By Lazlo
originally published: 12/22/2025
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 Psychtooth, The Garden Roads, New Antics, A Color Engine, Southpaw, Ipkiss, and Ferocious Designs. Plus a look back at "Deal With The Devil" by The Brixton Riot.
Psychtooth - "Party Patrick Doesn't Wanna Party Anymore". "melancholy junk rock" is how Psychtooth describe their music, as in a junk draw would have a hodge-podge of things in it. I'm not sure I'd describe them that way, but I get what they are saying. Their new album, "Party Patrick Doesn't Wanna Party Anymore" does combine lo-fi, alt-rock, garage rock, and punk rock, into one of my favorite albums of the year!
The Garden Roads - "Destination Never Knows". Tim Malcarney, formerly of The Silence, returns with his latest project, The Garden Roads. Their debut album, "Destination Never Knows", is chock full of potential hits (in fact trying to decide which songs to play on BlowUpRadio.com is a challenge, as I'd like to play them all... and may).
New Antics - "New Antics". New Antics self-titled debut album is come catchy, angsty, high energy, alternative rock. I like it!
A Color Engine - "Voyage Underwater; 56 Knots (2026 REISSUE) ". Back in 2007-2008, A Color Engine (Don Ryan and Eric Burchfield), made the album, "Voyage Underwater; 56 Knots". The band has long since broken up, and each have put out wonderful solo releases.
So here we are in 2026 and Don went back to this album and did what he is calling "a total re-working of it", because when they originally made the album, "we had absolutely NO idea what we were doing as engineers, producers, and mixers - so there were tons of problems with our original mixes."
I don't have the original release to compare this reissue to, but the 2026 version is incredible!
Southpaw - "Tumbleweeds". The thing about Southpaw I like so much, is in an era where Modern Country doesn't sound very country at all (to me at least), they make these timeless country songs, the latest of which, "Tumbleweeds", is beautiful.
Ipkiss - "Paper Under the Tongue". Ipkiss's latest single, "Paper Under the Tongue" is infectious, tough to get out of my head. Luckily, this is the only type of infection I want to get.
Ferocious Designs - "You Better Hold On Tight". The yacht rock influence on Ferocious Design's latest single, "You Better Hold On Tight", is proudly worn on his sleeve. I dig it!
Not New, But Memorable Corner
The Brixton Riot - "Deal With The Devil". Way back in 2008 I first heard The Brixton Riot when they sent me their "Sudden Fiction" EP. I believe "Deal With The Devil" was the very first of many of their songs to grace BlowUpRadio.com's airwaves. It is a good example of their hook-filled power-pop.
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)
EVENT PREVIEWS
Hunterdon Hills Playhouse presents Vegas Country Show
(HAMPTON, NJ) -- Hunterdon Hills Playhouse presents Vegas Country Show August 21-23, 2026. Get ready for a night of country hits, high energy, and pure star power as Vegas Country brings the music of Shania Twain and Tim McGraw to life.
WBJB's Songwriters on the Beach series presents Nicole Atkins on August 27th
(BRADLEY BEACH, NJ) -- WBJB's Songwriters on the Beach presents Nicole Atkins on Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 7:00pm. Cory Blair will open the night. The free outdoor concert takes place at the Newark Avenue Beach in Bradley Beach. ** The show was rescheduled from July 16th due to the Air Quality Alert issued across New Jersey.
51st Annual New Jersey Folk Festival to Take Place August 29th
(SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The New Jersey Folk Festival (NJFF) is back for the 51st year on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Davidson's Mill Pond Park in South Brunswick. The event is free and open to the public. It runs from 11:00am to 5:00pm.
The Strand presents Matt Stone as Elvis on August 29th
(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- Most 22-year-olds are chasing the next trend, scrolling through TikTok, and binging Love Island. Matt Stone has spent the last decade looking in the opposite direction.
McCarter Theatre Center presents Mei Semones on September 4th
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre Center presents Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Mei Semones in the Berlind Theatre on Friday, September 4, 2026 at 7:30pm. Drawing on her background in jazz guitar and her Japanese heritage, she blends inventive harmonies, intricate rhythms, and bilingual lyricism into a sound that is both intimate and exploratory.
51st NJ Clearwater Festival to Take Place Labor Day Weekend in Asbury Park
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Friends of Clearwater invites everyone to start their Labor Day Weekend at its free 51st Annual Clearwater Festival Saturday September 5, 2026, a late summer, family-friendly celebration of great live music, Mother Earth and more in Sunset Park near the ocean in Asbury Park.
The Machine performs Pink Floyd at The Newton Theatre on September 5th
(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Machine Performs Pink Floyd on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at the Newton Theatre. The band has forged a nearly 40 year reputation of extending the musical legacy of Pink Floyd. Showtime is 8:00pm.
MPAC presents Melissa Etheridge: Rise Tour on September 9th
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) presents Melissa Etheridge: Rise Tour on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 7:30pm. Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, Etheridge has remained one of America's favorite female singers for more than two decades.
Prudential Center presents Ella Langley on September 10th
(NEWARK, NJ) -- It's been a landmark year for Ella Langley. Fresh off a sweep at the ACM Awards where she won all seven awards she was nominated for, two recent American Music Award wins, and being the soundtrack of the summer for a trio of German fans on Twitter traveling through America during the World Cup. Ella continues one of the most dominant runs in music. She brings The Dandelion Tour to the Prudential Center in Newark on September 10, 2026 at 7:00pm. Special guests ERNEST and Gabriella Rose will open the night.
The Soundtrack of Resilience: Explore Music's Role in Post-9/11 America at the Lacey Library
(FORKED RIVER, NJ) -- In honor of Patriot Day, the Lacey Branch of the Ocean County Library will host "The Soundtrack of Resilience: Music and 9/11" on Thursday, September 10, 2026. The event begins at 2:00pm.
FEATURED EVENTS
