The Magic City. The Magic City

New Zealand and Boston. All added up this may be the two geographical locations that popped up most on this blog in the last seven to nine years. Where New Zealand is concerned, I'm always wondering what is in the water there causing all this brilliance. For Boston that's not a question with all that tea having gone into the harbour. Today it's Boston's turn but with a twist, because if I would have had to guess, I'd have said London and more specifically Suede with a new singer.

The Magic City has been on the blog before with two singles in 2023 and 2024. What I'm reading there is consistent with what I'm hearing on my headset. All sorts of alternative and indie rock come by, with some powerpop as an extra flavour added to the whole. With two singers David Jackel, also on guitar and synth, and Mike Quinn, also on bass, the band has two front men, of which Jackel is regularly going for his inner David Bowie and Brett Anderson when singing. The other two members are Adam Anderson (lead guitar, vocals) and Ken Marcou (acoustic and electric drums).

What strikes me foremost when listening to The Magic City is the fun the members have in presenting us their music. They are obvious fans of several styles of (Brit)poprock and manage to write their own originals that match the quality of the originals of Suede. Take 'Don't Forget Me When She Gone'. This song could have been a part of Suede's debut album with ease. That band is now its thirty plus year and The Magic City is releasing its debut album. The members do have a long track record of other bands of which one, The Daylillies, can be found on this blog as well. The song in the middle of the album is one of the best on it. Yes, it is very familiar in sound but far from a rip off. This is as good as Suede can wish for (and still is in 2026).

But let's go back to the beginning. Just listen to the bang with which 'The Magic City' enters my ears and life. An electic guitar is coming to life slowly and the band kicks in, creating the light and the shade within thirty seconds. 'Ozma Is My Shadow', the single that preceded the album, is the visiting card of the album and band. Listen to the drum part Ken Marcou is playing. All the holding back and hitting extra he does on a supertight snare drum sound. More Therapy than Suede. It gives the song an oomphh in its Britpop. The song pulls me straight into the album, making me want to hear more.

It's not all U.K., because 'A Series Of Chemicals' has the kind of quality that a band like Nada Surf has. The guitars are louder, like The Caulfields played in the 1990s. But then both these bands are more U.K. oriented in the sense of working towards the perfect pop song anyway. The "aahs" The Magic City's members sing, is a tell-tale sign of where their ambition lies. You come very close, gentlemen.

It is this variation in the approach to its songs that gives 'The Magic City' the extra quality push. The band is able to work on the arrangement of songs in such a way, that it presents surprises within songs as well. In fact, the album full of them, making me like it ever more. 'The Magic City' is one of the nicest surprises of 2026 thus far. "Come and get it", they sing in the 2023 single 'Roadrunner vs. Your Mother", also on this album. If I were you, I'd follow its advice.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You can listen to and order 'The Magic City' here:

https://themagiccityofficial.bandcamp.com/ 

The Rideout. The Chelsea Curve

With the avalanche of albums reaching me every week, it is extremely hard to catch up on albums that are released during a holiday and other periods of time where listening and writing are hard to do. Based on listening to the single 'Ride' by The Chelsea Curve, I knew it was time to make the extra effort.

'Ride' is a such an energetic song. The Boston band is rocking in a serious way, without forgetting that a golden vocal melody is the thing of miracles where hit songs are concerned. Whatever the influence of The Radio Indie Alliance Top 100 is I can't tell you, the fact that 'Ride' recently was its number 1 does tell you something. 'Ride' is the kind of song that deserves being a number 1. Most likely the current number 1 in our Top 40 doesn't, as far as I'm concerned.

Like me, The Chelsea Curve is a remnant of the past. From the time when Blondie managed to top the charts with 'Denis' and the albums 'Plastic Letters' and 'Parallel Lines'. Listen to 'Kindawanna' and 'Out Of My Head' and you know more than enough. Both are songs that deserve to be hits in that parallel universe of mine and The Chelsea Curve's and that Indie Alliance Top 100.

Photo: Trebmal Photography

The Chelsea Curve is from Boston and consists of Linda Pardee (bass, vocals, keys), Tim Gillis (guitars, vocals, keys), and Bruce Caporal (drums and percussion). The Rideout is the band's second album after 'All The Things' (2021), that was released after eight single releases in just as many months. You'll find many reviewed in the singles' section but not the album as a whole. With The Rideout WoNoBlog makes its amends. The Rideout deserves your full attention.

Despite being a mini album of just seven songs, the energy shared with you by the band will last you for the rest of the day. In the first seconds of the album The Chelsea Curve grabs me and, the trio does not let go of me before the final note has faded away, leaving me totally fulfilled. The Rideout is one explosion of energy, contending for the Blondie crown. If you plan to listen to one powerpop/rock album this year, The Rideout should be your record of choice.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You can listen to and order The Rideout here:

https://thechelseacurve.bandcamp.com/album/the-rideout 

2026, week 20. 10 singles

Today you will find a bunch of octogenarians in the singles section and all with songs that are vibrant and full of life totally belying their age. At that age one can know what will be the last you'll do. If this over time will be proven to be the last, all can be tremendously pleased with these efforts. To compensate there a few very new names as well, some even debut records. In other words, more than enough to explore and enjoy!

Rome. Brook Fox

And yet another debut on the blog. He is an indie-pop/rock artist from South-West Wales who knows exactly how the light and the shade works in his music. My take is that his main influences come from the post-grunge era with bands like Creed and that band with the hit 'Outside' that I keep forgetting the name of, Staind? Brook Fox' own contribution is the pop element he throws into the mix, making Rome far less darker than the bands I mentioned. That said, he knows how to make his band rock and handles the light and the shade to perfection, giving an audience a moment to rest before everyone can explode into the song once again. Rome is aimed for festival fields in the way it is set up and it is working as far as I'm concerned.

Still In The Race EP. RubinCarter

RubinCarter is Queen's Pleasure drummer Sal Rubinstein turned singer-songwriter. After the release of singles announcing his debut EP, we can listen to the whole work. The songs started in his bedroom playing an acoustic guitar just for his own pleasure. Slowly but surely he realised these songs should be heard by more people. With help from his friends the songs and RubinCarter took shape. Ruben Carter became a famous name because of the Bob Dylan - Jacques Levy composition 'Hurricane', more than because of his boxing career and trial. Do not expect Bob Dylan style music here. The EP kicks off with the alternative rock track 'Unentertained'. A song that goes for the big sound, with a huge lead guitar and background vocals. The exact right song to put on pole position, because it is the kind of song that can define a career. In theory 'Unentertained' is a song to play in a stadium and to have that as your first song on your first EP is an asset. With 'Frame' the mood goes down, but again RubinCarter shows to know what it takes to arrange a song in such a way that it catches the ear. Going deeper into the EP, it becomes clear Sal Rubinstein is showing us what he is capable of. His goal was not to create a musically consistent EP. 'April' is a ballad with a fingerpicked acoustic guitar. It is not my favourite song on the EP but it certainly shows courage to present such a different song. 'Still In The Race' is also a ballad but of a different sort. The slide guitar gives the song a distinct rock feel as does the main riff. So is the final song, 'Money Machine'. Setting the easy scoring opening rock track apart, 'Money Machine' is the song that impresses me most. It has this easy going vibe, while at the same time being able to make a great impression on me. Without making a grand effort during the first impression, 'Money Machine' is the kind of song that slowly but surely turns into a anthem.  A modest one but an anthem nonetheless."Lalala" sometimes is enough to do the trick. RubinCarter is a name to watch alright.

ESO. The Bernadette Maries

The Bernadette Maries from Brussels return with its second single. ESO is a song with two faces. It all starts out as an alternative rock song. In fact I can call it grunge without any qualms. Nirvana is all over the intro. The light and the shade between verse and chorus? Check. The two guitar line up is used to create a lighter mood and a darker one. Before the two minutes mark things change. Let's call it psychedelic, that interlude. Not that the world becomes all wobbly and out of focus, it still qualifies. The drums come in with a high and fast rhythm after which singer/bassist Daria takes over the lead vocals. By then the song has been totally set on its head. I have to admit, I like the first part better, yet surprising it is. Two singles down, upcoming album 'Soft' is an album to look out for. We have a, hopefully, glorious summer in front of us first, as the release date is set for 18 September.

Ride. The Chelsea Curve

Click The Chelsea Curve in this blog's search engine and one single after the other pops up. Promoted by the late Justine Covault, the band came into my life thanks to her and I liked the band better by the single. Come 2026 and here's the band once again with single Ride from the already released album 'The Rideout'. Like a song with a title like it should, it is about riding, a motorcycle in this case. Linda Pardee (bass, vocals, keys) and Tim Gillis (guitars, vocals, keys) are joined by their new drummer Bruce Caporal. The trio rocks in a very familiar way, more U.K. than the U.S. A band like The Who comes to mind from the time when they were able to blend pop and rock in a perfect way. Mixed a little into the background is the warm sound of a Hammond organ, but mostly the guitars, bass and drums are rocking no little. The Chelsea Curve adds some delicious pop elements in the background vocals and packs Ride with some great rock riffs as well. Do things come much better than this? I doubt it. Brilliant single.

Home To Us. Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr

It's 2026 and 50% of The Beatles release a single together. In the year Paul turns 84 and Ringo 86, the two present a song that is simply great fun. You won't hear me saying this is their best work, but it is good. In the lyrics they look back at their youth, when where you lived was simply called home, no matter how you might look at the house or you think of the circumstances today. The song has a strong pop vibe with some Status Quo light overtones. The two alternate on vocals, with Ringo singing in a slightly different voice than normal, fitting Home To Us perfectly. Just close your eyes for two seconds and imagine that all four were still alive and working together. That  would have made a very decent single, ranking there with George's 'Handle Me With Care' by The Travelling Wilburys for example. In fact, I haven't heard a better song by Paul than Home To Us since I don't know when. There's a new album in the stars, ‘The Boys O f Dungeon Lane’ and its release date is 29 May.

In The Stars. The Rolling Stones

Yes, I'm a fan since like forever. No not from the beginning. I'm not that old. But let's face it, In The Stars is a tossaway kind of Stones song. Sure, it's nice and the "ooooooo" part does give it a little extra. Yet, I have 'Undercover Of The Night', 'She Was Hot', 'One Hit To The Body' and 'Rock And A Hard Place', to name a few of the average Stones singles already in my collection. In The Stars does not add a lot more. On the positive side. There is a new Stones single and yes, it sounds energetic. Andrew Watt does get the best out of the Jagger-Richard material of the 2020s and Jagger is a 82 year old force of nature. The man must be so fit that not even his voice wears down. The hard life seems to be catching up with Keith Richards. To give the song some credit, the way the song plays out, with the piano coming in, I may take a shine to it any way. The details are nicer than I thought at first. Only two more months and we'll know more about 'Foreign Tongues', including, once again, Paul McCartney.

Arrogant Boy. Deep Purple 

Established in 1968, also Deep Purple is releasing a new album in 2026, 'Splat!' and listening to Arrogant Boy, the band is in top form. The song goes off in classic hard rock, metal, symphonic rock directions as if its the most normal thing in the world. The three from the Mach II line up and most famous one, Gillan, Glover, Paice and keyboard player Don Airey around for the whole of this century, are joined by new guitarist Simon McBride. Together the rock like it is 1970 something. The guitar playing in the verses wasn't invented then though. Think Metallica or something like it. Next, Marillion comes in and a little Bowie in the singing in the "Billy" interlude part. There's so much energy here that it is inconceivable that I'm listening to older senior citizens of around 80. Arrogant Boy is pure power and more importantly, a great song.

Only Free When Sleeping. Big Special

With two records in two years and one stand alone single, the announcement of a new EP by Big Special shows that the band is in a hurry to show more of itself. 'O'Joy' will be out on 5 June. It is said to contain the songs that did not fit on both albums. Those following the band will not be surprised by Only Free When Sleeping. Vocalist Joe Hicklin does his mix of rapping/talking singing in his Midlands accent, while drummer Callum Moloney points the direction of the song through his relentless rhythm. Who does all else that we hear, I don't know. Only Free When Your Sleeping is a strong song, like the best songs of the duo are. There's always urgency that is brought across and not only because of the vocal delivery. The whole song wants its listeners to move and move some more. Yes, it's undeniable, I like Big Special, even if it is a bit outside of my usual musical habitat.

Mess. Tape Toy

Tape Toy debuted on this blog with a single of its EP 'Launch The Rocket' in January 2025. Today the band is back with the up tempo, almost creating a hunted down kind of tempo of Mess. Don't expect originality, as I've heard a song like this so many times before. What Mess does present is a truckload of positive energy, fun and little surprises all throughout the song. The song announces an as yet unnamed album to be released in September. Based on what I'm hearing here, it should be great fun. The mix of a modern sounding lo-fi song with all the modernity electronics and samples can add, presents a song that is simply filled with inventions, additions, weirdness, to return to the kind of art rock bands like The Mo and The Kewi University of Swing were already making around 1980. Then add that tempo and you have Mess. Tape Toy, a band to be on the lookout for.

Just Love. Reluctant Bob & The Lonely Lovers

Just Love is the kind of pure pop that came into fashion a long time ago and somewhere in the 1970s went out again, after bubblegum bands like The Rubettes and Showaddywaddy, who rehashed the feel from the decade before, went out of fashion. I never hear these two examples anymore. The originals from the 1960s still seem to come by and may forever come by when new generations take a look a their grandparents' records collection (or Tik Tok or Spotify of course). That makes Just Love pure nostalgia for a time long gone, but no less fun. Just listen to those guitar notes, the sweet harmony vocals, the way the piano adds to the fun. In a way the song reminds me most of The Rutles, Eric Idle's The Beatles parody. Just Love would have fit perfectly on the album, without parodying a The Beatles song in a superb way. Well done, Reluctant Bob & The Lonely Lovers.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght 

2026, week 12. 10 singles

The personal events of the past few weeks are mostly of unspeakable sadness and in a sequence and speed that make it impossible to grasp and mourn individually. There will be a little on that in the coming week on the blog. Listening to music helps. Music is soothing and allows the mind to focus on, well, nothing but the music really. Hence, there is a singles section this week anyway for you to explore and enjoy new music anyway.

Trickle Down. SPRINTS 

Just over a week ago SPRINTS kicked off its European tour supported by Amsterdam band Marathon. To celebrate, the Dublin based band released a new single. Kathy Chubb gives a lesson on trickle down economics. Isn't that the theory that even if only a few people earn a lot of money, that wealth will trickle down to the rest of society. Well, my guess is that most people have learned by now that it does not work that way. That same few just accumulate more and more and more, until a government pays put to that. Chubb is mostly telling the listener about it, while the band plays. En passant, she admits she want to be like Amy Taylor (of Amyl & the Sniffers). When band and singer come together, they rock like SPRINTS can. Trickle Down may not be a high flyer but even a medium flyer in the SPRINTS universe is something most bands can only dream of.

Over/Thru. High on Stress

With Over/Thru High on Stress released a strong powerpop single that not only brings back fond memories from songs decades old but adds another favourite in the very first listening session already. The song starts with a sole guitar that after the band joins in takes off in a nice intro solo straight away. In the verse the band holds back to unleash itself in the chorus. This band knows how to use dynamics in a song that is immediately singable as well. Hailing from Minneapolis, the band shines a very positive light on the city with this song. Fans from Gin Blossoms to The Jayhawks and back should be very pleased hearing a song like this in 2026. For those wanting to hear more, there's a whole EP out with the same name.

Clipping. Special Friend 

With Clipping French band Special Friend finds itself for the second time on this blog. Where I compared 'Breakfast' to the erratic songs of postpunk icon Lene Lovich, Clipping shows a totally different side to Special Friend. It is an alternative rock song with an electric guitar solo that could come out of the 1970s. In the verses it drops away. An acoustic guitar takes over, laying down a strong rhythm together with the bass and drums. Drummer and singer Erica Ashleson accompanies guitarist and singer Guillaume Siracusa in such a way that it is like an angel singing behind him. Dreamy, not attached and free floating. It gives Clipping a second vibe. All together it makes Clipping a strong single that makes me very curious to hear the album called 'Clipping' as well. It was released on the 20th of this month.

Shareholder. Pastel Blank

 “Dance music for people who don’t know how to dance,” that is how Canadian artist Angus Watt describes his music, including a mention of Talking Heads as one of this inspirations. Now a long time ago Talking Heads with e.g. the live version of 'Burning Down The House' was a band that made me want to dance. So, I get it where Pastel Blank is coming from or going to be more precise. Shareholder has that eclectic rhythm and a host of weird sounds, while when everything is said and done, the song rocks in its own special and weird way. It makes Shareholder fun to listen to, recognisable and yet ready for 2026 as well. Pastel Blank's debut album Unmade In Minutes is released on 24 April. 

Bingo. La Sécurité

We have to go back 15 months to find Montréal band La Sécurité on the blog with single Detour. Here is Bingo and where my review is concerned I could more or less repeat it. Bingo is not round music but square. Think of the early albums by Talking Heads and The B52s. Bands that may have started out in the punk scene but became new wave and/or postpunk avant la lettre. La Sécurité pulls parts out of both genres and creates a very danceable track in a way that Dutch postpunkers Global Charming are so good at as well. Bingo does not give you a single moment of rest. It is ecstatic and wild. Weird riffs fly around as it should in postpunk. Album 'Bingo' will be released on 12 June. 

Jet Stream Heart. Temples

To find Temples on this blog you have to go back to 2014 and its album 'Sun Structures' and one odd single in 2020. With Jet Stream Heart the U.K. psychpop band returns. It is an upbeat song, where (Brit)pop meets psychedelia and eastern melodies. The song revolves around an eastern sounding riff that keeps appearing in the song, until it is expanding into a (saxophone?) solo. Together with the beat that certainly invites some dancing, it makes for light listening. It is as if The Black Angels decided to release a pop track. This is something I would allow that band to do, to make it sound just a little more upbeat in between the darkness it excels in. Temples has found the right mix with Jet Stream Heart. To hear the album we need to be patient. 'Bliss' will release on 26 June. 

Forever. Portland

Can a song like Forever come from another country than Belgium? Before I had found any information on the band, my mind said dEUS, Zita Swoon, Millionaire, Metal Molly. Sure, there are more than enough differences but also enough similarities. Forever is a song with a melody that seems normal and yet. I can't really lay my finger on it but songs from a lot of indie and alternative rock bands from Belgium sound different from the rest of the world and so does Portland. Portland is led by Jente Pironet with Sebastian Leye on guitar, Boris Van Overschee,bass & keys, Nina Kortekaas vocals & keys and Bram Vanhove drums & percussion. Pironet has a ton of words to share with the listener over a song that goes and on and is only stopped for a short while just before the chorus comes in. Like most songs this week, Forever is not your average song. The album is called 'Champain' and is out for some time already. 

The Come To Jesus Moment. Ryan Hamilton

Finally, a second song that is straight forward. Ryan Hamilton rocks like artists from the U.S. can and it is not even released on Boston's Rum Bar records. (It's on Wicked Cool Records.) The Come To Jesus Moment is the kind of powerpop song that by 2026, whole generations of bands and artists are popular with. E.g., The Knack, The Hooters and The Outfield right up to Geoff Palmer and Brad Marino. Ryan Hamilton has that same optimistic, nothing can hurt me attitude to the song. Everything about it is shiny and new, of the kind that makes me smile and want to bring out a host of other singles like it. The drive of the drums and the bass are pure gold. Everything above it is sprinkled with magic. Just listen to that backing vocals! From start to finish it is hallelujah alright and please don't burn that bridge down as I will want to hear The Come To Jesus Moment again and again. 

I Am a Cat and I Love My Dog. Animaux Formidables

Garage fuzz rock? Yes, I can live with that description of Animaux Formidables' latest single. The Italian duo consists of Mr Formidable and Mrs Formidable on respectively vocals & guitar and percussion & synth. In the video and on photos they do not disclose their identity as well. Musically they present an amalgam of synths and electronic drumming combined with heavily fuzzed out guitars. The singing undergoes a little treatment as well. But like all rock duos Animaux Formidables knows how to explode and to hold back, while kicking up dust in the accents in all the right places. Animaux Formidables with I Am a Cat and I Love My Dog presents excitement for all who need it fast.

Twentyfour7. Jaguero 

We end this week with another band from Italy, Jaguero. The band debuted with its previous single 'Lit' on this blog and here they are once again already. Twentyfour7 may hint at punk but in my ears is more emo than punk. The tempo is lower, the lyrics deeper. Emo without a tear in the voice though. The depth of the sound, the la la la part and the length of the song, 2.07 minutes, push it towards punk as well. The sluggish tempo that is created mainly by the sludgy rhythm guitars, makes the song stand out. The singer leaves no doubt that the person he's singing about makes him feel alive again and that is the title of the album to be released on 10 April. Based on the two singles that is something to look forward to.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght 

2025, week 7. 10 singles

No, I have no extra words this week, so just enjoy the selection!

Fall Out Of Bed. Mountaineer

Those who followed this blog over the past years know that a new single by Mountaineer will very likely fall on fertile ears. Marcel Hulst in both his Maggie Brown and Mountaineer guises has produced four magnificent albums. With Fall Out Of Bed his fifth album is announced. The single is extremely small. Two acoustic guitars, some atmospherics and a few sparse piano notes. This is all it takes to give me goosebumps. And of course, his soft, almost whispering voice. News has it that Excelsior Recordings has, finally I might add, signed the band. What my ears tell me, is that the mix is wider and the multitracked vocals come as a surprise. Fall Out Of Bed is a song of extreme beauty, another one in a long row of beautiful songs. Album 'Country Dragon' will be released on 3 April.

Kiss or Kill Me. Michael Des Barres

When did I hear music like this coming out of Hollywood? More decades ago than I care to remember. There are still musicians out there who haven't heard that the musical genre went out of fashion a long time ago. And the world should be glad that they haven't heard the news. Michael des Barres' voice may sound like he drank the whole Jack Daniels shack all by himself over the past decades, he is rocking like there is no tomorrow. His band is supertight and the riffs are flying. His drummer manages to add all these little extras into his drum patterns, The electric solo guitar is simply on fire. Kiss Or Kill Me is one heck of an introduction to this artist.

Bumble Bee. Ruby James featuring Rosie Flores

"I’ve always loved ‘Bumble Bee’, and I’m still surprised by how many people have never heard it", Ruby James writes in the accompanying bio to the song. Well, I have to admit I'm not able to mention a single song by LaVern Baker and do not really know who she is. What I do know, is that Ruby James is on fire in the song. This is a reimagined rock and roll song alright for the second quarter of the 21st century. Rosie Flores infuses the song with a some solos that are bordering on metal and are far removed from traditional rock and roll. This combination works really well. I'm amazed that a song like Bumble Bee can be released in the U.S. and not be on Malibu Lou's Rum Bar Records. Album 'Call It Rock And Roll' will be released later in the year.

Who Loves You. Detroit Illharmonic Symphony

Residing in Los Angeles and calling yourself Detroit is a bit confusing, I have to admit. But okay, I can live with it, when the band presents such a dose of dirty garage rock that makes me smile from ear to ear. Detroit Illharmonic Symphony is a serious version of the Toy Dolls. With a singer that is just about able to not use the helium canister by his side. Fans of a host of punk bands from the past, starting with bands like The Clash and The Ramones and slowly working their way up from there, will dig Who Loves You. With a vocal melody that in my ears spells a huge U.K. influence, with even a few famous sixties acts in mind. Who Loves You is totally charged and gives it its all from the get go to the very end. There is an album out already and it's called 'Everything Is Shattered'. 

NY UAP. Mark Valentine

Not so long ago UAPs were everywhere and then they were not (and then they were in El Paso, after I wrote this). When Mark Valentine was touring the East Coast in 2024, there were repeated sightings and that led to this song. "I was imagining them looking down on us scurrying around New York with our guitars — and wondering if anything like rock ’n’ roll existed in their own dimension". Let's hope that was what drove them away, if they had bad intentions. It led to a nice rock song like they are coming out of the U.S. for decades with recent favourites like Brad Marino and Geoff Palmer. Mark Valentine comes in with this infectious Farfisa organ that is all over the song, playing its main riff. It makes for very interesting listening and in comes that guitar solo, yeah! Album 'Uncommon Side Effects' is there on 10 April.

Fanny Again Or. Motorpsycho

Motorpsycho is on this blog from the very beginning. Many of its albums have made the end of year lists over the years, but a single? The answer is yes, in 2024 with 'All Is Life (I Love You)'. With Fanny Again Or, a blistering track is added to this single section. Bass player Bent is singing and is pouring his heart and vocal chords out. As always there are a bunch of great guitar solos and riffs by Hans flying around. What is super catching, is that the band is really not holding back. Well into their fifties and they rock like it is 1970. And that is just Motorpsycho's intention. Motorpsycho is going all out on this one. They wanted to make a record like it was that year, as nobody is making them any more. You will find more on 'The Gaia ll Space Corps'. The album will be released on 27 March.

I Like You. Cardinals

Cardinals is a band from Ireland, Cork, and it has no trouble pointing that out in its music. I Like You is a rock song, but all through it is an accordeon giving the sound of Cardinals a distinct sound. In the softer parts the accordeon even gives I Like You a French chanson flavour as well. And then the band lets it rip once more and becomes an alternative rock monster anyway. These two faces makes I Like You very intriguing to listen to, as it sets the band apart. Had they just rocked, Cardinals would have sounded like many alternative rock acts. Here it certainly doesn't. The nucleus of the band are the brothers Manning, singer guitarist Euan and accordeonist Finn. Most likely they thought up this concept and brought three others in to make this, at times, monster of a band. Album 'Masquerade' is out since Friday last.

Cannonball. Bleech 9:3

More Ireland, albeit living in London these days. Bleech 9:3 is a band around Baz Quinlan (vocals/guitar) and Sam Duffy (guitar). Put Cannonball on and you will be brought back to the post-grunge era of bands like Creed and Staind. Quinlan is trying to sing as low as Staind's Aaron Lewis and getting there. In other words, Cannonball is not a happy song. It is convincing enough though. Cannonball slowly fleshes out from the wobbly guitar riff, with a second guitar behind it, it starts out with. Quinlan sings over it, slowly but convincingly. For the second verse bass and drums, nice and deep, join and then the song takes off. I'm not familiar with the three previous singles of Bleech 9:3, but Cannonball seems like a mission statement to me. One question remains though, how should I pronounce the band name? Bleech 3, Bleech 9 divided by three, something else entirely?

Hold Me Close. Jaguero

In week 2 Jaguero made its debut on this blog and here is Hold Me Close already in week 7. Again punkrock with an emo side to it from Italy. Just listen to how the song blasts to life. The distorted guitar really nails it where grabbing attention is concerned. Drummer Andrea Campesato Segnini is pounding away, providing the song with so much power and a very solid bottom end. Andrea Cichellero has the exact voice for this music, making it sound familiar but also simply spot on. Jaguero really rocks on Hold Me Close and that is all you need to know. Album 'Make Me Feel Alive Again' is due on April 10.

 

Love & Heartbreak In High School. Plastic Family

Plastic Family is a brand new band from The Netherlands that released its first single in December of last year. It reached me a bit later, but there's enough enthusiasm in the song to prevent me from writing about it. It appears to me, Plastic Family started off by plundering the record collection of the members' parents, perhaps even grandparents. The sixties vibe is well spread out over Love & Heartbreak In High School, with a U.S. connotation because of the title. The video does the rest, although that is more 70s. The Big Star association accounts for that perhaps. The five members play in a host of other bands as well, that would take up too much space here to mention. Together they present a strong rock song with a pop vibe that makes it quite irresistible to listen to. Hopefully there will be more soon.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght 

2025, Week 1. 10 singles

2025, week 1? Yes, confusing, isn't it? The last singles post of this year (2025) is formally situated in the first week of 2026. Well, let's leave that for what it is. Again, we present a host of singles that are so different, yet all speak for themselves. 2025 is almost done. Tomorrow we present Erwin Zijleman's album of 2025 and in the first days of the new year other lists will follow. After that new music. Musically, I truly enjoyed 2025 and for the rest we live in very interesting times in which there almost literally isn't a single dull day. Worrying?, yes. Interesting?, most certainly so.

Shellfish. Celeste Corsano

The fifth single in a row by Celeste Corsano shows her on the one hand at her most Kate Bush to date but on the other adds a rock element that reminds me of hearing 'James And The Cold Gun' for the first time. Without rocking that hard. Shellfish has a how do you sleep at night theme, playing with the words shellfish and selfish. The song is perfectly balanced with the tight verse, versus the dreamy chorus and the explosive second half. Over it all Celeste Corsano's voice roams, commanding the musicians as it were like a general commands his troops. Together they go for a peaceful, musical triumph. The artwork is by her brother Chris.

Spill No Mo Wine. Robin Ross & The Melodynes

Step into a time machine and come out hearing Spill No Mo Wine. That is what I was thinking listening to the new single by Robin Ross & The Melodynes. The single was released only a few weeks ago and is brand new. The whole vibe and all is straight out of the late 1970s with bands like The B52s breaking ground with their totally new sort of music. The Pennsylvania band plays tight and presents an alternative pop power that sparkles. If anything, today it reminds me of the last album of the late Justine (Covault) and The Unclean's last album, 'The Signal Light'. Spill No Mo Wine has the exact same power and that little rough edge. My late father could have related to the title. Spilling alcoholic beverages was an abhorrent something to him.

Horrorful Heights. The Bevis Frond

A bit to my surprise there are no less than four The Bevis Frond reviewed by me in the past decade. With a new album, in fact two, coming up on 3 April, The Bevis Frond released the title track. It is a folk kind of track using some drones around which melodies are created. Singer Nick Saloman sings a melody that could be from the time of Henry VIII. In a way that goes for the melody as well and even all of the instruments used were around then, albeit in a more primitive version. The result is a song that fits in with a long tradition of U.K. folk, yet is different enough to have its own voice. A surprising and intriguing song. The second album is called 'Horrorful Offal' by the way.

crumple zones EP. Pickle Darling

A maxi single that adds to the 'Bots' experience. Lucas Mayo, aka Pickle Darling, adds three songs to his oeuvre, precluding perhaps a deluxe editions of his great album 'Bots'. The opening song is an alternate and shortened version of 'Human Bean'. We hear Mayo accompanied by instruments with strings and keys that are non electronic. Of course he masks his voice with some device but the result is a soft, melancholy tune. By Pickle Darling's standards this song is stripped down to the bone, as all the electronics that determine a large part if his sound are gone. They return full force in 'Pinwheels'. Together with singer Anna McClellan he swerves in between the blips and soundscapes that make a melody anyway. The prize song however is song number 3, the alternate version of 'massive everything'. A latter day ballad if I ever heard one. The digital and analogue seem to blend effortlessly. The spirit of Sparklehorse and Mark Linkous is closer than ever. crumple zones is a nice addition to the album.

The Closer You Look. The Bernadette Maries

The Bernadette Maries from Brussels make their debut on this blog with its first single on the Géographie label. There seems to be no end to recent bands loving to play in the style of the glum music of the 1980s. Where at the time bands simply were mostly too gloomy (for me), these days there's always a ray of sunshine involved. Although The Bernadette Maries, Guy, Daria, Romain, and David, do their best to hide it, it is there in the way the two singers sing together. The light and the shade personified. The subtle keyboard notes under the dark distorted guitar solo, is a second one. Fans will find everything starting with The Cure and beyond in The Closer You Look, making the band interesting to explore further in 2026. It's working on its debut album, so we have to be patient.

Heading For The Moon. Golden Hours

More darkness with Heading For The Moon with which Golden Hours makes its debut on WoNoBlog. The entrance the single makes is of the majestic kind. Slow, dark, brooding, mysterious, beautiful. In fact, the rest of the single never bests the intro. It is good but not that good. With members having served in all sorts of bands and genres, Golden Hours is working towards the release of its second album, 'Beyond Wires', out on 6 February. Heading For The Moon is a song that sounds like lava sliding down a mountain, slowly, surely, not stopped by anything, It seems just as fluid, yet solid. A mountain of sound from which elements escape, creating a majestic feeling of grandeur.

Three Against Me. Horace Pinker 

Chicago  punkers Horace Pinker may have eight albums under its belt, this is the first time the band finds itself on this blog. In the past days I've listened several times to the latest album 'Now And The Future' that was released recently. As I have to start focusing on end of year stuff and 2026 albums, let me make amends by putting the spotlight on single Three Against Me. With its 2.15 minutes it is a classical punkrock track as they used to and still make them in the U.S. All the energy goes into these two minutes plus, while at the same time the melody is not forgotten, resulting in a strong punk song. The whole album is filled with great songs like this.

Nothin'. Guns 'N' Roses

From midnight Christmas to midnight of the new year in this country a lot revolves around the Top 2000 on Radio 2, from whatever is on number 2000 right up to almost always 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. Somewhere in between all the hits of Guns 'N' Roses will come by. All from the band's first three albums. Then Izzy Stradling left the band and that sealed it's musical fate. The punk cover album apart, it took 15 years for a new album the whole world listened to once and 17 years later there is Nothin'. According to Wikipedia this is a reworked leftover from the 'Chinese Democracy' sessions at that. The electric piano at the start turned me off at first. Once the guitars and fat drums kicked in, the song isn't half that bad. Just don't start comparing Nothin' to 'You Could Be Mine' or 'Sweet Child Of Mine'. A new world tour is announced for 2026.

You Are The Jet. Marc Valentine

The first minute of You Are The Jet did not convince me. It seemed too safe for me, too dependent on all that came before it, without adding that extra to reel an older and more experienced listener in. Over the whole single You Are The Jet does become stronger and worthy of a spot in this post. Especially from the "I was going nowhere" section onwards. The song gets the powerpop injection it needs to stand out. At these moments Marc  Valentine gets close to Glasgow's Garlands, to name a band in the same musical niche in the U.K. Overall, the song misses that little extra that makes it truly sparkle. Marc Valentine comes close but needs one extra step to truly stand out. Based on what I'm hearing on a large part of You Are The Jet that ought to be an option.

Venomous. Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows

The second song by Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows on this blog makes this year go out with a bang. We are moving into metal territory. The single may have a few psychedelic details and they are not hard to spot, the part that stands out most, are the heavy sounding riffs. many a metal band would be proud of, leaving out the sprinkles of psychedelia. Harlon's voice is disguised by an effect giving the song an eerie atmosphere. Venomous is a little scary at that. The title is not a fun one either of course. Everything venomous is dangerous and gets a skull with two bones as a warning. I will not go that far for this song but a warning to the faint of ears is in place.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght 

2025, week 49. 10 singles

It is almost time to bring out my old copy of 'December Will Be Magic Again', Kate Bush's Christmas single. First, at the time of writing that is, we have to celebrate Saint Nicolas (5 december) though, although it seems the Christmas seasons comes earlier and earlier each year. Before that, we celebrate the following ten singles on the blog. Enjoy!

Mad Rooter. Party Dozen

After well over a year Sydney duo Party Dozen returns to the blog with a loud garage rocker. A dirty rocker at that. For a drummer and saxophonist again a lot of other noises come out of the duo. It only adds to the fun of Mad Rooter, including the humerous video. The distorted guitar plays in tight connection with the drums, together laying down a very infectious groove over which Kirsty Tickle can sing, with a very much distorted voice, and play the saxophone parts in the instrumental interludes. All together it rocks as if the tribal sounds of ancient Australia have joined the band in the studio. Mad Rooter was released as a stand alone 7" single with the song 'Ghost Rider'. 

Waiting For The Phone Call. The Twilight Sad

Waiting For The Phone Call starts as if The Twilight Sad strives to emulate an electric folk version of fellow Scots Simple Minds. Patience is rewarded though when the band explodes into the rest of the song. Yes, Simple Minds do again cross my mind here, but has that band ever been this loud? I doubt it. Okay, I'll allow 'Up On The Catwalk', But enough of that, with its new single The Twilight Sad returns after a hiatus of seven years. And with a bang. Waiting For The Phone Call is a song that boils over from the urgency it is sending into the world. The sound is so huge that it is almost more than I can bare, if I'd allow myself to be distracted. Give it half a chance and this song draws you into it, to eat you alive. The lyrics are a bit morbid, "come and watch me die". No, thank you, I'll opt to listen. Fun fact, you can hear Robert Smith on guitar, while the band will tour with The Cure next spring.

On Edge. Bawrence of Aralia

Do coincidences exist? It was just over seven years ago that Bawrence of Aralia found itself on this blog for the first and last time. At the end of 2025 there is a sign of life. On Edge is a track that can be placed in the indie rock section, with hints of Dutch band I Am Oak, with a little more alternative rock c.q. postpunky elements infused into the sound. The band name suggests that it's more in fun and perhaps should not be taken too seriously. That would be a mistake. Listen to the solo/outro and you will find that the band put a lot of effort into the arrangement of On Edge. Where in the intro around the same motive it sounds somewhat naive, in the outro the band shows its mature and secure side. It makes for very interesting listening, On Edge does. Album 'Nine Pieces of Insecurity Pie' was released last week.

Where The Gone People Go. Robert Ellis Orrall

With Robert Ellis Orrall's new single he brings us again to music that was released somewhere before 1980, by U.S. bands and artists like Christopher Cross, the Michael McDonald era The Doobie Brothers and yes, even Steely Dan. But what he adds, is a bit of dirty rock that makes Where The Gone People Go very much alive. Look at the video and you can see that all four men were around at the time of these examples and have the experience to play with their own take on it all. Let me tell you that it happens in a very convincing way. Where The Gone People Go is a great track with the quality to get into your head like only true earworms can. Besides, I notice that the band has a near perfect mix between the slickness of the examples I provided for you for reference and that tougher edge in its own sound. Yes, I like it alright. Should you want to hear more, there's an album out called 'Wrong Thing'.

Tower. Head on Stone

Over two and a half years ago I wrote a review about the band Peuk's second album, 'Escape Somehow'. The first two paragraph's were not about Peuk but Nirvana. The link between the two bands must have been quite adamant, I suppose. Why start about it now? Well, because behind behind Head on Stone is Peuk's singer and guitarist, Nele Janssen. The difference between the two acts could not be bigger. In Tower Janssen sounds like an Agnes Obel, who is in training to fill her spot. In training, because her piano playing does sound a bit hesitant in some places, as if she is still finding her way around the black and white keys. Don't get me wrong, because what she presents, is a beautiful song that resonates quite well. Nele Janssen also shows that her voice works quite well in this quiet, almost modern classical setting. Without opening her throat for the whole of the way, she sings with a soft, modest voice and gets her message across. Totally surprising and unsuspected Tower is. 'Stony Beds' the name of the upcoming album is.

White Thread (feat. Superdestroyer). We Are Joiners

The contrast with Tower, right above here, cannot be much bigger. White Thread is punk as punk comes and has a little of Hole/Courtney Love. The single reminds me of Hole's best song, 'Celebrity Skin'. In singer Cox Dieben We Are Joiners has a voice that can compete with Love's voice in the 1990s. (I wouldn't know about today.) The band is from Zeelst and Eindhoven and has the quality to combine dirty sleaze punkrock with a great melody. Reading the story, this is all about a punk loving dad, Joep van Son, who found fellow travellers at the school yard of his kids and some help way beyond that school yard, like the drummer, who is a Guided by Voices producer and others from across the pond. If this is the length where dreaming can take you, I wouldn't stop just yet. White Thread is a fantastic song.

Dave Is Done. Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows

Another band from my motherland makes it debut on this blog. Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows sound as dark as the band name promises. The singer sings from beyond the grave, with a little distortion on his voice for emphasis. The Dead Crows play dark riffs and deep chords to make sure we get the message. The song may be loud, as it creates a wall of sound with guitars and voices, behind which the drummer lays a solid foundation, mixed straight in the middle. Dave Is Done, despite what I've written in the above, is a song. One to enjoy at that. From the riff that goes on and on, the song blows up into great proportions setting the room on fire. Rock on!

Watch The Trees. Other Brother Darryl

2023? Check. 2024? check. 2025? check again. Boston band Other Brother Darryl is on the blog with a third single. Watch The Trees is another country rock that just brings warm feelings of nostalgia for music from decades ago and happiness that this kind of music is still created today, at a level that easily competes with what came before. The seven piece band have a warm range of instruments and voices. The harmony vocals are so good and effective on Watch The Trees that it makes the song a joy to listen to. and now I find that there has been an album released, 'Roll Shine Roll', which I seemed to have missed. Based on the three singles I know this should be a must listen. Watch The Trees is a song Other Brother Daryl can be so proud of.

Blood In The Water. Casket Rats

More from Boston. Slowly but surely I'm starting to realise that every Bostonian plays in at least three bands. Casket Rats makes its debut on this blog and plays the sleazy kind of rock that Aerosmith made its name with. Double lead guitars, backed by a rhythm one, a bass player that has more fingers than the average ones do, judging by what he manages to play and a very sound drummer backing everything up. Add some solos flying around and a singer with a rough edge to his voice and you get the drift of what is on offer on Blood In The Water. "Today is a good day to die". What's up this week? I hope you don't mind me sticking around for just a while longer. There are too many singles still to listen to. Starting with ...

Now. Ski Van

... a great powerpop track from duo Anthony Kaczynski and Garret Vandermolen. Now is a song by The Plimsouls from 1981 and revived for our pleasure in 2025. The song has this great solo guitar which most definitely sounds like a 12 string electric guitar, just like Roger McGuinn's a long time ago. It really powers this version of Now. Musically Now brings back memories of The Cars, The Romantics and The Outfield. Now has that power and that pop feel. The kind of music that simply brings a smile to my face and keeps it there for the whole of the three minutes and five seconds the song last. If Ski Van keeps coming up with gems like this, I'll be a fan before you know it.

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