Artist Spotlight

Isabella Lundgren Delivers Jazz with Heart and Soul “Love is Not a Game to Play”

Swedensanna Lundgren, one of the most original voices in jazz, asks of her exquisite new single “Love is Not a Game to Play.” Featured on her eagerly awaited next album, “What Cannot be Told” (out on February 14, 2025), this is a careful balance of heat and sophistication.

Right from the first note, Lundgren’s textured voice draws you in with warmth and depth, combining the shades of jazz with the grit of human feeling. She has such a gift for gracefully expressing raw, complicated emotions that each line sounds like a personal confession. Tying closely into the track’s themes, the monster’s title goes a long way, suggesting that love cannot be played with or toyed with but is a thing to be understood and respected, a force to be reckoned with and given our focus and care.

The instrumentation on “Love is Not a Game to Play” sets the stage for Lundgren’s vocal delivery. The gentle yet insistent rhythm section and roiling piano lines provide a lush cushion that complements the song’s pensive tone. An air of timeless elegance is threaded through the arrangement, simultaneously giving the single modern panache and classic feel.

Lundgren’s new release reaffirms why she’s one of Sweden’s most esteemed jazz artists. The depth and maturity of her artistry come through in every note, and the emotional sincerity of the song is irresistible. The release of “Love is Not a Game to Play” serves as a further testament that Lundgren’s upcoming “What Cannot be Told” is gearing up to be a force to be reckoned with in exploring the layers of love and human bonds.

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Album Review

Paul Terry, Aptøsrs & Cellarscape unite on bold new album “Alternative Piano Club”

Combining his three artistic alter egos, Paul Terry presents an awe-inspiring new 12-track album, “Alternative Piano Club,” written in collaboration with Aptøsrs and Cellarscape. This is an album-length voyage of music that blends acoustic, rock, and piano-driven cinematic sounds.

Torn between this complex emotional spectrum, all the while the piano remains at its core throughout. Paul Terry opens his “Memento Mori (Chromogenic Phase)” contemplatively, creating a solemn, reflective mood. Cellarscape’s “Three Years Of Roses“ is warmer, whereas Aptøsrs’ “Questionnaires“ is much more textured as a large, sculptural post-rock.

“Dave’s Theme,” written by Paul Terry, musically expands the narrative with a touch of cinematic elevation that aligns well. “We Shape The Clouds” by Cellarscape is fluffy and heart-warming, “Writers Behind The Curtain” is somber, more narrative. We are all together in “A Place We Made,” an honest, intimate, emotionally grounded space.

The project contains vocal warmth and cultural depth in the song “This Is My Home“ by Silas Miami & Lana Crowster. Proceeding in a totally different direction is the stronger emotional clarity of Paul Terry’s acoustic storytelling on “Any Time You Want To Fly” and “No Sleep Has Come.” Cellarscape presents a wide, spacious atmospheric moment in “Cygnus,” while Aptøsrs ends with “Rust Mountain (Monochrome Piano Version),” a simple gem that brings the project full circle.

The mixing of Sam Okell and Adam Noble, the mastering of Alex Wharton and Robin Schmidt have, in many ways, brought their polish to it while still making it feel human. “Alternative Piano Club” is a work entity, where three musical personalities met and talk mind in the same emotional language.

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Artist Spotlight

LAST ALEX! balances precision and pulse on the electrifying track “Plus 1”

LAST ALEX!, a Chicago-based artist and producer, comes out with “Plus 1,” a high-energy release that combines technical prowess with an undeniable melodic instinct.

LAST ALEX! puts both craftsmanship and creativity on display here. The song’s strength lies in its balance, in detailed execution without sacrificing feeling, and in complexity without losing momentum.

LAST ALEX! doesn’t fully lean into the cold technique or loose emotion, but finds the sweet spot where skill and soul meet. This yields a polished, vibrant, and musically confident track.

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