Newest Posts

Three for the Week – July 24

Jake Gilmore breaks down some hot new songs. Please go stream "Becoming a Stranger" by Go Public, "Indu" by Greg Freeman, and "Breaking Atoms" by Chuck Strangers featuring billy woods and Zeroh. Support under-appreciated artists!

from July 24, 2026

A Map of Canada: On Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You”

The image of love as the touching of souls is borrowed from the German poet Rainer Maria Rilke, which Mitchell has acknowledged. What Mitchell does with the borrowing is the interesting part. She does not just quote the idea. She takes the idea and turns it back on the lover. You said love was touching souls, she says. Fine. Then you touched mine. The proof is that I am writing this song. The proof is that part of you is pouring out of me right now, into these very lines.

from May 26, 2026

Why Did We Have to Kill the Rock Opera?

Picture this: America, the land of the free and the home of the brave, caught in a maelstrom of cultural and political upheaval. From the corridors of power to the cornfields of the heartland, it seems the very soul of our nation is being torn asunder by the forces of…

from May 14, 2024

Clay Pigeons and My Blood: The Official/Unofficial May Song Review

In his latest review, Jake Gilmore ponders The Olive Branch Review's recent trend of featuring actors' musical endeavors as Songs of the Month. While he finds Michael Cera's "Clay Pigeons" charming and clever, Gilmore suggests that the publication should focus more on up-and-coming musicians. He passionately recommends Rachel Chinouriri's "My Blood" as a brilliant example of raw, unapologetic artistry. Nevertheless, Gilmore commends The Olive Branch Review for its new "Song Recommendation" feature, which allows readers to discover and celebrate diverse musical voices.

from May 6, 2024

Reviewing the April Song of the Month

In "Chateau (Feel Alright)," Jake Gilmore crafts an immersive sonic realm, blending tender vocal whispers with soaring psychedelia. His music, a lush garden of dreamy guitars and warm synths, invites deep introspection and emotional journeying. Gilmore emerges as a visionary, weaving narratives that transcend mere songwriting, offering a transcendent experience that blurs the lines between dreams and reality.

from April 1, 2024