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Album of the Year recognition doesn’t usually arrive by accident. It tends to land at the intersection of timing, craft, and an artist finally saying exactly what they’ve been circling for years. For Alex Lopez, Retro Revival feels like that intersection made audible—a record that honors the lineage of blues-rock while refusing to behave like a museum piece.
Known for his ability to respect tradition without becoming trapped by it, Lopez has spent his career expanding the emotional and stylistic vocabulary of contemporary blues rock. Retro Revival, released under the ALX (Alex Lopez Xpress) banner, doesn’t abandon that mission—it sharpens it. The album moves confidently from blues rock foundations into funk-inflected grooves, wah-driven guitar explorations, and socially aware songwriting, all while maintaining a cohesive voice that feels unmistakably his own.
What makes Retro Revival Album of the Year-worthy isn’t just its musicianship—though that alone would justify the praise—but its sense of purpose. The record sounds grounded in the present moment, aware of cultural tension and uncertainty, yet it draws strength from the past. Lopez doesn’t imitate his heroes; he converses with them. You can hear echoes of Clapton, Page, Hendrix, and even Zeppelin-era swagger, but filtered through decades of lived experience and a songwriter who understands restraint as well as release.
The album opens with a trio of tracks—“One More Time,” “Your Lovin’,” and “When I Sing The Blues”—that function almost like a thesis statement. Within minutes, Lopez establishes range, confidence, and emotional clarity. The sequencing is deliberate: blues grit gives way to groove, vulnerability balances bravado, and the listener is invited in rather than overwhelmed.
Mid-album highlights like “Here I Am” and “What The World Needs” push the funk elements further forward, revealing a playful but pointed side of Lopez’s writing. The latter stands out as one of the album’s most resonant statements, pairing socially conscious lyrics with guitar work that feels both expressive and unforced. It’s protest music without preaching—observation rather than accusation.
(2025) ALBUM OF THE YEAR – Alex Lopez’s “Retro Revival” (LP)
“Hey Little Sister” delivers one of Retro Revival’s most satisfying moments, channeling classic blues-rock energy with a raw, almost live-room feel. The decision to let the track breathe at the end reinforces the album’s human quality; imperfections are left intact, emotion prioritized over polish. In contrast, “Angry” confronts the weight of the times head-on, capturing frustration without resorting to cynicism, while “Loving You Gives Me The Blues” offers necessary emotional counterbalance—reminding listeners why the blues endure in the first place.
Context matters here. Lopez’s journey—from Cleveland roots to Florida stages, from self-recorded beginnings to Billboard-recognized releases—has been defined by persistence and evolution. Each album has expanded his reach, but Retro Revival feels like the synthesis of all that came before. It’s the sound of an artist fully comfortable in his voice, unafraid to rock hard, groove deeper, and say something meaningful along the way.
Album of the Year recognition doesn’t just celebrate Retro Revival as a standout release—it acknowledges Alex Lopez as a modern steward of blues rock, capable of carrying its history forward while making it feel urgent, alive, and necessary right now.
Read my original review posted back in November 2025: https://indieshark.com/music-reviews/the-alex-lopez-xpress-retro-revival-lp/
Once again congratulations to Alex Lopez for his amazing Album “Retro revival.” #alexlopezalbumoftheyear
Mark “the shark” Druery
