By Lazlo
originally published: 05/04/2026
Lazlo, founder of BlowUpRadio.com (an online radio station based around New Jersey artists), shines a light on some of the many new releases from NJ based musicians each week with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at new releases by Teen Idle, Rich Lancia, Somebody Club, Suede Aces, and Exit Eleven. Plus a look back at "Songs for the Moon" by The Porchistas.
Before we get into the New & Notable...
*** TICKET GIVEAWAY ***
Win 2 tickets to see Jason Didner and the GSP's album release show for their new album, "Asbury Heart", at Porta (Asbury Park) on Friday, May 15th.
How to enter and all the rules at: https://jasondidner.com/bur
Teen Idle - "A Heart So Tender". I have always enjoyed Teen Idle's music. I have listened as her songwriting and sound has developed over the years, and her latest, "A Heart So Tender", is such a perfect album that I only need one word to describe it, masterpiece!
Rich Lancia - "The Rest Of Me". Sometimes I've had a rough day and I'm looking for something comfortable to relax with and feel good. Rich Lancia's new EP, "The Rest Of Me", fits that bill. The six mid-tempo Americana/singer-songwriter/adult-contemporary songs on the EP are fresh, but also feel like an old friend. I should also note that James Maddock produced the EP and plays on it.
Somebody Club - "Blue Sun" & "Foolish Things". Somebody Club returns with not one, but two new EPs! I can only guess why the songs on "Blue Sun" & "Foolish Things" where split into two EPs vs one album... "Blue Sun" leans more acoustic piano based songs, while "Foolish Things" leans more electric guitar based songs... but both EPs are highly recommended for fans of alternative rock.
Suede Aces - "Suede Aces". Suede Aces bio describes them as, "Drawing from the classic power of Led Zeppelin and the vocal soul of Janis Joplin and Aretha Franklin the band crafts music that’s both timeless and forward-thinking." I don't think I could describe them any better myself. I definitely heard classic hard rock/blues in their songs, but it sounded less retro than many bands inspired by those classic sounds. Their self-titled debut album is quite the introduction.
Exit Eleven - "Fairweather Friends". Exit Eleven's "Fairweather Friends" is the Earworm of the week! This song is insanely catchy alternative-pop-rock. Don't be a fairweather friend, check out their single release show May 8th at Stone Pony.
Not New, But Memorable Corner
The Porchistas present Deivito - "Songs for the Moon". Deivito, New Jersey's master of Spanglish Sea Shanties was once a founding member of, the still active today band, The Porchistas. Back in 2007 they released the album "Songs for the Moon", recently re-released on Bandcamp. This collection is as fantastic today as it was 19 years ago.
Remember BlowUpRadio.com, plays these and many other New Jersey based artists on our internet radio station, so please check us out. #SupportGoodMusic - If you like any of the above artists, please purchase their music from their site. And if you would like to be part of BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable, please send downloads or contact Lazlo at Lazlo-at-BlowUpRadio-dot-com. We're also on Mastodon (and bridged on BlueSky)
COLUMNS
Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 05/02/2026
Due to a death in the family, the "Sound Bites" weekly column has ben postponed for this week. However, the listings of live music and entertainment are enclosed; we shall return on Thursday May 7 which happens to be the same day as the monthly "Rock On Radio" Happy Hour at the Nottingham Tavern located at 9 Mercer Street in Hamilton Square, NJ with music by Carmen Marranco.
MORE NEWS
"The Great Albums Podcast" Returns June 1st with New Monthly Episodes and Patreon Exclusives
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- The Great Albums Podcast, a music commentary show that averaged 20,000 Week 1 downloads per episode and amassed over 6 million total downloads during its initial run from 2015-2019, will return on June 1 with its first regular episode in over seven years. New episodes will follow on the first of every month.
2026 Maplewoodstock Music + Art Festival to Take Place July 11-12
Tributes to Chicago, Taylor Swift, Van Morrison, Zac Brown, Elvis, Genesis, and Zach Bryan are coming to The Strand
Lily Vakili to Celebrate Release of "Live Wire" EP on Wednesday
Centenary Stage Company presents Double Vision: The Foreigner Experience on May 23rd
The Penguin Rocks
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