This Californian band formed in 2008 and released their debut ‘Before the Fire’ the following year. In 2011, they launched a kick-ass second studio album, ‘Pressure and Time’. Rival Sons likes to hit the studio with just a few ideas, preferring to let the songs develop organically through jam sessions. Recorded in just 20 days, ‘Pressure and Time’ contains a collection of raw, 70s-style blues rock songs featuring the authentic and heartfelt vocals of Jay Buchanan. Rival Sons write well-crafted songs reminiscent of Led Zeppelin’s bluesy hard rock and bands like The Animals and Free. Drawing their inspiration straight from the source, they are not just another nostalgic neo-retro outfit and do not copy or reproduce. 2014’s ‘Great Western Valkyrie’ is a collection of bluesy, classic yet timeless heavy rock tunes for the 21st century. The following years saw them coasting along nicely, with 2019’s ‘Feral Roots’ picking up two Grammy Award nominations. Their last two outings, the double tap ‘Darkfighter’ and ‘Lightbringer’, feature COVID-era tracks; the former is a raw rocking album that vents frustration,the latter sounds much more experimental and hopeful. (#GMM24)