Blog

  • Listening Now : CYNiKAL – GNOSiS

    GNOSiS by CYNiKAL moves in a linear flow, but that is exactly where its strength lies. The progression feels steady and intentional, locking you into its rhythm from the start and never letting go. His delivery is focused and grounded, riding the beat with a hypnotic consistency that makes the track quietly addictive. There is a reflective tone throughout, but it never drifts, staying centered and controlled.

    The result is a compelling listen that pulls you deeper with each bar, proving that simplicity, when done right, can be seriously captivating.

    Connect:

    Spotify

  • SEPULTURA, DESCENT: The Tivoli, Brisbane 29/03/26

    Review by Simon Russell-White Photos by Sarah Gilpin Photography Tonight the line of die-hard metal fans stretched down Costin Street to Water Street in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. This patient army of fans whose wears alone tells the deep history of a band whose very existence plays/ played a significant role in paving the way for […]
  • Eliza Neals: Thunder In The House Review

    Eliza Neals is busy these days, creating some wall-shaking thunder with her brand-new release, Thunder In The House. Hailing from the Detroit, Michigan area, she was exposed to a wealth of great music. She was encouraged to take piano lessons and sang with her sisters early in her musical journey. She also graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

    Neals toured Europe with the school’s chorale group, but eventually returned to Detroit, where the blues soon came knocking at her door. There, she began singing at popular clubs, working to fine-tune her playing and vocal delivery. A chance meeting with Motown great Barrett Strong sparked a friendship that led Neals to pursue a career in blues, soul, and R&B music. Since then, she has not looked back, recording thirteen studio albums and earning numerous award nominations and wins.

    I always like to make sure that I credit great musicianship, and Thunder In The House is supported by excellent players, including Eliza Neals herself. There are nine well-crafted tracks, and Neals has either written or co-written each of them. I love the way some of the vocals have been layered on this recording. Listening with headphones really allows you to hear these vocals as they should be heard. They are tasteful and enjoyable.

    “Speedy Beady” kicks off the album with a lighthearted song about a red rooster that is “waking me up at the crack of dawn.” Neals also sings about old Speedy Beady sleeping with the girl chickens when he does not even know their names. There is some nice guitar work on this tune to complement the great storyline about this promiscuous rooster. You can also find a video of “Speedy Beady” on YouTube.

    “Love Will” features strong guitar work throughout and is another track available on YouTube. Neals sings, “So many people losing their faith. We need love to brighten up their day.” I especially like the ending when she repeats, “love will brighten up their day.” Love is one thing that costs so little and means so much. We could all work harder at sharing more of it these days.

    On “Wicked Heart,” Eliza Neals delivers a powerful vocal performance. “Wicked heart, tearing me apart; the Devil is your middle name.” This song also features some fiery guitar work that adds to its intensity.

    The final track on Thunder In The House is the title track, “Thunder In The House,” and it is a strong closer. There is some exceptional slide guitar work throughout. “Thunder and lightning, so very frightening; thunder in the house.” This slower number has a dark, moody feel. “Be quiet as a mouse,” Neals sings, hinting at lingering memories that cannot be forgotten.

    The musicianship, vocals, and songwriting across this recording are consistently solid. Neals’ voice carries a gravelly, coarse texture that makes everything she sings sound bluesy, soulful, and powerful.

    Thunder In The House is a recording that listeners will likely enjoy revisiting time and again. As a fan of live music, both in person and recorded, I have watched Eliza Neals perform in available videos, and that is where she truly shines brightest.

    Mick Jagger has reportedly said this about Neals: “a voice I soon won’t forget,” and I agree with that statement. She has built an impressive list of musical collaborations, having worked with artists such as Joe Louis Walker, King Solomon Hicks, Peter Keys, Derek St. Holmes, Popa Chubby, Tony Joe White, Mike Zito, Tommy Castro, Albert Castiglia, and Walter Trout.

    If you get the opportunity, be sure to catch Eliza Neals live and give Thunder In The House a listen. You will be glad you did.

    The Review: 9/10

    Can’t Miss Tracks

    – Speedy Beady
    – Love Will
    – Wicked Heart
    – Thunder In The House

    The Big Hit

    – Thunder In The House

    Buy the album: Eliza Neals on Bandcamp

    The post Eliza Neals: Thunder In The House Review appeared first on Blues Rock Review.

  • Listening Now : The Swifties – Regina

    Regina by The Swifties carries that rough edged charm of lo fi punk, where imperfections feel intentional and alive. The instrumental unfolds with a scrappy, instinct driven energy, balancing grit with a strangely melodic undercurrent. There is a rawness in the way the elements collide, like a demo that refuses to be polished, holding onto its identity instead. Beneath the noise, a subtle sense of structure keeps everything from falling apart.

    It feels restless, a little chaotic, but honest to the core, capturing that DIY spirit where feeling always comes before finesse.

    Connect:

    Instagram

  • Listening Now : Signal-23 – Decay

    Decay by Signal-23 moves like a slow burning current, pulling you under with its weight rather than force. The sub bass does not just hit, it rolls in waves, deep and immersive, wrapping around the tight, mechanical pulse of the drums. There is a constant tension simmering beneath the surface, as moody textures drift in and out like distant signals trying to break through.

    It feels like a more sci fi leaning take on the pioneering Boards of Canada, colder and more controlled. A dark, hypnotic piece that lingers in the body as much as in the mind.

    Connect:

    Instagram

  • Listening Now : Night Wolf x Lois Powell – The Laws of Life

    The Laws of Life finds Night Wolf and Lois Powell operating in a space where subtlety does the heavy lifting. It unfolds like a half remembered thought, drifting between calm and quiet unease, with Powell’s fragile delivery adding a deeply human touch. The production feels patient and intentional, layering soft textures that never overwhelm but constantly pull you inward. There is something quietly haunting in the way it builds, especially as the closing shift introduces a darker pulse.

    It feels reflective, almost like self dialogue set to sound, intimate, absorbing, and gently disarming.

  • Listening Now : MUANH – u wanna have it

    u wanna have it by MUANH drifts in with a hazy, intimate glow, wrapping bedroom pop softness around a quietly conflicted core. Built on gentle textures and dreamy synth layers, the track feels comforting at first, like a warm embrace, yet there is an underlying tension that slowly reveals itself through the vocals. The contrast between tenderness and emotional unease gives it depth, as desire and distance blur into one another.

    MUANH handles restraint with precision, allowing subtle details to speak louder than excess. It is a delicate, late night reflection that lingers in feeling rather than resolution.

    Connect:

    Instagram