All too often we music critics can use the word "pop" in a dismissive way, as in "the new Mumford & Sons album shows the band selling out and writing pop songs." But this is both unfair and inaccurate. Pop, as in a musical genre, can be either well done or hackneyed and poorly written and performed. But the genre itself is just that: a musical form that one may prefer or not prefer. A hamburger might be a humble food compared to, say, gourmet French cuisine, but there are still wonderful hamburger restaurants out there, as well as fast food ones that make the kind of burger that no living person should eat.

The musical duo Apollo LTD unabashedly makes great pop music, and on their third album, Hello Human, they clearly show that having sunny melodies and well-crafted, upbeat hooks need not...

Arist Make Sure - aka Joshua Aubrey Jackson - and his music is best described as subtle. Like the setting sun, or waiting for a pot of water to boil, it will take patience for the subdued vibes to sneak past the impatient modern music listener: the one who lives by the saying, "Don't bore us, get to the chorus" with a hair-trigger on the skip button. I must admit, after being introduced to and immediately hooked by his song "The Day That I Moved," from his debut Ninjutsu in 2021, I wasn't as sold on the three pre-released singles for his newest album, June. Yes, this time around, I was that impatient listener. Thank goodness I listened again because the wistful longings expressed on album number two have done their work, and several have risen to favorites of the year...

There is a great history of the Irish in rock and roll music. From the 1960's and 70's heyday of the soulful Van Morrison, to the 80's peak of U2, and from the 1990's alternative wail of The Cranberries and ethereal sound of Iona, back to the soulful Hozier of today, Ireland has produced its share of great music. And alongside their fellow Irishmen, Rend Collective, We Are Messengers have delivered the poignant Gallic viewpoint and sound to Christian Music for nearly a decade now. Primary "messenger" Darren Mulligan's distinct Irish brogue and baritone voice carries the band's sound as they jump around genre's a...