I decided to get off my high horse and give Kevin Michael McKeehan (aka TobyMac) the flowers he deserves. Why? Because being a fan is more fun, and the dude turns sixty-one this year. There aren't many men in their sixties doing what he does, and that's worth celebrating. Now, in year twenty-four of his solo career, and with album number ten, he's back with more of his signature "gumbo" of hip-hop, pop, funk, and soul. After facing significant personal loss in recent years, listeners will find Toby reflecting once again on the afterlife, aptly titling his latest release Heaven on My Mind. Just like with his iconic trio in the '90s, each new solo album has been an event I've eagerly anticipated. Even though he's moved away from the rock-driven sound of his earlier years (and with it, my fandom has waxed and waned), he still manages to release a handful of songs on every album that find their way onto my playlists...

Bear Rineheart is a seemingly endless wellspring of new songs. 2023 saw a release from both his major music projects - Needtobreathe and Wilder Woods - and while 2024 was a bit quieter for output, he's already back at in early 2025 with another Wilder Woods album. A more alternative and R&B-flavored endeavor compared to the southern rock stylings of NEEDTOBREATHE, his latest Wilder Woods album continues in the same vein as the self-titled album and Fever / Sky, but with some sonic variations to keep things fresh and fun. On his social media right now, it shows a slew of different playlists Curioso's singles are getting adds for - American Soul, Folk & Americana, New In Rock, Folk Rock, and Alternative - and it's a good indication of how many genres and eras of music we dip into over the album's 35-minute runtime...