Indie
Kimberly Morgan York is Back With New EP
If you grew up, like me, cutting your musical teeth on Nashville’s long-lost classic sound, Kimberly Morgan York’s music will hit your sweet spot.
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/kimberly_morgan_york/?hl=en
It isn’t a painfully self-conscious pastiche. I never hear York treating the style like a butterfly pinned under glass, beautiful but untouchable, but instead, she breathes newfound life into the form and gives it peerless relevance. The four songs on York’s new EP Devil Songs and Other Such Nonsense fully embrace their pedigree. Kimberly Morgan York isn’t bashful about flying her flag high as a purveyor of the classic Nashville sound and makes it sound fresh for modern listeners.
The Kentucky-born singer/songwriter has this flowing through her DNA. I hear it during her outstanding five-star cover of Terri Gibbs’ “Somebody’s Knockin’”. It’s a bit surprising to me that someone hasn’t attempted resuscitating life into this stylish early 80’s hit because it has an approach well-suited for the modern country landscape as well as remaining faithful to the genre’s core values. York’s performance strikes a perfect balance between paying tribute to the original and blazing her own path with the song.
“The Devil’s in Durango” mixes abundant classic country song imagery into the track’s lyrics alongside York’s personal heartache. The latter isn’t conveyed without a measure of sweetness accompanying its painful flavor. York has an instinctive feel for these sorts of songs, she knows exactly how much to push and when to back off, and tailors her voice in a perfect marriage with the song’s arrangement.
She gets to be much more playful with the song “The Devil Works All Year Long”. There’s a bit of “down home wisdom” packed into this tune, but it’s never remotely heavy-handed and the kick out the footlights pace of the song makes it an ideal live number in waiting for York. She pumps plenty of verve into her vocal performance and the matching steel guitar runs scattered throughout the song answering her singing each step of the way. It’s an excellent choice for this EP release.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6QDcPgLL3hGKF0jkOzcvMZ?autoplay=true
“Other Such Nonsense”, the EP’s nominal title song, doesn’t reveal its message or intentions outright. You must pay attention. York rewards the listener’s attentiveness, I believe, with one of the most individualistic nods to the traditional country I’ve heard in years, and her steadfast refusal to pull her punches with either the singing or lyrics deserves ample kudos. It’s a perfect song to end this brief collection as well.
If this stuff is passe, let’s be grateful that Kimberly Morgan York never received that memo.
Instead, she sweeps and rolls through these four songs with singular confidence and obvious joy in her chosen art. York doesn’t treat the EP format as a throwaway and addresses herself to each of these four songs as if Devil Songs and Other Such Nonsense, a literal description of the release’s cuts, were a much longer work. It’s an entertaining and illuminating journey that you’ll want to take more than once. I know I did and do and that each pass through these songs proves well worth the time.
Kelly McKinnon
Artist Spotlight
Cali Tucker Unwraps Christmas Magic With Her New EP “Santa Baby”
Cali Tucker is back in the spotlight this season with “Santa Baby,” a beautifully made holiday EP that captures the heart, warmth, and timeless glow of Christmas classics. Cali is known for singing the National Anthem at NASCAR’s Pennzoil 400 in front of 80,000 fans and more than three million people at home. She brings the same powerful presence and emotional depth to this holiday project.
“Santa Baby” is a great holiday release for music lovers, bloggers, and new artist discovery sites. It has six tracks and lasts 20 minutes. It mixes nostalgia with Cali’s signature smooth vocals. Each song shows off her talent, but “O Holy Night” and “The Christmas Song” are two that stand out as favorites. Both performances show off her range, control, and ability to bring classic songs into modern emotional spaces without losing their original charm.
“O Holy Night” stands out as the EP’s spiritual center, with a glowing performance full of dynamics, warmth, and a cinematic stillness that draws people in. Cali gives the song both respect and a unique touch, breathing new life into a well-known hymn. “The Christmas Song,” on the other hand, makes you feel like you’re sitting next to a fire. It’s soft, heartfelt, and full of stories that make you feel nostalgic. Cali’s voice flows effortlessly through every note, making it impossible not to feel the magic of the season.
The whole EP flows easily and has a mix of fun sparkle, soulful warmth, and classic Christmas music. “Santa Baby” is the perfect song for the season, whether people are making holiday playlists, looking for new Christmas music, or discovering new vocal talents. This EP adds a new but familiar sound to today’s holiday music scene. It has a comforting feel and is easy to listen to repeatedly.
Indie
Lou Emery Shakes the Ground with “House of Cards,” a Raw Rock Anthem About Love on the Edge
Lou Emery’s “House of Cards,” an anthem, paints a picture of a relationship falling apart under its own emotional weight. Emery’s latest release is one of their most dynamic and emotionally charged to date. It combines synth-pop sounds, wild electric guitars, and a rhythm that isn’t afraid to go outside the lines.
“House of Cards” pulls listeners into a storm from the very first note. The song starts with synth layers that shimmer like distant warning signs. Then, it quickly turns into an explosive guitar sound that reflects the chaos of love slipping through the cracks. Emery embraces the song’s instability, both musically and lyrically, letting the tension breathe, break, and rebuild with each passing measure.
The single’s unusual rhythmic structure is one of its most interesting parts. Emery uses rhythm as a storytelling tool instead of following traditional patterns. This captures the push-and-pull dynamic of trying to hold something together that is already falling apart. The result is a pulse that feels both random and purposeful, like real emotional turmoil.
The lyrics of “House of Cards” hit home for me. Lines that talk about “tossing aces away” are clever double entendres that convey both frustration and the painful process of discovering who you are. Emery’s storytelling shines through here as she uses a metaphor that goes beyond a relationship. It shows how fragile the structures we build inside ourselves are and how easily they can fall apart when put to the test.
As the track reaches its peak, the electric guitars go crazy, capturing the moment when it’s harder to hold on than to let go. Emery’s voice is both strong and vulnerable, cutting through the song’s sonic chaos to bring emotional clarity. “House of Cards” stands out in today’s rock and synth-pop scene for its balance between control and collapse.
“House of Cards” presents Lou Emery as an artist unafraid to push boundaries, with its explosive production, layered storytelling, and fearless experimentation. This is the kind of song that fans of track music find once and then play over and over.
-
Artist Spotlight6 days agoTamar Berk Rewinds the Clock with “indiesleaze 2005”
-
Artist Spotlight2 days agoStephani Ezatoff Brings New Life to a Gospel Treasure with “Precious Lord Take My Hand”
-
Artist Spotlight2 days agoChaidura Breaks Free with “Heaven”
-
Artist Spotlight2 days agoCali Tucker Unwraps Christmas Magic With Her New EP “Santa Baby”
-
Artist Spotlight2 days agoKalpee Honors Heritage and Heart on His Emotion-Rich New EP Dougla Boi
-
Artist Spotlight4 days agoMike Shouse shares a daring 30-key adventure with new single “Smiley Faced Emoji”
-
Artist Spotlight2 days agoAlicia DelMarie steps into a fierce new era with her stylish single “Vogue”
-
Artist Spotlight4 days agoReeToxA sparks raw emotions with new grunge anthem “Amber”

