Pop & Indie – Concert: 5/23 – Ally Salort @Mohegan Sun Arena
Avery Cochrane is someone I found on Tiktok, as I scrolled I heard a catchy clip and decided to look for it on Spotify. The song I originally heard was “Losing Streak” which is definitely my favorite on the album! I really liked the fun lyrics and general vibe of this song and when I realized her newest album is titled “Male Validation and Other Drugs” I was immediately intrigued. I ended up really enjoying the entire album and I definitely recommend giving it a listen.
I’ve been talking a lot about the Jonas Brothers recently but we can’t forget that there is a fourth brother. “High and Sad” was my first Frankie Jonas song and I definitely had different expectations. His style is interesting and borders on Folk and Country. He’s an indie artist with country influences, I think I even heard some banjo! I did really enjoy the song, it’s pretty mellow, and I like the instrumentals a lot. This song was an unexpected win for me this week.
Ricky Montgomery released a three song EP titled “Montgomery Ricky (Plus 3).” This EP did include the single released a few weeks ago titled “Oh My My.” This EP is really fun and each song has a very energetic vibe. My favorite was “Some Kind of Man,” it made me want to get up and dance.
Disney released an EP of country stars covering Disney classics. “Main Street Country” is perfect for any country fans and of course Disney lovers. This EP has five songs from classic Disney movies and Disney Channel Original Movies all sung by your favorite country stars such as Kane Brown, Dasha, and Maddie & Tae. They even included “She’s So Gone” from “Lemonade Mouth.” I thought this was a super cool idea for Disney, most of these songs wouldn’t be thought of in the country music scene and I think the change of style will bring in a wide audience of listeners. My favorite track is definitely “Go The Distance” covered by BRELAND. That song in general is gorgeous but I think adding some country was fun. Now I’ll just have to listen to the EP on Main Street!
Oldies – Concert: 5/22 – Don McLean @ Edmond Town Hall Theatre
April 4, 1995 “The Bends” by Radiohead (alt-rock)
After the unexpected rapid success of “Creep” on their debut album “Pablo Honey,” Radiohead found themselves stuck in a position where they had to prove they weren’t just a one-hit wonder. “The Bends” is a much more reflective album of Radiohead’s identity, and you can tell that by the more focused and emotionally complex songs. The opening track, “Planet Telex,” shows that Radiohead obviously wasn’t aiming for another “Pablo Honey” and blows the audience away with loud grit and distorted guitars. After that, the title track, “The Bends,” opens with a gritty but anxious energy that sets the tone for what’s to come, this feeling of pressure, identity, and being overwhelmed by a modern world. A divergence from the grunge, “High and Dry” returns to a softer, more melodic structure, with the same emotional weight in the vocals. The instrumentation is a simple acoustic guitar and drums for most of the song, which aids in the delivery of his fragile lyrics. The sullenness continues into “Fake Plastic Trees,” which critiques consumerism and hollowness, where our environment and people around us turn to nothing but artificial plastic. Fun fact is that this vocal performance was inspired after seeing a Jeff Buckley gig, which explains a lot. I had to take a quote from the author of “High Fidelity,” Nick Hornby, who wrote in 2000 that Radiohead had finally “found their voice … No other contemporary band has managed to mix such a cocktail of rage, sarcasm, self-pity, exquisite tunefulness and braininess.” And that is the perfect summary of this album, because although it seems to be all over the place sometimes, there is a matching theme that Radiohead portrays in their various emotional states. Then we get into two of my favorite songs from the album, which both have quiet and soft moments that build into loud instrumentals and vocals, “Bones” and “Just.” “Just,” for the first time is not taking a victim or sad mindset, this is a Radiohead that’s fed up with their emotional vulnerability, and for the first time stands up to this perceived narcissistic threat and they lay it all out, “you do it to yourself, just you, you and no one else” sometimes it feels better to be sad than angry. The song that most encapsulates the point of the album is “My Iron Lung,” where the band directly voices their frustration that comes with being creatively restricted and pressured by their fans, and even wrote as satire, “this is our new song, just like the last time, a total waste of time.” The last main song criticizing our modern world is “Black Star,” which seems to represent a collective mental burden, our jobs, rent, politics, and there’s always something else to be worried about. Similarly, the album concludes with more emotionally drained songs, like “Bullet Proof, I Wish I Was” and “Sulk,” to cement their point of critiquing how consumerism changes more than just what you spend money on, but heavily affects your relationships and mental health. “Street Spirit (Fade Out)” is a haunting and pessimistic conclusion to the album, and it really reminds me of “Exit Music (For a Film).” The theme continues into “OK Computer,” so I think it’s okay that the ending isn’t really resolved and instead morphs into something else on their musical discovery journey. But you’ll be happy to know that obviously Radiohead did beat the one-hit-wonder allegations and “The Bends” went quadruple Platinum in the UK, and became one of their most timeless albums that would bridge the genre gap between their debut and later albums. I recommend “Just,” “High and Dry,” “The Bends” and “Fake Plastic Trees.”
April 5, 1988, “Tracy Chapman” by Tracy Chapman (folk-rock)
Tracy Chapman’s self-titled debut album is one of the rare introductions to an artist where it seems that they already have their style fully formed, and you can tell from the opening track that Chapman had something new to bring to folk. Although it was related in ‘88, you would never guess that in the era of big production and synth-heavy sound, Chapman would favor storytelling, and that’s what made this album hit so hard. “Talkin’ Bout a Revolution” opens the album with a simple acoustic guitar, but the message is anything but simple. The song builds quietly around social issues and uses the perspective of people whose voices are often quieted. Then you get to “Fast Car,” which is easily the most recognizable song on the album, and for good reason. The storytelling is very vivid and relatable, about trying to make a life out of nothing with someone else, but life isn’t all about escaping. The hard parts of life, parents getting old and sick, relationship issues, all escape our minds in our youth. Unfortunately, you can’t escape the cycle of work, hope, and ultimate disappointment that brings you back to happy and comforting memories. Back into political inspiration, “Across the Lines” is about the divide of classes, races, and lives that are lived in America. In protest or riot situations, people of color are normally targeted for arrest or assault by authority, even if we are fighting on the same side. This song, and “Fast Car” are the two that Chapman decided to play live at Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday when she filled in for Stevie Wonder when he had technical difficulties. This string of luck landed Chapman live in front of a global audience and ended up helping her sell 2 million copies of this album! “Behind the Wall” is a stripped-down, poetic reading about hearing domestic violence and not being able to help. This haunting perspective is a reality for many neighbors and children, stuck hiding behind a wall, when police don’t take the man away if they even show up, and this cycle will repeat until no one calls anymore, or they fall victim to repeated abuse. Immediately after that is “Baby Can I Hold You,” which brings a more intimate side of relationships, while focusing on the words that your partner can’t say, like “sorry,” “I love you,” but he can say “baby, can I hold you tonight,” which is painful to imagine in itself. “Mountains O’ Things” is a satirical song about how the working class will always be confined to some kind of simple life, while the people who are exploiting you for work just say that it takes hard work to get to that position. But you don’t get mountains o’ things or money like that unless you are exploiting a whole bunch of employees or customers. “Why?” is a similar theme, showing all the contradictions in the world, like how children are starving but we have enough food, and why are the people who have missiles called peacekeepers? An optimistic turn comes in “She’s Got Her Ticket,” one of my favorite songs, because I know what it means to not fit into the expectations of your culture, and instead dream of a faraway place that I could fly to escape all the pressures of modern life. Radiohead is more realistic in acknowledging that there is no place like that. The last few songs return to a sweet spot for love, with “For My Lover” and “For You,” which both seem like they’re directed at sweethearts. These soft acoustic confessions are the aftermath of a ton of fueled political songs that want to inspire reflection in the audience, and it helps balance out the album, as well as life, that needs hard work and struggle, as well as tender and real moments of love. This album is overwhelmingly consistent with its light instrumentation that depends on Chapman’s voice and lyrics to carry it across the finish line and drive the message home. This album had a huge cultural impact when it came out in 1988, and it’s still relevant because the themes have not gone away or been resolved. I recommend “Across the Lines,” “She’s Got Her Ticket,” “Fast Car” and “Talkin’ Bout a Revolution.”
(Single) April 5, 1968, “Mrs. Robinson” by Simon & Garfunkel (folk-pop)
Originally written for the film The Graduate, “Mrs. Robinson” became one of Simon & Garfunkel’s most iconic songs because it was built with a larger cultural shift in mind. From the opening guitar picking, it has that classic folk-pop sound, but there’s something slightly off in the tone that you have to look at the lyrics to understand. They seem more layered than they are at first, referencing suburban life in the ‘60s, and cultural nods like Joe DiMaggio. It feels like a commentary on the loss of innocence and new expectations of people that emerge in that era. But in reality, it doesn’t take long to look at the actual dark themes that these two sing about in a peppy spirit. The song is a critique of the themes in the movie “The Graduate” in itself, romanticizing extramarital affairs, age-gaps, and a degradation of the ‘60s American life and morals. The verses to me are simplified as follows: a woman being admitted into a psychiatric facility, then hiding the affairs from your kids, going to political debates but having no hope in any candidate, and finally losing an “American” identity of the perfect nuclear household. You guys already know I love songs that balance their dark, deep lyrics behind something danceable and fun, and that is what Simon & Garfunkel nailed. They got the audience of “The Graduate” in the palm of their hand, and they love the catchiness of the song and want to sing along to it, but without realizing what they’re actually saying. Their work has stayed relevant for generations, though movies like “The Graduate” as a perfect example of how a song can capture a single moment in time, while still being timelessly relatable.
Hip-Hop/R&B – Concert: 7/28 – Elmiene @ Toads Place
Swae Lee released his highly anticipated album. “SAME DIFFERENCES,” which is his first album since 2018. This album includes 16 songs, finishing around 1 hour. This album includes features from; NAV, Jhene Aiko, French Montana, Rich The Kid, Slim Jxmmi, and Post Malone. Hearing this album and Swae Lee’s voice for more than a song felt nostalgic, something I’ve been awaiting. Swae Lee and Post Malone have a history of creating hits together, like “Sunflower,” and “TAKE MY HEART” is no different. This single brought back pre-country Post Malone, which was the perfect ending to this album. Overall, “SAME DIFFERENCES” feels like a full circle moment for Swae Lee. It captures everything fans loved about his earlier music, while introducing a more refined sound, making the album both nostalgic and exciting. After waiting this long, I can confidently say it was worth it.
Jaden Hossler, known in the music industry as JXDN, returned to the music industry late last year, and is truly making his fans know that he is here to stay. Recently, JXDN released “Better Man” which repeats the lyric “I’d be a better man if you were standing by me.” This is JXDN’s first time releasing an R&B single, yet JXDN explained how it felt natural. JXDN, who got his start in the popular content house ‘Sway House’, has been releasing music since his hit single “Angels and Demons,” which was released in May 2020. He then went on to release more singles and an album in the span of the next year. I remember the choke hold this man had on me around that time, and I am so happy he is making his return. This track truly shows the evolution of his music, which is evident as soon as you take a listen. With “Better Man,” JXDN shows that his return isn’t temporary, it’s the start of a new chapter in his artistry.
Trippie Redd and Young Thug teamed up to release a new single titled “Paperbag Boy,” and it has honestly been stuck in my head since the first listen. The track carries a powerful energy throughout, blending emotion with confidence in a way that immediately grabs your attention. One of my favorite parts of the song is how well Trippie Redd and Young Thug’s voices contrast with each other. They have completely different styles, yet somehow fit together effortlessly, creating a dynamic that keeps the track interesting from start to finish. The 3:09 single feels smooth and cohesive, with both artists almost floating off of each other’s verses. Their flows transition naturally, making the collaboration feel seamless rather than forced. The production adds to this, giving them space to shine while still maintaining that strong, hard hitting vibe. “Paperbag Boy” is the lead single for Redd’s upcoming album “NDA,” which is set to release later this year. I am hoping the rest of this album will follow how powerful this song truly is.
Country/Folk – Concert: 5/15 – Lily Fitts @ Space Ballroom
One of the fastest growing names in country music, Sam Barber’s sophomore album “Broken View” has hit our ears. After the success of his debut album “Restless Mind,” and songs like “Straight and Narrow,” “Indigo” and “Restless Mind” with Avery Anna, Barber is back with a less-packed 13 song album, as his last had 28 songs. I think this album will be one of the more popular of the year, but I’m not sure it was released at the right time. Though this is only my opinion, Barber’s songs work best at night, and I really found myself listening to his stuff this winter. His music, to me, seems more tailored to the winter months, so releasing this album right before summer feels a bit odd to me, but I expect it to reach a similar audience as his previous work. I’ve written about Barber in the past thanks to his work with Anna, as the two have the most angelic voices when paired together, but his solo stuff is just as good. He is an artist that chooses his collaborations very carefully, which is evident in the zero collaborations on this most recent project. I’ve used Barber as a substitute for Zach Bryan in the past, as I don’t particularly care to listen to the latter’s music anymore, but their music does have some key differences. Barber’s voice is very deep almost all the time, which is a bit different from Bryan, whose voice can reach those points if he wants to. Though I still haven’t digested the album fully, some of my early favorites include “Far Past,” “All For You” and the lone single “Borrowed Time.” I have a feeling that with time I’ll find more gems from this album, just like I did with “Never Mine” and “Due Time” on his debut, but for now, this is a very solid album that is sure to see love from all types of country music lovers, casuals or purists alike.
Newly formed country/Americana group Chaparelle released a new single titled “Don’t Waste Your Prayers” this weekend, and I am a huge fan. The group, which formed in 2023, consists of Zella Day, Jesse Woods and Beau Bedford, all having met at different times and life before the forming of the band. Their debut album “Western Please” released in April of 2025, but I didn’t really discover it until a couple months ago. The album is very soft, as a lot of the songs let Day’s vocals be the shining star, but what really surprised me was the final track “Dance with Somebody.” Despite the title change, I recognized the song instantly as Whitney Houston’s classic tune. A welcomed, slower, rendition of the song that I truly was not expecting. Chaparelle is a band that has been on my radar ever since I listened to the album, so getting new music from them is great. The song is typical of their sound, but even though there’s nothing distinct about it, I still really liked it and highly recommend it to fans of Americana and a soft female-country led sound.
A name I haven’t heard in a long time, Phillip Phillips, who peaked in the early 2010s with songs like “Home” and “Gone, Gone, Gone,” released a new single “Homesick” this weekend. I haven’t listened to anything by Phillips other than his big songs, so this new one was refreshing, especially considering his voice sounds so different. This is the first bit of new music we’ve gotten from the former “American Idol” winner since 2023, surely making diehard fans of his music very happy. This new song is very traditional folk, and sounds like something you’d hear from Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season,” not to be confused with his own song “Homesick.” If you have liked Phillips’ music in the past, and you like whimsical folk that sounds straight out of a Kahan album, this song would be right up your alley.
Rock/Alternative – Concert: 5/24 – Kerosene Heights @ Space Ballroom
Weezer has been teasing a new album, and this weekend released a new single “Shine Again” once again hinting at an upcoming album. The song is produced by Kenneth Blume, formerly known as Kenny Beats, who has spent most of his career working in hip-hop but has recently been moving into other genres. Blume worked with Geese on their most recent album “Getting Killed,” showing his strong understanding of the genre. This new Weezer track really captures the fuzzy post-grunge sound that they had earlier in their career. We still do not have a title or release date for this new album, but this track has me excited to see what Weezer and Blume can do together. For any fans of the early Weezer albums or songs, I definitely recommend checking this song out because it really does have that same energy.
U2 have done something very interesting this year with Lent and Easter. Back on February 18 the band released an EP titled “Days Of Ash” that features five songs that express anger with the world and frustration. The band then followed it up with an EP titled “Easter Lily” that was released on Good Friday, and in contrast to the first EP, “Easter Lily” features six songs that focus on hope and faith. The songs have a sound that fans of U2 have grown to expect, with some fans on social media calling it their best work yet. The “Easter Lily” EP can stand alone but when paired with the earlier “Days Of Ash” the contrast between them really increases the impact of the emotional messaging from the band. If you have enjoyed any U2 music in the past I highly recommend these two EPs.
Getdown Services have released a new single “The Radiator” and it is a great post-punk/dance-punk track that really highlights the sound and style that the British band has developed through the last five years. The band is very similar to stuff like Viagra Boys in their punk energy and sometimes weird lyrics, and this song is a great example of that. Getdown Services will actually be opening for Viagra Boys for their upcoming European Tour, and it really is a perfect pairing. The band’s singer Josh Law spoke about the track and said “This song is about only picking fights that you know you’ll win. It came about because the heating wouldn’t come on at once and I thought about when we bang things to make them work.” This song is really similar to a lot of their other music and if you are a fan of kind of weird post-punk like Viagra Boys, I highly recommend Getdown Series and this song is a great place to start.
Angine De Poitrine is a duo that creates instrumental music that really plays around with rhythm and time signatures to create a really unique sounding style of math rock/prog rock. “Vol.II” is the duo’s second album and just like the first it is full of fun and energetic tracks using interesting polyrhythms and unique tuning and tone from the guitar. Possibly the most interesting song on the album is “Sarniezz” which has this guitar melody driving throughout the song that is 24 beats long, at the beginning the drummer plays a 6/8 groove but about halfway through the drummer switches his groove to 4/4 completely changing the energy of the song without any changes to the melody at all, it is really interesting to hear. If you are interested in programming rock and math rock, I highly suggest checking out Angine De Poitrine.
Ringo Starr has released a new version of his 2005 song “Choose Love” for his upcoming album “Long Long Road.” The biggest difference between this track and the original version is new backing vocals from St. Vincent which add a nice harmony to the vocals. Starr has said the upcoming album is rooted in country and americana, much like his last album was as well and you can definitely notice that change in this new version as well, as the song moves away from its pop-rock roots and picks up a little bit more of a country sound. This new album from Starr will be the second he has released in two years and also his second attempt at a bit more of a country sound. It will be interesting to see how he has developed this sound over the last year.
