BY: DIGITAL WAX MEDIA STAFF

 

The summer release schedule is already heating up! In the meantime, from established icons to genre-pushing newcomers, there’s plenty to unpack in this month’s FRESH WAX RECAP.

 

CANYON LIGHTS – “SEVENTH SON”

 

 

Blues-rock trio Canyon Lights have dropped a powerful new single in “Seventh Son,” a mystically charged number that serves as the opening track for their forthcoming debut full-length, Breathe Easy.

 

Built around a slide guitar solo reportedly inspired by Elvis Presley’s rendition of “Hound Dog,” the track blurs the lines between romanticism, blues tradition, and classic rock gravitas. Guitarist Tim Faherty delivers riff-heavy elegance while drummer Tim Carman taps into a jazz-rock groove that brings nostalgic and modern impulses together seamlessly.

 

“Seventh Son” is out now on all platforms, alongside the album’s title track, as the band continues their run opening for George Thorogood and the Destroyers.

SHINEDOWN – “THREE SIX FIVE (PIANO VERSION)”

 

 

Modern rock mainstays Shinedown have revisited their hit “Three Six Five” with a new stripped-back piano rendition.

 

The new version swaps stadium-ready energy for vulnerability and space, echoing the group’s past piano interpretations of classics like “Simple Man.” The track’s original incarnation appeared on their recent album Dance, Kid, Dance, which has powered an expansive tour and solidified Shinedown’s upward commercial momentum.

 

With the band continuing to surprise fans on tour by unearthing deep cuts and fan favorites, “Three Six Five” is a timely reminder of Shinedown’s dynamic range.

 

MILENA CASADO – REFLECTION OF ANOTHER SELF

 

 

Trumpeter, composer, and now full-length album artist Milena Casado has arrived with Reflection of Another Self, her debut LP out via Candid Records.

 

Casado channels personal history and identity into a bold, genre-defying offering. Drawing inspiration from Miles Davis’ Miles Smiles, Casado explores improvisation, structure, and vulnerability across a wide palette of acoustic and experimental sounds.

 

Featuring contributions from standout collaborators like Morgan Guerin and Jongkuk Kim, Reflection is a courageous debut and a striking introduction to one of jazz’s most exciting new voices.

 

LITTLE FEAT – ‘STRIKE UP THE BAND’

 

Legendary genre-benders Little Feat return with their 17th studio album Strike Up the Band, which finds the storied outfit expanding their sound while staying true to their singular roots.

 

The album features appearances from roots music greats Molly Tuttle and Larry Campbell, and includes lyrical work by late Grateful Dead collaborator Robert Hunter. The result is a stylistic odyssey through pop, bluegrass, big band, and the self-proclaimed “Gonzo funk.”

 

A new chapter for the iconic group, Strike Up the Band bridges past and present with undeniable charm.

 

 

MAX McNOWN – ‘THE COST OF GROWING UP’

 

 

23-year-old country-folk upstart Max McNown continues his hot streak with “The Cost of Growing Up,” the lead single from his expanded sophomore album Night Driving (The Cost of Growing Up).

 

It’s a heartfelt meditation on the highs and lows of adulthood, balancing sorrow and celebration in equal measure. “Without those hard moments, you wouldn’t be able to truly love,” says McNown, whose songwriting leans ever more personal with each release.

 

The reworked version of Night Driving will include eleven newly revealed tracks—each helping McNown better realize the vision he’s chased since his debut EP.

SPORTS TEAM – ‘BOYS THESE DAYS’

 

UK indie outfit Sports Team return with their third LP, Boys These Days, a genre-spanning, culturally sharp record that examines generational identity with both humor and unease.

 

Rife with Brit-pop swagger, nostalgic references, and biting satire, the album critiques social media cycles, toxic nostalgia, and the fragile egos of the internet age. The title track itself is a sardonic take on generational bickering, echoing influences like Elvis Costello and Prefab Sprout.

 

The band will return to U.S. stages this fall alongside Supergrass, looking to rewrite their last American tour—which ended in dramatic fashion after being robbed on day one.

 

M ROSS PERKINS – ‘WHAT’S THE MATTER, M ROSS?’

 

 

Dayton’s melodic mastermind M Ross Perkins is back with What’s the Matter, M Ross?, a self-produced collection of baroque pop, introspective lyricism, and psychedelic soul-searching.

 

Cut entirely in his Ohio home, the 15-track album draws comparisons to the likes of Paul McCartney and Harry Nilsson, with Perkins performing every instrument himself. It’s a kaleidoscopic listen that feels both personal and timeless, with standouts like “Spiritual Kick” and “Hey Man/Hey Self” showcasing his sharpened songwriting chops.

 

It’s his most reflective—and arguably most complete—statement yet.

 

THE BOBBY LEES – ‘BEAUTY PAGEANT (REISSUE)’

 

The raw, unfiltered debut from The Bobby Lees, Beauty Pageant, is back in physical format via Alive NaturalSound Records.

 

Originally released in 2017 and long out of print, the reissue reintroduces listeners to the band’s unruly punk-meets-blues-rock energy, driven by Sam Quartin’s magnetic vocals.

 

The band will also appear on the upcoming season of On the Roam with Jason Momoa, signaling even more visibility ahead.

 

GRAYBEAT – ‘SPECIAL CHARACTERS’

 

Minneapolis producer GrayBeat bridges digital artistry and human emotion on Special Characters, a boundary-blurring electronic album where glitch, jazz, and ambient worlds collide.

 

The 11-track release includes extended live remixes and remastered originals, all crafted with a coder’s precision and a drummer’s instinct. The record reflects GrayBeat’s transformation from jazz percussionist to multidimensional artist, crafting immersive, visually rich live shows with custom-built systems.

 

Special Characters is both a sonic journey and a technical triumph—equal parts heady and heartfelt.

 

PLEASURE PILL – “DON’T FLY AWAY”

 

Rising San Diego indie outfit Pleasure Pill have unveiled their latest single “Don’t Fly Away,” a jangly, Britpop-tinged slice of emotional escape.

 

The track is a standout preview of the band’s forthcoming debut LP Hang A Star (out June 27 via à La Carte Records), and balances shimmering guitars with a bittersweet sense of generational longing.

 

Frontman Jonah Paz calls it a cultural moment for a new era—a bold claim, but one the song’s hook-heavy immediacy supports. With tour dates and buzz building, Pleasure Pill look poised for liftoff.

 

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