New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Makin Waves Album of the Month: "Mantra" by Natalie Farrell


By Bob Makin

originally published: 07/26/2023


"Mantra," Asbury Park songstress Natalie Farrell's long-awaited follow-up to her 2018 debut EP, "Natality," will arrive with a release party on July 29 at Asbury Lanes. Based on the new EP's five songs, the event will also be a dance party!

Natalie has a lot of contagious fun throughout, especially on the opening title track, the EP’s first single and video. The first 15 seconds gives a deep nod to her Latin roots with a delicious Tito Puente/Celia Cruz-like intro, but then the track makes a 180 with a sassy take on how a mantra can be meditative, but it also can be like a motto, which, for Natalie is that she’s not to be messed with.

Clever wordplay throughout that pays homage to yoga and other meditative practices is as much fun as rich layers of dance grooves.

The fun continues with a similarly dichotomous second single, “Out of Touch,” which juxtaposes a cute staccato piano throughout with layers of chamber funk. A fluid rap serves as a strong  bridge in the tale about obtaining the upper hand within a toxic relationship.

“Bali” is even more exotically intoxicating than “Mantra.” Imagine Sade with street cred.




Please support the advertisers at New Jersey Stage!
Want info on how to advertise? Click here



Throughout “Mantra,” that street cred permeates the EP, particularly on “Talk Sh!t,” which is about the catharsis of gossip, as well as the messiness that selfishness can create.

“Mantra” closes on a chill vibe with “Rely on Me,” a slow jam about a love with legs that aims to reassure a partner in pain.

Backed by an all-star band that features guitarist Matt Fernicola, drummer Joshua Van Ness, and husband Lou Panico on bass, Natalie will share the Lanes bill with Brianna Musco, Justin Magnaye, and Lake Champagne.

For more about her, click https://fanlink.to/nataliefarrellmusic

Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at makinwaves64@yahoo.



New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.




Please support the advertisers at New Jersey Stage!
Want info on how to advertise? Click here




 

EVENT PREVIEWS

An

An Interview with Dan Kurtz of The New Deal

Formed in 1999, Toronto, Canada based trio The New Deal, is a pioneer in jam-based electronic music. The group was founded by remaining members Dan Kurtz (bass) and Jamie Shields (keys), along with Darren Shearer (drums) who left tND in 2011. Since its inception, tND has remained committed to its improvisational roots and has served as a model for other jamtronica bands bridging the gap between multiple music genres as well as the border between Canada and the United States.



Rick

Rick Springfield, John Waite, Wang Chung, and Paul Young to bring the "I Want My 80s Tour" to NJPAC

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Get ready to revive the spirit of the 1980s! Iconic rock star and eternal heartthrob Rick Springfield, a true emblem of the '80s music scene, is set to take the stage on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). Showtime is 7:00pm.



Young

Young the Giant to Play Tropicana Atlantic City

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Critically-acclaimed, multi-platinum selling band Young the Giant announces the In The Open 2025 Acoustic Tour. An intimate concert experience performed in beautiful spaces and venues around the country, the band will be supported by Cassandra Coleman (debut album produced by Jack Antonoff out June 6 via Warner) throughout. Locally, the tour comes to Tropicana Atlantic City on Saturday, July 12, 2025.



West

West Windsor Arts presents Summer Music and More: Channel Collective

(PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ) -- West Windsor Arts presents Channel Collective on Saturday, July 12, 2025 from 5:00pm to 7:30pm. Dan Kassel and Friends, featuring Gregg Merkle, will open the night. This is the first of three in their free summer concert series sponsored by Site Centers. Admission is free.



Asbury

Asbury Lanes presents There, There - A Tribute to Radiohead

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- Asbury Lanes presents There, There on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 8:00pm. They are the premier Radiohead tribute act, playing songs from throughout the band's iconic multi-decade catalogue.



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Candlelight

Candlelight Concert: Tribute to Queen and The Beatles

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music


 

Damn

Damn The Torpedoes - The Music of Tom Petty

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

There,

There, There (A Tribute to Radiohead)

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Asbury Lanes
209 4th Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
category: music


 

Band

Band Infusion Musical Night by GG

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 7:00pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


 

Annual

Annual Jazz, Health and Food Truck Festival 2025

Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 11:00am
Monte Irvin Orange Park
S center and South Harrison Street, Orange, NJ 07050
category: music