From the heart of Nashville, Grammy-nominated bluegrass band Sister Sadie returns with their fourth studio album, All Will Be Well. A sweeping, genre-blurring body of work that reaffirms their place not only as instrumental powerhouses but as storytellers rooted deeply in resilience, community, and emotional truth.
Out now via Mountain Home Music Company, All Will Be Well arrives on the heels of a triumphant award season for the group. With co-founder Deanie Richardson earning Fiddle Player of the Year and guitarist Jaelee Roberts taking home Female Vocalist of the Year at the 2024 International Bluegrass Music Association awards. The band itself, which formed in 2012 after a one-off performance at Nashville’s Station Inn, has long defied the limits of genre and gender in bluegrass, having been crowned IBMA’s Entertainer of the Year in 2020 and Vocal Group of the Year for three consecutive years prior.
What makes All Will Be Well especially poignant is its emotional and stylistic breadth. From the first notes of “Winnebago” to the soulful closer “Can’t Let Go of Your Love”, Sister Sadie pulls from a palette that fuses 90s country nostalgia with classic bluegrass instrumentation. Guitarist and vocalist Dani Flowers, who co-wrote over half the album, describes it best: “From the studio to the stage, the songs from this record have brought us back to life and connected us to each other in brand new ways.”
One of the most arresting tracks, “Let the Circle Be Broken”, tackles generational trauma and domestic abuse with raw honesty. It’s an exorcism wrapped in harmony, somber and unrelenting, yet ultimately redemptive. This willingness to marry vulnerability with musical precision is Sister Sadie’s signature, and it’s on full display throughout the album.
The band also invited a stellar lineup of collaborators to join the journey. Steve Earle lends harmony on “I Wish It Would Rain”, while legends like Russ Pahl (pedal steel), Catherine Marx (keys), and Dave Racine (drums) elevate the record’s sonic landscape. With these contributions and performances from musicians like Seth Taylor and Mary Meyer, each track is layered with texture, intention, and deep musical kinship.
Standouts like “Make Me Stay or Make Me Go” and “The Devil Don’t Care” offer blistering instrumentation and bold vocal performances. “Orphan Train” and “Prodigal Daughter” lean into narrative balladry, while “This Is Me (You’re Not Talking To)” feels like a line in the sand. Through it all, the band’s vocal chemistry remains unshakable, each harmony feeling earned and essential.
It is a damn good record. But more than that, it’s a generous one. The kind that opens its arms to long-time fans and newcomers alike. Whether you come for the bluegrass chops, the country soul, or the stories that settle in your bones, All Will Be Well is a celebration of Sister Sadie’s evolution. Because in their world, harmony isn’t just a sound. It’s a promise.
On Independence Day 2025, Kesha detonated a firework of her own: . (PERIOD), her long-anticipated sixth studio album and the first released under her own label, Kesha Records. It’s more than an album. It’s a neon-lit middle finger to expectations and a joyride into the unruly, emotionally raw depths of her artistry.
With . (PERIOD), Kesha returns not just unfiltered, but unshackled. This 11-track collection explodes with irreverence, vulnerability, and a high-octane celebration of freedom. Featuring hit singles like “JOYRIDE.”, “YIPPEE-KI-YAY.” (featuring T-Pain), and “BOY CRAZY.” The album is stacked with unapologetically bold anthems that demand to be blasted at full volume, with glitter smeared across your cheeks and a scream in your throat.
Born in Los Angeles but spiritually stationed somewhere between a dancefloor and the desert, Kesha has long transcended pop stardom. She’s a cultural icon, a survivor, and a provocateur and with . (PERIOD), she’s steering the whole damn ship. Co-produced and co-written by Kesha herself, the album pulls from electro-pop, country, house, and punk, yet feels cohesive in its chaos. It’s as if each song is a new face of the same disco ball, fractured but blazing with light.
The opening track, “FREEDOM.” sets the tone with a thunderous, rallying cry for autonomy. From there, “JOYRIDE.” (released exactly a year prior) feels like a literal ignition. Its video, where Kesha races through the desert dodging helicopters and hitmen, has nearly 2 million views and encapsulates the album’s energy: rebellious, cinematic, and on the run.
Then there’s “BOY CRAZY.”, an infectious dance track paired with a chaotic, sex-positive video that sees Kesha surrounded by scantily clad men. It’s ridiculous. It’s hilarious. It’s art. Co-directed by Kesha herself alongside Brett Loudermilk and Zain Curtis, it’s clear she’s taken the wheel creatively as well as musically.
“YIPPEE-KI-YAY.” is perhaps the wildest track of the bunch. A yeehaw-worthy country-pop fusion featuring T-Pain and remixed by A.G. Cook. It’s absurd in all the right ways. Kesha even brought it to Coachella and Stagecoach in two wildly different live renditions that perfectly capture her range and reinvention.
And if there’s one ballad on this record that cuts deepest, it’s “CATHEDRAL.” A lush, gospel-tinged closer that aches with hope and grief. Kesha’s vocals, often buried under glitter and grit, shine in their full, earnest power here.
But beyond the music, . (PERIOD) is a reclamation. After years of public legal battles and creative restrictions, Kesha’s independence is no longer symbolic; it’s literal. Released through her own imprint, on her own terms, this album reaffirms her role not just as a pop star but as an artist. It’s messy, it’s loud, it’s half-joke, half-confession, and it’s the most Kesha she’s ever been.
Currently on her largest headline run to date, The Tits Out Tour. Kesha is lighting up arenas across the U.S., with sold-out shows at iconic venues like the Kia Forum in LA and Madison Square Garden. Proving once again that Kesha has always had her glittered finger on the pulse of pop culture.
. (PERIOD) is the sound of an artist who’s lived through hell and come out ready to dance on its ashes.
Susannah Joffe’s newest EP, Cult Leader, is full of Americana inspired pop ballads and represents the lengths that love and heartbreak brings us to. Susannah Joffe is a singer-songwriter originally from Austin, Texas. She has had recent success on social media, particularly with the song, “Die Your Daughter”, which was on her last EP, Your Mother’s Name. But, Joffe has taken a new look on life on Cult Leader, and it’s full of spite, lovelust, heartbreak, and reflection.
The EP’s title track, “Cult Leader”, sets up the theme as Joffe plays spacey pop with a dark country twang. Joffe’s airy vocals sing about americana ideals and tropes while she professes her love-hatred for an ex-lover and his new flame.
As she sings about her confidence in her superiority, a deep jealousy underlies within her words and sets up a complex narrative of love and the inability to move on. Joffe’s vocals are the shining star of this track as her voice ebbs and flows throughout the verses and chorus (reminiscent of Lana Del Rey), and the instrumentals take the backseat to fully allow Joffe to have her moment.
“Antler Queen” keeps up the spaciness that is a mainstay throughout the EP, moving further away from country influence. It’s a bittersweet romance ballad that explores unrequited love and yet again the struggle to move on. The chorus is infectious with a driving drum beat and Joffe’s love proclamations such as, “I’ll shoot you up, Get high on reluctant love.”
The instrumentals on “Antler Queen” are extremely chill with sweet guitars and a stable percussion section to pick up the chorus. As she concludes the song, she reinforces her love’s bittersweetness as she says, “I pledge my heart to you my antler queen.”
“You’d Kill Me If You Could” is a stripped back ballad that sonically serves as a break in the EP’s sound and leans into a 90’s sound. Joffe has given up the loud emotions present in the previous two tracks, and has become sorrowful and reflective. The heartbreaking lyrics portray a harmful relationship and her dealing with the emotional aftermath.
The echoey vocals, acoustic guitars and stripped back percussion, make the song feel like it could’ve been written 30 years ago. Bright synths work with Joffe in the bridge, as she repeats, “Like mother, like daughter.” The phrase is almost a mantra, increasing in intensity the more Joffe says it, and deepens the song’s meaning when you consider the cycle of abuse and what people pass down with them.
“Shit Out Of Luck” is a hazy heartbroken ballad that speaks to unfulfillment and unresolved promises. It is threatening, vengeful and passionate, as she sings, “I’ve got passion and I’ve got a gun.” Electric guitars squeal in the background and Joffe employs a strong percussion section yet again. Joffe’s vocals are the shining star on this track as she uses layered harmonizations to sing words of spite and biblical musings.
“Sofia Coppola” went mildly viral on social media and is a bright lesbian pop power ballad. The song is flirty and full of lust and unabashed attraction. The prechorus is infectious and feels almost like a nursery rhyme, which leads into the double infectious chorus in which she professes, “Idolize you, My Sofia Coppola.”
The bridge is wonderfully layered and Joffe’s vocal capability is put right on display in this track. “Sofia Coppola” is a gorgeous listening experience and uses a blend of strings, synths and percussion, which culminates into a twinkly and magical song about bright eyed love and attraction.
Joffe leans into another consistent trope present on the EP as she writes about a love-hate relationship in “Call Me Pretty.” It’s a complicated dynamic of wanting to both be devalued but cherished as she sings, “I’m your dog and nothing more.” It’s a casual relationship gone wrong, as she invests more than her lover. Her breathy vocals in contrast to the heavy electric guitars build power and tension in the song. The guitars aid Joffe in relaying the final rendition of the chorus and concludes the heartbreakingly honest and self deprecating track.
The EP finishes off strong with the final two tracks, “Stillborns and Six Lane Highways” and “Horses Can’t Outrun Me.” “Stillborns” discusses biblical conflict and terror, as she speaks directly to the people that peddle hate singing, “Heaven hates you” repeatedly. The melodic guitars backing instrumentals are stunning as the beat uplifts the depressive nature of the song. Her echoey and hazy vocals blend amazingly and the rich instrumentals coupled with the lyrics behind create a complex and enjoyable listening experience.
“Horses Can’t Outrun Me” is an excellent end to the EP and is a highlight of the tracklist. Joffe’s bright vocals begin the song as she sings the chorus. A deep electronic bass beat is introduced as she sings of feeling freed of a suffocating relationship and environment. She strips it down and speaks in the pre chorus and then dives into her airy vocals once again.
There is a deep, radical sense of freedom as the lightness of her vocals and the bright guitars, keys and drum beats feed into the energy of the song. As Joffe sings, “Heaven’s where you can’t reach” she ties all of the themes on the EP into one reflecting upon freedom, religious ideation, relationship issues, love, and heartbreak. We are allowed the opportunity to watch Joffe grieve, grow, and change, as we watch her learn and reflect upon her experiences and heartbreak.
It’s an exciting high to leave off on and leaves us wondering what will Joffe take on next in her musical journey? Cult Leader asks a lot and leaves behind very little, as Joffe proves her vocal and musical capabilities and has created a piece of work that is sonically and narratively consistent and clean.
Buick Audra, Nashville singer/songwriter and guitarist, released her fourth album Adult Child on June 13th. She writes for both herself and other artists, and is half of the musical duo Friendship Commanders with Jerry Roe. Her music has a unique style that emphasizes her written lyrics in a way that is reminiscent of something like spoken word poetry. For example, her third album Conversations with My Other Voice was released with a matching memoir of essays. But the production doesn’t suffer for this, instead changing intensity and even genre to match each song.
Adult Child continues this style, never staying in one place for too long. The album mostly fits into the indie rock genre, but songs such as “It All Belonged to Me” are more folk-inspired. Songs like “Birthdays & Bullshit” are full of rage and dominated by drums, but there are several moments on the album where it’s just Audra and her vocals.
At its core, Adult Child is about family and relationships, and the patterns and cycles that we repeat in our lives from our family. But the takeaway from the album is that our origins don’t define us, and we can choose to form an identity all our own. Buick Audra touches on her own estranged relationship with her family, and the album’s title Adult Child reflects the expectations and responsibilities that were placed on her as a child.
“The Worst People Win” is the first track on Adult Child and “Questions for the Gods of Human Behavior” is the lead single off of the album. They serve as the intro into this album for us listeners, and these two songs are instantly relatable to almost anyone. “The Worst People Win”, like it sounds, is about the “fact of life” that the worst people in life are often the most successful. That is insanely relatable to myself, and I’m sure that almost everyone has had a moment in their life where this “fact” comes up. “Questions for the Gods of Human Behavior” looks more inward, questioning why we as humans repeat behaviors that hurt us–also probably a relatable idea for many. These songs also provide an introduction to the indie rock production of the album, which is mostly drums and guitar. Both songs utilize these instruments to provide tension to match the themes of the songs.
“Yellow” takes a turn away from the first two songs to look at Audra herself, and about how she’s internalized what other people have said about her. Again, the production echoes this shift, as the focus is more on Audra’s vocals, and the end totally strips the production down to just a percussion beat and Audra’s vocals. The lyrics repeat three times, with each repetition increasing the layers of her vocals.
“One-Step Close-Up” goes in a different direction again, being a more upbeat song off the album. It uses photography imagery to convey the theme of Audra prioritizing herself rather than others. The fifth song “Birthdays & Bullshit” is the epitome of female rage. The drums are loud, louder than the rest of the album. The song is about the responsibilities that women are expected to have, like being in charge of birthdays. Like the rest of the album, these two songs reflect on Audra’s experience as an adult child and the difficulty that comes with breaking those expectations and relationships.
For me, “It All Belonged to Me” is one of the most devastating songs on this album. The beginning is almost ethereal, all plucky strings and humming, but it isn’t light at all. In this song, Audra writes about where she grew up, and about how she doesn’t go home anymore. “Losing My Courage” is also an emotional song and contains only Audra’s vocals. This song is about just wanting to be listened to–and by design, you as the listener will listen to Audra. It’s truly a beautiful and powerful effect.
As the only acoustic song on the album, “Firstborn” starts to close out the album on a more hopeful note. Like earlier songs, “Firstborn” touches on Audra building a life of her own separate from her past and her family. And like a mantra, the phrase “I got here on my own” is repeated several times. It’s a nice statement for the last “real” song of the album.
“A List” is not a song. Instead, we just hear Audra speaking. This track was recorded on a tape recorder, which does add another layer to her voice here. “A List” is directly about the two pieces that make up this album: Audra’s past and her future. The end also fades into “The Worst People Win,” a nice touch to wrap up this album.
This album serves as a reflection into what being an adult child was like for Buick Audra, and how it still affects her. However, within this reflection, there’s hope that she can and has built her life and identity on her own. The five stages of grief are a cliche idea, but they’re all present in this nine-song album, with acceptance being an essential part of Audra’s journey here. “A list” ends Adult Child with the click of a tape recording. Audra leaves uswith a sense of finality and the hope of moving forward.
Brooklyn’s hardcore trailblazers Cash Bribe are back, delivering a knockout punch with their latest EP, Demonomics, out today via Futureless. This third offering, their first under the label, solidifies their position as one of the fiercest voices in modern punk and hardcore. If their 2023 release, Escape From New York, was a warning shot, Demonomics is an all-out assault on the systems that keep us subdued.
Recorded and mixed by Zach Miller at the iconic Landmine Studios, where hardcore luminaries like Year of the Knife have made their mark, Demonomics takes Cash Bribe’s chaotic energy to new heights. Guitarist Kirk McGirk aptly describes the EP’s incendiary spirit: “It’s like they’re pissing on your head and telling you it’s raining.” That unflinching rage fuels every riff and lyric, creating a visceral, unrelenting listening experience.
The EP opens with its title track, an ominous and heavy anthem that sets the tone for the journey ahead. “Bay of Pigs,” the lead single, bursts through the speakers with low-tuned swagger, sharp edges, and an unmistakable punk attitude. Rooted in powerviolence and hardcore, the track also nods to the noisy hardcore of Cursed and the raw aggression of mid-era Black Flag.
Tracks like “Faith Aversion” push the boundaries further, diving into metallic riffs that lend an apocalyptic depth to the record’s core. Fans of classic NYHC and those who crave a dose of rock ‘n’ roll spirit will find a balance of chaos and cohesion that speaks directly to the heart of the genre.
Lyrically, Demonomics is a razor-sharp critique of wealth inequality and societal gaslighting. Vocalist Joey Dahlstrom’s delivery pulls no punches, channeling fury and frustration into every line. These themes resonate deeply in today’s climate, adding an intellectual edge to the EP’s unfiltered aggression.
Formed in 2019, Cash Bribe’s lineup—Joey Dahlstrom (vocals), Kirk McGirk (guitar), Brian Jackson (bass), and Larry Koch (drums)—has evolved to match their increasing ambition. From their raw debut, Facemask City (2022), to the polished chaos of Escape From New York, the band has consistently upped the ante, drawing acclaim from major punk and hardcore outlets.
Demonomics isn’t just another EP; it’s a statement. With its heavier riffs, darker tones, and unrelenting fury, it’s Cash Bribe’s most refined and furious release to date. Whether you’re a hardcore aficionado or a punk purist, this EP is bound to leave a mark.
Stream Demonomics on Spotify and other platforms starting today. For those lucky enough to be in Brooklyn, catch the album release show at Lucky 13 Saloon and witness Cash Bribe’s chaos in real time.
Amid all the noise of a party back in 2022, the magnetism between two dreaming musicians, Marcus Gebauer and Jori Griffith, was too powerful to deny. The beauty of their meeting created a gradual collaboration which allowed them both to pursue their dreams. With the help of Mike Gruber on keyboard, Nicholas Kapche on bass, and Eric Matteson on drums, Blue Rose has brought us their debut album Blue Moon, released on May 30.
Blue Moon is a 12-track twister of folk, country, and rock. Filled with short and simple tales that take their time unraveling, we are reminded to slow down and stay in the present to enjoy things like seeing a local band or looking up at the sunset. Besides its relatability, this album evokes a keen sense of nostalgia for watching Hallmark movies with mom, or sitting by the fireplace on winter break. Our storytellers are Griffith’s vocals ranging from nasal croon to edgy twang, complementing Gebauer’s smooth yet gritty guitar from beginning to end. Both are certainly talented, but are far from finished finding the right sound.
“If I Had a Rose” is a cover of a 2019 duet sung by Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis. This is a clever way of introducing Blue Rose to the world, demonstrating their influences and style. However, this rendition is almost too smooth, as syllables stretch for miles in just one direction, taking away some of the rough country character of the original.
Leaning more into rock territory is track 2: “Let Me Love You”. The guitar on this one is electric and exciting, but Griffith’s vocals are out of a commercial jingle, complete with cliche ridden lyrics like “the blue sky’s so bright”. While the song is a fun one, it lacks depth.
“Let’s See a Band” has beautiful hints of Fleetwood Mac. Griffith’s crooning makes for an emotional listening experience that traps you in your seat. Sadly, the trance is broken upon hearing the overly simple chorus. This was a missed opportunity for a really powerful track as the music itself was near perfect.
Griffith brings the bluesy country feelings with “I’m So Tired”. This song is the most experimental track by far. Even though Griffith doesn’t sell her fatigue to the listener, she compensates by adding an intriguing muffled effect in the middle of the song. The lack of crispness adds a layer to the unfortunate message of the song overlaying the upbeat backing music.
Even sadder is country ballad “Remember When”, a generic, yet beautiful movie-worthy tune. Griffith makes ample use of scenic description, slowly and impressively planting a memory into the listener that they may never have experienced. “Remember when we thought we’d never die” is what I find to be the best lyric on this album.
Halfway through the album is title track “Blue Moon” which also serves as a theme song for this duo’s fateful relationship. The song really captures the continuing simple yet easily forgotten message of appreciating small moments. This one is somewhat of an evolution as it shies away from the cliched, and presents a better harmony between each element of the song. The changing layers of instruments parallel spectacularly with the repeated line “once in a blue moon”, developing a sense that time is changing.
“Life is Short” feels like the best of Taylor Swift’s early era. This is a true love song with a rare inclusion of multiple perspectives. Simple and sweet, Griffith skips the pettiness and gets down to what matters. While some lyrics are executed awkwardly, it’s easy to ignore.
“Somethin’ Good” is more relevant and relatable than ever, but not unique in any sense. Taking a page out of the rule book for new pop music, this song throws out short statements of feeling in a diary-like fashion. This song becomes more of an anthem.
Anything but slow is “Slow”. Although still a bit too smooth and commercialized, Griffith’s vocals are really special in this one, grounding the listener in the moment she is expanding upon. While it’s easy to tell this song is new, her voice is timeless.
The first few notes of “Dandelions” mistakenly had me thinking I was listening to a Jim Croce guitar riff. Griffith continues to use the same easy phrases like “above the clouds the sun still shines so bright”, but the way she changes her tone as she repeats them makes them more profound. This song truly sounds like a country poem.
“Just Like Sheryl” is my favorite track on the album. This song is different from all the others, serving as an origin story for Griffith with descriptions of her childhood muses Shania Twain and Sheryl Crow. The way she references their hit songs is cleverly interwoven with her own lyrics, humanizing the nearly anonymous soul we are listening to.
“Sometimes” is the final track on the album, contrasting the previous song as it represents Griffith’s quiet side. The final message from Griffith is one of patience, demonstrated through another simple yet magical love story. She expertly shifts from third to second person, revealing herself as the woman she describes being struck by love.
Blue Moon is a well-produced debut album which serves as a tiny nook of calm in the crazy state of life. While being light and fun, there is a sense of intimacy in each song, a feeling like you and you only are being sung to. Blue Rose doesn’t take itself too seriously, creating music that is hopeful and easily accessible. Most striking is the consistent depiction of senses and seasons which really make the songs what they are. Even the moon becomes a recurring character, bringing the title to life.
Blue Rose has a lot of room to grow, and a lot of emotion to tap into, but this is only the beginning. If you want to see this band blossom more, they will be touring throughout Illinois this Summer.
