Mike DeWald

2 weeks ago | riffmagazine.com | Mike DeWald

OK Go has built its reputation on  creativity through visual mediums like unique videos and unexpected collaborations (The Muppets!). But all of those creative outlets are fed by the band’s music, and on its fifth album, And the Adjacent Possible, OK Go further tests the unorthodox. The 12-song album maintains a core of hooky bops that’ve fueled the group’s success while executing new and unusual guitar tones and feedback squelches.

2 weeks ago | riffmagazine.com | Mike DeWald

The producers of BottleRock Napa Valley have released the set times for the 2025 edition of the festival. Green Day and Sublime will bring an alt flavor to the JaM Cellars main stage Friday night, while Kaskade and Sofi Tukker will get the nod opposite them on the secondary Verizon Stage. Saturday night pits vocalists Justin Timberlake and Benson Boone against rapper Ice Cube and Rebellion.

3 weeks ago | riffmagazine.com | Mike DeWald

Elton John may be done touring, but the 78-year-old remains both prolific and tuned in with contemporary sounds. Much as with his musical relationship with pop diva Dua Lipa, his elder statesman path has crossed with that of singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile. Who Believes in Angels? was first proposed by super-producer Andrew Watt. With songwriting contributions by Watt and John’s longtime-collaborator Bernie Taupin, the record shows a strong musical connection. Who Believes in Angels?

3 weeks ago | riffmagazine.com | Mike DeWald

Hex marks the spot for Bay Area rock trio Black Map as the band returns with its fourth album. The title track, “Hex (Come Get It),” mixes a melodic post-grunge with alt-rock; it’s a riff-laden anthem with a shout-along chorus. It followed the first taste with hard-driving single “Disintegrate.” The nine-song collection was made with Saosin guitarist Beau Burchell as producer. Black Map album release matineeRotterdam, State Lin Empire3 p.m., Sunday, May 4Bottom of the HillTickets: $15 – $20 (21+).

3 weeks ago | riffmagazine.com | Mike DeWald

It doesn’t take so much as one bar to get a sense of direction for Will Smith’s return to music with Based on a True Story, the rapper’s first release in more than two decades. The opening track reunites Smith with DJ Jazzy Jeff on “Int. Barbershop-Day,” which recreates a barbershop conversation about Smith’s career trajectory. Is he canceled? Is he even cool anymore? What’s the last big movie he did? Oh, and what about that slap? If nothing else, the 56-year-old star is self-aware.