“Love is a bigger power than hate and darkness,” Janiva Magness explains. “It’s easy to forget that when we’re struggling or when the world often seems frightening and out of control. But love can transcend barriers between people and cultures, and bring us closer in ways we might not have imagined. Love can also be frightening. It requires opening yourself up and taking risks, but in the end, love will always win.”

Janiva Magness celebrates happiness on her twelfth album Love Wins Again which was released April 8th via Fathead/Blue Elan Records. As she writes in the liner notes, “Happy has never been my nature. Funny thing is these days I have actual consecutive days and nights of happy.” That happiness and contentment swell through the majority of the eleven tracks, five of which Magness co-wrote. The award-winning songstress’ graceful vocal range and sincerity take center stage on each song beginning with the danceable title track in which she declares “sorrows all the way over” to the thoughtful closer, “Who Will Come For Me.” In between Magness brings in the sexy on the bluesy “Real Slow,” the romantic on the slow jam “When You Hold Me” and a burst of pure joy on “Say You Will.” Recalling James Brown, the funky “Your House Is Burnin’” is full of attitude while “Moth To A Flame” features a slinky and sensual melody. Things slow down on the roots leaning “Doorway” on which she offers assistance and hope to a friend and the emotional ballad “Just Another Lesson.”

Love Wins Again leaves you feeling, and sharing in, Magness’ happiness. If you’re in a happy relationship this album can be your soundtrack; if you’re not quite there yet, the album is a gentle reminder of all of the things can love can do: conquer negativity, bring comfort and make you feel content. Reach for love and indeed, you will win.

Singer-songwriter and guitarist Jeremy Nail’s musical career was put on hold in 2013 when he was diagnosed with Sarcoma, which ultimately resulted in the amputation of his left leg. Nail deals with his journey in his new album, My Mountain, set for release May 3rd. Produced by Alejandro Escovedo, the eleven track collection details the emotions that accompanied Nail’s journey through his cancer battle and emerging on the other side. Although the stories are personal, the sentiments pertaining to struggle and overcoming obstacles, are universal. The title track kicks things off with a rootsy percussive melody that gives the feeling of climbing up that hill and persevering even when it gets difficult. “I might fall, but I’ll get up again.” The emotional and honestly realistic “Down to the Ocean” follows, chronicling a re-birth of sorts, letting go of failure and making one stronger. “The dreams I cling to just far enough out of reach/that’s the beauty of a dream.”

Throughout the album, Escovedo keeps the production on point, balancing the instrumentation so that it aids in conveying the stories and emotions without overpowering Nail’s gentle, yet wise delivery. The glorious “Dreams” is infused with pop sensibilities encouraging one to avoid the negativity in your brain and “listen to the song in your heart.” Lovely harmonies take the very tender “Survive” to an uplifting place. “Every day I begin again, pray the Lord my soul to bear/Right or wrong gonna do what’s best for you and no one else…..you’ll always be a light.”, while the ruminative “The Great Mystery” contains philosophical underpinnings. “Looking out miles for miles into beyond/Thanking God for what you got and the good fight you have fought.”

The bluesy (and very “chill”) “Only Love” centers on traveling through this life looking for love, “Brave” will simply put a swell in your chest - with the use of violin, it touches on many levels. “…Because tomorrow we move on from yesterday/I know that through the fear I will remain brave" with “New Frontier” containing one of the most impactful lines on the record “I hope you come unraveled from self-doubt and scorn.” My Mountain concludes with the wrenching yet optimistic, “Tell Me What Else You Got” in which he encourages life to throw whatever it has at him, for he has nothing to fear as the gods are watching and the angels are walking beside him.

The beautifully told stories of struggle, perseverance, gratitude and hope on My Mountain leave you in a reflectful mindset; thinking not only about Nail’s journey, but also reexamining your own.

As a songwriter for Sea Gayle Music, CJ Solar has honed his craft writing tunes for Jerrod Niemann and Justin Moore among others. Now it is the Louisiana native’s turn to bring his own songs to life as he is set to release his debut EP, Hard One To Turn Down on April 15th.

The project contains five songs, all written or co-written by Solar and includes his current single “Tall Boy.” Solar injects a hefty (and welcome) dose of southern rock into his country which melds perfectly with his gravelly vocals. With it’s easy to fall into groove, “New Radio,” focusing on the only thing he wants in order to move on after a breakup, opens the EP and is followed by the title track which, with its clever word play, faces getting over a lost love. Jerrod Niemann lends vocal assist on the harmonica-laced “Just Another Day In The Country” which extols life in the “land of milk and honey” before receiving a wake-up call in the sincere “A Little More Time” which closes out an EP that is indeed a hard one to turn down.

Take a Texas base and add some heavenly soul, smoldering R&B, and raucous southern rock and you’ll have Prophets and Outlaws satisfying fifth EP, V. Released on March 25th, the quintet’s - Matt Boggs (Vocals/Guitar), Stevie G (Lead Guitar/Vocals), James Guckenheimer (Drums/Vocals), Jamie "Jelly" Ringholm (Keys/Organ/Vocals), and CJ Thompson (Bass/Vocals) - five song collection is a shining example of why the band is one of the brightest emerging on the Texas scene (or elsewhere for that matter).

There’s some serious sexiness, with a slight hint of mischievousness, on the bluesy opener “Show Me” on which Boggs smooth-as-aged-whiskey vocals express (and encourage) the adage that actions do indeed speak louder than words. “Lonely” travels further down a soulful path, this one adorned with keys and an emotive guitar solo that expresses the lament of being alone and having to start anew. “Party Like This” takes the blues and infuses them with a shot of southern rock resulting in a downright funky jam while “Outlaw Like Me” is a pleading, yet sensual and heartfelt ballad expressing his desire for her to stay: “You set me free when I met you/Showed me love to the tenth degree/Before you leave, I’m gonna beg you/To give your heart to an outlaw like me.”  The project concludes with the barn burner “We’re Gunna Make It” an anthem for anyone just trying to do their thing.

Groovy, soulful and utterly unique. Prophets and Outlaws are doing their own thing on V.....and doing it well.

Hailed by Bob Harris as “one of our finest singer-songwriters,” Lisa Redford returns with her new EP, Another Place and Time, on April 8th. Recorded with Jose McGill, the project consists of four tracks, all penned by Redford, that feature ukulele, harmonica and dobro alongside heartfelt lyrics guided by Redford’s moving vocals. Another Place and Time opens with the melodic and melancholy “Music and the Mountains” before seguing into the bittersweet title track while reflections on love lost can be found on the mid-tempo “Remember Me.” The touching ballad, “Worst Kind of Love,” rounds out the brief, enjoyable collection that you should definitely give a listen.