Artist Spotlight

The Narcissist Cookbook present ‘This Is How We Get Better’ album

The Narcissist Cookbook, led by talented musician Matt Johnston, has released their third album “This Is How We Get Better.” The album has 12 songs and lasts for 41 minutes and 14 seconds. It is a beautiful piece of art that takes the listener on a journey through different emotions. The album teaches us about being true to ourselves and overcoming difficulties.

Matt Johnston started his musical journey while listening to American blues and country rock. He is a self-taught artist who has evolved. He rebelled against conventional sounds after listening to Green Day’s “Insomniac” and started to love unconventional music.

“This Is How We Get Better” is not just an ordinary album. It shows Matt’s transformation and reflects his story of discovering himself, overcoming adversity, and being honest about his feelings. The album has honest lyrics and dominant acoustic arrangements that show his journey.

The first song, “Practically ImPerfect,” is vulnerable and sets the tone for the rest of the album. The song “the Pattern” explores the complexities of life, while “Good Morning Sunshine” teaches us about resilience. The album climaxes with the emotional song “Eaten Alive by Wolves.”

Matt Johnston’s songs explore themes of mental health, non-monogamy, and abusive relationships, making the album relatable to a diverse audience. The album shows his commitment to self-acceptance and the power of facing our fears.

The Narcissist Cookbook’s unique music blends thrashy acoustic punk with folk storytelling and one-person theatre performances. Matt’s queerness is an important part of his storytelling, creating an empowering musical experience.

The Narcissist Cookbook has plans to tour internationally in 2024, and a compilation album featuring the highly-requested “Courtney (Director’s Cut)” is also in the works. Furthermore, Matt Johnston continues his artistic exploration with the upcoming album “MYTH.”

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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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