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BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 8/21/23


By Lazlo

originally published: 08/21/2023

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 orionfalls, NOT YER BABY, Alibi, Signal Valley, Levy Okun, Modern Crybaby, and Mike Noordzy. Plus a look back at "The Life You're Faking" by The Dipsomaniacs.

orionfalls - "No Hard Feelings". "orionfalls is a solo project from New Jersey.", states the bio alongside their new album, "No Hard Feelings". While it may be a solo project, it is not acoustic, and the layered vocals (and additional vocals from Nisa Marchunt on 3 songs), make this feel less like a solo album, and more like a fine emo rock album.

NOT YER BABY - "Gemini". I know very little about astrological signs, but I know Gemini is represented by twins. That seems fitting for NOT YER BABY's new song, "Gemini", as it has dual traits of being a punk, and yet danceable (in a non-punk way). You would think those traits would be battling one another, but they meld seamlessly on this track.

Alibi - "Twin Flame". I'm not quite ready for fall yet, but Alibi just released what I would consider a great fall EP. It's acoustic, introspective, and has just the right amount of melancholia.

Signal Valley - "Unedited Image Of A Bear". Normally I'd say a 25 song album that clocks in at over 80 minutes is just too long. But in the case of Signal Valley's "Unedited Image Of A Bear", the diversity of the styles of rock, and the placement of them, make for a very enjoyable listening experience. 




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Levy Okun - "Says Hello". Levy Okun's "Says Hello" is pop-rock bliss! Each of the 8 songs on this album are peppy earworms, and the lyrics sound personal yet relatable to all. Go check this album out now!

Modern Crybaby - "Few & Far Between". If you are not listening to the Songs on Site podcast, you are missing out. It is a great interview & performance podcast spotlighting local artists.

The newest installment introduced me to Modern Crybaby (Dylan Schroth). His bio page says, "With a heavy heart and a hopeful smile, Schroth sings about his experience with depression, anxiety, growth, and recovery with the hopes of inspiring others on a similar path." His music is inspiring, as well as beautiful and full of emotion.

Mike Noordzy - "Sleaze Greaze". Sometimes I want to listen to some experimental jazz, and Mike Noordzy is consistently putting out top notch collections of jazz that is avant-garde, but still melodious. Check out his latest EP, "Sleaze Greaze".



Not New, But Memorable Corner 

Dipsomaniacs - "The Life You're Faking". Before Mick Chorba fronted The Successful Failures, he fronted the power-pop band, Dipsomaniacs. All of their albums are incredible (as are The Successful Failures'), but 2001's "The Life You're Faking" is a quintessential summer album for me. It is full of earworms with infectious riffs, gorgeous harmonies, and an overall feeling of summer fun!

That's all for this week.




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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


 

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