic Bleachers sound and I enjoyed it. I think it would be fun to hear this one live.