Lazlo, founder of BlowUpRadio.com (an online station based around New Jersey artists), shines a light on some of the many new releases from NJ based musicians each week with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at releases by The Planet You, Jeff DeVito, Amzot, Marco Sepe, Lupe Dragon, By Torchlight, and The Gumbo Gumbas.
The Planet You - "The Planet You" - The new 2 song EP from The You is just what the doctor ordered if you were looking for emo prog rock songs, because these will cure what ails you. Of course what ails you may be that these are likely the last recordings from this band as they have announced they are breaking up. Also, don't confuse this EP with their 2015 or 2018 releases that were also self-titled.
Jeff DeVito - "Peaches and Pie" [single] - The second single from the former Particle Zoo frontman's forthcoming solo album, "Sagittarius" (the first single, "Bullets On My Brain" is currently only available on Rock Against Hate Vol. 4, benefitting for Planned Parenthood - https://rockagainsthate.org), "Peaches and Pie", is as sweet a tune as the foods themselves, with a latter-day Beatles feel.
Karma Gambit - "Cable Knit Sweater" [single] - Asbury Park's Karma Gambit returns with their first single on Mint400 Records, a power-pop rock gem to sing-along to on a sunny summer day (or to perk you up on a bleak, rainy day).
Amzot - "Sunrise/Sunset" - "There are moments that we keep/There are moments that we lose/There are moments that we even get the lucky chance to choose" - from Amzot's song "Moments". Choose to listen to their new album, as it is a wonderful rock & roll album, whether you listen at sunrise, sunset, or whenever you want to rock!
Marco Sepe - "Hallucinations" [single] - Marco Sepe is a teenager who has written a peppy pop tune better to me than many pop songs written by well known, award winning, songwriters.
Lupe Dragon - "Your Charming Head" [single] - “This is a song about the time someone said they fell out of love with me… at that point I felt that everything was a lie and I started questioning what was real or not about the whole relationship. This song represents that journey through the sadness, fear, and anger of it all,” said Lupe Dragon. She also said, ""cry, head bang, and feel your feelings." Yep, that sums it up better than I could.
By Torchlight - "A Night To Remember" - By Torchlight's Bandcamp page describes this album, in part, as, "a thrilling tale of betrayal and murder." It is not only that, but it is also a wonderful, moody, post-punk noir album.
The Gumbo Gumbas - "King Cake" [single] -Mardi Gras may be months away but it is not like most of us would turn down king cake any time of the year, and this particular "King Cake" song is one hell of a fun zydeco song!
That's all for this week. Remember BlowUpRadio.com, plays these and many other New Jersey based artists on our internet radio station, so please check us out. #SupportGoodMusic - If you like any of the above artists, please purchase their music from their site. And if you would like to part of BlowUpRadio.com's New & Notable, please send downloads or contact Lazlo at Lazlo-at-BlowUpRadio-dot-com