Country singer-songwriter Kimberly Dawn has released her latest single, “Kentucky Kiss,” a nostalgic anthem that bottles the bittersweet essence of first love. The track immediately immerses listeners in a classic Americana landscape, weaving together vivid memories of the summer she turned eighteen—complete with midnight escapes and the iconic soundtrack of Bruce Springsteen. With a raw and vulnerable vocal performance, Dawn balances the “sweet, sweet bliss” of an August moon with the lingering ache of a memory that remains timeless. By centering her emotive storytelling against traditional country elements, she delivers a track that feels both intimate and expansive, perfectly capturing the universal longing for those simpler, life-changing moments of youth.
SLEEP POD TWO Unleashes Heartfelt Debut EP ‘Rehearse Your Future’
Southern California supergroup Sleep Pod Two has officially stormed onto the scene with their debut EP, ‘Rehearse Your Future’, a high-octane three-song collection released via Mindpower Records. Uniting veterans from independent stalwarts like Gameface, The Tank, and Jr. Juggernaut, the band transforms decades of shared punk rock history into a powerful sonic statement on resilience and empathy. Recorded over a single explosive weekend in Redlands, CA, the EP captures the urgent, melodic energy of four musicians who have rediscovered a rare and undeniable chemistry. From the rallying cry of the opener to the atmospheric title track, Sleep Pod Two delivers a masterclass in heartfelt songwriting that balances raw power with the wisdom of lived experience.
The emotional anchor of the release is the devastating new single “Concealer,” a track that dives deep into the harrowing reality of domestic abuse. Guitarist Todd Trout penned the song as a response to a friend’s struggle, weaving “heartbreaking” lyrical red flags into a driving arrangement that demands attention. Vocalist Wal Rashidi emphasizes that the compatibility within the group—honed over 30 years in the same musical orbit—is what allows them to tackle such heavy themes with grace and grit. By closing the EP with such an emotionally charged anthem, Sleep Pod Two reinforces their central message of radical connection, proving that even in the darkest times, all we truly have is each other.
WOOTEN, MURPHY, AND CLARK Unveil Decades-In-The-Making Rock Opera ‘A Man of Fortune’
Austin-based musical powerhouses Jeff Clark, Darin Murphy, and Brian Wooten have officially released their magnum opus, ‘A Man of Fortune’, a sprawling 67-minute rock opera, out now. Conceived by Clark in the 1970s, the project is a 50-year labor of love that follows the dramatic life of rockstar Max Million as he navigates the heights of fame and a harrowing confrontation with his own mortality. Featuring interludes and dialogue that weave together the narrative, the album is a sonic tapestry of classic rock firepower and heartfelt storytelling. The trio, supported by an ensemble of seasoned Austin musicians, has begun releasing a series of lyric videos for every track on the record, starting with the lead single “Stay Strong,” showcasing a sound that blends decades of friendship with unyielding creative ambition.
DON BROCO Delivers Nu-Metal Fury with Explosive New Single “Hype Man”
Don Broco has officially unleashed their latest nu-metal-infused banger, “Hype Man,” via Fearless Records. Produced by Dan Lancaster, the track is a high-octane exploration of burnout and the vital support system of lifelong friendship. Frontman Rob Damiani describes the song as a tribute to the brotherhood within the band, emphasizing that their shared journey since school has been the ultimate lifeline through the industry’s intense highs and lows. “Hype Man” masterfully blends rapped flows with guttural screams and soaring choruses, all backed by crunchy guitars and electronic flourishes, marking a fearless continuation of the genre-smashing evolution first teased by their summer hit “Cellophane.”
The release comes on the heels of a massive year for the Bedford quartet, which saw “Cellophane” rack up nearly a million streams in its first week and dominate major metal playlists globally. Don Broco has spent the latter half of 2025 translating this energy to the stage, completing a sold-out run across Australia and performing high-profile sets at Las Vegas’ When We Were Young festival. After tearing through a string of North American and UK arena dates this fall—culminating in a landmark show at London’s OVO Arena Wembley—the band is set to kick off 2026 with a comprehensive winter tour across the United States. Fans can expect a setlist that pits these new, aggressive anthems alongside the eccentric fan favorites that have defined their career.
DON BROCO Upcoming Tour Dates:
- Jan 20 – Baltimore, MD – Sound Stage
- Jan 21 – Charlotte, NC – The Underground
- Jan 22 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
- Jan 24 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theater
- Jan 25 – Austin, TX – Mohawk
- Jan 26 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall
- Jan 28 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine
- Jan 29 – Mesa, AZ – Nile Theater
- Jan 31 – Los Angeles, CA – Wiltern
- Feb 1 – San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall
- Feb 2 – Portland, OR – Wonder
- Feb 3 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon
DAN REEDER Joins Forces with Daughter Peggy for New Single “Up On The Roof”
Cult folk hero Dan Reeder has released “Up On The Roof,” a whimsical yet existential new single via Oh Boy Records that marks his first ever co-write with his daughter, Peggy Reeder. Inspired by a hotel documentary about the eventual explosion of the sun, the track follows a monumental year for the songwriter, which included the release of his sharp-witted album ‘Smithereens’ and a string of sold-out tours across the West Coast and Nashville. The duo’s growing profile was further cemented this past summer at the Newport Folk Festival, where they joined Jack Antonoff’s star-studded Ally Coalition set alongside artists like Waxahatchee, Weyes Blood, and Hayley Williams. As the longest-running artist on the late John Prine’s legendary label, Reeder continues to blend his signature handmade recording style with deeply human storytelling, now elevated by the fresh creative spark of this family collaboration.
THE STATIC DIVE Invites Listeners to the After-Hours Groove of ‘Blue Light After Party’
Multi-instrumentalist and producer Bob Smith has released ‘Blue Light After Party’, the immersive new full-length album from his project The Static Dive. The record serves as a conceptual sequel to the ‘Blue Light Sessions’ EPs, following a fictitious jazz club house band as they transition from the stage to a hazy post-gig celebration. Every sound on the record—from the rhythmic pulse of congas and djembe to the melodic layers of dobro, organ, and melodica—was performed and recorded by Smith in New York. By blending world percussion with vintage keys and synthesizers, ‘Blue Light After Party’ creates a lush, late-night atmosphere that cements Smith’s reputation as a master of genre-blurring, cinematic lounge music. The ten-track collection, featuring the standout “Unbound Bodhi,” perfectly captures a Latin jazz-influenced retro lounge vibe that feels both nostalgic and fresh.
TERRA RANAE Reveals Intimate ‘All I Have (Acoustic Sessions)’ EP and Lead Single “Lights Down Low (Acoustic)”
Breakout pop artist Terra Ranae has unveiled a more vulnerable side of her artistry with the release of her acoustic EP, ‘All I Have (Acoustic Sessions)’, which arrived on October 10, 2025. The collection features stripped-down, guitar-driven reinterpretations of fan favorites “Lights Down Low,” “Over & Over Again,” and “Party in the Sunshine,” recasting her debut material in a raw, soulful light. Discovered and mentored by Grammy-winning icon Macy Gray—who executive produced her debut album—Terra spent her breakout summer touring across Europe and the U.S. as Gray’s support act. This intimate acoustic chapter follows the success of her empowering singles “Manifest It” and “Ignite Me,” serving as a bridge between her million-stream debut and the next major pop era slated for 2026.
LUCKY HORSE RED Debuts Self-Titled Album and Double Single ‘Noon Moon’ / ‘Whiskey’
Los Angeles-based intersectional project Lucky Horse Red has released their self-titled debut album, a 13-track journey through a “cinematic universe” of 1960s analog sound. Released on September 26, 2025, the album was heralded by the evocative double single “Noon Moon” and “Whiskey.” Fronted by the enigmatic Bunny Gaubert, whose “low, haunted voice” anchors the record’s anarchic poetry, the band is a patchwork of DIY royalty featuring members from Twin Peaks, The Aquadolls, and Babe Ruthless. Recorded at Joshua Tree Recording Studio, the album deftly blends Americana, psych, and punk, capturing a dark, folky trip out West that hazily yearns for both excess and innocence.
STEELY DAN Meets Classic Cinema in Viral Dance Compilations
Pete Roberts, a retired British engineer and surveyor, has become a digital sensation by seamlessly syncing classic movie dance clips with the sophisticated jazz-rock of Steely Dan. Using his keen eye for rhythm, Roberts matches vintage footage of legendary dancers with tracks like “Only a Fool Would Say That,” “Glamour Profession,” and “Razor Boy,” creating an illusion so perfect the clips appear tailor-made for the music. His viral “Dance Video Mixes” have garnered millions of views, transforming his YouTube channel into a dedicated tribute to the meticulous production of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker.
THEO LAWRENCE Brings Austin Twang to Warner Records with “All Fifty States”
Theo Lawrence, France’s premier country songbird and a devoted keeper of the flame, has officially transitioned from independent success to the global stage with his recent signing to Warner Records. Following the critical acclaim of his 2023 Austin-recorded LP ‘Cherie’ and the stripped-back charm of ‘Pickin’ & Singin’, Lawrence released his major label debut single “All Fifty States” on September 26, 2025. A collaborative duet with roots music mainstay Melissa Carper, the track leans into the pair’s effortless chemistry and vintage Western swing influences. Recorded at the legendary Bomb Shelter in Nashville, the song serves as a bridge between Lawrence’s French-bred crooning and his new home in the American South, trading playful lines about the lure of the open road versus the comforts of a Texas garden.
This new era continues with the follow-up single “Dat Ain’t Right” and the announcement of a full-length duet album with Carper titled ‘Havin’ A Talk’, scheduled for release in early 2026. While fans first fell for the “California Poppy” throwback vibe of his early 2022 recordings, Lawrence’s Warner debut showcases a refined maturity, blending the golden-era sensibilities of Ray Price and Charlie Rich with modern Americana grit. As he brings his honed craft back to its American cradle, Lawrence remains a pivotal figure in the global country revival, proving that authentic songcraft and a timeless croon can resonate from the boulevards of Paris to the honky-tonks of Austin.