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 Jacob Chacko, No Good With Secrets, Psychiatric Metaphors, Honey Wild, Separatr, and Torment Of Giants. Plus a look back at "Movin' On" by 1L (Bil Brixton).
Jacob Chacko - "Back For More". If you're looking for a good mid-tempo tune to listen to while relaxing on the beach, or anywhere, check out Jacob Chacko's new single, "Back For More".
No Good With Secrets - "Harmony and Chloe". "Harmony and Chloe" from No Good With Secrets is a collection of demos, but the decidedly lo-fi sound and rawness of these jangly-power-pop-punk songs is amazingly fulfilling and fun.
Psychiatric Metaphors - "Flower Market Exchange". Whoa! On Psychiatric Metaphors' 7th album, "Flower Market Exchange", the normally fuzzed-out-psych-rockers change gears, and do a... I guess the best way to describe it would be chill-rock, with some mellow surf-rock and jazz-adjacent flourishes. You really should stop reading my description and check it out for yourself!
Honey Wild - "Sweat on the Brain". From the funky open, Honey Wild's "Sweat on the Brain" got me up on my feet and grooving. Then the vocals kicked in and the song became a full on funk rock party.
Separatr - "QUEEN ACE". I don't know why Separatr decided to move from Seattle to Asbury Park, but I am thrilled they did. The noise-pop duo's new EP, "QUEEN ACE", is high-energy rock & roll that reinvigorated me! If their Separatr's live energy is anything like this, then one should see them as soon as they can!
Torment Of Giants - "Lion Heart & Paper Tiger". Torment Of Giants have returned with their second album, "Lion Heart & Paper Tiger". They are still bringing a punk attitude to their hard-alt-grunge-rock sound, but they also have some mellower songs on this. To be clear, not mellow, just mellower, like a dark-alt-rock vibe.
Not New, But Memorable Corner
1L (Bil Brixton) - "Movin' On". In 2014 1L (aka Bil Brixton) released his first EP, "#ItsPersonal)", and the world was introduced to his unique uke-hop sound. Bil had been a poet for some years, so it probably is not surprising that he writes some very meaningful lyrics and can adjust his flow to the music perfectly. Lamentably, his last release was in 2017, and by 2019 he stopped performing live also. I do hope someday he will return to making music.
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://gardenstate.social/@BlowUpRadio
