“Love Keeps Burning Still" by ReeToxA

Remember that late-eighties and early-nineties stretch when rock bands started carving out chart space with their power ballads? ReeToxA’s latest single, “Love Keeps Burning Still,” feels like it reaches straight back into that moment and brings it into the present day—and then some.

“Love Keeps Burning Still” is a slow-burner that opens in a deliberately stripped-back arrangement, anchored by a gentle, steady piano line that gives the vocals and central melodic ideas room to breathe. Rather than rushing toward a dramatic payoff, the track moves with patience, allowing emotional weight to build naturally as the full band gradually enters around the one-minute mark.

The vocals stand out right away, with a confident lead performance and a female voice weaving in that gives it a gentle duet feel. It’s one of those songs that grows on you—the more you listen, the more those small shifts in dynamics and texture start to show. A quietly compelling track for anyone who still has a soft spot for piano-led pop-rock with a nostalgic touch.

Oh, and I really like the orchestration as well. It’s another highlight of the track.

Listen here: "Love Keeps Burning Still"

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Review by staff at MBTM

 

“By Design” by Philip Kuehn

For more than two decades, Philip Kuehn has cultivated a multifaceted career spanning performance, composition, production, and education. A bassist of remarkable versatility, he moves effortlessly between the concert stage, recording studio, and classroom, bringing a distinctive musical voice shaped by an expansive range of influences.

A graduate of The Juilliard School, where he studied with legendary mentors Ron Carter, Ben Wolfe, and David Grossman, Kuehn has collaborated with and performed alongside some of the most respected names in contemporary music, including Quincy Jones, Jon Batiste, Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Harry Connick Jr., Roy Hargrove, Take 6, Anthony Hamilton, and Cyrille Aimée. His artistry also contributed to the Grammy Award-winning soundtrack for Disney and Pixar’s Soul.

His latest single, "By Design," draws inspiration from the breathtaking beauty and liberating spirit of California’s iconic Pacific Coast Highway. More than a decade in the making, the composition represents the culmination of a twelve-year creative journey—an evocative musical statement that reflects both Kuehn’s artistic evolution and his enduring gift for storytelling through sound.

As a piece of modern jazz, "By Design" succeeds through its elegance, precision, and emotional depth. Every element feels thoughtfully placed, creating a seamless interplay between rhythmic momentum and lyrical reflection. Kuehn’s bass work is the track’s beating heart, delivering both technical sophistication and genuine feeling, while the ensemble performs with remarkable cohesion and sensitivity. The result is nothing short of captivating.

Special recognition is due to featured saxophonist Matt Marantz, whose contribution adds a rich layer of warmth and texture to the composition. His expressive playing elevates the piece, adding just the right amount of sensual appeal to the proceedings to make even the most jaded listener tune in and tap their feet.

What makes "By Design" particularly compelling is its commitment to subtlety. Rather than relying on grand gestures or overt displays of virtuosity, Kuehn allows the music to unfold naturally, rewarding attentive listening with nuance and detail. It is a reminder that restraint, when executed with confidence and artistry, remains one of music’s most powerful tools.

Rather than overwhelming the listener, Philip Kuehn and Matt Marantz invite them into a beautifully realized sonic world—and that invitation is unquestionably worth accepting.

Listen here: "By Design"

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Review by staff at MBTM

 

“Saltire (Tartan Army)” by The Rodeo Terrorists

With “Saltire (Tartan Army),” The Rodeo Terrorists deliver a football anthem that embraces the grand tradition of terrace singalongs while filtering it through a distinctly modern DIY lens. Clocking in at just over four minutes, the track combines Celtic folk influences, electronic pop-rock production, and an infectious sense of humour to create something that feels both nostalgic and surprisingly contemporary.

At its core, “Saltire (Tartan Army)” is a celebration of Scotland's famous football supporters, the Tartan Army, whose reputation for passionate and colourful support has become part of Scottish football folklore. Rather than aiming for solemn patriotism, The Rodeo Terrorists lean into camaraderie, banter, and the communal spirit that makes football songs memorable. The result is a track that feels designed for packed pubs, away-day coaches, and tournament highlight reels rather than solitary listening.

Musically, the song strikes an effective balance between folk tradition and modern production. Celtic-inspired melodies and rousing hooks sit atop a polished electronic foundation, creating a sound that recalls classic football anthems while avoiding outright imitation. In lack of a better phrase, It’s a collision between folk-rock exuberance and stadium-ready pop.

The production will likely divide listeners. The project openly incorporates AI-generated vocals and instrumentation alongside human-written lyrics, melodies, and creative direction, making the song as much an experiment in modern music-making as it is a football anthem. Whether listeners embrace that approach or not, the final result remains undeniably catchy and surprisingly cohesive.

My personal verdict is that I love it. It’s a lively, crowd-pleasing football anthem packed with Celtic charm, terrace-ready hooks, and enough personality to earn a place on any Scotland fan's tournament playlist.

Listen here: “Saltire (Tartan Army)”

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Review by staff at MBTM

 

"Welcome To The Southland" by Stevie Lee Woods & The NRL Band

Stevie Lee Woods & The NRL Band deliver a rousing celebration of Southern culture with "Welcome To The Southland," a country-rock anthem that effortlessly bridges traditional roots music and contemporary production values. Built on twang-soaked guitar work, driving rhythms, and a deep sense of regional pride, the track captures the spirit, landscapes, and way of life that have long defined the American South.

The arrangement strikes a perfect balance between classic Southern rock swagger and modern country accessibility, resulting in a sound that feels both timeless and fresh. Woods' vocal performance is a major asset, carrying the kind of weathered authenticity that perfectly complements the song's themes of heritage, community, and freedom. There's nothing forced or artificial about his delivery; every line feels genuine, allowing the lyrics to land with real conviction.

But the vocals are only part of the story. The harmonies are outstanding, adding depth and richness to the chorus, while The NRL Band turn in a red-hot performance throughout. The musicianship is razor-sharp, with every accent, fill, and rhythmic turn landing exactly where it should. It's the kind of tight, confident band performance that elevates a good song into a great one.

And then there's the icing on the cake: the lyrical nods to legendary outlaws such as Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard. Those references feel earned rather than nostalgic, paying tribute to the giants who helped shape the genre's rebellious spirit.

For fans of hard-driving Southern country rock in the vein of Molly Hatchet, "Welcome To The Southland" is an absolute treat. Packed with energy, authenticity, and first-class musicianship, it's a brilliant slice of Southern rock that proudly wears its roots on its sleeve.

Listen here: "Welcome To The Southland"

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Review by staff at MBTM

 

"Gingerbread Man" by The 53

I still remember the first time I heard The Yardbirds. The impact was much the same as when I listened to “Gingerbread Man” by The 53 a few days ago. What blasted from my car speakers was raw, unfiltered, primal, in-your-face, and incredibly exciting.

The 53 is a duo formed through a chance meeting between its two members, Dan and Maria. Dan handles vocals and guitar, while Maria plays drums. And if “Gingerbread Man” proves anything, it’s that two people are all you need to make kick-ass garage rock. I love the drumming. I love the vocals. I love the guitar work. And I love the songwriting. Everything about it feels fresh, vibrant, and exciting.

Anyone with a soft spot for garage rock or blues will fall in love with this release.

Enjoy.

Listen here: "Gingerbread Man"

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Review by staff at MBTM

 

"Different's Where I Wanna Be" by Mitchell Broodley 

(feat Brittany Ray)

Mitchell Broodley is an independent country musician originally from South Carolina and currently based in Vermont. As a songwriter, performer, and producer, he creates music rooted in authentic experiences, drawing inspiration from themes of love, faith, and everyday life. And that is, of course, what his latest offering is all about as well.

It's a song that celebrates genuine connections over the idealized version of love that society often promotes. And even if love is a slightly unnerving concept for those of us who have been burned by it many times in the past, Broodley's "Different's Where I Wanna Be" still strikes a chord. While it may not be something we've personally experienced, it is nevertheless something we can still hope to find.

"Different's Where I Wanna Be" is, at its core, a country song, though according to its composer, it didn't begin that way. Instead, it started as an R&B-infused idea, traces of which can still be heard in the Red Hot Chili Peppers-style guitar work and the punchy vocal melody. It's an unlikely blend of genres that, on paper, shouldn't work—but somehow it does.

And that's far from the song's only strength. Both Broodley and featured artist Brittany Ray deliver outstanding vocal performances, while the tasteful steel guitar flourishes add warmth and character throughout the track. Fans of smooth duets, alt-country infused with R&B influences, and a vibrant, full-band sound will find much to love here.

What I find especially inspiring about this artist is not just the quality of the music he creates, but the dedication behind it. Late at night, after his children have gone to sleep, he retreats to his home studio and builds each song from the ground up. And it shows. All it takes is one listen to "Different's Where I Wanna Be" to hear the passion and care that go into his work.

Mitchell Broodley is clearly someone who loves making music, and that enthusiasm shines through in every note. Not only is his music distinctive and engaging, but it's also a genuine labor of love.

Listen here: "Different's Where I Want To Be"

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Review by staff at MBTM

 

"Me And My Gold" by Northern Trails

Northern Trails create timeless, guitar-driven pop built on strong melodies, heartfelt songwriting, and understated atmosphere. Their catalogue wears its ’90s influences proudly, and while inspiration can clearly be traced to bands such as R.E.M., The Smiths, and Coldplay, their sound remains distinctly their own. In a genre where it often feels like everything has already been said and done, that's no small achievement.

The Swedish outfit has just released a fantastic new pop-rock single, “Me And My Gold” — a song built around a hypnotic piano motif, beautifully picked acoustic guitars, tasteful lead guitar work, and powerful, ’90s-inspired vocals that arrive around the ninety-second mark. There is plenty here for fans of melodic pop-rock to enjoy. Special mention must also go to the single’s B-side, the brooding and melancholic “Feathers,” which I found even more compelling than the excellent A-side. Both tracks are outstanding examples of a band that not only knows how to write great songs, but also how to arrange them in a way that genuinely sends shivers down your spine. And the chord progressions? Simply terrific.

I also appreciate the lyrical theme of “Me And My Gold.” Many of us dream about breaking free from our routines. We grow tired of doing the same things day after day, imagining alternative lives and fresh starts. Yet making a dramatic change is often far more difficult than it seems, which is precisely why so few people ever take that leap.

Whether my interpretation of the lyrics is correct or not, one thing is certain: both songs are exceptionally strong. Northern Trails make music that engages both the heart and the mind, and that is becoming an increasingly rare quality in modern pop-rock. Do yourself a favour and check out this Uppsala band. They are absolutely brilliant.

Listen here: "Me And My Gold"

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Review by staff at MBTM

 

"I Recall" by Point Pleasant 

Glasgow’s Point Pleasant deliver big-hearted indie rock powered by Geordie grit, soaring hooks, and irresistible choruses. Drawing inspiration from the golden age of Britpop, they blend moody atmospherics with raw rock’n’roll energy—the kind of music that demands to be played loud.

The group’s debut single, “I Recall”, is a standout slice of ’90s-inspired indie rock, executed flawlessly. Everything clicks: the commanding lead vocals hit with just the right mix of attitude and a hint of snarl, while the dreamy, textured guitar work adds depth and atmosphere. Layer in a tight, dynamic rhythm section, and you’ve got music that’s impossible to resist.

At a time when pop-rock has all but vanished from the mainstream, Point Pleasant are doing an important service. They’re keeping the torch alive for real, passionately played music—and, most importantly, they do it brilliantly.

Listen here: "I Recall"

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Review by staff at MBTM