Hot Half Dozen 1.18.22

178 submissions this week

The Light at the End of the Line, an album by Janis Ian. The final album from one of the multiple Grammy-winning Queen of Americana, folk-rock, blues, and social commentary for over a half-century. Gentle, forceful, determined, melodic, the 12-track kaleidoscope of a farewell album will stay on your playlists forever. Available January 21. Pre-order at invasionmerch.com/collections/janis-ian.

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Dead Man’s Party, single by Militia Vox. Leave your body and soul at the door for this spooky party by the incomparable Mistress of Mystery herself. As she says, best enjoyed with earphones on or in a moving car on a lonely road at night. Available on Bandcamp. https://bit.ly/352vil8

Big Man, an album by Big Lou Johnson. Deep down dirty blues. Aficionados will love it, for everyone else it is a look into an authentic blues world. The leadoff song “Lighten Strike” grab you immediately. Available on major platforms.

One Way Out of a Hole, single by Cloud Cult. Swirling, swaying wisdom in a gravel voice with ethereal notes and a strong beat carrying it – and you – along. The 8-person band – 3 women and 5 men – released this single from their upcoming album Metamorphasis. Stream and pre-order the album on Spotify. https://cloudcult.com

Problemon, single by Álvaro Díaz. Great rap well done. The Puerto Rican urban-alternative rapper and writer knows how to infuse Spanish-language rap with romance and melody – and keep it danceable. On all major platforms.

Livin’ for Love by Jackie Bristow. The New Zealand native is back in the USA and better than ever with a Nashville-recorded single that is the heart of country soul. Addictive with a mix of acoustic and deep-down electric guitars, banjo, and her seductive Americana voice, this song will make you rock and soar with her melody at the same time. Video on YouTube. “Outsider” album out March 4 on Mesa Blue Moon records https://jackiebristow.com