So, Light The Way dropped what many consider to be the best album of their careers back on Friday, “Expel”. The album is a no holds barred, action packed, passionate and altogether adrenaline charged love letter to the lost, lonely, and broken hearted. There truly is something for everyone in these songs and in these powerful lyrics. Not only is there fun and light hearted tongue in cheek humor, but there is also serious subject matter and a cry out to God to deliver us from our brokenness and our despair. Songs like “Waterwalker”, “Dude, Jesus Loves U”, “Depth Charge”, “Hollow Tree”, and their latest single, “Lazybones”, really hammer those thoughts of seeking Truth and Forgiveness in the face of defeat, home. Even the closer “In Memoriam” is a beautifully poignant way to end this record. It’s a wonderful release from start to finish and there is not a single filler track to be found. There is so much diversity of sound here that I truly believe every music fan whether you’re into the more metal and hardcore stuff, to pop-punkers, the old school punk rock fans, and even Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) fans who want to take a ride outside their safe zones into the world of punk rock, will find something to appreciate here. “Expel” is without a doubt my favorite release of 2024 and that will be reflected on an upcoming “List” later in December. I will be writing my review in the coming weeks but for now enjoy this little mini-review! You can buy “Expel” now on the band’s bandcamp page on Vinyl and CD. The vinyl will be shipping as soon as they get their copies. Check out the lyric video for “Depth Charge” and some audio videos, below this post. If you follow me or the band on Instagram you may have seen the latest BrandonIVM and Light The Way team up from this weekend ;)
Rather than make an individual post for each one of these artists I am going to combine them right here. Please feel free to add to this list if you know any new songs/albums/eps dropping tonight/tomorrow. First up, Light The Way will drop their exquisite new album titled “Expel” that really has taken me by surprise and it has captured my attention in ways that very few other releases have done this year. There is so much diversity to be found on “Expel” and the lyrical honesty, Faith connecting, and the fun way they do things really just lightens anyone’s mood. All the singles are a great start along with “Waterwalker”, “Dude, Jesus Loves You”, “Hollow Tree”, and really, all the rest. The link to their bandcamp can be found below and don’t forget to order it on Vinyl or CD. Sower drops their incredible ep “The Seed” that leaves you with a gut punch of love, hope, and forgiveness. Really, give it a listen and buy the vinyl. Next up is Pennylane. I have not heard the new single “Thank You” but from the clips I’ve listened to with that modern production and 20 years of practicing, and a couple of the guys continuing to play in different projects over the years, we are in for a real treat. I suspect this is how they should have always sounded. Technically, that first release I put out on IVM was a demo. It just got remastered and we slapped on a few live tracks at the end to make it more special for their long time Hawaii fans but it was a demo that a friend passed to me first at Chain Reaction in 2003. This is a fresh start for my friends in Pennylane and I hope they get the recognition they’ve long deserved. Check out Pennylane “Thank You” tonight. Lastly, Indie Vision Music was supposed to release “Fighting From The Ground Up Vol. 4” late tonight (Pacific Standard Time) but it dropped a few days early. So make sure to give our massive 55+ artist compilation a listen and support all those bands! Out next week is the new single from Carly Ann Taylor titled “Why Should I Worry”, follow her at carlyismusic.
This band rocks! So stoked for the album!!!
Solid State has been killing it lately, metaphorically speaking. I can’t wait for a new Prada album, too!
I’m half tempted to avoid the rest of their singles and save the experience for when their album comes out. I’m a latecomer for appreciating Extol, but the music they’ve produced as a band and with their post-Extol projects has been incredible. Fleshkiller had my favorite album last year, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Azusa takes it this year at this rate.