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 Night Windows, furiousBall, Ferocious Designs, John Pronto, and Manny Ray. Plus a look back at "Fight of Your Life" by Blisstique.
Before we get into the new & notable albums, a quick note that two new volumes of Rock Against Hate are coming out for Pride month on June 6th. Volume 7 benefits Trevor Project, and Volume 8 benefits No More Dysphoria. Each contains over 20 previously unreleased songs. More info can be found elsewhere on this site, as well as https://rockagainsthate.org
Night Windows - "Nonsense". There is usually several years between releases from Night Windows, so after last year's excellent, "In Memories" album, I did not expect a new release so soon. "Nonsense" is a 3 song EP, chock full of the mid-tempo indie-folk-rock songs hey are so good at making. And bonus, they are apparently already working on more music to be released this year.
furiousBall - "I'll Be Your Arsonist". I don't think I could describe furiousBall any better than their bio does, "atmospheric alternative/indie pop-rock from South Jersey." If that sounds good to you, then you need to hear "I'll Be Your Arsonist".
Ferocious Designs - "Off You Pop!". Brian Kelley started working on his latest outing under Ferocious Designs, "Off You Pop!", after power-pop legend Dwight Twilley passed away in October 2023. "I wanted to see if I could create my own version of it [power-pop] despite having close to zero skill as a guitar player.", he says in the liner notes. "My own version of it", seems apt, as to me this is Ferocious Design's synth-pop as fed thru a power-pop filter. The result is highly entertaining!
John Pronto - "5 Pack: Live From Cart Studios". "5 Pack: Live From Cart Studios", is a pretty self-explanatory EP, in that it is 5 songs recorded live with just John Pronto's voice and guitar. His style is blues infused folk/Americana. Despite the closing track being, "What A Waste", this EP is not. Check it out.
Manny Ray - "Crashed Out". If you like soul rock then you need to listen to Manny Ray's new EP, "Crashed Out".
Not New, But Memorable Corner
Blisstique - "Fight of Your Life". Back in 2017... which both seems recent and eons ago to me... Blisstique put out the "Ghost Head Nebula" EP. "Fight of Your Life" instantly became my favorite song on the collection, with it's infectious music, and lyrics that felt to me like a rallying call. I frequently listen to this song when I am looking to get motivated, and given the current state of America, it feels even more relevant than it did 8 years ago (though I have no idea if this song was meant to be political).
Blisstique also recently put out an incredible acoustic EP that was recently mentioned in this column, and will have a new song that is unlike anything previously released by them on the upcoming Rock Against Hate Volume 7.
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 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)
