Eric Clapton just let us know that his new studio album, Meanwhile, will be released digitally on October 4th and on vinyl and CD on January 24, 2025. It's coming out from Bushbranch/Surfdog Records. The announcement also includes the release of a new song, "One Woman," which is available today. You can pre-order Meanwhile and listen to "One Woman" HERE.
The album features collaborations with Jeff Beck, Van Morrison, Bradley Walker, Judith Hill, Daniel Santiago, and Simon Climie, as well as six brand new songs and eight previously released singles.

You can hear "One Woman" from the upcoming album below.

The British musical duo, comprising the versatile musician Will Turner and the co-singer and -songwriter Georgie Fuller (who expand to a five-piece for live performances), the Heavy Heavy, secured a record deal with ATO and appearances on American television programmes such as Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on the strength of their debut extended play record, Life and Life Only. Those who were quick to embrace the group will be pleased to discover that the buoyant presence and nostalgic charm that initially garnered the Heavy Heavy attention are even more pronounced on their full-length debut, One of a Kind. The project draws on an ever-expanding pool of familiar sounds from the mid- to late 1960s, filtering them through a hooky, harmonic mid-fi lens. The musical touchstones in play range from the raw, strutting rock of the early British Invasion to the hazier psychedelic pop/rock and adjacent folk-rock of acts such as the Byrds and the Mamas & the Papas, with a hint of the gritty Creedence Clearwater Revival twang evident in their sound. Irrespective of the musical references that may be made, the album commences in an enthusiastic manner, with the use of chafed vocal harmonies, a rumbling blues undergirding, carefree guitar solos and howling harmonica. The second track, "Happiness," maintains the enthusiasm established in the preceding songs. It was an early single whose sunny, bittersweet quality reached the top of the Triple-A radio charts prior to the album's release. The album's generous 12-song track list largely maintains a similar style, with occasional deviations into more anxious psychedelic pop on "Feel," pastoral, keyboard-infused pop on "Wild Emotion," Woodstock-ian blues-rock on the Fuller-led "Dirt," and trippy, meandering atmospherics on the especially Mamas & the Papas-approached "Salina." While the Heavy Heavy do occasionally borrow riffs from other sources, the songs on this album evoke a sense of being lost in time. However, the quality of the songwriting is such that the songs stand on their own merits, rather than being merely forgotten outtakes.

Luck and Strange represents David Gilmour's fifth solo record and his third release in the 21st century. He is evidently aware of the privilege afforded to him; he has composed some of rock music's most memorable pieces, performed on some of its most prominent stages, and been bestowed with the honour of becoming a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He could have chosen to maintain the status quo for the duration of his career. Instead, he has continued to undertake tours, engage in numerous collaborative endeavours, advocate for a multitude of just causes, and donate the proceeds from the sale of his property and musical instruments to charitable organisations. If he wishes to produce a single album per decade, he is entitled to do so. Appearing nine years after 2015's Rattle That Lock, Luck and Strange brings together a supporting cast that is both novel and recognisable, as well as familial. To produce the album, he sought to bring a more contemporary presence to the project, enlisting the services of Charlie Andrew (Alt-J) to augment the contributions of veteran players such as Guy Pratt (bass) and Steve Gadd (drums). Furthermore, his daughter, Romany Gilmour, a singer and harpist, plays a significant role on the album, even taking the lead on the standout track, "Between Two Points," a cover of the 1999 dream pop song by the Montgolfier Brothers. As is the case with all of his records since the 1990s, Gilmour's wife, Polly Samson, serves as both lyricist and direct collaborator. The prevailing mood of Luck and Strange is contemplative, though not excessively melancholic. The album features compositions that are richly imagined and explore a range of themes, including uncertain futures, nostalgia, marriage, and a generation's halcyon days. The title track, which is built around a pre-existing 2007 jam with late Floyd keyboardist Richard Wright, exemplifies this exploration of a bygone era. The arrangements, which frequently incorporate orchestral and choral elements, evince a greater sense of freshness and agility than in his previous work, thereby balancing out some of the album's introspection. Furthermore, the youthful presence of Romany's (and his son Gabriel's) vocals is beneficial, contributing to the collaborative atmosphere. Nevertheless, it is clear that this is a Gilmour album, characterised by the refined, poetic guitar playing and introspective vocals that are his hallmark.

From the outset, Mercury Rev has consistently delivered musical experiences that are distinct from anything else in the market. This latest release demonstrates a notable degree of maturity and mastery on the part of the band, which serves to accentuate the album's fusion of experimental sounds and authentic emotions. Similarly, Jonathan Donahue utilises a whispered, largely spoken voice in lieu of his customary undulating croon. While initially surprising, this approach ultimately proves crucial to the album's success. Her deft, light touch makes her words dance, revealing the poetry of her memories and reflections. The album also draws inspiration from poet Robert Creeley, who taught at the State University of New York at Buffalo, where the band formed. The album's disparate elements coalesce into a cohesive whole, characterised by transcendent sounds, brilliant images and deep feelings. This is exemplified by the breathtaking opener 'Mood Swings', where Donahue reflects on the unknowable nature of the mind, gliding from one thought to the next like a trapeze artist on a deconstructed black dream. Born Horses is a more grounded yet still transporting album than many of their later works. It provides ample proof that Mercury Rev is still making moving, thoughtful, and exciting music. Like most of their best albums, it is a unique and exceptional piece of work.

Warren Haynes has just announced the details of his new solo album, Million Voices Whisper, and shared the first single, "This Life As We Know It." The new song is Warren's message to us all: embrace the positives of change and look forward through a new lens – one that starts within. You can watch the in-studio performance video below, which features behind-the-scenes content from the recording of "This Life As We Know It" at Power Station New England.
Million Voices Whisper, produced by Warren, will be released on 1 November digitally and on CD via Fantasy Records, with vinyl shipping on 15 November. This is Warren's first solo album in almost a decade. There'll also be a deluxe CD version, which will include four bonus songs.

Warren is joined on the album by members of his current all-star band, including John Medeski on keyboards, Terence Higgins, who has been Warren's drummer for many years and is also in the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and Kevin Scott, who plays bass for Gov't Mule. Million Voices Whisper also features guest appearances from his Allman Brothers Band colleague Derek Trucks, whose distinctive guitar sound can be heard on three tracks that were co-produced with Haynes, and his Last Waltz Tour co-stars Lukas Nelson and Jamey Johnson, who are featured on the powerful "Day of Reckoning." Haynes and Warren also worked together on a track called "Real Real Love," which features Trucks on guitar. Warren finished the song in Allman's style and methods, as if Allman were singing it to honour his friend.

1. Chris Cain, Good Intentions Gone Bad, Alligator
2. Mark Hummel, True Believer, Rockinitus
3. Shemekia Copeland, Blame It On Eve, Alligator
4. Albert Castiglia, Righteous Souls, Gulf Coast
5. Sonny Gullage, Go Be Free, Blind Pig
6. The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Struck Down, Stony Plain
7. Colin James, Chasing the Sun, Stony Plain
8. Chicago Blues Lifters, Blues Scouts, Big Eye
9. Zac Harmon, Floreada’s Boy, Catfood
10. Toronzo Cannon, Shut Up & Play!, Alligator
11. Curtis Salgado, Fine By Me, Little Village Foundation
12. Bobby Christina’s Caravan, True Blues Brother: The Legacy of Matt Guitar Murphy, Nola Blue
13. Guy Davis, The Legend of Sugarbelly, M. C. Records
14. Memphis Royal Brothers, Memphis Royal Brothers, Mother West
15. Rick Estrin and The Nightcats, The Hits Keep Coming, Alligator
16. Tab Benoit, I Hear Thunder, Whiskey Bayou
17. Eden Brent, Getaway Blues, Yellow Dog
18. Bloodest Saxophone feat. Crystal Thomas, Extreme Heat, Dialtone
19. Johnny Burgin, Ramblin’ from Coast to Coast, Straight Shooter
20. Jontavious Willis, West Georgia Blues, Strolling Bones
21. Amanda Fish, Kingdom, VizzTone
22. Kid Andersen / Lisa “Little Baby” Andersen, Spirits / Soul, Little Village Foundation
23. Sugaray Rayford, Human Decency, Forty Below
24. Duke Robillard, Roll With Me, Stony Plain
25. Damon Fowler, Barnyard Smile, Landslide

Official lyric video for Beth Hart's latest track, "Wonderful World", the third single from her highly anticipated upcoming album 'You Still Got Me'. Set to be released on October 25th via Provogue / Mascot Label Group. The album features appearances by Eric Gales and Guns ‘n Roses’ Slash. Listen/ pre-order the album here: https://lnk.to/BethHart

Duke Robillard's Roll with Me is his 37th album and his final release on the Canadian Stony Plain label. The programme comprises four original compositions by Robillard and eight covers of classic R&B and blues tunes associated with Fats Domino, Gatemouth Brown, Big Joe Turner, Howling Wolf and Muddy Waters.

The set opens with Eddie Boyd's "Blue Coat Man", a familiar title in Robillard's repertoire. Here, horns and a piano interact freely with chord shapes and single-string passages. The single "Just Kiss Me" is a sultry walking blues with twists and turns, finger-tingling brass and a six-string solo. Fats Domino's "Are You Going My Way" sounds more like a tribute to Professor Longhair.

The album Definitely Maybe starts with Liam Gallagher seeing himself as a rock and roll star. This dream is a recurring theme throughout the album. Of course, Oasis aren't trying to redefine rock and roll here, but rather to inhabit it. They look back over the last three decades to create a British rock & roll record that's typical of the genre. It's got the defiance of the Rolling Stones, the sneer of the Sex Pistols, the energy of the Happy Mondays and the melodicism of Paul McCartney. Even if it never sounds quite like the Beatles, it's still a great record. All those comparisons with the Fab Four that the Gallagher brothers were making were just a feint, a way of making their band seem like one of the big boys. Before long, these claims became a self-fulfilling prophecy – if you act the way you'd like to be, you'll soon be the way you act, so to speak. But this bravado in no way diminishes the achievement of Definitely Maybe. It's an impassioned and motivating record, a call to action for the disenfranchised to stand up and seize their opportunity. But above all, it's an exuberant celebration of dynamic, incendiary rock & roll. Soon after the album's release, Noel Gallagher was celebrated as one of the band's most talented musicians.

After winning over the mainstream with 2021's Sayin' What I'm Thinkin', Lainey Wilson focused her retro twang on its follow-up, Bell Bottom Country. This album crossed over onto the pop charts and earned her a Grammy Award for Best Country Album. Wilson's fifth LP, Whirlwind, sees her continuing her upward trajectory and tendency to mix rock, pop, and funk with her distinct brand of fun, unabashed, Louisiana-bred country. She worked with producer Jay Joyce again and co-wrote the material during a busy period touring her previous album. The process yielded a leaner, more concise batch of songs. She's clearly got the momentum on her side, and she brings a refreshing sense of energy to songs like "Keep Up with Jones" and "Hang Tight Honey," which are two unstoppable, fizzy country-rockers. Miranda Lambert joins Lainey Wilson on the uninhibited anthem "Good Horses," but at this point Wilson has become a star in her own right and can carry an album just fine. In fact, Whirlwind made it into the Top Ten on the Billboard 200 the week of its release.

Amos Lee spent the years before 2024's Transmissions exploring the work of his influences, including Chet Baker and Lucinda Williams. He brings all this experience to this album, balancing ragged folk intimacy with Baroque pop. The album opens with "Built to Fall," a literate song that starts with a piano and vocal passage before adding backing vocals and strings. Piano features a lot on Transmissions. On the gospel song "Carry On," Lee sings gentle harmonies against a spinning keyboard and banjo and pedal steel. He also makes bold creative moves on the '70s ballad "Madison," where he sings in a falsetto evoking Harry Nilsson and David Bowie. The country and folk-rock of "Darkest Places" and "Hold Tight" are beautiful and straightforward. They show the influence of The Band and Neil Young. These songs show Lee still contrasting his own sadness with a wider, more universal feeling. They are full of images that stay with you. In "Darkest Places," he describes an artist feeling adrift in a society on the brink of collapse. He sings, "I've been waiting for a stranger to come and save me." With Transmissions, Lee has made an album that's both cosy and daring, one that reaches for connection.

Although Elton John has temporarily ceased his concert tours, this does not signify that the celebrated rock musician will cease to produce new music and films for his admirers. This is a welcome development. Elton John is scheduled to present his latest documentary at the Toronto Film Festival in September of this year. The documentary, entitled Elton John: Never Too Late, provides a comprehensive examination of the renowned musician's final tour, the Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour, which grossed an astonishing $900 million. The film, which was co-directed by R.J. Cutler and Elton's husband, David Furnish, has the objective of providing a comprehensive account of the life of the legendary singer. The film features a combination of historical concert footage spanning five decades, personal journal entries, and contemporary scenes capturing Elton John with his family.

Additionally, the documentary will examine the artist's concluding performances in the United States, concluding with a notable November event at Dodger Stadium. The tour was originally scheduled to conclude in 2021, but due to the pandemic, it was extended over five years, finally concluding in July 2023 with a poignant final concert in Stockholm. In reflecting on the tour, Elton articulated an emotional journey, expressing gratitude towards his fans and a bittersweet realisation of the conclusion of his touring career. With the tour now behind him, Elton is focusing his energies on philanthropic efforts, particularly through his work with the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Following its debut in Toronto, the documentary is scheduled for later release on Disney+, offering fans a closer examination of the star's profound impact on music and culture.