Lloyd Cole – “This Can’t Be Happening”

It is rare that an old dog can learn new tricks. But Lloyd Cole, of Lloyd Cole and the Commotions fame, has done just that. He has released a new record, his 12th, the cheerily titled On Pain, which consists mainly of electronic sounds. One of the tracks, “This Can’t be Happening Right Now” breaks away completely from his wordy, erudite approach to storytelling. Instead, he repeats … Continue reading Lloyd Cole – “This Can’t Be Happening”

Luke Combs – “Fast Car”

Sometimes a cover stretches across the ages, connecting an old hit song to a new vision that reinvigorates the original. That is what country superstar Luke Combs has done with Tracy Chapman’s pop masterpiece Fast Car. There have been so many versions throughout the years, an EDM version, Sam Smith, even Justin Bieber did one, but they never blew up like this. So what is … Continue reading Luke Combs – “Fast Car”

OLIVIA DEAN – “ECHO”

Once in a while we catch a glimpse of the future. Olivia Dean, a 24-year-old soul singer from London takes the mantle from the likes of Sade and Lauren Hill and delivers her own take on the neosoul and RnB genre. An alumni of the prestigious (and prolific) Brit School, which has produced the likes of Adele, Jessie J., and Amy Winehouse, Dean is staking … Continue reading OLIVIA DEAN – “ECHO”

The Lathums – “Struggle”

The Lathums are an unapologetically English indie rock band from Wigan, Greater Manchester who proudly wear their northern accents on their sleeves. This is no American sounding outfit and they have tapped into an eager young audience, scoring two number one albums with How Beautiful Life Can Be in 2021 and most recently From Nothing To A Little Bit More from which this single Struggle is taken. The band is influenced by, … Continue reading The Lathums – “Struggle”

Karol G – “Tiny Desk Concert”

There is a lot to like in this video. Colombian superstar Karol G and her all-female crew regale the NPR staff to an acoustic concert at the now famous Tiny Desk series. I always feel these concerts work best when the artist offers a different side to their persona and music, something hidden on the slick, produced product that has catapulted them to success. In … Continue reading Karol G – “Tiny Desk Concert”