V. Contreras – ‘If I Could’

This current crisis has been difficult for a lot of musical artists, because by their very nature they want to be out there on the stage singing, or playing in a rehearsal room with friends, or meeting their fans. It’s not stopped the majority being creative though, and people like V. Contreras have kept right on making songs, including her latest single and video, ‘If I Could’, which has been composed and recorded while all the musicians have been at home in isolation.

Tom Keifer #keiferband – ‘RISE’ And ‘The Death of Me’

#kieferband is the latest project of hard rock heavyweight Tom Keifer, who until he suffered a paralysed vocal chord in the 90s, was the singer with bluesy no BS stadium shakers, Cinderella. Several operations later, Keifer’s voice looked like it would never be the same, but he managed, through years of rehab, to recover, and bring back just as much power to his voice as before. Latest singles, ‘RISE’, and ‘The Death Of Me’, together with their accompanying music videos, show that you can never keep a good man down.

Christina Morgan-Diaz – ‘I Need More’

Christina Morgan-Diaz has dedicated her life to Christ, and rather than fall into hopelessness when facing times of trouble – such as the current global situation, she has always found solace in the adage, “with that strength, remember that there is always hope”. She has been given many opportunities through her life to share her musical talent, and her new single, ‘I Need More’, written by Pastor Thomas Johnson, is not just a showcase of her voice, but also her love for God.

Snuttock – ‘Stay’

A band with an odd sounding name will stick hard and fast in your memory. If their music is incredible as well, then that stickiness will be even more so. Snuttock are one of those sorts of bands. They’ve been around for two decades, and during that time they’ve endlessly experimented, and been inventive with their style. They’ve explored dark industrial sounds, wigged-out experiments, synth meltdowns, and the bleakest of mechanical imaginings, that nearly take you over the edge into madness. Their latest single, ‘Stay’, which is the first and title track from their upcoming album, is one part super-lavish Depeche Mode, and one part OMDs passion. The other parts are all the property of Snuttock alone.

David Haerle – ‘Go Do That With Sharon’ And ‘Romy and Michele’

We’ve written about David Haerle a lot here on Essentially Pop, reviewing the releases from his 2018 debut album, ‘Garden Of Edendale’. Now he returns with his second album, ‘Death Valley’, which is a glistening blend of So-Cal sound with classic British Rock. The first two singles, ‘Go Do That With Sharon’, and ‘Romy And Michele’, are just a taste of what’s to come from the rest of the album, which tracks his search for a renewal of his spirit, and finding beauty in the minutiae of everyday life.

Alex Sparrow – ‘Let’s Stay Home Tonight’

It’s that time of year when we would ordinarily be gearing up to watch European music’s night of nights, The Eurovision Song Contest. Alex Sparrow competed for his native Russia in the contest in 2011, when it was held in Dusseldorf, finishing in 16th position. There’s no Eurovision this year because of Covid-19, but there’s an Alex Sparrow song – the singer, composer, actor and producer, now based in Los Angeles, has released his most recent single, ‘Let’s Stay Home Tonight’, and although it’s no compensation for the Eurovision, it’s a fun song with an equally upbeat music video.

lotusbliss – ‘Carpet’

The music of lotusbliss, comprising brothers Seth, Josh, and Adam Gauton, from Canterbury, Kent, comes at you like a speeding train: unwavering, insistent, determinedly powerful. They grew up making music together, but formed as lotusbliss in 2018 while tossing around band names in a lighthearted conversation. Debut single, ‘Beautiful Monotone’, was released in November last year, while new single, ‘Carpet’, is the second and final release from their EP, ‘A Good Death Is A Beautiful Thing’.