Our first round of fall album reviews spans the state and several genres, including alt-rock, hip hop and genre-melding jam band fun. Check out the reviews, listen to tracks from each release.
Genre-Spanning Jams, Hip Hop and Alt-Rock: Our first album roundup of the fall.
After an insanely busy summer of covering outdoor concerts and festivals, Local Spins returns with its first autumn roundup of albums by Michigan artists, with more to come.
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Check out writer Sara Bagley’s takes on fresh releases by Spiveyson, Chirp and The American Hotel System, and find out where a couple of these artists will be performing.
Visit past album reviews here, including the latest from Billy Strings and Lindsay Lou.
Chirp
“Torque”
What Stands Out: Kicking off with “Sanctify,” a bluesy, growling rock track with some dissonance thrown in, Chirp’s “Torque” spends the next nine songs wandering through touches of funk, indie rock, jazz and even yacht rock without losing the thread.
Digging Deeper: “Lines” is the easy favorite among the genre-bridging tracks from this Southeast Michigan jam band, with smooth vocals and harmonies that are sure to please the ears. “Changeup” and “What’s the Rush” keep that groove going, and a sweet, soft bridge in “Changeup” gives listeners a breather before the rock kicks back in. “In My Own Way” creates an upbeat and playful, almost indie-rock moment until it ends on a heavier note, while “11” is a slow, 70s-style yacht rock number. “Cranktify” closes things out with straight-up rock ‘n’ roll. (Chirp also followed “Torque” with release of a live album recorded at the 2025 Handmade Music Festival in Chesaning. Check that out here.)
Perfect For: Anyone who is a fan of instrumental prowess along with a little ’70s yacht rock and blues riffs; this should hit the sweet spot. – Sara Bagley
Website: https://www.chirpband.com/
Upcoming Show: Nov. 25 at The Intersection’s Elevation in Grand Rapids, with Desmond Jones (following Chirp’s U.S. tour)
Listen: “Lines”
Spiveyson
“Welcome To The Show”
What Stands Out: “Welcome To The Show” pulls from Spiveyson’s history in theater (mentioned in “Accept Me”) to put a dramatic spin as each song digs into its own story. From talking about personal obstacles of struggling with identity, to playful diss tracks forwarded to previous collaborators, the album by this Kalamazoo artist is a muscle flex, demonstrating the breadth of genre and topics with which the artist engages. Seven of the 12 tracks feature other rising artists, including Headband Henny on pop track “Girls,” which shouts out Cyndi Lauper’s timeless “Girls Just Want To Have Fun.”
Digging Deeper: Across a dozen tracks, Spiveyson plays with different elements underneath the rap umbrella, bringing vulnerability from his early 2026 album “Heir To The Wounds” and mixing it with upbeat pop tracks such as “Girls” to create a well-rounded experience for listeners. Cool hi-hats and synths provide a calm soundscape to let conscious lyricism take the lead, bringing “real” to a tangible level. “Cadillac Vibes” brings an old-school vibe, reminiscent as he talks about his dad, who followed the same rapping route in his youth. From the song range to the storytelling, it’s clear “Welcome To The Show” was produced to be an immersive experience, straight out of West Michigan.
Perfect For: Rap fans who are in tune with lyrics that hit a little deeper, and enjoy a little drama with a danceable beat. – Sara Bagley
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/official_spiveyson/
Upcoming Show: Spiveyson headlines the “Chasing Nightmares” show at Old Dog Tavern in Kalamazoo on Saturday (Oct. 24), with Al Wesley, The Two Dollar Bills, Daniel Brock, Santino Jones, Celeste Allison and more also on the bill.
Listen: “Girls”
The American Hotel System
“Part One, Where the Pain Will Lead”
What Stands Out: Faith and doubt both take the mic on The American Hotel System’s “Part One, Where the Pain Will Lead,” an EP that pulls in everything from twang to rock. Throughout the tracks by this Grand Rapids alt-rock band, lyrics question purpose and fulfillment, and prayer, even when the music drifts into heavier, hard-rock territory.
Digging Deeper: “The Kingdom,” which came out as a single back in February, is the most straightforward of the bunch: rock ‘n’ roll energy with a little twang, addressing faithfulness. “The Cycle” flips the mood with a grunge-style bass riff, echoey vocals that recall late-era Twenty One Pilots, and enough screaming to push it toward metal. “Time” lands somewhere in between — heavier rock ‘n’ roll with an alternative edge and that same Twenty One Pilots feel, with lyrics that circle around a lack of fulfillment while still mentioning prayer.
Perfect For: Listeners who enjoy rock ‘n’ roll, don’t mind some Twenty One Pilots-style angst, and want faith songs that are honest about doubt. – Sara Bagley
Website: https://americanhotelsystem.com/
Listen: “Where Pain Will Lead”
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