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"Unplugged Hearts - An Acoustic Alternative Collection"

Celebrating the raw core of the genre

Published by New Jersey Stage

originally published: 03/20/2026

UAC Management unveils "Unplugged Hearts - An Acoustic Alternative Collection" a globally curated compilation that brings together artists from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Sweden, united by one defining element - the power of music in its most stripped and honest form.

Prepared and curated by UAC Management and distributed worldwide through Sony Music's The Orchard, the release stands as a focused and intentional effort to highlight one of the most beloved, yet often underrepresented, aspects of alternative music: its acoustic, emotional core. The project is also presented in collaboration with the Spaceuntravel YouTube channel - a platform with over 370 000 subscribers and more than 240 million total views - and supported by BSB TV in the ongoing process of discovering and showcasing emerging talent.

At the center of the compilation is SayWeCanFly with the exclusive track "Safe & Sound", a delicate and introspective ballad exploring anxiety, resilience, and the quiet weight of the unknown. The song captures the fragile balance between fear and forward motion, offering a reminder that even in uncertainty, there is always a path ahead.

Across the tracklist, each artist contributes a unique perspective, forming a cohesive emotional narrative. From Saving Vice's "Love Language (Acoustic)", which extends the band's exploration of relationships into a more accessible and intimate space, to katie drives' "Fairytale Castle (Acoustic)", where vulnerability takes center stage without the weight of full instrumentation, the compilation unfolds as a spectrum of personal expression.

Themes of reflection and consequence emerge in Chasing The Fall's "Sober (Acoustic)", capturing the emptiness that follows fleeting highs, while Failed To Ignite's "Sad Song (Acoustic)" addresses the process of rebuilding through struggles with mental health. Impossible Prom Kings' "Witchcraft (Acoustic)" navigates the scars of past relationships and the complexity of healing, while Manosaurus' "Turn It On, Turn It Off (Acoustic)" reflects the emotional toll of modern life and the relentless cycle of information and escape.




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Elsewhere, the compilation allows space for experimentation and identity - from the unexpected textures of Miamorii's "Welcome To My Hell (Acoustic)" to the atmospheric depth of Almamor's "Silhouette Of Time (Acoustic)", which captures the essence of their sound in its most minimal and immersive form. Each track contributes to a broader statement: when stripped back, the message becomes clearer, more direct, and more human.

Speaking on the vision behind the project, Hristo Penchev, founder of UAC Management, shares: "There is something undeniably powerful about a song stripped down to its core. When you remove the layers, what remains is the raw emotion of the artist and the honesty that connects us to the music in the first place. This is one of the most beloved aspects of alternative music, yet it often does not get the visibility it deserves. 'Unplugged Hearts' was born from a genuine love for acoustic, emotional music and a desire to create something that highlights this side of artistry. We wanted to build a platform for the artists who embody this essence, whose talent and vulnerability speak directly to what makes music matter. This compilation is about giving that space the attention it has always warranted."

"Unplugged Hearts" is more than a collection - it is a carefully constructed listening experience, where each song contributes to a shared atmosphere of sincerity, introspection, and connection. It stands as a testament to the idea that, beyond production and volume, what resonates most is truth.




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FEATURED EVENTS


Orleans, Firefall, Pure Prairie League & Atlanta Rhythm Section

Wednesday, August 19, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ


Rick Estrin & The Nightcats

Wednesday, August 19, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ


All The Devils Are Here

Wednesday, August 19, 2026 @ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theatre)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ


Glen Burtnik’s Summer of Love Concert

Thursday, August 20, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ


All The Devils Are Here

Thursday, August 20, 2026 @ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theatre)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ



 

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COLUMNS


BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable NJ Music 8/10/26

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 with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at new releases by Des & the Swagmatics, Bamberdost, Owen Lake and the Tragic Loves, Jonny Couch, Sean Henry Tonight!, and Ava LaMonte. Plus a look back at "Duluth" by Particle Zoo.




Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Soaked" by Kiaura Rose




Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 08/06/2026




This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from August 4-10, 2026






 

MORE NEWS

(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.


Albert Music Hall presents Pineystock on Sunday




"Amazing!" Bruce Hornsby LIVE! at Ocean City Music Pier




The Vogel presents Early Elton Trio on Saturday




Scottish Rite Auditorium presents Hot Tuna on Friday






 

UPCOMING SHOWS


2026-27 Season Preview: Split Level Concerts at Jersey Shore Arts Center

(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Split Level Concerts at the Jersey Shore Arts Center (JSAC) in Ocean Grove has announced the full concert lineup for its third season. All shows will take place beginning at 8:00pm in JSAC's Palaia Theater. The season lineup includes Willie Nile, John Gorka, Dan Bern, Catie Curtis and Band, Stephen Kellogg, Abbie Gardner, Heather Maloney and Band, and Kim Richey. As they have done in prior years, artists from the Asbury Park music scene will open many of the shows.


MPAC's Summer 2026 Preview




West Windsor Arts Announces 2026 Summer Music and More Series




Foreigner and Lynyrd Skynyrd Announce Double Trouble Double Vision Tour; Includes Shows in Holmdel and Camden






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