Music
A Broken Heart Looms Like Dark Clouds on Cory M. Coons’ New Single – “Long Hard Rain”
Cory M. Coons teams up with producer Marc Muir and label-mate Ed Roman for new melancholic single, “Long Hard Rain”
For many a broken heart can feel like a long hard rain as the emotional, dark clouds roll in. Cory M. Coons new single, “Long Hard Rain”, is for all the folks who have felt beaten down at one point in their lives. The lyrics depict a person who is heartbroken, spiritually or romantically. But there is still hope as they hold out for love and realize that the clouds will dissipate along with their emotional bondage.
“Long Hard Rain gives us an impression of a tumultuous time, with a sense of foreboding, sort of like a darker cloud of emotions or energy hanging over one’s mind and spirit of things to come.” – Cory M. Coons
“Long Hard Rain” was written by Cory M. Coons and produced by his good friend Marc Muir. MTS Record Label-mate and good friend, Ed Roman, provided stellar Hammond b-3 style organ tracks while Muir added bass, atmospheric guitar, electric piano and filler organ.
“Long Hard Rain” was released on July 15 on MTS Records.
About Cory M. Coons
Cory M. Coons is a professional independent performer, musician and award-winning songwriter from Eastern Ontario, Canada, just south of Ottawa. With over 30 years of experience in music, it has been his passion since his early teens as a guitar player/bassist & singer in High School, and shortly after while traveling and performing in a variety of very popular cover bands throughout the mid-to-late 90’s in both Ontario and the United States in well known local high-energy acts such as “Heads Or Tales” and “Shake The Tree”, as well as the band “U.S”, (which toured most of the South Eastern United States in 1998’). Then later formed his own Classic-Melodic Rock influenced band “Tycoons”, releasing two independent recordings and performing throughout Eastern Ontario, Northern NY State, and Quebec in the early 2000’s.
As a Roots-Rock/Americana blend of Singer-songwriter, Cory has amassed more than 170,000 plays on Spotify for his melodic brand of roots-flavored rock. His work with famed legendary record producer Ron Nevison, has earned him industry recognition from the Los Angeles Music Awards, the Producer’s Choice Honors, The Josie Music Awards, International Singer-Songwriter Association and the Radio Music Awards, among others. With a catalog that boasts several critically-acclaimed full length albums and EPs, as well as a handful of well-received singles. Since 2004’, Cory has officially released 4 full length albums and 2 E.p’s, (with another recent E.p released in 2020), featuring the singles “Leavin” and “Good Times Gone”.
He recently released a previous album “The Long Road Home” in 2018, produced by Multi-Platinum Veteran Music Producer Ron Nevison, (Heart, Bad Company, Damn Yankees, Survivor, Styx, Night Ranger). The album was nominated in 2019 for “Male Album Of The Year” at one of the biggest Independent Award Shows in North America, the “Josie Music Awards”, and he as well had 4 nominations at the 2020 JMA’s, 3 more at the 2021 JMA’s, and is currently nominated at the upcoming 2022 JMA event again in two categories, “E.p of the Year”, & “Single of the Year” (Americana) for his song Freedom Road, this time being held in October at the Grand Ole Opry House. Cory also earned a nomination at the 2021 “International Singer Songwriter Association” (ISSA) Awards in 2021 for “International Male Vocalist of the Year”.
In 2020, Cory’s Nashville recorded E.p “33.3”, and previous album “The Long Road Home” were released on MTS Records, along with the “Share A Little Time” (E.p) and a re-issue of his “Retrospective” compilation (spanning 1999′ – 2010′). The single “Leavin” was released early in 2020, and the follow up single “Good Times Gone” was released in June of 2020, from the recent Ep “33.3”. In December of 2020, Cory released “Burning Bright at Christmas Time” on MTS Records. The enchanting blend of acoustic guitar and sleigh bells captured the spirit of the holiday, and Coons’ melodic sensibilities remain intact with another rootsy release that feels at home next to his finest releases. “Burning Bright” also featured Coons’ then, 6-year-old daughter, Charleigh, on backing vocals, giving the track a real family touch. Another independent single “Far Away” was released in early 2021, which also featured Charleigh Lynn Coons (at 7) on backing harmonies on the track, along with his single “Freedom Road” which dropped in late 2021 on MTS Records, and currently a new upcoming single is set for release on July 15th of 2022, “Long Hard Rain”, also on the MTS label.
For more information, please visit Cory M. Coons’ website.
Artist Spotlight
LYIA META’s Dazzling Jazz Album Release “Always You”
Prepare to be enchanted by the unparalleled talents of multi-award-winning singer, songwriter, and visual artist Lyia Meta as she unveils her latest masterpiece, “Always You.” With an exceptionally rare contralto vocal range that defies convention and a unique musical style that effortlessly melds jazz, soul, pop, and blues influences, Lyia Meta has once again proven her status as a global sensation among the music industry’s elite.
Lyia Meta, the Malaysian sensation, released her latest album, “Always You,” on June 16, 2023, and is set to captivate the hearts of music enthusiasts worldwide, showcasing her musical endeavor that transcends boundaries. This exquisite 8-track musical album combines jazz, soul, and pop, showcasing Lyia’s unparalleled vocal prowess and lyrical depth that takes listeners on an unmatched emotive depth, infusing each song with a lyrical masterpiece.
The 1st track, titled “Always You,“ exudes nostalgia, a sultry and dreamy ode to love reminiscent of the timeless allure of the Rat Pack era of jazz and blues. Lyia’s contralto vocal range takes center stage, weaving a captivating narrative of love’s enduring appeal.
As the album unfolds, listeners are treated to diverse emotions and melodies. In “Never Enough Time,“ the 2nd track, Lyia’s vocals tug at the heartstrings of a soulful Jazz ballad lasting 4:55 minutes, while the 3rd track, “It’s Up To You“ (04:15 minutes), intricately explores the complexities of love with a jazz sensibility.
“For You,“ the fourth track, is a 04:15 minute heartfelt Jazz melody that explores the yearning and struggle to rekindle a lost relationship with poignant lyrics like, “Do you wish on the stars to have me back? I want to know.” “Save Me,“ the fifth track, delves into the craving for intimacy and attention, set to a melodic Jazz-pop song with a runtime of 3:30 minutes.
“As We Throw Caution To The Wind“ (03:38 minutes), the sixth track, sets the perfect atmosphere for a romantic entanglement, and “To Know What It’s Like“ (04:40 minutes) 7th track takes listeners on a deeper dive into the mysteries of love a soulful journey of self-discovery. The 8th and last track of the album closes with “My Dream Lover,“ which weaves a nostalgic tale of falling in love within the realm of dreams, leaving a lasting impression with a runtime of 04:43 minutes.
Lyia Meta’s “Always You” is a testament to her unwavering commitment to authenticity and musical innovation. Her exceptional vocal performances, intertwined with a seamless fusion of jazz, soul, and more, redefine the boundaries of music and mark her as a rising star in the industry.
Lyia Meta has carved her niche with this album’s release following earning accolades like ‘Best Album’ and ‘Best Female Vocalist’ at the 2022 Global Music Awards. With an inspiring voice that effortlessly traverses the worlds of blues and classical music, she is admired alongside renowned artists like Nina Simone and Amy Winehouse, proving her worldwide popularity and musical prowess.
Lyia Meta’s “Always You” offers audiences worldwide a captivating and soulful musical journey that can now be streamed on various platforms. This unforgettable indie experience is a must-have for any Jazz aficionado’s playlist. Watch out for future album releases, which will become timeless classics.
For more information about Lyia Meta, please visit [website].
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Lyia Meta’s “Always You” on Spotify.
Featured
Singer/Songwriter Robert LaRoche Releases New Music
I’m no stranger to Robert LaRoche’s songwriting. Longtime songwriter, solo artist, and frontman for The Sighs, LaRoche enjoys a well-deserved reputation as a songwriter’s songwriter who commands respect from his peers and has a devoted following stretching back years. I approached his new solo release Forevermore with excitement. My faith in his abilities proved well-placed as LaRoche serves up ten songs rich with the accumulated experiences of a lifetime and brimming with the same unique talents that have secured his place in the modern indie music scene. For those familiar with him, Forevermore is a reaffirmation of his gifts while, for newcomers, it gives them an excellent place to start their discovery of his work.
Acoustic guitar is integral to this album and “Steal Your Heart” announces that from the first. This isn’t a folky singer-songwriter effort, however, as LaRoche’s decades-long experience fronting bands serves him well here and elsewhere. It’s a full-throated ensemble performance replete with satisfying changes and a lyric that veers between aching affection and borderline heartbreak. Zonder Kennedy’s guitar solo puts a fiery exclamation point on “Burn That Kingdom Down”, the album’s second song, but LaRoche’s lyrics are equally impressive. He writes and sings as if this were one of those songs that took a week or so to write and two decades to live. The sense of stakes is audible from beginning to end.
“Forevermore” is a strong title song. LaRoche aims for more of a mood piece with this cut and the diverse instrumentation he utilizes for the collection surfaces here in a pronounced way. He frames the unattainable object of LaRoche’s desire at the heart of this song in tasteful poetic lyrics that he’s well suited for conveying with his voice. Vocal harmonies play an important role in fleshing out many of Forevermore’s songs and sweeten the obvious vulnerability underlying a song such as “Safter Inside”. It adopts the same semi-brisk pace as many of the release’s other songs but never feels rushed.
He serves up a nuanced song about lost love with “Temporary Virtue” and mature listeners will appreciate his unique take on the subject. There’s heartache and regret galore throughout this lyric. LaRoche and the sensitive arrangement conspire well to communicate those emotions. It lays his heart bare in a more direct fashion, at least musically than some of the preceding songs while being no less effective. The rueful “Traitorous Heart” gains a lot of traction from the contrasting laid back character of its arrangement and LaRoche’s scornful lyrics. He lays out betrayal and undermining behavior in a matter of fact manner. There are hints of the underlying resentment, however, provided by the song’s electric guitar passages.
This is a thoroughly successful release from beginning to end. Robert LaRoche deserves fulsome praise for his ability to write about a subject as old as song itself, love, in such an individualistic fashion. He isn’t remaking the songwriting wheel with Forevermore, but he pours old wine into new bottles with a skillfulness that deserves our applause and attention.
Jamie Morse
