Friko’s new album has a train song. It has a bicycle song. It even has a hot air balloon song. When the young Chicago combo said transit was a major theme of new album Something Worth Waiting For, they weren’t kidding.
The post Friko Are Emphatically Getting There appeared first on Stereogum.
Jon Valenzuela’s album, “Alive Again,” opens with Free, ” which creates an inviting atmosphere reminiscent of a vivid sunrise with an unexpected twist around minute 1.05 that shows right away that this is going to be a unique musical journey.
“Take(n) Enough” continues to unfold Valenzuela’s creative vision. The track features an exhilarating guitar riff that is chaotic and solid. Rhythmic intricacies abound, creating a syncopated texture that captivates the ear. His technical talent is evident as he experiments with various musical elements. The powerful guitars flourish before retreating into a sparse verse. This ebb and flow exemplifies Valenzuela’s sophisticated compositional style.
Another highlight is “Supervoid,” which dazzles with its melodic and vocal finesse. The song exhibits jazz influences, especially during the captivating guitar solo. Valenzuela’s work is challenging to categorize, producing a distinct sound that strays from mainstream norms. His innovative approach is grounded in a broad musical knowledge that enriches his writing. A striking moment occurs around the two-minute mark, where he introduces a poignant pause. This moment builds anticipation and propels the track towards a climactic finale.
The album’s most visionary piece may very well be “Hubris.” The track commences with a heavy metal riff and evolves into a kaleidoscopic journey. The arpeggios and guitar solos complement the vocals, creating ethereal patterns that evoke stardust. Valenzuela’s voice wanders between melodic singing and spoken word, lending an oracle-like quality. This blending of styles enhances the narrative dimension of the song. The rich tapestry of sound further reflects his ambition as an artist.
As “Alive Again” progresses, the musical landscapes offered by Valenzuela become increasingly dynamic. The closing track, “Flight,” exudes a refreshing funk vibe infused with 1970s cinematic atmospheres. Here, Valenzuela’s diverse influences emerge, showcasing his multifaceted talent as a composer. This song features a vibrant instrumental finale filled with ornamental flourishes. The excitement and energy of “Flight” rounds out the album perfectly. It encourages repeated listening to fully appreciate its intricate details.
Jon Valenzuela’s “Alive Again” is a multifaceted work that invites deep exploration. The album rewards listeners with a wealth of ideas and auditory textures. Each track unfolds like a story, urging fans to analyze and savor every moment. The artistry displayed reflects years of honing his craft. Valenzuela is not just a musician, but an innovator. This album merits multiple listens to fully grasp its brilliance.
“Alive Again” is an experience. It challenges the listener while offering delight and insight. Valenzuela’s creativity shines brightly as he navigates genres and employs his techniques. This album makes it clear that he is an artist to watch. His future endeavors will surely be as compelling as this remarkable work.
Brilliant.
The post Alive Again is Jon Valenzuela’s Album out now appeared first on Edgar Allan Poets – Noir Rock Band.
| Bands: | Stranded |
| Release: | Still |
| Genre: | Punk Rock |
| Country: | Germany (Cologne) |
| Release Date: | 10th of April, 2026 |
| Released via | My Ruin |
| Cover Artwork: | Benedikt Demmer (Druckwelle) |
| Recording: | Franky at the Magic Basement Pizzatone |
| Mix & Master: | Role at Tonmeisterei Oldenburg |
On the 10th of April, Cologne-based Garage Punk Rockers Stranded will mark the release of their full-length debut Still. It’s been three years since their 2023 EP release Again and this combo is again set to broadcast thudding head-nodding rhythm.
Having debuted with their first EP We Are in 2022, Stranded showed right off that they are keen to find an individual spot somewhere in the depths between Proto / Garage and 77 Punk. Stranded utilize well-known and beloved traits by mixing them into a heavily refreshing tone that convinces with anthems that will melt in your ear canals, leaving marks that will remain for weeks. Having followed with the release of their 2023 EP Again that continued where Stranded left off with their debut, the direction of this band was quite clear – meaning that there was interest in not settling for a single sound at all and bringing forth a broad mixture. Going by this fact, it was especially interesting to see how this will manage on a full-length.
So, here we are, eventually arriving at the release of Still – Stranded’s full-length that simply found the perfect home with a 12″ vinyl release at one of current underground Punk music’s focal points – My Ruin. Lean back and dive into a humming journey through the early phases of Punk music that present these times as fresh as might be possible. The first single “City of Glass” was already released in March and the release of the second single “FCK MSTRD” followed in early April. With these tracks alone, the earworm character of these tracks were already made clear. Be prepared for the release of this album to come!
Still will be released on the 10th of April via My Ruin. Get it here:
My Ruin Shop
https://www.myruin.de/shop/
Social Stranded:
https://www.instagram.com/stranded_rawk/
https://wearestranded.de
https://wearestranded.bandcamp.com
Social My Ruin:
https://www.instagram.com/myruin_grabeland/
https://www.facebook.com/ilovemyruin
https://www.myruin.de
The post ENTHEOS To Join Jinjer On North American Spring / Summer Tour + Co-Headlining Dates With Crystal Lake Announced! appeared first on INFRARED MAGAZINE.
Dokken, formed in Los Angeles in 1978, had several hit singles which charted on the Billboard Hot 100, such as “Alone Again”, “In My Dreams”, and “Burning Like a Flame”, and has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide. The classic Dokken line-up consisted of founder Don Dokken on vocals, George Lynch on lead guitar, Mick Brown on drums, and Jeff Pilson on bass.
Released in 1999, Erase the Slate marked a fresh chapter for Dokken, introducing Reb Beach (best known for Winger and later Whitesnake) as the band’s lead guitarist. Erase the Slate blends Dokken’s classic melodic metal roots with a more modern, late-’90s hard rock edge. Reb Beach brought a technically sharp yet fluid guitar style that differed from the flashier, more aggressive approach of former guitarist George Lynch. His playing added a polished, groove-oriented feel while still delivering strong solos and riffs.
The album is available through Deko Entertainment for the first time in the United States on 180g vinyl. Completely remastered, repackaged, and limited to only 500 copies of each variation, including a beautiful Green Smoke and classic Black. Erase the Slate includes standout tracks “Erase The Slate”, “Change the World”, as well as a cover of the Harry Nilsson song “One” made popular by Three Dog Night. This is a must-have for any Dokken fan!
Pre-order Erase the Slate while supplies last, shipping in July 2026 at this location.
The post DOKKEN’s “Erase The Slate” To Be Released On Vinyl In The US For The First Time appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.
The post DETACH THE ISLANDS: NYC Mathcore/Hardcore Outfit To Release Concrete Jungle On May 1st, Launching A New Chapter Of The Band; Title Track And Preorders Posted appeared first on INFRARED MAGAZINE.
It must be so cool to be Robert Plant. You’ve got forever-legend status, and you can just continue to do whatever you want. If you want to spend more than a decade exploring ancestral folk music, sure, go ahead. If you want to bust out the occasional Led Zeppelin classic, that’s even better. People will be incredibly psyched to see you, and you know that you’ll have the pipes and the gravitas to sing about Gollum stealing your girl without sounding the slightest bit silly.
The post Robert Plant Sings Zeppelin On <em>Colbert</em>, Visits World’s Oldest Record Store appeared first on Stereogum.
Einar Solberg of Leprous is set to release his upcoming second solo album ‘Vox Occulta’, on April, 24th, 2026. A bold, heavy and symphonic statement, the album was recorded in collaboration with the much-sought-after Norwegian Radio Orchestra.
Today, Einar is pleased to present a new track titled ‘Vita Fragilis’, a song created a alongside the aforementioned orchestra. The video gives a glimpse behind the scenes at the orchestra recording the parts, and you can watch it now here:
Einar comments: “‘Vita Fragilis’ was done together with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra. A cinematic and progressive track with no normal verse/chorus structure, and the longest stretch of harsh vocals I’ve done in a while. Curious how odd time signatures sound with a full symphonic orchestra
The album sees Solberg taking a deeply personal approach, having been an avid fan of classical music and soundtracks for more than 20 years. The lyrics are personal as well, and they make ‘Vox Occulta’ something of a thematic follow-up to ‘16’. Where Solberg’s solo debut revisited the death of his father and his past struggles with anxiety, this set is a warts’n’all portrait of himself and how he views the world in 2026.
As well as the beautiful orchestration, Einar is joined by drummer Keli Guðjónsson (Agent Fresco), violinist Chris Baum (Bent Knee), guitarist Pierre Danel (Novelists) & bassist Jed Lingat, as well as guitarists Ben Levin (ex-Bent Knee) & John Browne (Monuments). The album was mixed by Adam Noble (Nothing But Thieves, Biffy Clyro) & co-produced with David Castillo.
‘Vox Occulta’ will be released as a Limited CD Digipak, Gatefold white/black 2LP & a very limited Gatefold transparent red 2LP, as well as digitally.
Pre-order now here: https://einarsolberg-artist.lnk.to/VoxOcculta-Album
The post Einar Solberg launches ‘Vita Fragilis’, feat. The Norwegian Radio Orchestra from ‘Vox Occulta’ appeared first on The Prog Report.
Aldous Harding introduced her new album Train On The Island with “One Stop,” a tremendous folk-pop track that includes the lyric “I met the real John Cale.” I thought Harding also said “I met Jenny from the block,” but I was wrong. It’s actually “Imagining from the block.” Bummer. Great song, though, and only mildly…
The post Aldous Harding – “Venus In The Zinnia” (Feat. H. Hawkline) appeared first on Stereogum.