UP-CLOSE: Multi-Band Multi-Genre Grab Bag
Our state is a bubbling cauldron of multi-genre talent. The queries fly in fast’n’furious, thus, this month’s “Up-Close” section is a grab-bag of those artists who not only reached out but truly deserve attention. This is your space. Let’s make it inter-active.
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“A Horizontal Asymptote” is as odd as the title implies. Its 5/4 time signature of true alt-folk-pop renaissance appeal is tempered and broadened by vocals, drums, bass, piano and synth. Then, during the bridge, it slips into 3/4. Ray Charles once sang he wished he could find a woman who makes love in 3/4 time. But the RHB doesn’t stay in it long enough to even get a kiss. In true prog-rock fashion, it quickly reverts back to 5/4 demanding extra listens in which the ear is amply rewarded.
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Princeton-born singer-songwriter Palmyra Delran leads her Doppel Gang through a zippy fuzzed-out cover of a cult classic from 1966: “Hold Tight” by the awkwardly-named British band called Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich. It’s a two minute+ blast sure to get you revved up for more. Delran says, “nothing brings the mayhem like a loud and sloppy tambourine. As far as the fuzzy guitar, I think that’s the sound of brain cells frying…in a good way.”
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We loved this Jersey band’s 2024 “Live For The Night”. And their “Drowning Men” made our Hot 100. Now they have a new single—“We Are Waves”—with guitarist Pete Quilla, bassist Mark McClemens, drummer Justin Wright and keyboardist Greg Bullock who combine to really make this thing sing.
We covered this exceedingly talented vocalist last November and now, with the release of her brand new “Barely Breathing,” she’s upped her game considerably. There’s just something about her sensual whisper of a voice that hits the sweet spot. The album won’t be out for a bit but if this is any indication of what’s in store, we’re all in! She won the “Homegrown Music Video Award” at the 2026 Garden State Film Festival for “I Just Wanna Be Your Lover Again” and this one’s even better!
Just signed to Blue Grape Music, this Middlesex County extreme deathcore band—singer Sofia DeMasi, guitarists Margot Bogosian and Marcelo Crespo, bassist Canaan Sharon and drummer Michael Karnage—will have its Torn The Fuck Open Volume #2 EP released May 1. In the meantime, you can headbang to its gory “The Way Things Should End” video, which is like a four-minute horror movie. When their “None So Vile” came out last year, they opened for Mortician and Torture. Catch ’em if you dare May 27 in Montclair at The Meat Locker and July 9 in Rutherford at Williams Center.
We loved Todd Bailey’s Cactusland album last year but even that couldn’t possibly prepare us for his 12th album: the epic 21-track double-doozy Midnight in Plain Sight in which Bailey traverses the rough contours of singer-songwriter smarts, folk, pop, Americana, country and roots-rock with songs about late nights, the open road, hard truth, and, as he says, “the moments in-between that shape who we become.”
We last wrote about Mega OKs last year when they celebrated Christmas. Now, their “So Chill To Be Free With You,” recorded deep within the Pine Barrens, and influenced mightily by Smashing Pumpkins (according to frontman David Urbano), is a love song for those who prefer late-night keystrokes over actual communication. You can catch Mega OKs July 23 at The Pet Shop in Jersey City.
The Mark Stinger Band is Still Cookin’ on its new album which includes the irresistible “Flyin’ South.” Known for its pastiche of blues, rock’n’roll, R’n’B, country, jazz, funk, fusion and soul, he calls his sound “a fine hybrid,” adding that “I just feel truly blessed to have had so many great experiences and to be surrounded by such great musicians and great people.” He’s been around since the ’80s and has no intention of ever stopping.
“We’ve been able to grow our following by being real about mental health in not only our music and content, but with our fans by encouraging over 100 of them.” That sentiment was emailed to us from Saints In Exile singer Michael Giordano. His band has released nine singles, built a community of 10,000+ YouTube subscribers, 6,000+ TikTok followers, 1,600+ on Discord and 10,000+ streams. “Our newest release, ‘Run To You (Release Me),’ leans into ’80s synth-pop and punk with a hip-hop bridge and our signature melodic layering,” he adds. So we listened. And we loved.