Artist Spotlight

Howling Hawk takes flight through shadows with “The Downside”

On “The Downside,” Howling Hawk provides us with a kick in the pants, reminding us that real rock still burns red hot and strong enough to knock the dust off of our souls. This is a statement of determination and unadulterated emotion from a band that excels in both their chemistry and conviction.

“The Downside” draws you in with raw energy and lived experience. The musicianship is both casual and carefully worked out, each variation, beat, or vocal inflection locks into place like jigsaw pieces forged in flame. There’s no gloss or pretense here, just a band of musicians locked in, fueling one another’s spirit and channeling something that feels both timeless and defiantly alive.

“The Downside” examines the distance between struggle and strength. It’s about bearing your scars, marching through the storm, and refusing to give an inch, themes that will ring particularly loudly with anyone who has ever had to fight their way forward. The band, as a unit, gets that balance just right in a striking alchemy of tension and release that feels both natural and cathartic.

Howling Hawk’s commitment comes through not just in the song’s bursting energy but also in its tightness. Everything is in its place, from the screaming guitar lines to the pulse of the rhythm section. It’s the sound of a band that knows exactly what they are and where they are going, unafraid to stare into the darker corners of the human experience. “Downside” is not afraid to be dirty, which is its strength.

Connect with Howling Hawk on Instagram

Tweet LinkedIn PinShares0

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.

Tweet LinkedIn PinShares0

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.

Connect with LAST ALEX! on Spotify