There is no shortage of new music out there. Here are a few releases that have gotten my attention.
LUNG, The Swankeeper (2025). From the most angelic of voices comes pure proto-punk brilliance. Lung is a duo one would think might run out of ideas for music made by that voice, an electrified cello and drums. Nope … Kate Wakefield (the voice and cello) and Daisy Caplan (the drums) continue to crank out groovy and exciting new music at a steady clip. Fans will recognize the duo’s sound instantly. But the sound is welcomed by being just as raw, intimate, and aggressive as previous efforts have been. It’s a sound that can melt concrete, but those sounds are crystal clear and easy to take in and comprehend. There’s no need to shout, and Wakefield doesn’t. Perhaps that is what makes it so raw. Whatever the secret may be, Lung have mastered it. Long may they reign!
https://lunglunglung.bandcamp.com/album/the-swankeeper
KOMARA, KOMARA II (2025). Pat Mastelotto (drums), David Kollar (guitars), and Paolo Raineri (trumpet) band together to bring us the second release from KOMARA, which is every much as forward-driving as their first outing, albeit it slightly less aggressive. The band’s grooves remain rock-solid, starting with the acoustic/electronic hybrid kit of Mastelotto, which sounds as good as ever. Kollar’s lines weave in and out via both lead and rhythm, giving Raineri more than enough room to play slinky lines of his own. The aggression may have back off Hal a notch, but the darkness remains the same. Augmentations from Arve Henriksen, Deborah Carter-Mastelotto and Bill Munyon add otherworldly tones to the already blistering procedures. If you find yourself snarling while listening, don’t worry. Chances are, that was supposed to happen.
https://komara.bandcamp.com/album/komara-ii
OMAR, Brighter the Days (2025). It seems hard to believe vocalist Omar has been in the music business for more than forty years. His his voice would fit in perfectly with the neo-soul stylings of Jill Scott or D’Angelo, yet he actually harkens back to nearly the seventies soul sounds of Al Green. It takes a true artist to be able to transcend these eras, and Omar has the ideal array of backing musicians to help him toward this aim. Bringing along guests like Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, and India.Arie doesn’t hurt, either. This is great music for a glass of wine and a relaxing evening.
https://omarlyefook.bandcamp.com/album/brighter-the-days
GOGO PENGUIN, Necessary Fictions (2025). British Jazz-based trio GoGo Penguin is in a constant state of evolution. The use of the term “jazz-based” should be the first clue, as the band has continued to expand on its original acoustic piano, upright bass, and drums format. The once subtle use of synthesizers and electric bass has become overt, giving the group fresh colors for its aural palate. To say nothing of the cameo inclusions of (gasp!) vocals and a string section. Yet through it all, GoGo Penguin manages to sound exactly like itself. This will be more than enough to keep long-time fans onboard while giving newbies turned off by the word “jazz” an opening they wouldn’t have had before. All are welcome, and this is a great place to hop on the bandwagon.
OLA ONABULÉ & NICOLAS MEIER, Proof of Life (2025). People of a certain age will remember the silky-smooth voice of Al Jarreau and the incredibly talented musicians who surrounded him. For the unfamiliar, here is the perfect opportunity to learn what all the fuss was about. Ola Onabulé has a remarkable singing voice and (just as good) the quality music to back it up. Nicolas Meir brings fire and passion to his guitar work, but does so with remarkable subtlety. It would be easy for one of these two artists to overwhelm the musical mix, but they manage to make for a remarkable team more than capable of sharing the spotlight. This album is a nice change of pace for those who normally wouldn’t tread these musical waters.
https://www.ola-onabule.co.uk/
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If you would like to have your music reviewed anytime or have your band photographed while in the Chicago, Illinois, area, contact me at cirdecsongs@gmail.com
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