Album review overview: Omar, Jimmy Barnes and more
Dozens of new albums arrive at Maxazine’s editorial staff every week. There are way too many to listen to them all, let alone review them. It ensures that too many albums are left behind. And that’s a shame. That is why today we post an overview of albums that arrive at the editors in short reviews.
Sea Lemon – Diving For A Prize
Despite the album cover looking like a thrown-together mess, the music found on this American dreampop artist’s debut album is much more cohesive. Sea Lemon is the solo project of Natalie Lew. With this album, you can go two ways. If you perhaps have this on in the background or aren’t giving it your full attention, then you have a record that’s very easy to listen to. If you really sit down with it, for example with headphones, then you notice that the songs have considerable depth and give you food for thought. Though it must also be said that it’s sometimes difficult to understand due to the effects. Lew delivers a beautiful debut with this one, which lovers of this music can certainly let themselves be carried away by. (Rik Moors) (7/10) (Luminelle Recordings)
Jimmy Barnes – Defiant
At 69, Jimmy Barnes shows with “Defiant” that he’s far from planning to leave the stage. After heart surgery and multiple hip replacements, the Australian rock legend had every reason to throw in the towel, but instead he delivers his 21st studio album – a personal statement about resilience and perseverance. The ten tracks, recorded in Nashville, blend Barnes’ familiar pub rock with Americana influences. Producer Kevin Shirley provides a warm, full sound, while guest musicians like Jason Bonham and Joe Bonamassa keep the quality high. Highlights are opener “That’s What You Do For Love” and the emotional “Never Stop Loving You,” featuring his wife Jane and daughter Mahalia singing along. Yet Barnes plays it safe within familiar formulas. Although his raspy voice still convinces and the themes feel genuine, “Defiant” lacks the surprising turns that make a good album great. It’s craftsmanship from an experienced hand, but not an essential listening experience. Fans get what they come for, but new stories remain absent. (Jan Vranken) (6/10) (Freight Train Music)
Silver Nightmares – Roxy Passion
“Roxy Passion” is the new EP from Italian prog rock band Silver Nightmares. They add AOR rock, heavy metal, and some light classical influences to it. Two songs are instrumental, and Göran Edman sings the other two tracks. His rock voice fits perfectly with the title track. At times, you hear pleasantly prominent keyboards and beautifully screaming guitar playing. The layered vocals are sometimes deployed at predictable moments, but that increases the accessibility of this catchy opening track. The instrumental “Cats on the Run” starts with sampled sounds of thunder and a ‘screeching’ cat; this sound returns later. The a cappella start of “The Blue Light” is surprising. The multi-part background vocals form a beautiful unity with the calm piano sounds of this track. The electronic sounds create a ‘space atmosphere’ in “The Blue Light (Space Version).” This last song has fewer turns and a fairly predictable ending. Due to various lineup changes over the past years, Silver Nightmares may not yet have a ‘fixed’ style. Yet you certainly hear similarities with previous albums/EPs. (Esther Kessel-Tamerus) (7/10) (Independent Release)
GoldLink – Enoch
After four years of silence, GoldLink returns with “Enoch,” an explosion of rhythm, house, and hip-hop in 28 minutes. The architect of ‘future bounce’ shows that his genre-fluid sound is more relevant than ever. Don’t expect profound lyrics, but tight flows over brilliant beats from producers like Kaytranada, Juls, and Zaytoven. “Limpopo” bangs, “Aventador” glides, and “Club Beat” lives up to its name. The lyrics? Simple, often about money, status, and club life – but that seems intentional: GoldLink lets the beats tell the story. After controversies and reputation damage, “Enoch” feels like a smart restart. He’s not aiming for catharsis, but for movement. And that works. In an era of TikTok and danceable trends, this is an album that perfectly captures the pulse of now. GoldLink doesn’t need to shout. He lets the music do the work. A bit more conviction, and we’d be there. (Elodie Renard) (6/10) (RBC Records)
Omar – Brighter the Days
After forty years as a recording artist, Omar Lye-Fook MBE delivers his most ambitious work with “Brighter the Days.” This ninth studio album demonstrates why the British neo-soul pioneer remains the benchmark for contemporary soul. The highlight is undoubtedly “This Thing Called Life” – a delightful dancefloor filler that combines cinematic strings with an irresistible funky arrangement. This instrumental masterpiece perfectly shows Omar’s ability to weave timeless elegance with contemporary energy. The star-studded cast of guests, from Paul Weller to India Arie, from Giggs to Ledisi, contributes to an album bursting with quality. Greg Boraman’s production creates warm, soulful grooves that perfectly frame Omar’s now more mature voice. This 69-minute journey through soul, funk, jazz, and salsa feels like a celebration of forty years of musical excellence. It’s a shame that established masters like Omar get so little mainstream media attention. This music could have much broader appeal if it were to receive the recognition it deserves. “Brighter the Days” proves that artistic maturity and four decades of experience can result in work that is both career-defining and genuinely innovative. (Jan Vranken) (8/10) (Impressive Collective/BBE Music)
