• ASIA: Live in England - If you now find yourself in '26 it might seem remarkable that we are still talking about the first major Supergroup of the 1980's - ASIA. But, we are as the band's longtime keyboardist Geoff Downes has once again reconstructed the lineup and is now joined by Virgil Donati, John Mitchell and Harry Whitley who together go a long way to recapture the golden dynasty that the Original Asia enjoyed for a brief moment in time before their musical empire crumbled under the weight of ever-changing lineups and artistic differences. Still, when we heard about the group's signing to Frontiers Records we had hopes for new music. Instead, the first official effort is a concert recording called Live in England that captures the band in commanding form, delivering a performance that honors their legacy while revealing fresh nuance in their classic material. Singer and bass player John Mitchell presents the catalog of hits in the authentic style of John Wetton with true reverence on display as they run through the glory days on fan favorites like "Heat Of The Moment", "Only Time Will Tell", "Sole Survivor", "One Step Closer" and "Time Again". Now, it's only a matter of time before all of us will be able to tell if the band has captured enough heat and momentum to crack the radio charts one more time to get one step closer to the banger of a band they once were decades ago. That is - release some new music please! Because, really, how many live albums does one band need? (More at > https://originalasia.com)

• Austen Starr: I Am The Enemy - With enemies like this - who needs friends? On I Am The Enemy rising star and emerging rock goddess Austen Starr surrounds herself - a la her namesake Ringo - with an All-Starr cast who ignite with force and fusion to help her make a bold and tightly focused statement of identity and intent by blending razor‑edged rock textures with introspective lyricism. On the strength of the explosive opener "Remain Unseen" bandmates Joel Hoekstra, Chris Collier, Steve Ferlazzo and Chloe Lowery provide the power that ensures the self-described reluctant Bostonian with a penchant for self-induced misery will soon be seen and heard well beyond her wildest dreams. FFO: The Warning / Halestorm. (More at > https://www.austenstarr.com)

• Barrett Baber: "Clown in a Barrell" & "Hurt Talkin" - The Voice Top 4 Finalist & Chart-Recognized Songwriter - Barrett Baber - proves that his high ranking on America's long-running singing competition was no fluke on the strength of his just released DOUBLE Single in advance of his new full-length album set for later in the year. On "Clown in a Barrell", Barrett takes a more rock route to underscore his visual storytelling as he makes a rodeo out of a relationship gone sideways. "Hurt Talkin" mines a more modern country sound with a bit of soul. Both songs serve to mark a defining moment in Baber's artistic evolution. Call me a fan! FFO: Blake Shelton, Cody Johnson, Adam Wakefield, Will Hoge. (More at > https://www.barrettbabermusic.com)

• Bonnie Keen: Bonnie Keen - Bonnie Keen is a veteran of the competitive Nashville Christian music scene - where she rose to prominence as a powerhouse vocalist and founding member of the Grammy‑nominated trio First Call. On, Bonnie Keen the singer steps out in faith to deliver a rewarding 12-track epistle that is equally worthy of repeated plays and ample praise. This album is notable for its courageous cover of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" that is a duet with Keen's longtime friend and popular artist in her own right Kathy Troccoli. But, it doesn’t get any better than the anthemic "Cry Like a Bell" that could be the perfect soundtrack for this summer's upcoming semiquincentennial and the United States' 250th birthday celebration. (More at > https://bonniekeen.com)

• Cody Parks & The Dirty South: Snake Shaker - On their latest single, "Snake Shaker" - the group makes a raucous statement of faith that is slathered in innuendo as it slithers along on a hard rock beat that is Metallica meets Skynyrd for a heavy dose of "Country Metal" indeed as their motto implies. But, this won't be the last we've heard of them. This release is a celebration of their recent jump up to the big leagues having been signed to BLKIIBLK / Frontiers Music in in deal that seems ready to make Nashville Stars out of them all. (More at > https://codyparksandthedirtysouth.com)

• Philip Shouse: It Gets Better - Hard rocker Philip Shouse is best known for slinging his axe in the hard rock and heavy metal realm working with the likes of Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley and Accept. But, he wants you to accept the fact that the depth of his musical capacity goes much deeper than that as he is also a student of classic 70's radio and a big fan of the British Invasion imports. So, the Alabama native and current Nashvillian has taken a page out of Paul McCartney's book by recording a great sounding track that would be right at home spinning right along with the Wings' songs famously recorded in Mid-Tenn a half century ago. First up is "Its Get Better" - a lead single from Shouse's debut solo EP, Side 1 released via Wild Kingdom Records. On display is Philip's deep-rooted influences from The Beatles combined with emotive vocals, classic songwriting, uplifting energy and instantly memorable hooks complete with a blistering guitar solo that would make George Harrison proud. It's doesn't get much better than this! (More at > https://www.facebook.com/theephilipshouse)

• Presley & Taylor: STING - Country newcomers Presley & Taylor have sharpen their blades to deliver a piercing breakup anthem "STING" that continues the sultry sister's penchant for honest and emotional lyrics as they voice a venonmous yet hook-laden response to an ex who clearly wasn't the bee's knees. The presser for the track says, "Written from a place of unapologetic confidence with an antagonistic, almost smirking perspective, the narrator looks down from higher ground, twists the knife and channels the snarling, early-2000s energy of Avril Lavigne. STING is defiant, biting, and fearless—proving this duo isn't afraid to turn up the volume or the attitude" making for the prefect antidote to a toxic relationship. (More at > https://www.presleyandtaylor.com)

• Squeeze: Trixies - What's old is truly new again as rock and pop legends Squeeze open the doors on TRIXIES - a functional concept album about a fictional nightclub. They conceived and demoed the project way back in the earliest days of the band in the age of Bowie and glam. But, it wasn't until 53 years later that the one-time famous quintet - now nearly doubled into a 9-piece big-band (we're not complaining) – returns with what many critics are calling a career high-point for the longtime rockers. Squeeze, who were also pioneers in the punk and new wave genres when their self-titled debut first dropped in 1978 - turned to the remarkable ears and expertise of their Nashville-based bass player Owen Biddle to get the job done behind the board. Owen leads a determined and revitalized band who excel on a statement that could be considered the ultimate justification for the reams of Lennon and McCartney comparisons that have followed them even since they began their Easy Side Story together a long, long time ago. That's all I will say. Since TRIXIES is helping Squeeze get some of their best and sustained press in their history you can find plenty more positive opinions out there to support these ideas. Drop the needle on the LP's translucent vinyl or give the expanded CD a spin or three - and you will probably become a member of the club for life – Welcome to TRIXIES! Come inside today for the songs, lyrics, harmonies, vintage vocals and sublime guitar. Really, it's alright! (More at > https://www.squeezeofficial.com)

• The Montvales: Path of Totality - Cincinnati's captivating folk duo The Montvales' Path of Totality was written over the act's 2024 tour that inadvertently followed the path of a total solar eclipse. Thus, by the sheer chance and celestial design they emerged with a convincing concept album of sorts that perfectly captures the political, social and economic tensions that were shaping the country's landscape at the time of its making. "World of Trouble" is the shimmering opener that looks at the big picture. The focus turns more domestic on "Hellbent on Colorado" and "Carolina" and gets even more local for the pair on "Plains of Ohio" and "Cincinnati" that all engage with a rootsy, organic and folksy sense of importance. All in all - the album tracks a course that is beautifully woven together with intimate storytelling and a powerful sense of cosmic wonder proving that The Montvales are indeed the total package. (More at > https://www.themontvales.com)

• Transatlantic Radio: Midnight Transmission - Transatlantic Radio might be playing fast and loose with the definition of the term supergroup - the characterization they use to describe themselves in recent press material. But, they are a super group - we'll give them that. On their debut Midnight Transmission - an album they call a love letter to the 80's giants of the genre such as Foreigner, Toto, Danger Danger and Starship - they resurrect much of the sonic vibe that popularized the airwaves four decades ago. The group's first single, "Wide Awake" is also by far the heaviest song on the record complete with a blazing guest guitar solo by gold record awarded recording artist Steve Brown (Trixter, Tokyo Motor Fist). With nine solid tracks, Transatlantic Radio is ready to transmit their collection of fresh AOR anthems that pulse with late‑night energy, blending atmospheric synths, sharp guitar lines and a rhythmic drive that feels built for neon‑lit highways and ready-made for a global listening audience. (More at > https://transatlanticradioband.com)

• Wishgarden: Tomorrow's Song - Wishgarden's recent single "Tomorrow's Song" points to a world of infinite possibilities even as it incorporates many of yesterday's subtleties to get its point across. It only takes a few seconds in to sense the myriad of classic rock influences that gird the foundation of the forward-looking three-minute and 54 second track that features a vibrant blend of roots instrumentation, delightful unexpected elements and poignant lyrics in the tune that plays to Wishgarden's innovative spirit and strengths even as they make it up as they go on their latest release. (More at > https://wishgarden.com)

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