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 Jacob Chacko, Kathleen Elle, Chitinous Mandible, operants, Silver06, Vincent Brue, Cathedral Ceilings, Marty I'm Afraid, and Walkinghorse. Plus a look back at "Don't Come to Maryland" by Logs In The Mainstream.

Jacob Chacko - "Much Sublime". If you are a regular listener of BlowUpRadio.com (and I hope you are), you've been hearing us playing singles from Jacob Chacko for over a year now. With the final single, "Stay On", the entire "Much Sublime" album is now complete and available on his website (https://jacobchacko2022.com). His songs are catchy singer-songwriter pop-rock, that to my ears falls into the more upbeat side of Yacht Rock.

Kathleen Elle - "Callin You Mine". Are you looking for a post-breakup song, that is also a fun, upbeat pop tune? Then look no further than Kathleen Elle's new single, "Callin You Mine". It has the potential to be an anthem for those getting over being dumped and moving on.

Chitinous Mandible - "Pattern Sensor". Chitinous Mandible has been putting out a series of singles this year that have been fascinating. The latest, "Pattern Sensor", may be my favorite so far. It is a chill, lo-fi pop gem!

operants - "Mass Monomania". There is always a reason to be joyous when there is new music from operants, for they are masters of post-punk rock. Their latest EP, "Mass Monomania", is a great collection of songs.

Silver06 - "Labyrinth II". I know fall doesn't officially start until September 22nd, but Silver06's new album, "Labyrinth II", is a decidedly fall album. A melancholy, synthwave album, this is not the album to blast on a sunny day, but a perfect album to listen to on a gray day as the leaves start to wither and die on the ground.

Kickapoo, Volume 1 by Vincent Brue">Vincent Brue - "Kickapoo, Volume 1". "On August 15th, 2024, Vincent Brue, ventured out into the desert for a lil vision quest with his boy Rocky.", says the description of his new album, "Kickapoo, Volume 1", released 8 days later on his Bandcamp page. I would call the desert excursion a success, as the 8 songs on Volume 1 traverse indie-alt-folk-pop-rock. I'm impatiently awaiting Volume 2 (and 3, if we should be so lucky).

Cathedral Ceilings - "La La La... Whatever". Cathedral Ceilings, "La La La... Whatever", is a high energy fusion of garage, punk, and power pop. What more do you need to know? Go! Enjoy!

Marty I'm Afraid - "(my best friend's) the axolotl". Earworm alert! Marty I'm Afraid's, "(my best friend's) the axolotl", will get stuck in your head, but it is such a fun power pop tune about their cat's favorite toy, that I'm glad it does. The song makes me happy.

Walkinghorse - "Walkinghorse". The self-titled debut album from Walkinghorse is a powerful album. Musically it lies somewhere between folk rock and indie rock, lyrically it feels very personal... almost as if singing about things helps to work it out... there is something very compelling and moving in that intimacy.

Not New, But Memorable Corner

Logs In The Mainstream - "Don't Come to Maryland". How do I describe Logs In The Mainstream... They were a rock band, and they had great pop melodies, but they were also eclectic, fusing different styles and sounds. Some of their songs were funny, and some were serious, but I loved them all! "Don't Come to Maryland", from their "The Ridiculous and the Sublime", may not be their best song, but it is a fun song and an earworm.

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 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 at https://gardenstate.social/@BlowUpRadio

FEATURED EVENTS

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Dru Hill

Friday, February 20, 2026 @ 8:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music

 

James Day And The Fish Fry - MARDI GRAS MAMBO

Friday, February 20, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music

 

The New York Bee Gees

Friday, February 20, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJ 07008
category: music

 

NBPAC presents The Great American SoulBook

Saturday, February 21, 2026 @ 8:00pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music

 

Lez Zeppelin: The Song Remains The Same 50th Anniversary Celebration

Saturday, February 21, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ 07065
category: music

 

 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Music at Bunker Hill presents David Kim on March 15th

(SEWELL, NJ) -- Music at Bunker Hill presents David Kim for his third appearance on the 18 year old concert series. Kim, Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra, is joined by Burchard Tang, viola, and Priscilla Lee, cello, also members of the orchestra, in a concert on Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 3:00pm. Concert selections include Serenade for String Trio by Dohnanyi, Passacaglia by Handel (Halvorsen) with Kim and Tang, and String Trio in C minor, Op. 9, No. 3 by Beethoven. The concert will be presented without intermission.

Newton Theatre presents GRUNGEFEST: Tributes to Pearl Jam & Chris Cornell

(NEWTON, NJ) -- Fans of grunge music will want to mark their calendars for GRUNGEFEST on Friday, April 10, 2026 at The Newton Theatre.  The Ledbetters will pay tribute to Pearl Jam and Superunknown will perform songs by Chris Cornell. Showtime is 8:00pm.

Lewis Center for the Arts presents "How to Be Not Alone"

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Lewis Center for the Arts' Program in Theater and Music Theater will present How to Be Not Alone, a concert of original and Broadway songs performed by the Princeton Playhouse Ensembles led by Solon Snider Sway and featuring guest tap dance artist Michael J. Love. Directed by faculty member Aaron Landsman and cosponsored by the Department of Music, the concert is on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at the Berlind Theatre. Showtime is 7:00pm.

Y Arts in the Community presents The Great American SOULBook

(WYCKOFF, NJ) -- Y Arts in the Community presents The Great American SOULBook on Friday, March 6, 2026 at the Wyckoff Family YMCA. Take an exhilarating musical journey through the golden eras of Motown, R&B, and other timeless styles that have inspired generations. Showtime is 7:30pm.

Asbury Park Music Awards Returns February 20th

(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- The Asbury Park Music Awards return to The Stone Pony on Friday, February 20, 2026. For over two decades, the awards night brought the local music community together and shined a spotlight on the artists. This will be the first time the awards are presented since 2018.