Sanjay Michael’s latest release, Wall Street Blues, is a 3-track EP that delivers more of his signature raw, no-nonsense rock with a bluesy edge. Following his debut 2023 album Rocking Into Midnight, this new release feels both like a big step forward for his growth as an artist even as he returns even more faithfully to the gritty roots of the genre.
The riff-heavy title track, “Wall Street Blues,” channels the spirit of AC/DC and the Rolling Stones with swagger and attitude. The simplicity of the songwriting, which is sharp, direct, and unpretentious, underscores Michael’s commitment to the basics of rock, and he makes it clear from the beginning that his desire is to craft something unapologetically straightforward.
The EP’s standout moment comes with “Baby Baby,” a track that contrasts its driving energy with a more blues-infused riff. It’s a stripped-down but a nod to the type of late-night jams that defined classic blues bars. Meanwhile, “Who’ll Be My Friend” offers a thematic closure to the EP, and presents the other side of the party, when the bars all close and you end up going home alone.
Wall Street Blues is a refreshing reminder of the genre’s ability to make the listener feel so much even when the artist doesn’t worry about saying too little, and is a fantastic glimpse at Michael’s true potential still unfolding.
