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 The Catholic Girls, Lost Romance, Asinine Relevance, Joseph Alton Miller, Slow Transits, Rachel Ana Dobken, and dream complete. Plus a look back at "The Straights" by Echofission.

The Catholic Girls - "Hear My Prayer". The Catholic Girls first started as an all girl band back in the 1980's. Their latest release, "Hear My Prayer", sounds just as rocking as their stuff 40 years ago. Three versions of the title track, including an inspired "dance Version" with an 80's synth sound, and an equally solid B-Side, "I Can't Wait", make up this release.

Lost Romance - "Limousine". Lost Romance's new single, "Limousine", not only has some heavy hitters on the track, Steve Ferrone (drummer for Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers) and Jack Daley (bass player for Lenny Kravitz), but it is also a new direction for the band with a rocking blues sound that is absolutely wonderful!

Asinine Relevance - "[I]". Judging by the two songs on Asinine Relevance's "[I]" release I would have to say this band is influenced by the thrash-grunge-punk sound of some of Nirvana's harder songs. Looking forward to hearing more from this new act.

Joseph Alton Miller - "This Old Car". A new song from Joseph Alton Miller is like reuniting with an old friend. His folk/Americana sound is so warm and inviting, and his lyrics always tell an engrossing story. His latest, "The Old Car", is no exception. It is in fact, exceptional!

Slow Transits - "Parallel Moves / Circle Breaking". Two new songs from Slow Transits, "Parallel Moves" & "Circle Breaking", showcase how you can be experimental-psychedelic-post-punk, while still having dream-pop sensibilities, making both songs fascinating.

Rachel Ana Dobken - "Cruel, Cruel, Cruel". Rachel Ana Dobken's new song, "Cruel, Cruel, Cruel,", isn't just a great single to get excited for her forthcoming 2024 album, "Acceptance", it is also an awesome pop-rock tune  and an earworm!

dream complete - "Always Somewhere EP". "Always Somewhere EP" from dream complete is 4 excellent alternative hard rock/shoegaze songs.

Not New, But Memorable Corner

Echofission - "The Straights". When Echofission released their quintessential album, "The Straights" in 2008 I wrote about how special an album this was and that "in my opinion, is destined to be looked back on years from now as a classic album". Here we are 15 years later and yes, I still think of this album as a classic! A blend of indie rock, pop, and a pinch of 90's jam rock, the album is perfect from beginning to end.

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