Jon Young currently contributes to Consequence of Sound and No Depression and has previously been a regular contributor to such publications as Trouser Press, Crawdaddy, Music and Sound Output, Request, Launch, SonicNet, Creem, Harp, Musician, Blender, Spin, Paste and Mother Jones. His preferred listening includes The Byrds, Billy Fury, Wynonie Harris, Billie Holiday, Howlin’ Wolf, The Kinks, Barbara Lynn, METZ, Thelonious Monk, Norma Jean, Charlie Parker, Doug Sahm, Raymond Scott, Del Shannon, Connie Smith, Speedy Ortiz, Dusty Springfield, Toots and the Maytals, Caetano Veloso and Hank Williams, among others. His career highlights include interviewing Del Shannon and meeting Doug and Bob McKenzie.
Missing-in-action pop royalty resurfaces with a sophomore masterpiece.
Just Another Band from East L.A. unwraps a new holiday classic.
The Godfather of Soul sets the stage on fire. Funky nirvana ensues.
Sublime soul instrumentals, from “Green Onions” to “Hip Hug-Her.”
Ray Davies’ greatest concept album gets supersized.
California’s honky-tonk hotbed gets a fascinating, sprawling survey.
The Fab Four’s final studio work gets a fancy makeover.
AC/DC covers: The next big country trend?
Mxmtoon mixes crippling self-doubt and lilting melodies to endearing effect on her debut.
Melina Duterte frets over friends and lovers on a bedroom-pop masterpiece.
Olivia Rose taps into dark places of the soul with well-tuned empathy.