Tag: Singer-songwriter

Fresh New Tracks, Vol. 41 – Cormac O Caoimh, DelCobras, The Kid and I, Ewan Patrick

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews23 Comments

For my latest edition of Fresh New Tracks, I’m showcasing terrific releases by four acts I’m especially fond of – Irish singer-songwriter Cormac O Caoimh, Philadelphia power pop band DelCobras, London alternative indie rock band The Kid and I, and Scottish singer-songwriter Ewan Patrick.

Cormac O Caoimh – “The Little Things”

Cormac O Caoimh is a talented singer-songwriter and musician from Cork, Ireland who writes incredibly pleasing indie folk/pop songs filled with sublime melodies and beautiful arrangements. His thoughtful, intelligent lyrics exploring the intricacies of life, love, hope and loss are delivered with fine instrumentation and warm, comforting vocals that remind me at times of Paul Simon. The prolific artist has released an impressive amount of music over the past 25 years or so (both with his previous band Citadels and as a solo artist), including seven outstanding albums, the most recent being 1999​-​2012 Vol. 1, an ambitious work released last May 2024 featuring 20 tracks, 10 of which were new recordings of older songs released between 1999 and 2012, whereas 10 were the original recordings of those same songs. I’ve previously reviewed three of his singles, most recently “There’s A Crack (Heart Attack)“ from that album that’s a reimagining of his song “Heart Attack”, from his 2012 album A New Season For Love. You can read that review here.

Now Cormac returns with a new single “The Little Things“, about which he explains: “Unlike many of my songs this is a true story and a happy one. It is about 2 people who have this massive soulful connection with each other but they do not tell each other. And they go through their lives savouring the small moments they connect – a chance meeting in town, a cup of coffee at work, etc. The happy ending is …they both die, and their ghosts hook up.” It’s a sweet and poignant song, with lovely instrumentals set to a gentle melody and accompanied by Cormac’s soothing vocals. The video features vintage footage of Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell dancing in the film Broadway Melody of 1940.

The Bandcamp release also features two extra B-sides – “Does God Only Hear Sober Prayers” and “Sweet Sake” – both tracks from a country album that Cormac had planned to make but never did.

Delcobras – “The Turnaround”

Marc Schuster, Jim Lorino & Nick Cervini

Hailing from Philadelphia is recently-formed power pop trio DelCobras, comprised of Jim Lorino (lead vocals, guitar & synths), Marc Schuster (bass & vocals) and Nick Cervini (drums). All accomplished musicians, Jim is also frontman of indie power pop act Scoopski, now on hiatus, and drummer for indie alt-rock band Naive Nature. Marc records both as a solo artist and is also one-half of duo The Star Crumbles, as well as involved with several other musical acts, including Scoopski for a time. Nick is drummer for Philadelphia indie rock band Sacred Monsters and also played with Scoopski. In addition to their musical talents, they’re personable guys with a wicked sense of humor. Their name is a tribute to Delaware County, where Marc and Nick live. “We rehearse in Marc’s basement in Havertown, and Nick lives around the corner” Jim explains. “I’m from Northeast Philly, but they’ve accepted me as one of their own.”

They’ve just dropped their debut single “The Turnaround“, a rousing anthem of self redemption celebrating the eternal promise of second chances. Jim wrote the song after experiencing a raft of disappointments, including his home team the Philadelphia Phillies losing to the New York Mets in last year’s National League Division Series, his band Scoopski falling apart, and backsliding in his ongoing efforts to lose weight (something I can sadly empathize with). Inspired by Phillies shortstop Trea Turner and the Netflix documentary The Turnaround, which chronicles the story of how Jim’s friend and YouTuber The Philly Captain (aka Jon McCann) spearheaded a movement to give Turner, who was struggling in his first season with the Phillies, a standing ovation at their August 4th game which resulted in a ten-game hitting streak for the player, “The Turnaround” is a marvelous post-punk infused rocker loaded with gnarly guitar chords fortified by a hard-driving rhythm of chugging bass and smashing drums. I love Jim’s exuberant vocals, nicely joined by Marc singing a few lines from the Frank Sinatra classic “High Hopes” (written by James Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn), in the bridge. I also love the charming carpool karaoke video.

The Kid and I – “Take My Hand”

Daniel Malek, Jacob Powell & Minky Très-vain

The Kid and I is a London, England-based alternative indie rock band comprised of singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jacob Powell, Minky Très-vain on guitar & backing vocals, and Daniel Malek on bass.  (Très-vain is also front man of scratch rock band Brain Ape, who I’ve featured several times on this blog, and of which Powell was once a member.) Influenced by an eclectic mix of acts ranging from Biffy Clyro, Foo Fighters and Blink-182 to Tyler, the Creator, Sam Fender and Phoebe Bridgers, The Kid and I serve up a fresh blend of energetic rock and indie vibes, infused with heartfelt lyrics reflecting the struggles of modern life. Since 2020, they’ve dropped 13 singles, an EP and a live album. Last March, I reviewed a live version of their explosive banger “Good Times Go”, a song about toxic masculinity and taking accountability for oneself.

On February 20th, they released their latest single “Take My Hand“, a powerful song of perseverance in these troubling times. Jacob explains “I wrote this song back in 2021 – it’s been kicking about for a long time, but it feels more relevant now than ever. This song’s about trying to escape the hatred we find in the world right now through love, and hoping for a better future in the process.” Backed by a dynamic mix of grungy guitars, aggressive drums and soaring strings, he passionately sings “I’m scared of having children in this day and age. Where big money does what it wants, always gets it own way / Please just take my hand, and let’s run away before the devil rears his ugly face again.” In addition to the three The Kid and I members, drums were played by Elvis Quagliotto, additional guitar by Henry Avedian, and strings by Gavin Brooks. The wonderful photo and cover art design were created by Forest Smith.

Ewan Patrick – “Always With You”

Ewan Patrick is a thoughtful and talented singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Edinburgh, Scotland who’s had music in his blood for much of his life. He studied contemporary classical composition at Napier University in Edinburgh, then earned a graduate degree in Music Production at Leeds College of Music. He also played in many bands over the years, performing extensively across the UK, including at a number of major music festivals. In 2020 he began recording and releasing songs he’d written over the years that he says “never quite found their place in any of the bands I’ve played in.“ His songs range from pleasing acoustic, folk rock and piano ballads to stirring anthemic rock, all of which Ewan handles with ease, both musically and vocally with his strong, clear and beautiful singing voice. He also records, mixes and masters all his music by himself. Thus far, he’s released numerous singles and two excellent albums, Forever Love in 2021 (which I reviewed) and Keep On Coming Back For More in 2023.

On February 11th, Ewan dropped his latest single “Always With You” on Bandcamp, and will be available on all other major streaming platforms on February 25th. It’s a beautiful, heartwarming song that starts off gently with only an acoustic guitar accompanying his plaintive vocals, eventually building into a soaring anthem with gorgeous layered guitars, powerful bass and tumultuous percussion. The poignant lyrics speak to the overwhelming feelings of grief that envelop us after losing a loved one. Ewan elaborates: “The inspiration for this track has come from my work with children and young people that have experienced a bereavement. Losing someone who is so close to you is the hardest thing any of us will experience in our lives. I hope this song captures even an ounce of the rollercoaster of emotions we experience when dealing with some of the toughest times in our lives. It’s one that means a lot and I’m really proud of. I hope it resonates with many. ” Well, it most definitely resonates with me!

JESSE DANIEL EDWARDS – Album Review: “Jesse Daniel Edwards”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews10 Comments

Jesse Daniel Edwards is a singer-songwriter and musician I recently learned about when his PR rep reached out to me about his new self-titled album. Upon giving Jesse Daniel Edwards – an exquisite collection of songs sung by Jesse with just a piano accompanying his beautiful voice – a listen, I was instantly enchanted, and eager to share it with my readers.

Born and raised in rural eastern San Diego County in Southern California, where he had no exposure to TV or the internet, Jesse left home at the age of 16 and spent the next few years busking on street corners around the U.S. and abroad. While singing outside of bars on Music Row in Nashville, Tennessee, he got to know the late Al Bunetta, the longtime manager for John Prine, who became Jesse’s mentor. He spent the next few years writing songs and honing his craft by touring and performing full time. In May 2020, he released his beautiful debut single “Secret of You”. Nearly three years would pass until his next release, the album American Dreaming in March 2023, featuring seven tracks with strong Southern rock and rock’n’roll elements.

As if wanting to make up for lost time, he quickly followed three months later with a second album Violensia. With a totally different pop sound and vibe that reminds me of the more flamboyant songs by artists like Billy Joel and Rufus Wainwright (Jesse’s vocals also sound like theirs at times), Violensia is highly entertaining both musically and lyrically. As its title suggests, the album touches on various aspects of violence and twisted relationships with a cheeky sophistication on songs like “Dream Where You Can’t Wake Up”, “Drop Dead and Die”, “Matches & Gasoline” and “Everything Makes You Sick”.

Last October (2024), Jesse dropped his next album Clap Trap Venus, this time featuring 11 outstanding colorful tracks showcasing his continued growth as a songwriter and musician. Through songs titled “Hell Called Earth”, “Occasionally Joy”, “Wrong About God” and “Jesus and Other Drugs”, he examines his faith and emotional well-being in this crazy and uncertain world we’re living in.

Now Jesse returns with his deeply personal and stripped-back self-titled album Jesse Daniel Edwards, released today via Cavity Search Records. Recorded last April (2024) at Memphis Magnetic Recording Co., a space he calls his “favorite tech lab in the galaxy, a butterfly-net-shaped place designed to catch dreams“, the album marks a new chapter in his ever-evolving musical journey. He performed his songs on a Chickering Grand Piano as the only musical instrument, which were then recorded on 2-track tape by recording engineer Scott McEwen. Capturing the raw emotions and vulnerability so beautifully expressed on each song, this pared-down approach contrasts with the more elaborate, rock-driven sounds of Jesse’s previous works.

Many of the tracks on Jesse Daniel Edwards are reworkings of previously-released songs, reflecting particularly meaningful moments and memories Jesse chose to revisit. He explains “Life itself is a process of overwriting information, a moment can feel like forever, and yet a life so short.” Further elaborating on the unique nature of each of his prior albums, he adds “Every one is different, simply because they occur at different junctures in your life.” In a sense, Jesse Daniel Edwards feels like both a culmination and a new beginning, a sort of love letter to the past and a way of re-examining his musical journey over the past 12 years.

The album opens with “I’m So Happy (I Think I Might Cry)“, which was released as the album’s lead single on January 24th. The original version of this song was released in May 2023, and included on Violensia which dropped the following month. The song starts off slowly, with gentle piano keys and Jesse’s tender croons, but gradually builds as his piano playing becomes more intense, his vocals rising to an emotional climax at the end. The honest lyrics speak to how popularity, money and material things don’t necessarily equate to a happy existence: “I’ve had so many flings, and been burned by so many flames. And guess what, a twin bed is plenty of space at the end of the day. And the money comes and goes, it’s kinda fun sometimes I suppose, when you forget it’s all just paper. And all the fine things and fancy clothes are just fine things and fancy clothes. Never forget they’re just dust collectors at the end of every day. And the truth is I lied, when I said I was fine. I’m so happy, I think I might cry.”

Listening to the album, what strikes me most is how rich and full each song sounds, despite the fact we’re hearing only a piano and Jesse’s vocals. Employing both instruments – the piano and his vibrant voice – to their fullest, he manages to create breathtaking soundscapes that fully envelop us in their lush and captivating warmth. And though most songs touch on sad or bittersweet topics related to love and loss, they’re always incredibly moving and pleasing to the ear.

On the melancholy but beautiful “This House Comes With A Ghost“, Jesse softly sings with a sense of sad resignation about lost loves and regret that have occured over time within a house: “These walls have seen it all, the stories they could tell. Of broken-hearted love affairs and bittersweet farewells. These walls have seen a lot, a lot more than most. This house comes with a ghost.”

Next up is the aforementioned “Everything Makes You Sick“, another song that was originally released on Violensia. I love Jesse’s dramatic piano trills and raw vocals as he sings “And to every broken heart that came before, I just called to let you know I don’t need you anymore. But I’m gonna be okay, even though everything makes you sick these days.” A third song from that album Jesse revisits here is “Nobody’s Got Me“, a bittersweet song in which he laments about having no one in his life to call his own: “Everyone’s got someone, everyone but me. Nobody’s got me.”

The tender piano ballad “Remember How To Love” has Jesse admitting his shortcomings in keeping up his part of the care and feeding of a romantic relationship: “If I could remember how to love you, maybe you’d remember how to smile. If I could remember how to love you, maybe you’d forget I need reminding once in a while.” On “Wrong About God“, a song that originally appeared on Clap Trap Venus, he plaintively sings from the perspective of a man filled with cynicism and regret resulting from his time serving as a chaplain in the army: “Learning to let go is just unlearning to hold on./ I just wish I could see my friend, and tell him we were wrong. Wrong about the job, and I was wrong about God.”

With “Secret of You“, he revisits the beautiful love song that was his debut single, in which he sings his praises of a loved one whose attributes aren’t immediately apparent to those around her: “She’s a glass of wine in a paper cup. Proof that something fine can be something rough. Watching her’s like watching the sunset in the rain. You know it’s there, and you know it’s beautiful, but you know you’re gonna have to look through the gray./ Someday, everyone is going to feel exactly the same way about you as I do. Until then, I’m going to keep the secret of you.”

“Omaha” sees him looking back with bittersweet fondness on a relationship that didn’t survive, but harboring no regrets: “My oh my, what a sight you are for these sore eyes./ Be sorry for loving me, be sorry for leaving me. Be sorry for what you can’t take back. But those nights we spent in Omaha, spending tomorrows we didn’t have, baby don’t be sorry for that.”

“Left Your Coat Behind“, a reimagining of a song originally featured on American Dreaming, sounds a little like an early Elton John song with its urgent and intricate piano keys. The lyrics seem to be about a couple having a furtive affair: “The clock on the wall is screaming at the clock in the hall, and I know I’m running out of time. You’ve only just arrived, now you’re saying goodbye. It seems I wanted to tell you something, but it slipped my mind. Have you realized that you left your coat behind?“

Closing out the album is the Billy Joel-esque “So Passes the Light from the Eye“, a song I’m guessing is about the ephemeral nature of life: “So passes the sun from the sky. So passes the long day into that long black night with a flicker, and a whisper, then you die. So passed the light now from your eye.” His vocals rise from a soft croon to commanding along with his stirring piano. It’s a fitting and majestic end to this delicately beautiful, yet deeply affecting and powerful album.

Find Jesse’s music on Bandcamp / Spotify / Apple Music / Amazon Music / YouTube

Fresh New Tracks, Vol. 40 – Asa Daniels, Evrah Rose, John Serrano, Rusty Shipp

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews7 Comments

Lots of new music means it’s time for another installment of my Fresh New Tracks series, and today I’m pleased to feature excellent songs released over the past week by four talented acts – New York-based singer-songwriter Asa Daniels, Welsh singer-songwriter, poet and author Evrah Rose, Spanish singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist John Serrano, and Nashville-based nautical rock’n’roll band Rusty Shipp. Each song couldn’t be more different than the others, but after all, I am EclecticMusicLover!

Asa Daniels – “Never Knew”

Asa Daniels is a charming and affable singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from New York City who’s also guitarist and lead vocalist of alt-rock/blues band Gooseberry, who I’ve previously featured several times on this blog, He’s also front man and guitarist of jazz/rock/funk band Baked Goods, which he formed when he was 15. Now on hiatus, Baked Goods released three albums and an EP between 2013-2020. Ever the charismatic showman, Asa appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in March 2022, where he competed in a Battle of the Instant Songwriters. In addition to his sparkling personality, intelligent songwriting and ace musicianship, I also love his vocal style, and have been a fan of his since learning about Gooseberry in late 2021.

Last March (2024), he released his debut single as a solo artist, “Historical Christ”, followed two months later with “Hello Barcelona”. On February 7th, he dropped his latest single “Never Knew“, and it was love at first listen. All three songs will be included on his forthcoming solo album I’ve Run Out of Boxes to Put Things In. Written and sung by Asa, “Never Knew” was recorded with the help of AJ Daye on drums, Guillermo Goldschmied on bass, and Dan Janis on the bluesy sax. I love the song’s sophisticated jazzy vibe, as well as the sweet photo of Asa as a young child sitting on the floor playing a guitar used for the single’s cover art. It’s proof of his lifelong love of music.

Evrah Rose – “Invisible Me”

I recently learned about Welsh artist Evrah Rose and her impactful spoken word song “Invisible Me” and its accompanying video from her fellow Welsh artist Secret Postal Society (the music project of singer-songwriter and musician Craig Mapstone, who I’ve also previously featured on this blog) when he shared it on his social media accounts. A street poet, rapper and author with two published books to her credit, Evrah has gained popularity and a loyal following for her hard hitting vocal delivery, compelling storytelling, and fearlessness in bringing attention to issues like social injustice and mental health.

Released on February 3rd, “Invisible Me” addresses how people struggling with depression often downplay or hide their real feelings so as not to bring attention to their problems out of fear of burdening others or inviting shame and scorn. Evrah elaborates: “[It’s] a spoken word film depicting the cruel nature of chronic illness. How we’re so often forced to ‘mask up’ to hide our pain, the continuous struggle to fit into society, and the impact that has on our emotional well-being and sense of identity.” As someone who suffers from occasional bouts of depression myself, I was deeply affected by her heart-wrenching words, as well as the images shown in the video. I know from experience that, while most family members, friends and co-workers may genuinely care that we’re suffering, they often don’t know how to respond, feel helpless to assist us in meaningful ways, or might even dismiss our feelings, instead encouraging us to simply “buck up”, “count our blessings”, and so on. The film was written, performed and directed by Evrah, and filmed and edited by Joey Edwards. The lovely piano music was played by Olexandr Ignatov.

John Serrano – “Granada”

Hailing from Málaga, Spain is John Serrano, a prolific singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer who I cannot heap enough praise upon. Not only is he a versatile and enormously talented musician with a beautiful singing voice, he’s also thoughtful, kind, handsome and incredibly supportive of other independent artists. Drawing from a dizzying array of genres and influences ranging from alternative, progressive, punk and metal rock to blues, folk, electronica, synthwave and jazz, the man can play and sing just about anything, with vocals that run the gamut from achingly beautiful and tender to fearsome and savage. Over the past decade, he’s recorded and released an astonishing catalog of music as both a solo artist and in collaboration with other musicians. Every time I turn around, John’s dropped another new single or album, and it’s a challenge keeping up with him. He released three full albums in 2024 alone!

His latest release is the lovely single “Granada“, which dropped February 7th. Written and performed entirely by John, it’s the first single from his forthcoming album Still Alive, scheduled for release in May. On this track, he skillfully blends beguiling flamenco guitar notes and hand claps with jazz and folk elements to create an enchanting soundscape for his plaintive and arresting vocals. The bittersweet lyrics speak to feelings of regret and loss over a romantic affair he let slip through his fingers: “I really was the best version of me when I walked away to never look back. And just convince myself I don’t need you at all.” It’s a bit of a different sound from John, and I can’t wait to hear what he has in store.

Rusty Shipp – “All Aboard!”

Few acts I can think of have mined a novel theme as successfully and consistently over the years as has Nashville rock band Rusty Shipp. The brain child of front man Russ T. Shipp (his actual birth name is Russell Thomas Shipp), Rusty Shipp is a self-described “Nautical Rock’n’Roll” band, with a sound influenced by “the melodic chord progressions of The Beatles, the surf guitar of Dick Dale, the grunge rock of Nirvana, and the heavy metal of Led Zeppelin“. As their name suggests, their music features a dark, immersive sound, unforgettable melodies, electrifying guitar work, and Shipp’s vibrant tenor vocals. Like many bands, they’ve undergone numerous changes in lineup since forming in 2014, and now consist of the aforementioned Russ Shipp on guitar and vocals, AJ Newton on drums, Dave Gajda on lead guitar, and Doug Webster on bass.

Rusty Shipp have released three outstanding concept albums – Mortal Ghost in 2017, Liquid Exorcist in 2019, and Dark Side of the Ocean in 2022 – all built around nautical themes. (I reviewed the latter two albums, which you can read here and here.) Last October (2024), they released “Neck Breaker”, their first new song in two years and the lead single from their forthcoming fourth album Cosmic Innuendo, Vol. II. In keeping with the band’s nautical theme model, Cosmic Innuendo, Vol. II will tell a fictional story of an evil band of pirates who set sail on a sinister mission, dismissing the prophetic warnings of an old sailor on the pier who warns of a worse fate for them than the gallows if they stay on their course. The band states that the fictional story “is ultimately a masked philosophical message warning of people living their lives in a self-inflicted apocalypse.” 

“All Aboard!“, released as the second single from the album on February 7th, is also Rusty Shipp’s first theme song, as well as the first song to include voices of some of Rusty Shipp fans known as Shippmates. The song is a wonderful hard-driving rocker, with a roiling torrent of grungy guitars joined by some blistering surf guitar solos in the second half, and nicely accompanied by AJ’s aggressive drums, a terrific organ and Russ’s dynamic spine-tingling vocals. Given the quality of both “Neck Breaker” and “All Aboard!”, the new album is sure to be another winner. On a side note, I also love that their more recent music is published via “Shipp Wreckords”.

NAVE – Album Review: “X”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews3 Comments

Hailing from lovely Bournemouth on the southern English coast is NAVE, the solo music project of British singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer Nathan Evans. Incorporating a broad array of genres and styles, including alternative rock, electronica, trip-hop, folk, ambient, orchestral and dark wave, the hyper-talented artist creates dramatic, incredibly compelling music that’s often atmospheric and gorgeous, but sometimes also harsh and unsettling. Though he says he generally shies away from listening to a lot of music, as he prefers to “be naive and not heavily influenced by others’ music” in the creation of his own songs, he admits to finding inspiration from the music of his youth by such acts as Radiohead, Nirvana, Queens Of The Stone Age, Muse, BRMC, UNKLE, Deftones, Limp Bizkit, Morcheeba and Moby. And in fact, Nathan formed a band called Deltorers in his teens, which eventually took him to Australia in support of Queens Of The Stone Age.

Nathan’s a deeply thoughtful guy who’s unafraid to tackle issues relating to social justice, mental health and emotional well-being. A truly prolific songwriter, he’s released a staggering amount of music over the past 12 years or so, both as NAVE and as front man of alternative psychedelic rock band Native Tongue. He’s been on a creative tear since 2021, and has released a ton of music, including numerous singles, several EPs and a monumental album God’s Waiting Room, featuring an astounding 31 tracks, in April 2023. (You can read my review here.) And one of his singles “Broken Record”, a hauntingly beautiful song decrying the addictive nature of social media and its negative impacts on our emotional well-being, went all the way to #1 on my Top 30 chart and ranks #14 on my 100 Best Songs of 2022 list.

His latest release is a fastinating and dark 10-track album titled simply “X“, which dropped January 31st. I’ll discuss the songs and my take on their meanings later, but in a nutshell, the album tells the story of a girl who suffers from a major life-altering trauma at the age of 14, and how she deals with it going forward. When I asked Nathan about the rather obscure title, he responded “The album has intentionally been made for the listener to find their own meaning. Think of it as when David Lynch is asked what it means, ha ha – he leaves it to the audience to make up their mind. So this album has a little privacy behind it but which I think makes it special, as people will ask so many questions. The title ‘X’ refers to the Roman numeral 10 for 10 songs in the album, and also as a symbol for its open interpretation.”

First and foremost, the songs on X are equal parts melancholy, disturbing and beautiful. The music consists predominantly of pensive acoustic guitar notes, accompanied here and there by haunting atmospheric orchestral synths, gentle piano keys and soft percussion, lending an enchanting texture to the otherwise moody tracks. Another interesting feature is how Nathan sings in both his deeper voice and an ethereal falsetto, which almost gives the impression of having two different vocalists on a few tracks, as well as providing a bit of contrasting tension.

The album opens with “The Tide”, in which NAVE introduces us to a young girl who is harmed, possibly raped by someone she’d trusted: “Innocence and wonder were the lights that she stood under. When she turned 14 the world wasn’t what it seemed. Predatory eyes, devils in disguise. Cartoons had not prepared her for the pain that god declared her. To clip an angel’s wings, and tie them up strings./There’s nothing left to say, only bide your time and wait.”

On “The Ashes”, she’s taken somewhere where she’ll be safe, but the effects of her trauma continue to haunt her, with her possibly resorting to cutting or burning herself to try and deal with her emotional pain: “Her stomach grows sick, her wings were clipped, and slowly her blood had drained. She felt so weak, wiping the ashes stuck to tears on her cheek./Emotional wreck, digging her nails in the back of her neck.”

One of the most disturbing but sonically beautiful tracks is “The Scars”, which continues to explore her coping mechanisms, this time focusing on her dreams of exacting revenge on those who hurt and/or failed to protect her, and erecting walls to keep her safe from predators: “She would awake from nightmares with tears in her eyes. Dreams of torture, her family burned alive. Plagued by corruption by her own broken mind. What kind of asshole rips an angel’s wing? She built a castle to stop them getting in.“

Just past the halfway mark of X we’re hit with quite a surprise on the haunting track “The Apology”, in which NAVE reveals that the young girl and her story were fabricated in order to make the listener take notice and connect with him and his music. The lyrics are incredibly poignant, and probably accurately reflect the sentiments of more than a few musicians and authors: “We’re over halfway and I’m sorry to say I fed you all a lie. The girl never existed. I had to stop writer’s block, so I made her up. Can you forgive me? I’m sorry to disappoint, emotionally exploit. I’m just playing the game so you would remember my name. I know it’s kind of pathetic. I hope you still think I’m poetic. Please forgive me for lying through my teeth. I’m trying to make you feel something that is real. I must connect to gain all of your respect. To stop me from feeling worthless and give me some kind of purpose.”

Then, on track eight “The Moment”, he returns to the girl who’d been victimized, indicating that she is in fact real after all. “The moment she couldn’t speak of. The moment she was afraid. The moment no one listened to a word she had to say. The moment she was a victim as an innocent young girl. This world makes me angry. It’s no joke, that’s a real person in pain. What’s the matter with you, that’s a real person, broken and bruised…screaming for help.”

On “The Strangest Secret”, it appears that the passage of time has allowed the girl to heal somewhat and take back control of her own life: “That little girl has discovered a secret. Now she gets to keep it all for herself. Silence growing, her life is glowing. Attracting nature to her, power runs right through her. Knowledge now she knows she’s reaping what she sows.”

On the stunning closing track “The Lost and the Found”, NAVE sings to the young woman who’s now become his muse, joyous in the fact they’ve found each other and in the process, rescued themselves from their demons and emotional traumas”: “I wanna freeze time, and stay here forever now I’ve found you, I wrote us these songs to heal our wounds and free us at last. You are my muse. You are my lost and found./ Time goes so fast, I’m grateful for every second I have that passes me by.”

It’s a beautiful, heartwarming and comforting end to both the story being told and the album itself. And once again, I’ve been blown away by NAVE’s artistry, creative imagination and soul-baring honesty.

Here’s the album on Bandcamp:

​And on YouTube:

For more information, check out NAVE’s Website  

His Socials: Facebook / X / Instagram

Find his music on Spotify / Apple Music / Bandcamp / YouTube / Soundcloud

Fresh New Tracks, Vol. 39 – Darksoft, Frank Joshua, Kiffie, Koyal

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews13 Comments

It’s time once again for another edition of Fresh New Tracks, and today I’m pleased to feature terrific new songs released over the past week by four talented acts I’m especially fond of from both a musical and personal standpoint. They are, in alphabetical order: Portland, Maine-based alternative dream rock artist Darksoft, English singer-songwriter and producer Frank Joshua, English singer-songwriter, composer and producer Kiffie, and L.A.-based indie pop-rock band Koyal.

Darksoft – “After All”

I love dream pop/rock in all its forms, and the music of singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Darksoft is right up my alley. Originally from Seattle, he relocated in late 2021 to Portland, Maine, where he’s continued creating music that’s both sumptuous and pleasing, with compelling lyrics addressing timely and relevant issues related to technology, social media and disillusionment, and delivered with his soothing ethereal vocals. Starting with the release in late 2018 of his brilliant debut album Brain, a concept work named for the first computer virus to attack the internet back in 1986 (which I reviewed), the imaginative, talented and hard-working artist has released five more concept albums, another of which, Beigeification, his beautiful 2023 work featuring songs inspired by overused phrases and idioms like “it is what it is”, “you gotta do what you gotta do” and “only time will tell”, I also reviewed.  

Darksoft began the new year by dropping a new single “Devil’s In The Details”, the first from his forthcoming seventh album Rationalism, slated for release on February 21st. Now he returns with a second single “After All“, released via Spirit Goth Records. Once again, he serves up an enchanting and dreamy slice of ear candy, filled with crystalline jangly guitars and assertive but gentle percussion. His captivating vocals beautifully express a sad resignation as he croons the lyrics touching on feelings of loss and regret over a romantic relationship’s that ended: “After all we’ve been through, thought that we’d be close. But all is said, said and done. And you’re so far away.” Given its first two tracks, Rationalism promises to be another superb album.

Frank Joshua – “Walls”

Over the past two years, London-based Frank Joshua – an enigmatic but enormously talented singer-songwriter and producer who, wanting his music to speak for itself, shares no photos of himself – has become a favorite of mine on the strength of his gorgeous baritone voice and beguiling music style. It’s no exaggeration for me to say that Mr. Joshua has one of the most enthralling singing voices I’ve heard in a long while, and I was blown away the moment I first heard his music. The prolific artist has released a staggering amount of music over the past four years or so, including three albums, an EP and 41 singles! Every one of his songs is a captivating feast for the ears, and I love them all. I’ve previously written about three of them, most recently last February when I reviewed his single “On This Night”. His song “Bluebell Wood” ranks #53 on my 100 Best Songs of 2023 list, while “Winter Cowboy” ranks #36 on my 100 Best Songs of 2024. 

His latest and 41st single is “Walls“, released via British music label Numen Records. Although Frank writes some of his songs, like the majority of his singles, “Walls” was written by his frequent collaborator Simon Pitheakley, and produced by Tony White. And like all his songs, this one’s a real beauty, with gorgeous reverb-drenched bluesy guitars accompanied by warm piano keys, soaring orchestral synths and gently crashing cymbals layered over a sensuous pulsating beat. It all creates a glorious cinematic backdrop for Frank’s melancholy yet captivating vocals which are both passionate and heartfelt.

The poetic lyrics speak of the challenges of growing older and maintaining a long-term relationship, in which there’s often a tug of war between the comfort and security that comes from being with a devoted loved one, and the primal urge to be independent and free of responsibility or commitment – which is something I’ve long struggled with myself. “It has to be love though it hurts to let go. The blue of your eyes and the shame of the know. I am in it too deep and I can’t let you go. I can’t let you go. Makes no sense to be sunny. But there she is sipping Mai Tais with honey. Confused this boy is.” The lyrics then address the added element of trying to raise children amidst all this drama, which I think is a brilliant addition to the song: “Our children are smashing up downtown, spouting logic and facts without sense. Rootless sensationless moody and cute, they just pound on the walls of their age.” “Walls” is another oustanding addition to Frank’s already impressive repertoire. 

Kiffie – “The Exclusion Principle”

British artist Kiffie (the music moniker of Daniel Paul Kiff) is a creative and fascinating singer-songwriter, composer and producer of electronic music based in Norwich, England. Drawing from a wide range of music genres including electronica, hip-hop, rock, folk and classical, his arresting songs are inspired by current events, as well as the oft-covered topics of love, lies and betrayal. Kiffie records and produces all his own music at home using hardware instruments, synthesizers and drum machines. In a space of only four years, the incredibly prolific artist has released an astonishing 15 albums, 12 EPs, two compilation albums, two CDs, and numerous singles. His songs have received critical acclaim, and garnered airplay on BBC Radio 6 and other internet radio programs. In July 2023, I reviewed his album The Product, a powerful work addressing such timely issues as creeping authoritarianism, income inequality, misinformation and fake news, anti-science/conspiracy mongering, and political corruption. (Read that review here.)

Now, the busy artist is back with a new instrumental track “The Exclusion Principle“, the third in a series of tracks from his forthcoming album Approaching the Horizon. The album will be the third and final installment of his ‘Home’ trilogy which began with his 2021 collaborative album Home, followed by his 2022 album Interplanetary Exodus. Kiffie explains “The trilogy is basically a cosmic space opera about love at a distance and the idea that all of us one day will be refugees, escaping some never explained planetary problem that forces us to seek somewhere else to live. The love aspect is that during this upheaval people will become separated. ‘Approaching the Horizon’ is going to reunite the ‘star crossed lovers’ and many of the tracks will have titles based on physics and quantum theory.” “The Exclusion Principle” is a marvelous spacey track featuring an array of ominous sound textures and beats that nicely convey a sense of impending upheaval without ever becoming over dramatic. I like how it gradually builds, then slowly trails off.

Koyal – “hiatus”

Photo by Jeremiah Rafferty

Koyal is delightful and charismatic indie pop-rock band I’ve been following for a couple of years. Originally formed in Atlanta as a six-piece in 2018 while still in college, the band reduced to a trio in 2023 consisting of Pooja Prabakaran (lead vocals), Noah Weinstein (guitar, production) and Henry Wallace (drums & piano). With a shared love of Glass Animals, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and GROUPLOVE – all acts I love too – Koyal draws from an eclectic range of elements, including indie, alternative, rock’n’roll, blues and jazz. They started releasing a series of singles in 2020 which culminated with the release of their debut album Mountain City in July 2021. They followed with more singles, along with an EP Joyride in November 2022, which I reviewed. In February 2024, they began dropping a series of excellent disco/dance-infused singles that will be featured on their second album breathe in. breathe out, scheduled for release on February 28th. And in September (2024), they relocated from Atlanta to Los Angeles.

On January 28th, they dropped “hiatus“, their fifth single from the forthcoming album. Co-written by all band members along with singer-songwriter and musician Tony Doud, who also co-produced the track with Noah and played the wonderful saxophone, the song’s a bouncy, yet sophisticated, dance gem about disconnecting from your phone and enjoying a bit of quiet solitude. Though it seems to pay homage to some of the disco hits of the late 70s, “hiatus” feels fresh and contemporary. I love the sensuous dance groove overlain with swirling synths, sparkling piano keys, funky guitar notes and Tony’s warm sax. Pooja’s lilting vocals are full of unbridled euphoria as she sings the joys of having a bit of alone time to herself: “Where my time, time is my own, I can turn, turn off my phone. Take a hiatus.“

The charming video, shot in a single take at Elysian Park in Los Angeles, shows Pooja singing the song while playfully walking through the park, and features animated artwork and lyrics created by her.

Fresh New Tracks, Vol. 37 – Taylor DeRousse, Fake Empire, The Formerly Misinformed, Naive Nature

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews12 Comments

It’s been six months since my last Fresh New Tracks post, and given the plethora of new music being released, as well as the fact I’ve returned to writing reviews again (at least for now), I thought it was time for another installment. Today I’m featuring the music of four acts, in alphabetical order – Michigan singer-songwriter Taylor DeRousse, English alt-rock band Fake Empire, Texas alt-rock band The Formerly Misinformed, and Pennsylvania alternative pop/punk band naive nature. The songs were released on January 10th, except for the one by Fake Empire, which came out January 2nd. I’ve previously written about The Formerly Misinformed, whereas the other three acts are new to this blog.

Taylor DeRousse – “Growing Up Is Scary”

Photo of Taylor from her Facebook account

Taylor DeRousse is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from the Detroit area with an impressive resume. She not only writes, sings and records her own original songs, she also owns a music school and studio called Tailored Harmonies Music Co, plus has a B.A. degree in Music with an emphasis in Piano Performance, as well as an MBA. According to her website, she’s been teaching music in a variety of capacities since 2014, including as a private music instructor, studio music teacher, group class instructor, middle school art & music teacher, theatre vocal coach, and collegiate music tutor. While her primary instruments are piano, guitar, and voice, she also plays the ukulele, violin, mandolin, and bass guitar.

Inspired by such artists as Alanis Morissette, Phoebe Bridgers, Stevie Nicks and Carole King, she released her first single “Pins and Needles” in 2020, and last September (2024), she began dropping a series of singles, beginning with “Front Porch”, that will be included on her forthcoming debut album Running Back To Me. Her fourth in the series and latest single is “Growing Up Is Scary“, a sort of coming of age song about realizing what really matters in life. The song was recorded with the help of Bryan Pope on guitar and bass and backing vocals by Cassidy Chaisson and Tom Mihalis, who also produced the track. I like the bouyant melody and great instrumentation a lot, as well as Taylor’s lilting vocals, but it’s the honest and poignant lyrics, in which she sings about the thing that frightens her more than monsters, zombies or Friday the 13th that really touch me: “I don’t wanna die doing something I hate, make a whole lot of money just to drink it away. I want something more, I’ll do whatever it takes. It’s a burden I carry. Growing up is scary.”

Taylor’s Socials: Facebook / Instagram / Threads / TikTok

Fake Empire – “Imposter Syndrome”

Band photo by Rob Luckins

I wasn’t familiar with English band Fake Empire until the other day, when I learned about them in a post by Maria Savva for her blog Rock And Roll. She’d chosen their latest single “Imposter Syndrome” as her Track of the Day, and it was love at first listen for me. The song is darkly beautiful and mesmerizing, with a brooding atmospheric feel that reminds me of some of the songs by bands like The Cure, New Order, The Church and Interpol. The song compelled me to check out more of their back catalog, which I must say is outstanding, and I’m now a fan of this band.

Based in the south of England, Fake Empire consists of Simon Brookes, Les Black and Becky Bellinger, and from what I can tell, they’ve been putting out music since 2017, all in the form of singles which now number 20 in total. “Imposter Syndrome”, which runs 7:45 minutes in length, was released along with two shorter remixes. Though the primary song is long, it’s so beautiful and flawlessly executed that it could go on for even longer. I love the lush, haunting synths and Cure-esque jangly guitars set to an enthralling beat and accompanied by droning, yet comforting vocals. It’s the perfect song for sitting back with headphones and letting yourself be enveloped by its gorgeous soundscapes. To my mind, the lyrics seem to be about living lives that are inauthentic and controlled by other sociopolitical and cultural forces, leaving us acting like sheep, unable to be our true selves or even know who we really are: “Imposter syndrome. You’re sinking like a stone. How can you live when your life is not your own? Our lives are not our own.” The original artwork used in the single cover art was painted by Nathaniel Westwood.

Fake Empire’s Socials: Facebook / X / Instagram / Threads 

The Formerly Misinformed – “Cut To Scene (Half Life)”

The Formerly Misinformed is a family band from Texas that’s comprised of siblings Brandon Green, Erica Jones and Emily Henney, and their father Terry Green. Together, they create a pleasing style of alternative indie rock, with strong elements of folk and singer-songwriter. Brandon also hosts and produces a music podcast Gimme These Two. Formed in 2019, they released their debut album All In A Dream in 2020, followed by a number of singles and an EP Let’s Pretend it’s Fine in 2022. In September 2023, I reviewed their song “Underneath the Same Stars”, a collaboration with Welsh singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Craig Mapstone, who records music under the moniker Secret Postal Society. The two collaborated again last month (December 2024) when The Formerly Misinformed did a remix of Secret Postal Society’s song “Autumn Leaves”, which is currently enjoying a long run on my Weekly Top 30.

Now they’re back with a new single “Cut To Scene (Half Life)“, which was written and sung by Brandon, with backing vocals by Craig. Brandon also produced, mixed and mastered the track. According to the press release, the song draws inspiration from the scientific concept of half-life, a term used to describe the rate at which unstable atoms decay or how long stable atoms survive, and aims to capture the feeling of transition – of reflecting on where you’ve been while acknowledging the messiness of where you are now. I like the song’s free-form melody that almost borders on progressive rock, as well as its colorful mix of grungy guitars, spare piano keys, throbbing bass, swirling synths and spirited percussion. Brandon’s laid-back vocals have a casual air, and are nicely complemented by Craig’s backing harmonies that fully blossom in the terrific choruses.

The Formerly Misinformed’s Socials: Instagram

naive nature – “alright”

Photo by Justin Henry

Hailing from Philadelphia is alternative indie rock trio naive nature. Formed in 2023, the band is comprised of singer-songwriter and guitarist Jackson Vincent, drummer and backing vocalist Jim Lorino (who’s also front man of Philadelphia-based power pop band Scoopski) and bassist and backing vocalist Mickey Collins, who joined the lineup last September. Together, they blend grunge, pop-punk, alternative, emo and indie rock influences to create some really terrific songs. They released their debut single “the weight of the world” in January 2024, and since then they’ve dropped another four singles plus a three-track EP outsiderism (their band name and all their songs are stylized in lower case letters). Their wonderful single “childhood friends” ended up on my 100 Best Indie Songs of 2024 list.

On January 10th, the guys released “alright“, the first single from their forthcoming second EP separation anxiety, due for release in March. The band said the song “serves as a modern breakup anthem with a clear determined focus on pushing through the worst of times to find something better.” To drive home their message, Jackson serves up a marvelous fuzz-soaked guitar riff, while Jim and Mickey drive the rhythm forward with insistent drumbeats and a thumping bassline. Jackson has the perfect singing voice for this type of grunge/pop-punk song, and he’s in fine form here as he conveys a sense of sad resignation to a romantic partner at the end of their relationship: “It’s alright now. Waste your time now, you know it’s all the same. You’ll be fine now. Don’t forget how you gave me all the blame.” “alright” is a great song, and I’m looking forward to hearing their new EP.

Naive Nature’s Socials: Facebook / X / Instagram / Threads / TikTok

MIKEY J – Singles Review: “She’s So Fine/Fell So Hard”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews13 Comments

Hailing from the fair city of Melbourne, Australia is singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mikey J (aka Michael Johnson), who humbly refers to himself as “just a dude who loves music“. Inspired by some of the great songwriters of the past, life experiences and his family, his songs are a mix of rock, blues, folk, funk and indie influences, all of which he performs and records in his simple setup at home. He’s been writing and recording music since his teens, releasing his first self-titled EP in 1999 at the age of 17 with his then band Blue Tracer. In 2011, he released a solo album Happy “​六​” Anniversary, inspired by and dedicated to his wife Ella. Nearly 10 years would pass until his next release ISO​-​Inspiration, an album inspired by the Covid lockdown, in October 2020. Since then, Mikey J’s been on a creative tear, dropping five more albums, most recently Muffet Way, a 14-track behemoth he released last May, as well as numerous singles.

Now he’s recorded his latest album Made in China, another ambitious work to be released in March that will feature 14 tracks inspired by the twelve years Mikey J spent living in Shanghai. The songs delve into love, growth and personal struggles, reflecting the people, places, and experiences – including a pet and a typhoon – that shaped his life during that period. In a recent interview with Marc Schuster for his Abominations blog, Mikey J explained “It’s where I became a man. I moved to China pretty much on a whim after leaving a pretty toxic relationship, for what was supposed to be maybe two years at most of fun! I then met the girl of my dreams, we got married, had a kid and all of a sudden it was twelve years later! It was such an exciting period of Shanghai’s development as well – 2005 was when it really started to develop in a big way and it was just so fun! I wanted to write an album that was a little more thematic than I have previously written and China seemed a pretty significant part of who I am. I had some ideas about people, places and events that were pretty memorable and it just kind of came together! Of course, there is a good smattering of my patented sappy love songs about my wife to boot!“

Last month, on December 5th, he released the first song from the album, “Where Do I Belong?”, and now returns with two more songs released as a pair, “She’s So Fine” and “Fell So Hard“, which dropped January 9th. Both songs are totally different in sound and structure, with straightforward and honest lyrics about meeting and falling in love with Ella, the woman who would become his wife. “She’s So Fine” opens strong with a gnarly, almost bluesy guitar riff accompanied by snappy drums and a thumping bass groove. Mikey J’s impressive guitar prowess is on full display as he layers multiple textures and riffs throughout the song, highlighted by a great solo in the bridge. Mikey J said that the song was somewhat inspired by The Easybeats, an Australian band from the 1960s, while “Fell So Hard was inspired by the Beatles.

“Fell So Hard” has a slower tempo, with a melody and instrumentation reminiscent of songs by the Beatles in their mid-career period of 1966-68. I really love the mellotron sounds as well as the jangly guitar work that nicely channels that of George Harrison. Mikey J doesn’t have a particularly strong singing voice, but his vocals are endearing and heartfelt as he sings of how he fell for Ella: “I met a girl who stole my heart, she snatched it clean away. I was alone, just drifting through life, but I fell for her that day. She looked at me, and the world seemed to stop. I fell for her so hard that fateful day.”

I like that “She’s So Fine” and “Fell So Hard” offer up a completely different vibe and sound from each other, and also that both sound different from “Where Do I Belong”, with its hard-driving beat. It’s a clear indication of Mikey J’s ability to cross music genres and styles in his songwriting and musicianship, which he puts to good use on Made in China, making for an interesting listen indeed.

Here are the songs on YouTube:

And on Spotify:

Mikey J’s Socials: Facebook / X / Instagram / Threads / BlueSky

Find his music on Bandcamp / Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube / Soundcloud / Amazon Music

BRIAN LAMBERT – Single Review: “Take This Heart”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews15 Comments

Brian Lambert, an affable, talented and thoughtful singer-songwriter from Denton, Texas who describes himself as a “Friendly Neighborhood Rock and Roller”, is one of the most prolific musicians I know of. When Covid put a halt to playing live, he challenged himself to writing, recording and producing a new song every week for a year, an ambitious feat he went on to accomplish in 2021. Since then, he’s continued his prodigious output, writing and recording numerous songs both as a solo artist and in collaboration with a host of other musicians, including his frequent musical partner Marc Schuster (with whom he also has a side band called The Star Crumbles), Quizboy, Jr Moz Collective, Scoopski, Harmoni Kelly and As Particles Collide, to name some that come to mind.

Photo by Olivia Rodriguez

His lively, eclectic sound runs the gamut from rock’n’roll, indie folk and garage rock to grunge, punk and synthpop. In addition to a dizzying array of singles, he’s also released a terrific album Wild in September 2023 and EP Everything’s a Business in June 2024. I’ve featured him many times on this blog (you can read some of my reviews by clicking on the ‘Related’ links at the end of this post), and today I’m pleased to present his latest single “Take This Heart“, which he released on January 3rd. Inspired by the 90’s music of some of his favorite bands like Soul Asylum, the Goo Goo Dolls and Better Than Ezra, the song is a smoldering, foot-stomping banger. Brian wrote the music and lyrics, produced the track and played all instruments.

The song starts off with a snappy drum riff that’s quickly joined by rumbling bass, then a gnarly guitar enters and we’re off to the races. To my ears, the song almost has a bit of a 60s garage rock feel, but with a contemporary treatment. I love the chugging guitar riff and the insistent drumbeat that continues throughout the song, nicely complementing that grimy bass line in keeping the sultry groove moving forward. Brian dazzles us with all sorts of guitar gymnastics, highlighted by a blistering guitar solo in the bridge.

He’s also a fine singer, with a highly emotive vocal style that works perfectly on this song as he passionately sings of his fervor for a woman he loves: “Hey alright, the moonlight. I just wanna hold you in the middle of the night. Baby, do you want me? Baby, I want you./ Got this feeling inside I can no longer hide anymore./ Baby take this heart of mine.” I think it’s one of his best songs yet!

Connect with Brian:  Facebook / Twitter/X / Instagram / Threads

Find his music on Bandcamp / Spotify / Apple Music / Amazon Music / YouTube

Julian Shah-Tayler – Single Review: “Malicious Intent (The Untalented Mister Ripley)”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews3 Comments

Julian Shah-Tayler is a singer-songwriter, producer and remixer born and raised in Leeds, England, and now based in South Pasadena, a bucolic city situated between Pasadena and Los Angeles. Influenced by 80s and 90s New Wave, Britpop and Electronic Rock, he creates music that some of his fans have described as “if David Bowie and Depeche Mode had a baby”. In fact, he’s in a Depeche Mode tribute band called Strangelove, and also a Bowie tribute act The Band That Fell To Earth. He’s had an illustrious and successful music career spanning over 20 years, both as a solo artist under the music moniker The Singularity, and as a collaborator with numerous musicians and producers. He won a “Golden Trailer” award for his work with Lana Del Ray on the trailer for the Disney film Maleficent, and had one of his songs performed by “Tellavision” during the “Unite for Humanity” charity event at the Oscars. Three of his songs were used for the music movie Plush directed by Catherine Hardwicke (who also directed Twilight). Shah-Tayler also cofounded a charity called “Art Angeles”, which provides music instruction for underprivileged kids in Watts.

Photo of Julian by Alex Tovar

In May of 2023, I reviewed his album Forget That I’m 50, an ambitious collaboration with friend and mentor David Chatfield, in which they – along with a host of other musicians and vocalists – reimagined the ten songs of David Bowie’s classic 1973 album Aladdin Sane. (You can read that review here.) Since then, the prolific artist has kept himself busy by releasing Diamond Dogs (Golden Anniversary Edition), a cover tribute to the 50th anniversary of another classic Bowie album, as well as numerous singles, including covers of such songs as Prince’s “Sign O The Times” and Bryan Ferry’s “Slave to Love”. His latest single, released today, December 20th, is “Malicious Intent (The Untalented Mister Ripley)“, a powerful and scathing rebuke to someone he thought was a long-time friend, but who ended up betraying him. The track will be included on his forthcoming album Honne/Tatemae, scheduled for release on March 7th.

About the song, Julian elaborates: “There is never a good time to realize that one’s good intentions are being taken advantage of, one’s trust is being betrayed, one’s loyalty is rejected, and one’s help is ridiculed. I had a friend – an Untalented Mister Ripley – who followed my every move and rode my coat tails in careers, work, music for over 20 years. He slept with too many of my Exes. He used my contacts and friends in the industries AND in real life. He shadowed me, contacting me only when he needed my help. This pattern, I realized too late (through conversations with his “friends” and exes), persisted throughout his relationships and he treats ALL as a means to HIS ends. It was only when he chose to move in close to my daughter that I realized what a disgusting piece of filth this man was and that his intent towards me had always been malicious. This song is about dealing with the emotions surrounding his mediocrity and releasing the anger I feel without taking it into a physical space.“

The song features harsh, discordant synths, menacing strings and tumultuous drums, fortified by a torrent of violently crashing cymbals, all of which beautifully create an unsettling, almost diabolical soundscape for Julian’s angry, emotionally wrought vocals. He practically spits the bitter lyrics denouncing his former friend who’s hurt and betrayed him:

I can’t believe you are so weak, 
You fairground clown
Bewilder me in mediocrity
You started war, I’ll burn it all down

Malicious Intent
You got, I got. 

You coward, user, my enemy, 
Untalented Mister Ripley
My shadow’s always been your guide
So I’ll come round and knock out all your lights

Turn it off, make it stop. 
Make it stop. 
Make it stop

The "Truth that Hurts" is you’re wasted space
You "Crash" and burn, "Three Second" RATE
You use what’s mine to plant your seed
This “winning spin” is the FAIL you need

Malicious Intent
You got, now I got it too, you got, now I’ve got it for you. 

Turn it off, make it stop. 
Make it stop. 
Make it stop
Make it stop

The video shows repeated imagery of a photo of Julian and his former friend, with the friend’s side of the photo being set aflame:

In addition to the song, Julian’s also released two terrific remixes by Danny Saber and FLIPX. Here are all three tracks on Bandcamp:

Julian’s socials:  Facebook / Twitter/X / Instagram / TikTok

Find his music on Spotify / Apple Music / Amazon Music / Bandcamp / YouTube

Wons Phreely+The Horses Release Charming New Video for “The Faithful Heart”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews20 Comments

If there was ever to be a song that could pull me out of my post-election funk, “The Faithful Heart” by Wons Phreely (the musical moniker of singer-songwriter Justin Wonsley) – along with its accompanying video – is it. Though originally released this past January, I’d not heard the song until seeing a post on his Instagram account last week about a new video he was releasing for it, and I loved it at once. The song is delightfully melodic and heartwarming, and the video’s utterly charming. I’ve now watched it numerous times, and it never fails to bring a smile to my face, something I can really use right now.

Born and raised in Perth, Australia where he began his music career, Wons Phreely relocated to Los Angeles in 2015 in search of a more dynamic and varied artistic environment where he could grow as a musician and artist. I first learned about him in September 2016, when his PR rep reached out to me about his autobiographical single “Stars”, which he recorded with his backing band The Horses. I happily reviewed the song, as well as two of his subsequent singles, “The Night Has An Alibi” in early 2018 and “Restless to Run” in 2020. (You can check out those reviews under the “Related” links at the end of this post.) Both “Stars” and “The Night Has An Alibi” ended up placing on my Top 100 Songs lists for 2016 and 2018, respectively.

Wons wrote the lyrics for “The Faithful Heart”, with the beautiful music written by singer-songwriter and musician David Skeet (who’s one half of the music duo Winter Swim and also produced and mixed the track). I love that opening piano and those chiming and jangly guitars, as well as Wons’ earnest vocals and lovely harmonic choruses. He said he was inspired to write the song after thinking of a childhood friend he’d grown up with in Australia who, like himself, had moved on to a bigger city in search of greater opportunities and figuring out how to make their way through life, which is expressed in the poignant lyrics:

Restless nights of teenage lust
Racing beat up cars in parking lots
Longing to find that place
When you’re young you must run
When we’re old could you hold me love cos

On and on and on this faithful heart will beat stronger
Now we’ve got so something good, it wont be long before we’ve begun
And we’ll live how we want to, the life we were born to

Here’s the track on Bandcamp:

Wons has earned a bit of a reputation for his highly inventive and often unconventional music videos. A good example is the brilliant video he made for “The Night Has An Alibi”, in which he’s portrayed throughout the video as only a head. For “The Faithful Heart”, he drew inspiration from some of the quirky and wildly-popular one-shot videos by American alternative pop-rock band OK Go, and challenged himself to dance on film. He explains “At first, dancing in a one-shot video felt like it might be a little too great a challenge, especially since I can’t really dance. Then I remembered a 1965 quote from Bob Dylan where he said, ‘I think of myself as a song and dance man.’ Something about that resonated with me, so we thought, ‘Challenge accepted.’“

With the help of choreographer friends, Wons and his band spent months coming up with inventive dance steps for a non-dancer like himself, with two of the guys guiding him through an endearing and entertaining routine as if he were a human-sized puppet. Once they mastered the choreography, they turned their attention to finding the right location to shoot the video, which in Los Angeles is always a challenge, especially when you’re on a tight budget. Wons elaborates: “Around Hollywood, there’s really no place where you can shoot for free. Some of the old motels make more money from commercial and movie shoots than they do from their actual motel business. So we spent days scouting public locations that we thought would look great for a video. We had to plan carefully for when the managers weren’t around, because we couldn’t afford the location fees, and shooting permits in LA are crazy expensive.”

After much searching, they found the ideal spot: a Laundromat that would provide the perfect backdrop for their dance sequence, even if it didn’t quite come with official permission to shoot. Of course, dancing in a public place presented its own set of challenges—some expected, others not so much. “I was ready for people to walk into the shot and start doing their laundry. We thought that would be kind of cool if it happened,” Wons recalls. “But I didn’t anticipate how hard it would be to concentrate on the choreography with people just stopping and staring at me. It was a pretty wild experience, trying to pull this off without technically having permission. We got away with a lot without making anyone upset, but honestly, it was all a blur.” They had to act quickly, knowing that security could show up at any moment. With only one shot to get it right, the pressure was on. But despite the potential for chaos, they managed to capture the perfect take. Enjoy!

Social Media Links:  Facebook / Twitter/X / Instagram / TikTok
Find his music on Spotify / YouTube / Apple Music / Soundcloud / Bandcamp