Music

TAYLOR SWIFT

Red: Taylor’s Version

Republic Records

After years of fighting with record companies, record-breaking, awardwinning artist Taylor Swift is shaking up the music industry. If she can’t have control over her previously released music, she’s going to record brand new versions. Taylor has shown she is an icon and a trailblazer time and time again, and the impassioned way she sings through these old songs with a new fire is absolutely gorgeous. You’ll hear new renditions of “All Too Well,” “State of Grace,” “22,” “Begin Again,” “Starlight,” and “Everything Has Changed.” This is the second time she has re-recorded an album after Fearless, released in April 2021. I love that she is taking back her power and teaching a whole generation of women and girls to never back down. I hope she re-records many of her other previous albums. It’s also beautiful to see the growth she has had from a teenage girl with her guitar to taking over the stage worldwide. She’s matured into a fierce leader in the music industry and I am “Red” with passion for this album. - Marisa Patwa

ALICIA KEYS

Keys

RCA Records

Alicia Keys is the girl on fire once again with her eighth studio album. These explosive tracks come just 14 months after she dropped the lowkey Alicia. Like many artists, she used the time away from events and the limelight to really tap into her creative juices. And we’re the lucky ones getting a taste. Keys features an array of new songs and remixes. It’s the perfect combination for a true fan. “Billions” and “Love When You Call My Name” are brand new songs that still have that classic, silky smooth Alicia Keys flair. “Daffodils,” “Old Memories,” and “Lala” are older songs that she spices up with new feature artists, giving them that 2021 vibe, while still keeping the integrity of the original versions. It’s beautiful to hear the melodies of this legend accompanied by the likes of Khalid and Kanye West. Although, let’s be honest, she doesn’t need any help to keep that fire going. -

Marisa Patwa DARREN CRISS

A Very Darren Crissmas

Decca Records

While the holidays are already over, with the pandemic and the horrific toll last month's tornados have taken on our Kentucky counties, I thought we could stretch that Christmas cheer just a little longer. Santa may be taking a needed break, but that doesn't mean we can't still enjoy the spirit and magic of the giving season. Glee’s Darren Criss is following in the footsteps of cast member Lea Michele with his own album dedicated entirely to making us feel merry and bright. From “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” to "The Christmas Song," he offers up so many seasonal classics, bringing his sweet, insatiable vibrato to each one. While Criss has made a name for himself with American Crime Story and Hollywood, too, his talents in music are just undeniable. I’d listen to this on repeat while you’re finally putting those Christmas lights back in the closet. Besides, if you can start putting skeletons up on your house in September, why not keep the happy holiday feeling going just a little longer? What makes this the ultimate goat gingerbread is the icing of songs you wouldn’t expect like “New Year” and “St. Patrick's Day.” - Marisa Patwa

JERRY CANTRELL

Brighten

Double J Music

Alice In Chains guitarist/co-vocalist Jerry Cantrell waited 17 years before gifting us with Brighten, the follow-up to his solo records Boggy Depot (1996) and Degradation Trip (2004). Those earlier albums were brooding grungealt metal, but uneven efforts from an artist contemplating life without AIC. This new release, however, showcases a seasoned musician and vocalist focused on self-expression rather than appeasing 90's-era AIC fans jonesing for new AIC material. Two things stand out about this album: melody, and the absence of down-tuned trudge riffs so synonymous with AIC’s sound. Surprisingly, it's an eclectic mix of wellcrafted tunes, including the title track which borders on country-rock. The single is “Atone,” an homage to spaghetti westerns that most resembles an AIC song. Other standouts are “Black Hearts and Evil Done,” “Prism of Doubt” and “Siren Song.” Solo efforts usually lack something, proving that the whole is greater than its parts. Cantrell, on the other hand, manages to find his voice with songs that feel adventurous and fresh. - Matt Alschbach

MILKY CHANCE

Trip Tape

Asylum Records/Atlantic Records

The German electronic duo returns with their first compilation album featuring new original tracks and demos while sprinkling in some unconventional covers that are worth taking a second listen to. From the get-go, opening track “Colorado” reminds listeners how creative they are by pushing a clear and specific narrative with pulsing electronic soundscapes against the blunt yet endearing vocal delivery of lead singer Clemens Rehbein. Trip Tape shifts between the reshaping of classic songs such as Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love,” which comes across as an eerie background byte for the trailer of a clever and well-received haunted Netflix series, and fresh interpretations of recent chart hits like Dua Lipa’s “Levitating” which takes some experimental liberties before finally find the right groove and purpose. Interestingly enough, their not-ready-for-primetime demos, including the atmospheric and on the cusp Hi-NRG “Butterfly” and the vaporwave-influenced “Lights Out,” serve as real standouts, proving this duo has a lot more up their collective sleeve than just clever covers. - Freddie Bourne

KILLING JOKE

Total Invasion: Live in the USA

Cadiz Music

One of post-punk's most enduringly visceral bands, Killing Joke briefly made waves in America circa 1985 via the uncharacteristically melodic single "Love Like Blood" and stomping "Eighties" (the main riff of which was blatantly nicked by Kurt Cobain on Nirvana's "Come as You Are") culled from Night Time. And though the uncompromising UK quartet fronted by mad genius Jaz Coleman would actually go one step further in a pop direction with the follow-up, Brighter Than a Thousand Suns, 1989's brutal Extremities, Dirt & Various Repressed Emotions signaled a welcome return to - as Coleman once dubbed KJ's 1980 debut - "the sound of the earth vomiting." Many relentlessly dark and heavy albums later, it's the band's unmatched ability to weave hooks into often challenging material that continues to separate them from the pack. Not to mention guitarist Geordie Walker remains one of the most innovative musicians on planet Earth (Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page wholeheartedly agrees) with a signature tone that's never been duplicated. This new release, admittedly, is mostly for the diehard fans but it's not a bad starting point, really, as it captures KJ absolutely ripping through an opening set on tour with prog-metal masters Tool back in 2019. Only 10 songs but holy crap, they make each one count. - JohnnyFletcher

DEEOHGEE

New Way of Life

Self-Released

Nashville three-piece Blackfoot Gypsies shed their band name, but not their style, on New Way of Life - the debut album under their new moniker, DeeOhGee. Across 13 tracks, the trio masterfully bounces back and forth between ‘60s and ‘70s-inspired rock, country, and bluegrass. Every song sounds like it could be a hit, and DeeOhGee sound absolutely cool as they effortlessly perform their brand of authentic rock and roll - it couldn’t come easier for them. My favorite track is “Lay It on Down,” a country-rock song you should listen to if you like The Jayhawks. That being said, any song on New Way of Life could easily be considered the best song on the album. DeeOhGee have perhaps made the best music of their career so far on this record - a new way of life, indeed. - Russ Finn

Blues with Bragin

MISS LADY BLUES

Moe Betta Blues

Self-Released

Singer-songwriter Kesha Boyd - professionally known as Miss Lady Blues - returns with a short but sweet set of soulful, sultry tunes. “Back It Up With That Lip," a song about keeping your man happy, kicks things off with a horn section that perfectly complements Miss Lady’s engaging vocals and plays well off of Joey Robinson's organ. “She Ain’t Me” features a funky bass line and more top notch horn playing as Miss Lady boasts about her advantages over other women. The melancholy guitar provides a good counterpoint to lyrics about the highs and lows of relationships on “Being In Love,“ while "Addicted” tells a tale about finding an unavailable man that you can’t quit.

A west coast vibe comes through on “What I Want.” The great guitar and Miss Lady’s voice will get your body moving. The stellar horn playing introduces “Loving You” and keeps going throughout the song. “Baby” features a little bit of Latin influence as Miss Lady sings about a man who treats her like a queen. The horn section and Robinson’s piano playing keep the groove going. The album closes with “Can’t Be Love,” a song with haunting guitar at the beginning as Miss Lady sings about finding out that her man is cheating. Moe Betta Blues is full of soul-inspired vocals and music. People who like classic 70's soul music should check it out. - Paul Bragin