By Lazlo
originally published: 07/14/2025
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 Cinema Star, Andrew Valentino, Miss Ohio, Michael Brett, Johnny Zarfati, and Max Rauch. Plus a look back at "Silver Linings" by Fun While You Wait.
Cinema Star - "Runaway". Earworm of the Week! "Runaway", the new single from Cinema Star, is a catchy piece of alt-power-pop.
Andrew Valentino - "A Genuine Talking Dog". I cannot confirm if Andrew Valentino is "A Genuine Talking Dog", but Andrew Valentino's new album is a fun collection of power-pop and rock songs.
Miss Ohio - "Girls In Skirts". Miss Ohio returns with their first new recording in some time, and it is splendid. "Girls In Skirts" is a song that goes back over 20 years. As the band recalls, "On the original recording we sound tentative, aware that we had very little time and needed to get it right in a take or two."
This new recording sounds fully formed and aged like a fine wine.
Michael Brett - "The Outlaw Josie". I am so accustomed to seeing Michael Brett play solo acoustic, and have more acoustic based music over the years. For his new single, "The Outlaw Josie" he teamed up with local musicians Joshua Van Ness and Tommy Strazza, and the result is a rocking good time!
Johnny Zarfati - "Light You Shine In". If you want a slice of some southern Americana, you should definitely check out the new single from Johnny Zarfati, "Light You Shine In"
Max Rauch - "Deep Green". New music from Max Rauch is always a reason to get excited. His blend of grunge/power-pop/alt-rock always entertains me, and "Deep Green" is no different... but the lyrics to "Waste More Thyme" felt a little too much like my life some days, which is both disturbing and comforting.
Not New, But Memorable Corner
Fun While You Wait - "Silver Linings". Couldn't we all use some fun while we wait for the inevitable end of the world from what's going on in our country, and around the world? I kid... maybe...
Anyway...
Back in 2017 Fun While You Wait would release their last EP (lead singer Devon Alana would go on to form Fake Pockets, which is still active: https://fakepockets.bandcamp.com). The whole EP has incredible indie-uke-pop, but "Silver Linings" is the stand out track to me.
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).
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