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The New Blues Sound - Modern Blues, Rock, Soul & Roots Rock - May 2026

A fresh dose of Blues Rock, Soul, and Roots energy.

Featuring Samantha Fish, Steve Louw, Taya Lebel, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Orianthi, Bywater Call, Parker Barrow, Joe Bonamassa, Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar, Marc Broussard, and Robert Jon & the Wreck.

I would like to keep the momentum rolling for modern blues, with a fresh wave of releases that honour the genre's deep roots while continuing to stretch its boundaries. From gritty Blues Rock riffs and smoky Soul Blues grooves to emotionally charged Roots-driven songwriting, this month's selections showcase artists who are carrying the blues forward without losing sight of where it came from. 

The New Blues Sound - Modern Blues, Rock, Soul & Roots Rock

Samantha Fish - Don't Say It - Live

This has all the right ingredients for a classic Blues song. It starts with amazing vocal harmonies. The gritty guitar tone and laid-back drum beat lay the song's foundation. Samantha’s vocals are both raw and soulful. Her tone really helps convey the song’s emotion. All the musicians are really in the pocket. 

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Steve Louw - Across The River

This mid-tempo song has Blues, Roots, and Rock influences. The drummer plays a straight 8th note beat, which powers the whole song. I like the vocalist's tone as it has both grunt and soul. Multiple guitar parts interweave perfectly. A slight distortion helps this Blues track explore Rock territory. 

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Taya Lebel - Didn't Get Far 

This song has many different influences. The vocals are a beautiful combination of country, western, and soul. I personally love the guitar player's tone. Bluesys and distorted, but not over the top. The drummer has a great feel, laying down a solid groove throughout the song. There is a blistering guitar solo at 2 minutes and 10 seconds. A great track!

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Joanne Shaw Taylor, Orianthi - What Good Is My Love?

This song has everything you would expect from Joanne Shaw Taylor.  Amazing songwriting, the best of the best session musicians, and a great groove. I liked the thick, soulful vocal harmonies in the chorus, which really lifted the song. This song also features guitar virtuoso Orianthi, who plays a gorgeous melodic solo in the bridge. 

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Bywater Call - No One Else

  

This song is incredibly hard to categorise. It starts with a quarter-note piano part with a super-funky bassline underneath. The vocalist is extremely soulful, with a multi-octave range. The delay effect on the guitar riff is what brings the Blues to this song. With modern production and a full horn, this band is full of high-level talent. 

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Parker Barrow - Blinded

 

This song is hard to get out of your head after hearing it once.  An instantly memorable Blues/Rock guitar riff pulls you in from the first bar. I am enamoured with the lead vocalist's voice as she hits incredibly high notes effortlessly. Her swagger and emotional depth make her a force to be reckoned with.  

The band's sound reminds me of the legendary Australian band ‘Baby Animals’. This song is a feel-good Rock/Blues jam that will instantly change your mood for the better. 

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Joe Bonamassa - Tattoo'd Lady (Live)

 

No one can argue how extremely talented Joe Bonamassa is. His songwriting skills and guitar virtuosity are second to none. I like this Blues-influenced Rock track for many reasons. Firstly, it is over 6 minutes long. This really gives the musicians a chance to stretch. There is a gnarly keyboard solo after the first chorus, which sounds like it is played on a Fender Rhoads. Joe’s signature raspy vocals and killer guitar tone are present on this track.

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Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar - Them Changes (Live)

 

This funky-sounding Blues Rock tune is especially upbeat and feel-good. It is musically complex, with constant melodies being played by the horn section in between the vocal melodies. I like the guitar player's tone, which mixes elements of funk music. The song goes into a double-time feel after the second chorus, which helps build the song. The signer's vocals are flawless!

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Marc Broussard - Chance Worth Taking

 

This laid-back blues-influenced mid-tempo jam has so much going for it. The minimal production at the start of the song really lets the soulful vocals come through. The drummer is unbelievable! For the first half of the song, he is playing a broken triplet pattern with a shuffle feel, which adds so much groove and uniqueness to the song. The strings towards the end of the track are a nice touch. This is a great demonstration of excellent songwriting.

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Robert Jon & the Wreck - Run Back To Me

 

This song sounds like it could have been recorded in the 1970’s. The production is so warm it could easily be mistaken for an analogue recording. The singer’s voice is raspy and jam-packed with soul. It is easy to connect with the lyrics when the singer is so emotive.

I like the constant improvising of the keyboard layer throughout the verses. It makes the song feel very organic. The guitarist's tone is the perfect blend of Blues and Rock.

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