This week's round-up: New music from Robert Jon & The Wreck, Revenant and Connor Selby

Southern California rockers Robert Jon & The Wreck return with “Keep Myself Clean,” the final track to be released ahead of their forthcoming studio album Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes, due out August 22nd via Joe Bonamassa’s Journeyman Records. Produced by Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, Rival Sons), the single is available now on all major streaming platforms.

“Keep Myself Clean” is a grimy, slow-burning rocker that finds the band digging into their heaviest themes yet. With gritty guitar tones, a swampy groove, and a vocal delivery packed with hard-earned truth, the song delivers a raw warning against the destructive pull of fast living.

“‘Keep Myself Clean’ came together in Savannah from a few different ideas, with Dave Cobb’s brilliance shaping an entirely new concept,” says guitarist Henry James. “It was raw, menacing, and powerful—Dave even plays a few guitar tracks on it. We rolled tape with that energy still fresh in our fingers.”

“Lyrically, it’s a cautionary tale inspired by life in the fast lane,” he continues. “It warns of the risks of chasing the next party or fix, and how that path can lead people we know down some dark roads. That chaos matched the vibe in the room when we cut the track. We’re honoured to share it with the world.”

The release follows a powerful string of singles from Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes, including the haunting “Dark Angel,” the swaggering “Better Of Me,” the electrifying “Highway,” the reflective “Ashes in the Snow,” the smouldering “Long Gone” (co-written with John Oates), and the high-octane “Sittin’ Pretty.” Each song has revealed another layer of the band’s range, grit, and storytelling prowess.

Recorded in Savannah, Georgia with the band living communally throughout the process, Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes captures the kinetic energy of a group locked in and creating in real time. Cobb’s production adds urgency and edge to the band’s signature blend of rock, soul, and Southern roots music.

“This record really represents who we are right now, both musically and personally,” says frontman Robert Jon Burrison. “We stepped away from our day-to-day and just focused on the songs, and you can feel that in every track.”

Mixed by Greg Gordon (Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson), the album will be available on CD, digital platforms, and limited-edition coloured vinyl, accompanied by special merchandise bundles that include an exclusive shirt and bandana.

Since forming in 2011, Robert Jon & The Wreck—featuring Robert Jon Burrison (vocals, guitar), Henry James (lead guitar, vocals), Andrew Espantman (drums, vocals), Warren Murrel (bass), and Jake Abernathie (keys)—have built a devoted international following with their explosive live shows and emotionally resonant songwriting. Their work continues to push Southern rock forward while staying deeply connected to its roots.

The band is currently in the midst of their Summer European tour, with upcoming shows in Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium, including stops at Hookrock Festival and Melkweg in Amsterdam. Following the European run, they’ll return stateside for a packed schedule of U.S. dates, including performances at Fargo Blues Festival, Stone Pier, Madison Ribberfest, and a featured slot at the Telluride Blues and Brews Festival in September. For tickets and full tour information, visit www.robertjonandthewreck.com.

Rising UK rockers Revenant are thrilled to release their slide guitar-laden swinging new single ‘Runaway Rage’, taken from their sophomore EP ‘Best Medicine’ out now on CD and all digital platforms. The band enthuses on the song “Let’s not beat around the bush here, this is about being angry! It’s a vehicle to describe the feeling that rage gives you and how it can be like a runaway train, uncontrollable until it runs out of steam.” Accompanying the release, the super fun comic book stylised video depicts the band (with tongues firmly in cheek) battling through adversaries atop and through a high speed convoy of rail carriages.

On the release of the self-produced 5 track EP the band warmly state “It’s songs about real life, love, angst and everything in between. It’s a collection of tunes that we’ve played live for a year or more now so we know people are going to love hearing how we’ve taken them from the stage and honed them into what they’ve become. We had a fantastic time shaping these and adding various bits of magic-dust to take these to new levels.”

The lead single ‘Best Medicine’ was featured in Classic Rock Tracks of The Week calling it a “classy swirl of southern dirt, pensive twists and bright 70s flair”, the following ‘Least I Can Do’ aired on BBC Introducing and the EP received high and wide acclaim; “This will put them firmly on the map” Rock Radio UK, “An absolutely excellent EP from start to finish” Metalplanet Music, “There is, quite simply, nothing not to like here” Maximum Volume Music and “I can’t recommend this enough to any rock fan, one of my favourite EPs of the year, 9/10!” Overtone Magazine.

Formed in 2023, the 4-piece consisting of Sam Lay (vocals, guitar) Matt Hudson (guitar), Robin Nutley (bass) and Carl Donoghue (drums) bring a huge rock sound with a southern spin and have had favorable comparisons to rock household names from Chris Cornell and Alter Bridge through to Black Stone Cherry. Their debut EP 'What A Time To Be Alive' was released to critical acclaim in May 2024 and the band are making waves on the live circuit having wowed at shows and festivals alike including Firevolt Manchester. This is all reflected in their live album release ‘What A Time To Be Live’ with Backseat Mafia stating “One of the best guitar releases of the year” and Powerplay Magazine enthusing “One of most refreshing and exciting sounds around.”

Revenant are bringing their message to the masses that this isn’t just a bit of fun, “What we’re hoping the listener takes from us are songs that will bring back memories for them at significant points in their lives and playing live is where it’s at for us, we just love vibing with everyone and hanging out after.” 2025 has already seen them play to packed out crowds and will see them take the stage at festivals including the third iteration of Maid of Stone and Steel Paws along with a plethora of shows including support to Brave Rival, Hillbilly Vegas, The Dirty Denims and headline shows with more to be announced. In addition to the new EP, they also offer to all those who sign up to ‘The Revenant Ones’, the band's fan club, via their website a free 7-track live acoustic EP download. Firmly flying their flag for all to see, “We write about what we know and always want to tell a story or take you on a journey. We’re right where we need to be and we can’t wait for more, this is just the start.”

The fast-rising rootsy British troubadour Connor Selby presents his new album, The Truth Comes Out Eventually, using it as an emotional release valve. It will be released on 29 August via Provogue. To celebrate he has revealed the video for the title track, you can watch it HERE. Connor Selby will also be touring the UK from June to September.

Authentic, roots-based voices have penetrated the mainstream in recent years, from the soulful yearns of early Leon Bridges, the groove of Gary Clark Jr., the booming voice of Jacob Banks, the raw and haunting delivery of Ray LaMontagne or the earthy tones of Rag 'n Bone Man - those voices cut through, and they stand out, they make you take notice because they don't sound like everyone else.

Selby's voice echoes these trailblazers, enveloping his music with an emotional integrity. He delves deep into his soul, all the way down into his core and the feeling of belonging. "The songs are about my feelings of being in the world and not really feeling like I belong," he explains.

Life can often throw you around, leaving you mentally and emotionally battered and bruised, and not all of us know how we deal with these situations. Selby, like many others, has found it difficult to verbalise these feelings and emotions, so this is his way of expressing himself - his emotional communication. "I honestly don't know why I find songwriting the only way to get these emotions out. It's just the way it is. Music is the way I've always been able to express myself," he reflects.

The young multi-award-winning musician has collaborated with Mark Knofler; he has supported The Who at Wembley Stadium and shared the stage at London's Hyde Park Festival alongside the likes of Pearl Jam and Stereophonics. He has toured with powerhouse singer Beth Hart, including a performance at the iconic London Palladium. His glittering tour CV has included shows with Robert Cray, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Betty LaVette, and P.P. Arnold.

Unfazed by the big stages, it's something that he just takes into his unhurried stride, "A stage is a stage. I just shut my eyes when I'm playing, and it's like you're just playing another gig. That's kind of how I wrap my head around."

When he talks about where his place is in this world and where he belongs, this is where he belongs - evoking a calm and assured confidence with his emotive storytelling dancing along his fretboard as he's lost in his thoughts.

When you wear your heart on your sleeve and can only live by openness and honesty, you'll likely get burnt in relationships and life. Sometimes, he feels like an outsider, looking in on the world. "I've always felt that feeling of not necessarily being able to live up to people's expectations," he opens up. This has become a hurdle that he has had to overcome throughout his life.

This is reflected in the title track. "This song is about the feeling of not knowing or not being able to be the person that others expect of you and the despair and confusion this brings trying to navigate a world where you feel like you're playing to a different set of rules as everyone else," he reveals.

Selby almost stands alone in the world of contemporary music, outside the parameters of the genres he touches upon - no one is making the king of music he is; no one really sounds like he does. This all plays into his sense of identity and belonging.

We can all only be who we are. Once you're happy with yourself, you can be happy with life. But you need to find yourself first. "You can try and fake it, but the truth will come out eventually," he reflects. "So you might as well make peace with it. That's the story of the song. I'm particularly proud of this one, and it's one of my most personal songs."

The heart-fluttering groove of the album opener and his first single, Someone, sees Selby in full bandleader mode. You're drawn in when he sings, "When there's someone you can speak your mind without a care when there is someone that really cares about you."

This, alongside I Am Who I Am, represents the mental battles that he often feels engaged in. He really spreads his wings on the goosebump-inducing beauty of the folky ballads Amelia and Songbird. "Mental health is a big part of the album's songwriting," he continues. "Either my mental health or someone else's."

These experiences cannot help but permeate his music, some written over the last twelve months and some old songs given a reinvigorating lease of life. With every release, we're learning a little more of Selby. On The Truth Comes Out Eventually, he truly explores all facets of his musicality—Is he a ballroom big band leader? Is he a smouldering guitar hero? Or is he a delicate, folky troubadour? In truth, he is all of these things and more.