Sun Records/ Wicked Games Records [Release date 18.09.26]
Nicole Atkins returns with her first all-new album in over six years. The album came together at the behest of her close friend and touring partner Chris Isaak, who signed her to Sun Records as part of his strategic alliance with the historic label as both artist and curator of new projects with his new imprint, Wicked Game Records. The album is produced by Pat Sansone (Wilco, Robyn Hitchcock) and Atkins is accompanied by her touring band, guitarist John Paul Keith and drummer Danny Banks, plus drummer Eric Slick (Robyn Hitchcock, Brian Fallon), The Texas Gentlemen’s Dan Creamer, and Davey Horne.
Part of the appeal of Nicole Atkins music is the variety, be it the opening song, ‘Trippin’ on Teardrops’ which has a lovely retro pop 60’s feel, or the second single, ‘Singing in the Mirror’, which has a modern beat & feel. As Atkins herself commented on the album, “I’m not trying to rehash or celebrate some bygone era. I’m just taking what I like melodically from the past and channelling it into my songs. I like to make them deeply personal. The question I come back to is – how do I make this sound exactly like me?”
The first single ‘When the Night Falls’ is an instant pick me up. Loving the bass line and harmonies on this song. Wouldn’t be surprised if the upbeat pop of ‘Danny’ gets released as a single next.
Pretty sure it is the dulcet tones of Chris Isaak duetting on ‘Cue the Symphony’, a proper showstopper of a song and not unlike 1960’s era Roy Orbison. Davey Horne adds an extra bit of quality to ‘Curtain Call’. The latter is a big production number with swirling strings and cool guitar licks.
Nicole Atkins knocks it out of the musical park again on ‘Drama’. The voice, the songs, the melodies and arrangements are all top notch. An album of the year for sure. ****1/2
Review by Jason Ritchie
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Power Plays w/c 3 August 2026
DOWNES BRAIDE ASSOCIATION – Wonderland (Cherry Red)
KING FALCON Hourglass (indie)
SHAKRA Wasteland Warriors (Frontiers)
JAMES KENNEDY & THE UNDERDOGS – Revolution (Konic Records)
BLACKLIST UNION Madame Butterfly (BLU Records)
DIAMOND RAIN I Need Love (Pride & Joy Music)
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09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)
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