​​​​​​​Daughter Vision are an artsy metal-tinged synth-pop band that defy time and space while grounded in Asbury Park. ... READ ON

Fans of My Chemical Romance will enjoy the artsy emotionalism of prolific, prophetic North Jersey rocker Chucky Hugh, whose latest EP, “There’s Nothing In This World Under Control,” is an aptly titled release in the midst of a global pandemic. Unfortunately, the damn virus caused the cancellation of Chucky’s record release party this weekend, but with two other EPs and an LP under his creative belt, this guy’s a pro and will make it up to his large fan base.... READ ON

After two solo albums on Island Records, Gaslight Anthem front man Brian Fallon has opted to drop his latest LP, “Local Honey,” on his own Lesser Known Records. For the Point Pleasant-based, Red Bank-raised singer-songwriter, the results are as sweet as they are cathartic. A gorgeously packaged collection, the eight servings of “Local Honey” once again recall Brian’s greatest influence: fellow Jersey Shore rocker Bruce Springsteen. But rather than emulate the youthful zeal of the Boss’ iconic ’70s catalog, Brian sounds like the Bruce of today: world-weary and wise. ... READ ON

Bob Makin reviews the latest releases by Hair Magic, San Tropez and Joshua Mark in this month's Makin Waves Record Roundup.... READ ON

While I was growing up in the 1970s, The Brothers Johnson were an L.A.-based R&B band who offered me and plenty of others some good ol’funky times. I have had as much fun watching East Brunswick-raised brothers Brent and Brian Johnson’s 11-year rise within the veteran New Brunswick alt-rock outfit The Clydes. With co-founding bassist Andrew Lord and relatively new drummer Pete Gambino, lead singer-rhythm guitarist-keyboardist Brent and lead guitarist Brian have grown not only in skill but also professionalism, as well as respect and stature throughout the rich and fertile New Jersey music scene. ... READ ON

Just as Deal Casino once again were out on the road, this time in support of their new EP, “Woof.,” COVID-19 forced a tour cancellation, as was the case with many other bands around the world. But sly rock ‘n’ roll devils that they are, the Asbury Park-based outfit found a work around with their Quarantour, a series of live events streamed online.... READ ON

If you like pretty, pining folk music, then talented Jersey Shore threesome Originaire will be your cup of tea. They make hauntingly ambient music that is gorgeous but suffers from a lack of self-editing and/or an experienced producer. At times overindulgent, their four-song debut EP, “Off the Ship,” is based on the addictions and recoveries of singer-songwriters CiBon and Ken Shiles, who also handsomely strums and picks guitar.... READ ON

New Brunswick-based indie-rock veterans A Halo Called Fred will celebrate their latest release on Lump ‘N’ Loaf Records, “Go Home Drama You're Drunk and Other Tales of Going through Hell to Escape the Evil Monkeys,” at their annual Freaky Mutant Weirdo Variety Show on March 21 at Roxy & Dukes Roadhouse in Dunellen. ... READ ON

Asbury Park singer-songwriter Joshua Mark has followed his 2015 debut EP, “Breaking Ground,” with another impressive five-song collection on Jersey Shore-based Ghetto Surf Records. “Keep Me in Your Mind” recalls the sensitive, organic-sounding singing and songwriting of James Taylor with a bit of the funky folk-pop of Jack Johnson. Some of his vocal inflections particularly recall J.T.... READ ON

For the first 24 of the 28 years that New Brunswick-based indie-rockers A Halo Called Fred churned out their psycho-geek Tupperware-pop madness, I wasn’t a big fan because I thought their music was a silly waste of time. Shame on me! Like Bob Dylan’s “My Back Pages” says, “I was so much older then. I’m younger than that now.” ... READ ON