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

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.

The Brit Pack

Saturday, April 18, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center - Main Stage
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: music

 

Lucy Kaplansky (with special guest Dave Vargo)

Saturday, April 18, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Jersey Shore Arts Center
66 South Main Street, Ocean Grove, NJ 07756
category: music

 

The Janis Joplin Experience Starring Lisa Polizzi

Saturday, April 18, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music

 

'60s Rock 'n Roll Revival

Saturday, April 18, 2026 @ 7:00pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music

 

Steven Mackey: MEMOIR

Saturday, April 18, 2026 @ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Theatre)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
category: music

 

 

EVENT PREVIEWS

2026 Jersey City Jazz Festival to Take Place May 29-31

(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- The Jersey City Jazz Festival returns in 2026 with its biggest event yet, inviting music fans of all ages to experience jazz from across the spectrum including straight-ahead, Latin jazz and more throughout an unforgettable three-day celebration. Presented by Exchange Place Alliance, the free event runs from Friday evening, May 29 through Sunday, May 31 along the Hudson River waterfront at Exchange Place Plaza, offering sweeping views of lower Manhattan.

Music at Bunker Hill presents Trio Zimbalist

(SEWELL, NJ) -- Music at Bunker Hill presents Trio Zimbalist in their first appearance on their series on May 10, 2026 at 3:00pm. Trio Zimbalist has been celebrated for its "highly charged performances" (The Strad) and its "liveliness and vigor of playing" (Athinorama).

João Bosco Quartet - 80th Birthday Celebration of Brazilian Music Legend João Bosco to take place at McCarter Theatre on April 25th

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre Center presents the João Bosco Quartet in a special performance celebrating the legendary Brazilian artist's 80th birthday and more than five decades of groundbreaking music-making on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 7:30pm. Presented in association with Brazil LAB, this performance celebrates João Bosco’s extraordinary career.

Broadcast Legend Sid Mark to be Remembered at Ocean Grove Event on June 7th

(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Sid Mark, the popular and iconic radio host, sadly passed away four years ago, on April 18th, 2022. Sid’s son Brian Mark, Executive Producer of Orange Productions' nationally syndicated radio program The Sounds of Sinatra with Sid Mark, will be a very special host/guest speaker, at a musical event which will highlight the legacy of his father and celebrate the 70th Anniversary of The Sounds of Sinatra broadcast program.

Serbian Cellist Maja Maja Bogdanovic to Perform with Princeton Symphony Orchestra

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- Serbian cellist Maja Maja Bogdanovic makes her anticipated Richardson Auditorium debut with the Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) at concerts the weekend of May 9-10, 2026. Designated as this year's Edward T. Cone concert, the program features Ms. Bogdanović in performances of Camille Saint-Saëns' melodic Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 33. Other works include Aaron Copland's Letter from Home and Sergei Prokofiev's Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major, Op. 100. Both concerts are conducted by Edward T. Cone Music Director Rossen Milanov.