Hot Half Dozen

159 songs, albums, and videos submitted this week for review

Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone, single by Zora.  I was planning recommending Zora’s latest release Filter (Live), which I still do recommend – when I ran across her rendition of  Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone, I love the song, and I love the way she presents it. The California-born Hungarian American has a deep, resonant voice that is brimming with self-confidence and beautiful approachability no small feat.

She makes Bill Withers’ original simultaneously a dagger to the heart, and an inspiration. Truly wonderful. Check it out on Spotify and whose you are there, see how she applies her astp0unding voice to the fiery lyrics of Lyrics (live). Magnificent. 

In the haze, single by Dead Gowns.  Portland, Maine-based musician Genevieve Beaudoin—- Dead Gowns— has released “In the Haze,” the second single from her forthcoming debut album It’s Summer, I Love You, and I’m Surrounded by Snow.  She is unique with a compelling, wailing voice that contrasts with dreamlike guitars.  As acquired taste for some, she is worth acquiring. She ha a lot to say and she sys it with power and feeling.  Stream, on all major platforms.

Para Que?, single by Ella Taubert.  Colombian singer-songwriter from Bogotá who blends her Colombian roots with a contemporary rock-alternative style. This song feels like a [personal conversation that can’t help but break into song.  It moves quickly, but the heart in the voice and words stays solid.  A song to put on repeat …you will be singing along soon.  Spanish.  Stream on Spotify and major platforms.

Historias de Flamenco, álbum by Antonio Rey.  One of the world’s best classical flamenco guitar players (who just won a Latin Grammy) listening to him, watching his fingers fly and caress the strings, is simply a moving experience/ Eight songs (my favorite is Mexico en mi Corazon”) that you can put in your earbuds and just float away.  Stream on Spotify and major platforms.

Igual  que un-Angel, single by Kali Uchis & Peso Pluma. The perfect collaboration. The American-born Columbian American Kali Uchis and the Mexican Peso Pluma pairing off in a love song conversation that moves quietly along in a dreamscape of synths and guitars. Even if you can’t follow the Spanish, you know what they are saying, Love. Stream everywhere.

Cuando de la vida sea trago, single by Carin Leon. “When life is a drink”. Authentic, Mexican heartbreak music, complete with twangy guitars and tuba. But this is not your usual guys in boots and hats. Leon aims for the heart an he hits it.  This will make you rethink Mexican regional music.  Spanish. Stream on Spotify and major platforms.

Patrick O’Heffernan