Vipid is the musical brainchild of graphic artist Jared Simmons. The songs he produces under that name mine what he calls an “electronic chill and downtempo dream pop.” Vipid’s new ten-song Daydream brings us what’s on Simmons’ mind lately.

Chris Lastovicka’s Fortune Has Turned (Remixed) is a stunning short album of evocative classical pieces.
“The 7th Chapter of Job,” opens us up here, a low swirl of strings, with higher violins and “ooh’s” floating above the slowly plotting din. It does rise in intensity slightly, but mainly we stay locked in this scary brew for the duration. Quite the moody piece to begin the five.

Acoustic rocker Benny Bassett’s second EP, Words for Yesterday, opens with the mid-tempo richly produced “Window To Forever.” It’s obvious the listener could easily be taken by the melody and Bassett’s fine voice, float right by the salient lyric this man mines on this opening tune of poignant apology.

Steve Hackett is at it again. With his 26th studio album At The Edge Of Light the ex-Genesis guitarist (and 26 albums in, should we even have to mention Genesis anymore?) this master-of-the-Les-Paul brings listeners flavors from all over the world, fantastic players and some genuinely stunning songs.

The press for this release claims that the San Diego, California-based singer-songwriter Thomas has started a new chapter with the release of A New Heart. Whatever is happening in his life, it is reflected here in a very solid release.

Tokyo Jets Bonafide (Grand Hustle/ EMPIRE) There’s definitely something that stands out about Tokyo Jetz, I can’t put my finger on it but […]

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross Bird Box (Original Soundtrack) (The Null Corporation) It’s hard to listen without being instantly transported back to […]

Bobbie Gentry The Girl from Chickasaw County: The Complete Capitol Masters (Capitol Nashville) Bobbie Gentry was much more than her 1967 #1 […]

Canadian ‘modern pop artist,’ David Browning’s Now You, See Me is a wonderful lush release of modern romance, played, produced, sung and written impeccably. You need to ‘see’ this CD.

“Love Can Take Is There (2019 Nash Overstreet Remix),” and the softer (and last) song “Love Can Take Us There (Acoustic Version)” are two drastically different versions of Steele’s obvious big single. I like Steele’s big clear range on both, with the acoustic take mining a slight country vibe from what Overstreet manages on guitar.