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 releases by Mark Parker, Solo For Dolo, Post Nuclear Beach Party, Shawn Mars, and Phoneboy.
Mark Parker - "Retroactive Bastard". Mark Parker is a genius when it comes to power-pop-punk with witty lyrics, possibly none more so than on his latest masterpiece, "Retroactive Bastard". In the liner notes he describes this album being more person and that making the tunes helped him get through hard times. Listening to this album, which I am finding far more relatable than I wish I did, it is now helping me through the hard times of my day*.
*- Your results may very. You should not need to consult your doctor before listening to Mark Parker music. Side-effects may include smiling, rocking out, and feeling better about yourself. If those symptoms last more than 8 hours... be thankful!
Solo For Dolo - "NO WHERE TO GO (LP) 2023". Alt-hip-hop-rap project Solo For Dolo returns with another collection of tunes that showcase not just a skillful poetic flow, but also some entertaining music & production underneath it.
Post Nuclear Beach Party - "Post Nuclear Beach Party".  Post Nuclear Beach Party's self-titled album is not an upbeat rocking type of beach party, but is some lovely mid-tempo music for a chill evening beach party relaxing with friends, or just a cool EP to listen to with headphones on and enjoy every note and harmony.
Shawn Mars - "Out Of My Head". Shawn Mars has been around the local music scene with projects including Mars Needs Women, and Ozone Monday (which had him backed by members of Skid Row), for years. Whether solo, or with those bands, you can always count on some excellent power pop rock, and his latest is no exception. Letting you know right from the opening notes of first tack, "Kill Your Radio", to the closing notes of the final track, "Be Kind Rewind", that this is a rock album with big riffs and catchy choruses.
Phoneboy - "Ferrari" [single]. The first single from Phoneboy's upcoming album, "Moving Out", is a pop punk tune with a chorus that was still rattling around in my head hours after listening to it.
That's all for this week.
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 part of BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable, please send downloads or contact Lazlo at Lazlo-at-BlowUpRadio-dot-com. We're also on Mastodon at https://mstdn.social/@BlowUpRadio
