This mid-July roundup of new releases by Michigan artists also recaps albums by The Musalini & Henry Puffington and Eric Engblade. Check out the reviews, listen to the music.
Milestone Release: Kalamazoo’s Out of Favor Boys have created their diverse, signature recording. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
As July continues to heat up on the live music scene with festivals and outdoor concerts, Local Spins takes a gander at new music from several Michigan bands and solo artists.
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West Michigan's music scene
This mid-July batch of reviews features artists from across the region, cranking out a multitude of varying styles, while also listing upcoming live performances.
For previous Michigan album reviews, click here.
Out of Favor Boys
“Love & Sorrow”
What Stands Out: Fans of the West Michigan music scene have enjoyed the Out Of Favor Boys and their brand of the blues for over two decades now, and with “Love & Sorrow,” the band emphasizes songwriting and continued growth in a collection of 11 new tracks. In a recent interview with Local Spins, the band talks of drawing from a wider range of influences on this record, from classic blues and rock staples like Eric Clapton, Tommy Castro, Tab Benoit, Sean Costello, and even Michigan’s own blues veteran, Larry McCray, to inspire new ways of storytelling. They also cite mentorship from Rene Meave (Los Bandits de Michigan) during their writing sessions spent at the Chili Pepper Songwriting Group as they refined their creative process to distill these new songs.
Digging Deeper: This band has earned their stripes in the Michigan blues scene and this recent record emphasizes what makes their band a favorite among many audiences. Nestled in the familiar sounds of the genre throughout the decades lies a group unafraid to examine the past and deal with the present, all while opening up moments to showcase some great musicianship. There are songs that pay homage to blues legends punctuated by relatable narratives throughout the record. “Love & Sorrow” reflects on nostalgia and how to recapture those seemingly distant memories, love so close it’s palpable but so distant it seems like a fantasy, and about navigating the complicated pieces of modern living. All the while, the music shines consistently throughout between the camaraderie of the players and the solid production from Sam Peters at La Luna Recording & Sound in Kalamazoo. And true to their intent, they stretch the definition of the blues to include those stories of the good times and bad, never once losing themselves or their sound along the way.
Perfect For: A summer evening by a lakeside bar reminiscing, swapping stories of hard times and celebrating the good times ahead. – Dutcher Snedeker
Website: https://outoffavorboys.com/
Upcoming Shows: 6 p.m. Friday (7/11) at Fenn Valley in Fennville; July 15 for Rogue River Blues Series in Rockford; Aug. 1 for Food Truck Friday at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids; Aug. 7 at Fenn Valley Vineyards in Fennville; Aug. 10 for Concerts in the Park in Texas Corners
Listen: “Come Home to Chicago”
Charlie Millard Band
“Pilot Boy”
What Stands Out: Filled with dynamic flourishes and an all-star cast of Mitten State players, northern Michigan pianist, singer and tunesmith Charlie Millard finally — and after many years — answers the question, “When will you release an album of your intoxicating music?” Part rock, part pop and part cinematic masterwork, the eight-song “Pilot Boy” is rife with keyboard-centric magic and poetic lyrics open to interpretation and rumination, all amid lengthy tracks that ooze an almost-mystical, Beatle-esque milieu. Throughout, there are hook-filled crescendos that never sink into mainstream cliches, classical-meets-pop interludes, delightful keyboard romps and dreamily, psychedelic moments. “Ratty Darkness” could easily serve as the soundtrack for some 1960s French film; “Lavender Blue” rolls out as a tantalizingly dark rock gem.
Digging Deeper: Surrounding himself with uber-talented family (guitarist Jercat Millard and singer Clair Millard) and top-flight regional musicians (drummer Will Harris, singer/multi-instrumentalist Graham Parsons, cellist Jordan Hamilton, violinist Samantha Cooper, bassists Jake Miller and Rafael Chavez y Moreno), Millard takes advantage of the group’s recording sessions with Grand Rapids’ Joe Hettinga by employing lush arrangements and touches that might at-first seem extraneous but fit the overall adventure of “Pilot Boy.” At one point during the infectious “Wutruw8ing4,” Millard asks: “What do you take me for, pilot boy can play that rock ‘n’ roll?” He can, he does and unfurls much more than that, too.
Perfect For: A vinyl album experience, soaking in both sides of music in a single listen. – John Sinkevics
Website: https://hattiejanemusic.com/
Upcoming Shows: July 11 at Gallery Coffee Co. in Munising; July 13 at Keweenaw Storytelling Center in Calumet; July 17 at Beards Brewery in Petoskey; July 19 for Moonwinks Cafe Summer Days Fest in Dixboro; July 20 at Carrick’s Tiny Barn in Clarkston; July 27 at A Detroit House of Music in Detroit; July 30 at The Alluvion in Traverse City.
Listen/Watch: “Lavender Blue”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT1XfWzRirc
RyneShyne
“Cheers!”
What Stands Out: RyneShyne returns with a new record released on his own label, Midwest Gold Records and recorded at his home studio, Upstairs, Man Studios. The album boasts 10 new songs that feature Ryne and his partner Kristine (flute, vocals) alongside Ryne’s frequent collaborators in Spuddies, who Ryne will be touring with throughout the summer. The record is pulsing with energy for warmer times and sunnier dispositions, with catch riffs, chorus hooks, and a whimsical menagerie of rock, intimate lo-fi nostalgia, and a layering of distinct production serving eclectic arrangements that utilize all kinds of textures.
Digging Deeper: There is a palpable sense of joy from this release, which makes sense when you figure the powerful combination of a couple lovingly leading their musical life partners into all sorts of fun sonic excursions. Colorfully distorted rock gives way to ethereal pastures urging listeners to pause and stay awhile, making for a delightful experience all packaged in just over 30 minutes of material. Fans of Ryne and his multifaceted music making will enjoy all of the different expressive tools highlighted throughout as much as they will sink into the cozy homesteading established in this bedroom-produced recorded releases. The final polish from Don Carlisle at Golden Potato Studio helps draw out more of these magical memories tucked within the notes produced, and no doubt fans will return to this musical scrapbook to indulge for years to come.
Perfect For: Folks looking to disappear into an indie dream world of good vibes and all of the time in the world to enjoy them. – Dutcher Snedeker
Website: https://www.ryneshyne.club/
Upcoming Shows: July 19 for Music at Mahon in Allegan; July 30 at Superior Culture in Marquette; July 31 at BeGeorge Brewing in Munising; Aug. 1 at the Crib in Marquette; Aug. 21 for Music in the Park in Gowen; Aug. 28 at John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids; Aug. 29 for Open Mic Jam at The Smyrna Bar in Belding
Listen: “Ridin’ Hog”
Eric Engblade
“Plant Our Trees Vol. 1”
What Stands Out: Michigan-based singer-songwriter Eric Engblade presents the first of three parts in a self-described “folk-rock opera” with “Plant Our Trees Vol. 1.” According to Engblade’s description of the project, the album follows the fictional story of a housewife, her husband, and their daughter in 1960’s suburban Detroit. In these first three tracks listeners are introduced to each character through folk songs that are embellished with brass instruments and dramatic string sections that play up the theatrical element of this body of work. The songs also draw inspiration from jazz music, which immerses listeners further into the 1960’s setting, an era during which jazz was evolving and breaking boundaries, particularly in Detroit.
Digging Deeper: As one character dreams of escape, another silently struggles with mental health and the other is experiencing young love. They may be characters that Engblade dreamed up himself, but the idea that everyone has invisible struggles and lives that those around them don’t know the full extent of is very much real. It’s almost as if Engblade leaves us on a cliffhanger after introducing us to these fascinating and dynamic characters in each song. In order to discover more about them and see where their stories go, listeners will have to stay tuned for the next parts of the story.
Perfect For: Those who enjoy immersive, character-based music that tells a story. – Holly Holtzclaw
Website: https://ericengblade.com
Upcoming Shows: July 12-13 at Blissfest north of Harbor Springs with Justin Avdek Band and Jen Sygit Trio; July 16 at Vander Mill Ciders in Grand Rapids; July 17 for the Harbor Springs downtown music series in Harbor Springs; July 18 at White Lake Honey Fest in Whitehall
Listen: “Kaleidoscope of Blue”
Death By Lions
“Thanks for Being Great”
What Stands Out: Grand Rapids post-hardcore outfit Death By Lions returns in 2025 with their sophomore release, a record pulsing with grit and a surge of raw energy. With influences that include Helmet, Quicksand, Texas is the Reason and Knapsack to draw from, this group captures an uncompromising sound coupled with biting lyricism, whose teeth sink into the emotional meat of the listener experiencing this succinct-but-solid collection of six new songs. Fans will also note the return of Marc Jacob Hudson from Rancho Recordo heading the production side, honing the energy of the band’s live sound with every element blended so well that it makes for an enjoyable listen throughout.
Digging Deeper: Death By Lions continues to carve a path for itself in the often misfit island of the punk and hardcore scene in West Michigan. These musicians surge with a unified presence that punches through the midwest politeness many of us experience, gripping audiences with their heavier rock and metal textures while pairing honest storytelling that includes near death experiences, heartache and addiction in earnest transparency. Overall, Thanks for Being Great continues the trend of solid musicianship, authentic performance, and attention to production details that were all cultivated in their 2023 release, “The Sheer Magnitude Of It All.”
Perfect For: Blasting your emotions in your car stereo when you spirit needs to scream. – Dutcher Snedeker
Website: https://www.facebook.com/deathbylions/
Listen: “Thanks For Being Great”
The Musalini and Henry Puffington
“Golden Ratio”
What Stands Out: The Musalini and Henry Puffington’s “Golden Ratio” project gives the listener a mix of melodic flows and a boom bap rap style that coexist well together. The Musalini is able to bring a strong catchy chorus to many tracks along with many swagger-filled verses, whereas Henry Puffington is able to make his presence felt through his unique cadence and lyrical material.
Digging Deeper: Henry Puffington is based out of the Traverse City area where he’s been creating hip hop and alternative rap for 14 years. This collaborative project with New York artist The Musalini has allowed Puffington to create a fully fleshed-out body of work that has a diverse catalog of song and shows off Puffington’s unique skills in the Michigan rap game.
Perfect For: This project is perfect for cruising in the car on a summer time drive or just jammin’ out on a chill Sunday. – Brayden Flodin
Website: https://www.instagram.com/henrypuffington/, https://mellowoutinternational.com/
Listen: “Shawn Kemp”
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