New music: ZZ Ward, Firefall, Chris Church, Peter Holsapple, Candice Night, Roy Rogers & Dale Evans

The first half of 2025 has seen the release of a slew of fantastic new studio albums and reissues. In this column I feature a number of the best titles featuring American artists that have been issued over the past few months.

Artist: ZZ Ward
Title: Liberation (Sun Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Grace Potter, Beth Hart, blues music
Tell me more: Blues songstress ZZ Ward displays her signature vocals and powers as a songwriter on her latest album, Liberation, a disc that offers up a mix of strong originals and inspired covers. Early standouts on the 14-track disc include the soulful opener "Mother" (a new track about her new role as a working mother), a fiery take on the rockabilly-fueled Elvis Presley nugget "My Baby Left Me," a rip-roaring reading of the Jesters' "Cadillac Man" and the self-penned power blues ballad "Love Alive." The strength of the album continues courtesy of the likes of the intoxicating title track, soaring retro sortie "Lioness," Delta-soaked remake of Son House's "Grinnin' In Your Face," a high-octane blues harp-adorned cover of Robert Johnson's "Dust My Broom" and an artful New Orleans-flavored version of Alvin Robinson's "Something You Got." Information: sunrecords.com.

Artist: Firefall
Title: Friends & Family 2 (Sunset Boulevard Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Fleetwood Mac, Dan Fogelberg, Stephen Stills, The Beach Boys
Tell me more: Boulder, Colorado-spawned soft rock heroes Firefall are back with Friends & Family 2, a followup to their acclaimed 2023 album Friends & Family. This time around the talented troupe revisits a new collection of classic rock hits originally forged between the late 1960s and early '80s. The quintet is also joined several celebrated guests who elevate the proceedings. Among the great remakes on the 12-track album is a harmonies-filled take on Stephen Stills' "Love the One You're With" (featuring additional vocals from Wynonna Judd), a bewitching cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way," a fiery take of the Buffalo Springfield favorite "Mr. Soul" (Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Richie Furay sings the same vocal part he sang on the Neil Young-penned classic in 1968), a tender rendering of America's "I Need You," a shimmering "So You Want To Be a Rock 'N' Roll Star" featuring John Jorgensen on 12-string guitar, and a delightfully countrified take of the Flying Burrito Brothers' "Christine's Tune." Information: sunsetblvdrecords.com.

Artist: Chris Church
Title: Obsolete Path (Big Stir Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Neil Young, Todd Rundgren, Matthew Sweet
Tell me more: North Carolina-based singer-songwriter Chris Church is not afraid to mix up a wide range of rock styles in the service of his top-tier songcraft, and that approach works wonders across his latest album Obsolete Path. The indie rocker "Sit Down" with its exhilarating guitar play, wistful New Wave mining "I Don't Wanna Be There," sumptuous power pop gem "She Looks Good in Black," rollicking "Life On A Trampoline," melodic noise rock strike "Running Right Back To You," electric guitar-whipped melodic rocker "The Great Divide," genre-defying "Vice Versa" (the latter featuring Bill Lloyd on mandolin) and Americana rocker "Like A Sucker" are among my favorite tracks on Obsolete Path. Church — who plays guitars, bass, keyboards and sings lead and backing vocals across the outstanding 12-track release — is one of today's most exciting and creative artists and proves it at every wonderful turn across the inventive masterwork. Information: bigstirrecords.com.

Artist: Peter Holsapple
Title: The Face Of 68 (Label 51 Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Jason Falkner, Continental Drifters, R.E.M., Big Star
Tell me more: Singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Peter Holsapple has earned countless accolades for his previous work, including his role in The dB's and Continental Drifters — two influential bands he co-helmed over the course of acclaimed albums like 1981's Stands for deciBels and 1998's Vermilion as well as his studio and touring contributions with R.E.M. and Hootie & the Blowfish. Now Holsapple is back with a terrific solo album, The Face of 68, whose heady mix of muscular rock, melodic power pop and experimental flourishes draws comparisons with the likes of Cheap Trick, dada and the Smithereens. The riveting opener "Anytime Soon" bridges power pop and modern rock with an undeniable energy, Holsapple's vocals a perfect fit amidst the melodic garage rock soundscape and his raging guitar play. That promising start proves to be just the beginning; subsequent great cuts include the rollicking "The Face of 68," the crunchy rockers "Larger Than Life" and "My Idea #49," the bewitching blues cut "One for the Book," power pop sortie "Fireflies" and tuneful "She and Me." Information: label51recordings.com.

Artist: Candice Night
Title: Sea Glass (earMUSIC)
You might like if you enjoy: Candice Night, Blackmore's Night, Idina Menzel
Tell me more: Blackmore's Night lead singer/multi-instrumentalist Candice Night has released her solo album Sea Glass, an 11-track album showcasing her expressive soprano and emotional originals delivered via a myriad of different musical genres. The album's highlights include the Renaissance-flavored title track, uptempo Americana nugget "Unsung Hero (She'll Never Tell)," blues-rock version of "Angel and Jezebel," lovely Baroque song "Promise Me," cinematic instrumental "Dark Carnival," piano-anchored ballad "The Last Goodbye" and the shimmering "Another Day." Sea Glass is available on limited edition colored vinyl, as well as on CD Digipak and via Digital. Information: candice-night.com.

Artist: Roy Rogers and Dale Evans
Title: Songs Of The Old West (RockBeat Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Sons of the Pioneers
Tell me more: Nostalgic and timeless, the parade of 22 classic selections on Great Songs of the Old West celebrates the signature Americana sound of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. Rogers was one of the most popular stars of his era — appearing in almost 90 films between 1935 and 1975 — and starring alongside his real life wife Evans on the popular television show "The Roy Rogers Show" between 1951 and 1957. Songs of the Old West also serves as a reminder to just how wonderful Rogers and Evans were as top-tier singers. In addition to the couple's enduring Evans-penned theme song "Happy Trails" the expansive set includes the enchanting "A Cowboy Needs A Horse" (bolstered by Rogers' impressive yodeling), accordion-anchored "Whoopie Ty-Yi-Yo (Get Along Little Dogies)," galloping "Hoofbeat Serenade," lovely "Goodbye Old Paint (I'm Leaving Cheyenne)," and beautiful "Red River Valley" and "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" (the latter two selections featuring Evans). Rogers' incredible tenor voice brings palpable emotional weight to the classic cowboy songs "Streets Of Laredo" and "Bury Me Not On The Lone Prairie" while Evans equals that power on the harmonies-adorned "Home On The Range." Among the bonus tracks is a showcase for Pat Brady — who was Rogers' sidekick on his television show — singing the fun-filled "Roy Rogers Had A Ranch." Information: RockBeatRecords.com.

Robert Kinsler

Whoopie Ty-Yi-Yo (Get Along Little Dogies)

New music: Duran Duran, Firefall, The Foreign Films

Duran Duran is the focus of an essential new concert film available on DVD while Firefall and The Foreign Films are back with essential new albums.

Artist: Duran Duran
Title: A Hollywood High (Cherry Red Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Duran Duran, Roxy Music, Arcadia
Tell me more: A Hollywood High is a true celebration of modern British rock group Duran Duran's special relationship with Los Angeles. In addition to interviews with singer Simon Le Bon, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, bassist John Taylor, drummer Roger Taylor as well as unseen archival footage dating back to the early 1980s, the docu-concert film features a 12-song show filmed at The Aster in Los Angeles on March 17, 2022. Visually stunning (the location features the iconic Capitol Records Tower as a backdrop), the high-rise rooftop performance features 4K video and is enhanced by 5.1 and Dolby Atmos surround sound that fully capture the band at the height of their powers. The setlist includes a mix of Duran Duran's hits and shining new material. Among the many outstanding songs performed are the powerful opener "A View To A Kill," lovely "Come Undone," explosive "Pressure Off," a crowd pleasing cover of "White Lines," moving "Ordinary World" (the latter dedicated to the people of Ukraine) and festive closer "Hungry Like The Wolf." A Hollywood High is available on both Blu-ray and DVD. Information: duranduran.com. 

Artist: Firefall
Title: Friends & Family (Sunset Blvd Records)
You might like if you enjoy: The Doobie Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Firefall, Loggins & Messina, Poco
Tell me more: Because many of 1970s hitmaker Firefall's band members have also played with some of the most beloved artists of the 70s' and '80s — including The Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers, Spirit, Heart, Dan Fogelberg and Gram Parsons — it's not surprising that the quintet's latest album Friends & Family is such a resounding success. The disc (due Sept. 22 via Sunset Blvd Records) showcases Firefall's solid ability to recapture the spirit and sound of the classic rock era that gave rise to their outfit and so many of their beloved contemporaries; Firefall offers up their own versions of 13 classic tracks originally recorded by others artists between the late 1960s and early '80s. Highlights include the mostly-faithful performance of the Doobie Brothers' "Long Train Running," harmonies-adorned take on Fogelberg's "Part of the Plan," inspired folk rock reading of the Marshall Tucker Band's "Can't You See," poignant version of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Simple Man" (the latter bolstered by John Magnie's sublime accordion work) and delightfully driving version of Spirit's rocker "I Got a Line On You." They also rework Heart's 1985 rocker "What About Love" into a winning countrified version, while bringing a magic to versions of the Flying Burrito Brothers' soaring "Colorado" and Parson's rowdy country rocker "Ooh Las Vegas." Information: firefallofficial.com.

Artist: The Foreign Films
Title: Magic Shadows (Kool Kat Musik)
You might like if you enjoy: The Three O'Clock, XTC, Jellyfish
Tell me more: In the official press notes for The Foreign Films' album Magic Shadows, band leader Bill Majoros notes "I love the idea of taking the listener on a musical adventure, creating a sonic and emotional experience...I think of music as a time machine — visiting the past, present and future." Indeed, Magic Shadows does transport the listener on a wide-ranging sonic journey. The songs here recall the past while also celebrating the here and now. The luxurious "Cinema Girl" draws favorable comparisons with top-flight Jellyfish while the propulsive "Perfect Future" exudes an urgency in tune with our troubled times. Other memorable tracks include the Baroque pop nugget "Sparks In The Dark (Merry-Go-Round)," dreamy "Midnight Movies" and "Lost In Time," and Beach Boys-minded "Daydream In The Sun." My favorite track is the shimmering "Rain Clouds," a swirling cut that blends '60s' psychedelic stylings with the sound of '80s Paisley Underground heroes The Three O'Clock in glorious fashion. Information: koolkatmusik.com.

Robert Kinsler