Robert Plant Gets Intimate While AFI Goes Electronic
Legends choosing opposite paths, plus Schenker’s vocal upgrade and why this week feels like 1985 meets 2005
Before The Final Countdown: Europe’s Heavy-Hitting Second Act
Metal Union members, you’ve spoken! Europe’s Wings of Tomorrow has crushed the competition in our September showdown, edging out Skid Row’s 5x platinum monster debut, Vixen’s powerhouse female-fronted metal, and Black ‘n Blue’s Gene Simmons-produced insider project. Chip’s hunch about Europe’s rawer pre-Final Countdown era proved irresistible to voters …
The 2005 Dance-Punk Album That Sounds Like Controlled Lightning
Remember when 2005 felt like the future? When dance-punk ruled the airwaves and every British band seemed to have cracked the code for making angular guitars sound like pure electricity? That was the year Maxïmo Park dropped A Certain Trigger, their debut that should have made them household names. Instead, it became something more interesting—a nearly …
Is Among the Living or Ace of Spades More Worthy?
You asked, we listened. These four heavyweight recommendations from our community are ready to duke it out for a full podcast breakdown.
New Releases
Michael Schenker Group - Don’t Sell Your Soul
Michael Schenker Group, the legendary hard rock outfit led by former Scorpions and UFO guitarist Michael Schenker, returns with “Don’t Sell Your Soul,” marking their first album featuring a lineup of both classic and new members. Schenker’s collaboration with rising vocal powerhouse Ronnie Romero, injects fresh energy into the band’s signature melodic metal sound. What works: Fans and critics praise the album’s virtuosic guitar work and the dynamic interplay between Schenker and Romero. What doesn’t work: Some listeners feel the production is overly polished, occasionally muting the raw edge that defined the group’s earlier records.
Dirkschneider & The Old Gang - Babylon
Dirkschneider & The Old Gang, featuring Udo Dirkschneider of Accept fame alongside former bandmates, return with “Babylon,” a track that reunites the classic heavy metal lineup for the first time in decades. The seamless blend of old-school metal energy with modern production, showcases the chemistry between these legendary musicians. What works: Fans and critics praise the powerful vocals and nostalgic riffs that capture the spirit of classic Accept. What doesn’t work: Some feel the song leans too heavily on familiar formulas, offering little innovation beyond its reunion appeal.
Idlewild - Idlewild
Idlewild, the Scottish indie rock band known for their evolution from punk-infused beginnings to melodic, literate songwriting, return with their self-titled album, marking their first release in over a decade with the original lineup reunited. The band’s decision to self-produce, results in a raw, intimate sound that harks back to their early days while exploring new lyrical depths. What works: Fans and critics praise the album’s cohesive energy and the palpable chemistry among the reunited members. What doesn’t work: Some listeners feel the production is too stripped-back, occasionally lacking the polish of their earlier records.
AFI - Silver Bleeds the Black Sun...
AFI, the California punk band known for their evolution from hardcore roots to dark, melodic alt-rock, return with “Silver Bleeds the Black Sun,” their first album in five years and the first to feature synth-driven production throughout. AFI’s collaboration with electronic producer Zola Jesus, brings a haunting, cinematic layer to their signature sound. What works: Fans and critics praise the bold fusion of electronic textures with AFI’s emotional intensity, highlighting the album’s atmospheric depth and Davey Havok’s commanding vocals. What doesn’t work: Some longtime listeners feel the electronic direction overshadows the band’s raw punk energy, making parts of the album feel less urgent.
Ash - Ad Astra
Ash, the Northern Irish trio best known for their infectious 90s alt-rock anthems like “Girl From Mars,” return with “Ad Astra,” their first album in five years and a bold leap into cosmic-themed power pop. The band’s embrace of lush synth textures and spacey production, mark a significant evolution from their guitar-driven roots. What works: Fans and critics praise the album’s energetic hooks and adventurous soundscapes. What doesn’t work: Some longtime listeners feel the electronic elements occasionally overshadow Ash’s signature raw edge.
Wet Wet Wet - Strings Attached
Wet Wet Wet, the Scottish pop band best known for their 90s chart-toppers and soulful ballads, return with “Strings Attached,” their first album to feature a full orchestral collaboration throughout. The seamless integration of lush string arrangements, reimagine classic hits and new material with cinematic depth. Fans and music writers praise the album’s rich, emotive soundscapes and the band’s renewed energy, while some feel the orchestral approach occasionally overshadows the group’s signature pop sensibility.
Marta and Tricky - Out The Way
Marta, the soulful vocalist known for her collaborations with electronic producers, teams up with trip-hop pioneer Tricky, whose groundbreaking work with Massive Attack and his own solo albums defined a generation. Their new single “Out The Way” marks the first time Marta takes a co-writing role alongside Tricky, blending her haunting melodies with his signature dark, atmospheric production. What works: Fans and critics praise the track’s hypnotic groove and the palpable chemistry between the two artists. What doesn’t work: Some listeners feel the song’s moody minimalism leaves them wanting a stronger melodic hook.
Vernon Reid - Hoodoo Telemetry
Vernon Reid, best known as the virtuosic guitarist and founding member of Living Colour, returns with “Hoodoo Telemetry,” a solo project that fuses his signature guitar work with experimental electronic textures and global rhythms. Reid’s deep dive into genre-blending, weaves together jazz improvisation, rock intensity, and avant-garde soundscapes in a way that pushes his artistry into uncharted territory. What works: Fans and critics praise the album’s adventurous spirit, intricate musicianship, and the way it challenges conventional genre boundaries. What doesn’t work: Some listeners find the experimental approach occasionally overwhelming, with certain tracks feeling less cohesive than others.
Sloan - Based on the Best Seller
Sloan, the enduring Canadian power-pop quartet known for their democratic songwriting and harmonies, return with “Based on the Best Seller,” their first album to feature all four members sharing lead vocals on every track. The band’s collaborative spirit shines as they blend classic hooks with fresh lyrical wit, drawing on decades of indie rock experience. What works: Fans and critics praise the album’s infectious melodies, tight musicianship, and the seamless interplay between band members. What doesn’t work: Some listeners feel the album’s stylistic consistency leaves little room for surprise, making it less adventurous than previous releases.
Babylon A.D. - When The World Stops
Babylon A.D., the hard rock band known for their late ‘80s and early ‘90s hits like “Bang Go the Bells,” return with “When The World Stops,” marking their first new studio album in over a decade. The most novel aspect of this release is the band’s decision to blend their classic melodic hooks with a modern production edge, reflecting both their roots and current influences. What works: Fans and music writers praise the album’s energetic guitar work and catchy choruses that evoke the band’s signature sound. What doesn’t work: Some feel the lyrics occasionally lean too heavily on nostalgia, missing opportunities for deeper exploration.
Bright Eyes - Kids Table EP
Bright Eyes, the Omaha indie-folk trio led by Conor Oberst and known for their emotionally charged songwriting and genre-blurring albums, return with the Kids Table EP, their first collection of new material since 2020. The most novel aspect of this release is its playful, collaborative spirit—featuring guest vocals from a new generation of indie artists, the EP explores themes of nostalgia and growing up with a lighter, more experimental touch than previous records. What works: Fans and critics praise the EP’s fresh energy, inventive arrangements, and Oberst’s ever-poignant lyricism. What doesn’t work: Some listeners feel the brevity of the EP leaves them wanting more depth and cohesion.
Neko Case - Neon Grey Midnight Green
Neko Case, acclaimed for her evocative storytelling and powerful vocals both as a solo artist and with The New Pornographers, returns with “Neon Grey Midnight Green,” her first album in five years and the first to be recorded entirely in her rural Vermont studio. The album’s lush, atmospheric production and introspective lyrics mark a bold evolution in her sound, blending folk noir with experimental textures. What works: Fans and critics praise the album’s haunting melodies and Case’s fearless exploration of new sonic territory. What doesn’t work: Some listeners feel the experimental arrangements occasionally overshadow her signature lyrical clarity. No link found.
Jeff Tweedy - Twilight Override
Jeff Tweedy, best known as the frontman of Wilco and a prolific solo artist, returns with “Twilight Override,” his first album recorded entirely at home with his sons as his backing band. The album’s intimate, family-driven production, blending Tweedy’s signature songwriting with a lo-fi warmth highlights his evolving process. What works: Fans and critics praise the album’s raw honesty, inventive arrangements, and the palpable chemistry between Tweedy and his sons. What doesn’t work: Some listeners feel the home-recorded sound occasionally lacks the polish of his previous studio efforts.
Robert Plant - Saving Grace
Robert Plant, legendary Led Zeppelin frontman and acclaimed solo artist, returns with his project Saving Grace, known for its intimate, roots-driven sound. Plant’s collaboration with folk singer Suzi Dian, blends haunting harmonies and stripped-back arrangements that explore British and American folk traditions. What works: Fans and critics praise the organic chemistry between Plant and Dian, and the atmospheric, acoustic textures that highlight Plant’s enduring vocal power. What doesn’t work: Some listeners feel the album’s subdued approach lacks the dynamic energy of Plant’s earlier work.
The Living End - I Only Trust Rock n Roll
Australian punk rockers The Living End, known for their explosive 1998 debut and hits like “Prisoner of Society,” return with “I Only Trust Rock n Roll,” their first album in five years and the first to feature new drummer Chris Holland. The band leans into their roots with a raw, analog recording process, capturing the energy of their early days. What works: Fans and critics praise the album’s relentless energy and tight musicianship, calling it a return to form. What doesn’t work: Some feel the songwriting treads familiar ground, lacking the adventurous spirit of their mid-2000s work.
Craig Taborn, Nels Cline, Marcus Gilmore - Trio of Bloom
Craig Taborn, known for his adventurous jazz piano work, Nels Cline, the genre-blurring guitarist from Wilco, and Marcus Gilmore, a dynamic drummer with deep jazz roots, unite as the Trio of Bloom. Their new release stands out for its seamless blend of spontaneous improvisation and intricate composition, recorded live in a single take to capture the raw chemistry between the three. What works: Critics and fans praise the trio’s telepathic interplay and the album’s ability to balance avant-garde exploration with melodic accessibility. What doesn’t work: Some listeners find the abstract passages challenging and wish for more structured moments.