Hazlett is on tour in support of his album “last night you said you missed me.” Among the tour stops is a visit to The Fillmore in San Francisco on October 22, 2025. The entire schedule and the ticket information are available at https://www.thisishazlett.com/tour.
 
     Currently, we are most enamored with the tracks “blue jean” and “mountain of a memory.” Comparing the two displays the diverse skills of Hazlett. “blue jean” is more aligned with his “sound,” a warmth in his vocals and a gentleness in the guitar. Still, the song has a segment with a bounce. In comparison, “mountain of a memory” takes a Lord Huron path and has a second half that is well-suited for a sound system with a subwoofer sufficiently powerful to vibrate the listener’s chest.

          Hazlett has connections to a number of continents. He is a native of Brisbane, Australia. His career flourished with the move to Stockholm, Sweden, and the decision to sign with Nettwerk Music Group. Nettwerk was founded in Canada and has become one of the most influential independent record labels. Content on the Nettwerk website includes Hazlett’s description of the “last night you said you missed me” album:
  “It’s a little different, which I know is cliche to say, but it’s true. I think it would be easier to say after all these years that I’ve found my sound and that’s where I’ll stay. But I think there’s a lack of authenticity in staying the same. When I started this whole thing, I wanted anyone who starts to listen to feel like they’re part of this whole thing with me. Growing, trying and finding pieces of ourselves along the way.”
 
     “blue jean” by Hazlett

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisishazlett/
Website: https://www.thisishazlett.com/

     “mountain of a memory” by Hazlett

Lyrics of “blue jean” by Hazlett
Broken finger
Hurt me and let it linger
Hunny, holding on
 
Moons and feelings
Surefire to kill the evening
Maybe I'm not who you really want it from
Hunny, holding on
 
I could never find home running away
You were on the outside trying to change
Bruise my bones
We'll be gone
We could never find home running away
 
Half-assed ”Sorry's”
Fill a journal full of worry
Soul tired, back to bed
 
Blue jean please stay
Stopped loving me on Tuesday
Bad things and the dark thoughts you never said
Soul tired, back to bed
 
I could never find home running away
You were on the outside trying to change
Bruise my bones
We'll be gone
We could never find home running away
 
Go, but don't leave me
Take problems over easy
Hard times feel like home
Hug the lightning
Then tell me I was lying
A glass house and all our stones
 

Lyrics of “mountain of a memory” by Hazlett
Call it off, be alone
I'm the ghost that never made it home
Slow night, settle down
I'm the feeling you won't think about someday
Someday
 
Call it off, be alone
I'm the ghost that never made it home
Slow night, settle down
I'm the feeling you won't think about someday
Someday
 
Tie your shoes on my chest
Moving on 'cause we did our best
We don't talk, wait and see
I'm a mountain of a memory

“Black Lung” by Jonah Kagen – A Song Feature

 

      Jonah Kagen’s songs “You Again” and “Burn Me” were featured in an earlier post (CLICK HERE, IF INTERESTED). We are now obsessed with another song from his album “Sunflowers and Leather.” “Black Lung” explores the feeling of being told to minimize your personal struggles because “someone always has it worse” and that your worries are “all in your head.”
 
          Jonah Kagen is from Savannah, Georgia. He is currently on tour. The tour schedule and ticket information are available at https://www.jonahkagen.com/#tour. One stop is at The Recency Ballroom in San Francisco on October 1.
 
     “Black Lung” by Jonah Kagen

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonahkagen/
Website: https://www.jonahkagen.com/

Lyrics of “Black Lung” by Jonah Kagen
I don't think you're in your right mind, baby
But I could never do to you what you're doing to me
Daddy warned me 'bout the black lung
Mama told me what it feels like, hurting to breathe
 
I don't think that I got any real problems
I heard my best friend's dad drank himself to death
I heard he died with a black lung
I heard he died with a big ol' hole in his chest
 
I came to you begging and heaving
And you said, "Men used to die inside the mines
So who are you to say you're having trouble breathing?
It ain't real, boy, you'll be fine"
 
I haven't ever met the angel of death
Rumor has it he's a real kind son of a bitch
He ain't giving out black lung
He's just waiting by the phone to come and clean up the mess
I think you might kill me, even then I wonder if you'd know why
'Cause you could hold on to a cold hand and say
"A tight chest ain't a reason for a man to die"
 
I came to you begging and heaving
And you said, "Men used to die inside the mines
So who are you to say you're having trouble breathing?
It ain't real, boy, you'll be fine"
 
I came to you begging and heaving
And you said, "Men used to die inside the mines
Who are you to say you're having trouble breathing?"
 
It ain't real
It ain't real
It ain't real
 
I came to you begging and heaving
And you said, "Men used to die inside the mines
So who are you to say you're having trouble breathing?"
It ain't real, it ain't real
It ain't real, boy, oh
 
Oh-oh
Ain't real, boy, you'll be fine

“Detours to Glories” by Casper Caan – A Song Feature

     The music of Casper Caan is marked by bright melody-defining instrumentation, intricate rhythmic layers, and diverse vocal deliveries. The brightness is best showcased in the high-frequency guitar that emerges just past the 30-second mark of “Detours to Glories.” The rhythmic complexity drives the song, defining its momentum and enhancing its texture. And Casper Caan’s meticulous attention to detail is on display as the song employs three distinct vocal deliveries – fluid melody-centric vocals during the verses, a slightly reverb-washed tone during the chorus, and a brief flourish of talk box (or vocoder?) within the final 20 seconds of the song (at 4:14).  
 
     A review of the “About” page of Casper Caan’s website (https://caspercaan.com/#about) shows that he is a New York City-based composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist, who blends the old (such as instruments and microphones) with the modern. Thus, “Detours to Glories” carries a sophistication in the invigorating Rock Pop genre of the Indie Universe. Quoting informative release content about the song:
  “Detours to Glories” seamlessly layers Chic-style drums over orchestral crescendos and flecks of Balearic guitars. Mix in some lush horns, filtered guitar swells and a psychedelic synth loop, and you have a song that’s equally perfect for a packed club AND simply getting lost on your own. "Detours to Glories," with its reflective and inspiring lyrics about resilience, fits perfectly in the enigmatic singer/songwriter’s growing catalog of indie-influenced pop songs that feature earworm-worthy hooks, organic instrumentation, and cinematic arrangements. “I feel a change in the weather / about to get better,” Caan sings beatifically at one point in “Detours to Glories,” a hint towards a reversal of fortune for the song’s protagonist, and more importantly, the arrival of a fresh batch of new songs from this prodigious musician.”
 
    All of the vocals and instruments on the song are performed by Casper Caan, other than drumming by Mikey Jones and horns by John Martin. The official video for “Detours to Glories” is animated by Kosuke Sugimoto, who uses the same character in all of Caan’s videos. Here, the animated individual is shown skateboarding through various real-life scenes, but he takes flight within the final minute.
 

     “Detours to Glories” by Casper Caan

Website: https://caspercaan.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caspercaan
Streaming opportunities: https://caspercaan.ffm.to/detourstoglories

Lyrics of “Detours to Glories” by Casper Caan
We made what we need
It was all you seek
And we were not believed
Was it all worth rising?
 
It’s like what you said
We made what we caved
It was all we made
Was it all worth rising?
 
It’s not my story
That’s just too boring
Let’s turn these lumps
And detours to glories
I know my time’s not up
Yeah it’s true
 
It’s not my story
Rain isn’t pouring
Let’s turn these miles
Of detours to glories
I know my time’s not up
Yeah it’s true
 
We made what we need
You made what you dream
And it saved what you feel
In a vault worth finding
 
It’s like what you said
(Now you’ve got something to measure)
We made what we caved
(Trouble it won’t last forever)
It was all we made
(I feel a change in the weather)
Was it all worth rising?
(Bound to get better)
(About to get better…)
 
It’s not my story
That’s just too boring
Let’s turn these lumps
And detours to glories
I know my time’s not up
Yeah it’s true
 
It’s not my story
Rain isn’t pouring
Let’s turn these miles
Of detours to glories
I know my time’s not up
Yeah it’s true
 
Now you’ve got something to measure
Trouble it won’t last forever
I feel a change in the weather
Bound to get better
About to get better…
 
It’s not my story
That’s just too boring
Let’s turn these lumps
And detours to glories
I know my time’s not up
Yeah it’s true
 
It’s not my story
Rain isn’t pouring
Let’s tear these miles
Of detours to glories
I know my times not up
Yeah it’s true
 

“Three Types Of People” by Thorne Empire – A Song Feature

     Whether crafting lyrics, poetry, or prose, metaphors and analogies can be powerful tools for conveying believes and emotions. Thorne Empire released a track that replaced our previously favorite metaphor-driven song. Interestingly, both songs relate to the connections we make throughout a lifetime. Our previous favorite used the metaphor of life as a train ride—some acquaintances board only for a brief time, others travel with us for a meaningful stretch, and a few remain until the train reaches its final destination.
 
     In “Three Types Of People,” Thorne Empire elegantly compares life’s relationships to leaves, branches and roots. He explains that he was introduced to the concept in a conversation with his sister:
  “Some people come into your life for a season. They’re like leaves on a tree. They’re only there for a season. You can’t be angry at them; it’s just who they are. Then there are branch people… But if you go through a storm, they may break and leave you. But if you find some people who are like the roots of the tree, hold onto them.”
 
     Thorne Empire is also the name of a fictional military kingdom in the game Arcane Odyssey. But from the musical perspective, Thorne Empire is a solo project. This year, he coined the term “EchoScribe” to describe the approach he employs: 

  “A new generation of music creators who collaborate closely with AI, with each, human and machine, handling different parts of a composition, such as lyrics, melody, harmony, or production. EchoScribes blend human emotion with algorithmic innovation, pushing creative boundaries while preserving artistic authenticity and redefining the future of music through this unique, synergistic process.”
 
     “Three Types Of People” by Thorne Empire

Bandcamp: https://thorneempire.bandcamp.com/

Lyrics of “Three Types Of People” by Thorne Empire

Three types of people, let me break it down,
Some are like leaves, drifting all around,
They come and go, never staying long,
Blowing in the wind, like a lost song.
 
Branches stand tall, but they might break,
They bend, they sway, but they can’t always stay.
They help you grow, but when it's time to leave,
You gotta let go, or they'll make you grieve.
 
Roots run deep, they hold you tight,
Through every storm, through the darkest night.
They never leave, they never stray,
True ones stay, come what may.
 
Leaves, branches, roots, each has its role,
People change, but roots hold the soul.
Leaves may fall, and branches may snap,
But roots stay strong, they keep you on track.
 
So keep your roots close, let the leaves fly,
Hold onto the branches, but be ready to say goodbye.
In this world, it’s plain to see,
True roots are the ones that set you free.
 
Branches stand tall, but they might break,
They bend, they sway, but they can’t always stay.
They help you grow, but when it's time to leave,
You gotta let go, or they'll make you grieve.
 
Roots run deep, they hold you tight,
Through every storm, through the darkest night.
They never leave, they never stray,
True ones stay, come what may.
 
Roots run deep, they hold you tight,
Through every storm, through the darkest night.
They never leave, they never stray,
True ones stay, come what may.
 
Leaves, branches, roots, each has its role,
People change, but roots hold the soul.
Leaves may fall, and branches may snap,
But roots stay strong, they keep you on track.
 

“Talks A Lot” and “Scar” by Balancing Act – Song Features

    UK-based Balancing Act is preparing to release Part 1 of their debut album, “Who’ve You Come As?” on October 3. The song “Scar” was shared in May and its strength raised expectations for the album, which will include seven tracks. Now, “Talks A Lot” is available and the anticipation has rightly increased. 
 
    The band describes “Talks A Lot” as their belter. During the first third of the song, the description does not seem appropriate. The single has more of a dramatic Glass Animals' feel. Then, the song goes into an extended intensity build that continues to the abrupt song completion. We concede – “Talks A Lot” is a belter. 
 
     Balancing Act is Kai Jon Roberts (vocals), Jackson Couzens (guitar), David Carpenter (bass), and Pat Hanbury (drums).

     “Talks A Lot” by Balancing Act 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BalancingActBand
Website: https://balancingactband.co.uk/

     "Scar" by Balancing Act

Lyrics of “Scar” by Balancing Act
Calm the storm, just keep pedalling
Hold the fort with Ritalin
So you can go and talk the talk 200 miles apart
And I’ll wait here open to God
 
And then it goes
And then it goes
 
I owe it to the stars and the passing cars
And the love you gave to me that died from the start
After showing symmetry lizards that you’ve been living your life in halves
Won’t you take my hand, and my hand, and my hand
And I’ll show you the start
 
When it goes
When it goes
 
We fall a little harder in March
And that sadness is showing your scar
And how are you gonna break your heart
When those tidal waves know who you are
 
Who you are
Who you are
 
How does it feel, does it hit you hard
When those tidal waves know who you are
How does it feel, does it hit you hard
When those tidal waves know who you are
 

“body of water” by SIKADE – A Song Feature

 

     The song from SIKADE is enchanting from start to finish, but it’s the vocals after the 1:30 mark that compel us to confront our own inconsistencies. At that point, the lead and backing vocals diverge, transforming “body of water” into an elegant sonic experience that is both vocally and lyrically layered. The lead carries the verses (“a body of water…”), while the backing vocals settle into a charming chorus loop (“you do the right thing…”). Our inconsistency is that when newscasters talk over each other, we instinctively reach for the remote to change the channel — but here, the lyrically overlapping voices drive a device adjustment to hit “repeat.”
 
     “body of water” also features a harp. SIKADE, also known as Linnea Vestre, is a harpist, songwriter and producer based in Oslo, Norway. Quoting an interesting characterization of the song:
  “body of water” adds a shoegazey edge to SIKADE’s signature blend of melancholic art pop and mellow indie folk. Following the laidback and harp-driven verses, the chorus hits you like a tidal wave of redemptive intensity, with its noisy guitars, expressive string parts and catchy hook. SIKADE’s lyrics are, as always, full of symbolism and ambiguity:

you do the right thing

to look like someone who

would do the right thing

do the right thing

 
     The Bandcamp site of SIKADE shows that other contributors to “body of water” are Emil Vestre (electric guitar, backing vocals), Hans-Fredrik Dolven Oterholt (backing vocals), Inger-Maren Fjeldheim (violin), Kristina Fadeeva (cello), and Oskar Holldorff.

     “body of water” by SIKADE

Bandcamp: https://sikade.bandcamp.com/
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/sikadesikadesikade
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sikadesikadesikade

Lyrics of “body of water” by SIKADE
a body of water
that’s how she sees you
a silvery surface
the face of a mirror
 
but you’re in the deep blue
with all kinds of creatures
looming around you
and in you
 
you do the right thing
to look like someone who
would do the right thing
do the right thing
 
you do the right thing
to look like someone who
would do the right thing
do the right thing
 
alone with your heartbeat
a menacing fever
you’re ready to burn up
you’re ready to see her
 
but you’re in the deep red
you’re wary and watchful
of all that’s around you
and in you
 
you do the right thing
to look like someone who
would do the right thing
do the right thing
 
you do the right thing
to look like someone who
would do the right thing
do the right thing
 
a body of water
that’s what you are
with a silvery surface
your face is a mirror
 
deep in the pitch
hiding all kinds of creatures
always evading
our eyes in the dark
 
she sees a glimpse of
the uneasy seaweed
dancing and swaying
somewhere in your eyes
 
a body of water
that’s what you are
you’re a silvery surface
reflecting her smile
 

“A Single Crumb” by Evendive – A Song Feature

 

     Evendive’s “A Single Crumb” embodies the very qualities that propelled Progressive Rock to prominence in the early 1970s. Yet, the band refreshes the formula for modern ears. While it’s certainly accurate to point out that classic Prog Rock pioneers like Yes and Emerson, Lake & Palmer leaned heavily on synthesizers, Evendive more deliberately fused lush synth lines with thunderous percussion, amplifying the genre’s appeal for a wider audience of music lovers.
 
      Maybe even more than any other genre, Prog Rock is a broad category with a definition that is difficult to pin down. In our definition, Prog Rock is characterized by a creative eccentricity, an “Epic” proportionality, and an instrumental virtuosity. Within “A Single Crumb,” there is a synth solo that would make Emerson, Lake & Palmer proud, Evanescence-esque power vocals, and seemingly tireless percussion.
 
     Evendive is the solo project of video game music composer Werther Azevedo. The project is based in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. For “A Single Crumb,” Christina R contributes the female vocals. The lyrics of the song are included at the bottom of this post. Evendive describes the song as:
  “A haunting exploration of resilience against overwhelming odds. ‘A Single Crumb’ finds a flicker of enduring hope amidst desolate landscapes and existential decay, carried by atmospheric synths and a powerful, repeating plea. A very energetic darkwave duet with metal sensibilities, culminating in a powerful and memorable female-driven chorus.”

     The song is the title track of a recently released 5-track EP (embedded below). The EP is available for purchase at Evendive's Bandcamp location - https://evendive.bandcamp.com/. Quoting an interesting explanation from the band’s Bandcamp site, the music is a “fresh fusion of intense synthesizers and the raw power of melodic metal, the sound is a melancholic and epic experience, defined by memorable melodies and, often, dynamic duet vocals. The songs explore human resilience, the internal struggle, and the hope of finding light in the midst of darkness.”

 
     “A Single Crumb” by Evendive

Lyrics of “A Single Crumb” by Evendive
Hope
Still, we hope
Here be lies, we know
Even so
Still, we hope
 
Won't forgo
Deep inside, it holds
Clinging hope
Stinging hope
 
Another moment long gone
It seems all so ephemeral
But dreams are never forlorn
They hide inside
 
Lying low
Down below
A single crumb
Crumbling hope
 
Another moment long gone
It seems all so ephemeral
But dreams are never forlorn
They hide inside
 
All our fantasies fade
All promises, astray
A stone disintegrates
But a single crumb stays
 
Against reason, it stays
Serene, intact, unfazed
Every atom may break
But a single crumb stays
 
Stays...
Stays...
Stays...
 

“history” by pets – A Song Feature

 

      The song from pets carries a sense of cyclic forward progression. The vehicle is characterized by a repeating pattern, but the cycling never threatens to dull the listener’s sense of momentum and accomplishment. Forty seconds into “history,” power percussion enhances the rhythmic drive.
 
       The first half of “history” radiates a magnetic pull, drawing listeners into its orbit and securing their allegiance long before the song’s midpoint arrives. Yet Pets keeps its most commanding element tucked away until the second half, when a saxophone bursts in with a jazz-ready flurry that elevates the entire track. The song turns cinematic, as if scoring a scene in which detectives push cautiously into dangerous territory.
 
     "history" is a single from the band's album “🌀❓ (Spiral Question Mark),” which is scheduled for release on October 21, 2025. pets is the project of brothers Jonathan Campolo and Nick Campolo (from the bands P.E. and Pill), along with Chase Ceglie. The band is based in New York, but the Campolo brothers grew up in coastal New Hampshire and Ceglie is a native of Rhode Island. It Ceglie who is the sax player; Jonny is the pianist and Nick is a guitarist.
 
     Regarding the upcoming album:
  “pets’ first record, ‘🌀❓(Spiral Question Mark),= blends the band’s devout love for intimate song writing with an ambiance poised for the spotlight. The album is a long, charmed, rainy walk through their sonic influences–at times deep, dark and smoldering, but rendered soft, refined, buffed and polished. The culmination of a meticulous three-year long endeavor, ‘🌀❓(Spiral Question Mark)’ is a ballad heavy emotional tour-de-force, imbued with a rare closeness that begs the important question: Am I OK?”

     To celebrate the release of the album, pets will play a series of shows in Los Angeles in October, including stops at Non Plus Ultra, Zebulon, and a special outdoor performance at Elysian Park featuring guest magician Ben Schechter. 
 
     “history” by pets

Website: https://petsportal.net/
Bandcamp: https://petsnyc.bandcamp.com/
 
Lyrics of “history” by pets
You cannot rely on your classic style
Just look into the eyes of the terrified
It’s a matrix of roses
and the bees have all gone to die
 
It’s “The I“ that defines such a
deft disguise
Taking lighting
off the lid
to burn itself alive
 
And the avatar is flooded
so the ad can fly
but we’ve lost the I
the eye
the I
the I
the I
the I
 
Can we put color into the air?
 
You cannot rely on your
classic style
Because I’m living with
your history now
 

“Sitting In The Corner” by St. Paul & The Broken Bones – A Song Feature

 

     The song belongs on every playlist celebrating saxophone-driven music—especially playlists with a soft spot for the baritone sax. Its commanding size allows the baritone sax to project the full spectrum of even and odd harmonics, enhancing the texture and depth around the fundamental pitch of each note. The power of the instrument is on full display in “Sitting In The Corner,” the recent release from St. Paul & The Broken Bones.
 
     Still the attraction to the song rests on far more than one instrument. The start of “Sitting In The Corner” is triggered the distinctive voice of frontman Paul Janeway. His dynamic and soulful vocals drive much of the song. Additionally, the other instruments more than carry their weight. The other brass contributions are initially on display shortly after a brief-yet-inviting vocal bridge around 49 seconds into the single. Still, it is after 2:41 that the full orchestral majesty of St. Paul & The Broken Bones surfaces.
 
     Founded in Birmingham, Alabama in 2011, St. Paul & the Broken Bones consists of Paul Janeway (vocals), Jesse Phillips (bass), Browan Lollar (guitar), Kevin Leon (drums), Al Gamble (keyboards), Allen Branstetter (trumpet), Chad Fisher (trombone), and Amari Ansari (saxophone). In an interesting explanation of the origins of the songJaneway said:
   “‘Sitting In The Corner’ comes from this idea of just having vocals and a saxophone at the top of it. We wrote the song and didn’t think that it would make the record, but when we were working with our producer Eg [White], he put a 70’s superfly vibe in the chorus. It ended up making it one of my favorites on the record. It’s a really fun one."
 
     This is the third single from their forthcoming sixth studio album, the self-titled “St. Paul & The Broken Bones” on October 10^th, via their own label Oasis Pizza Records, distributed by Thirty Tigers. The album’s tracklist:
  1.”Sushi And Coca-Cola”
  2. “Fall Moon”
  3. “Ooo-Wee”
  4. “Sitting In The Corner”
  5. “I Think You Should Know”
  6. “Nothing More Lonely”
  7. “Stars Above”
  8. “Seagulls”
  9. “Change A Life”
  10. “Going Back”
 
     The tour schedule of St. Paul & The Broken Bones is available (with ticket information) at https://stpaulandthebrokenbones.com/shows/
 
     “Sitting In The Corner” by St. Paul & The Broken Bones

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/St.PaulandTheBrokenBones
Website: https://stpaulandthebrokenbones.com/
Streaming options: https://spbb.ffm.to/sittinginthecorner

Lyrics of “Sitting In The Corner” by St. Paul & The Broken Bones
All my love is
Sitting in the corner, sitting in the corner
I can't fake it lately
I can't fake it lately
All my love is
Sitting in the corner, sitting in the corner
I can't fake it lately
I can't fake it lately
 
You told me, "No, it's not your fault"
In a gravel parking lot
There goes our dream
Do I tick the single box
Or do you think we work it out?
April 15th
 
One, two, three, four
Everybody hit the door
Let's just pack our things and just go
 
All my love is
Sitting in the corner, sitting in the corner
I can't fake it lately
I can't fake it lately
All my love is
Sitting in the corner, sitting in the corner
I can't fake it lately
I can't fake it lately
 
Lawyers called to make a plan
How to fix a broken man
There goes our love
Our brokenness seems so bland
Work our job, tell our friends
This hurts so much
 
One, two, three, four
Everybody hit the door
Let's just pack our things and just go
 
All my love is
Sitting in the corner, sitting in the corner
I can't fake it lately
I can't fake it lately
All my love is
Sitting in the corner, sitting in the corner
I can't fake it lately
I can't fake it lately
 
All my love is
Sitting in the corner, sitting in the corner
I can't fake it lately
I can't fake it lately
 
All my love is
Sitting in the corner, sitting in the corner
I can't fake it lately
I can't fake it lately
All my love is
Sitting in the corner, sitting in the corner
I can't fake it lately
I can't fake it lately