Sunny War Refutes Complacency and Embraces Defiance
Sunny War’s music and lyrics stand in resistance and vulnerability, evoking a reminder of music’s powerful ability to inspire change.
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Sunny War Creatively Challenges Conventional Musical Norms
Sunny War is a punk rocker who now lives in the country music capital and writes personal folk-based protest songs about our mutual situation.
Lilly Hiatt Puts Love in Motion on ‘Forever’
Listening to Lilly Hiatt’s Forever, her first album in four years, one can’t help but get swept along in her romantic bliss and the music’s hypnotic pulse.
Tribute LP Shines Light on the Under-appreciated David Olney
Can’t Steal My Fire: The Songs of David Olney introduces one of America’s great but overlooked songwriters to a broader audience.
JD McPherson Adds New Wave Glam to His Rock ‘n’ Roll
Nite Owls is JD McPherson’s most fully realized front-to-back example of his talent yet, and it points the way to an even more exciting follow-up.
Nada Surf Have a Good Time on ‘Moon Mirror’
Moon Mirror finds long-running power poppers Nada Surf relaxed and having fun with the same strong, catchy songs they’ve written for nearly 30 years.
Emily Nenni Sings with a Twang on ‘Drive & Cry’
Emily Nenni’s Drive & Cry is an excellent example of how country music has evolved without necessarily changing. It all depends on who is singing.
Pokey LaFarge Invites Us to Dance for Our Lives on ‘Rhumba Country’
There’s a joyful element to Pokey LaFarge’s Rhumba Country that may be found in the Lord’s spirit, the pleasure of bouncy rhythms, or the magic of making music.
Corb Lund Pays Tribute to Ian Tyson on ‘El Viejo’
Corb Lund’s El Viejo is an entirely acoustic album with guitar, banjo, mandolin, string bass, and stripped-down bass, but it never feels like one.
It’s ‘Spiel’ Time with Office Dog
Office Dog’s Spiel sounds like hearing three different records simultaneously. The superficial cacophony makes one an active participant in creating what they hear.
Corb Lund Mixes Country and MMA in “Out on a Win” (premiere)
“Out on a Win”, the new single from Corb Lund’s upcoming LP, El Viejo, releasing in February 2024, is classic Lund: Meticulous, thoughtful, and genuine.
Ben Folds Returns With an LP Equal Parts Excellent and Ill-Conceived
Ben Folds’ What Matters Most is a mixed bag. He may not be going for the all-out piano rock much this time, but his melodies are as good as ever.