Misty Blues Album "Still Ticking" Review

Artist: Misty Blues 

Album: Still Ticking 

Released: 2026

Artist Website: https://www.mistybluesband.com/

The 18th album Still Ticking from Blues/ Roots band Misty Blues is proof that they just keep improving. Always flirting with the boundaries of the blues comfortably pushing the ball forward, but never too far that it leaves traditionalists longing for something familiar. I am not quite sure how they are able to do so in such a graceful manner, but there is no denying the obvious truth that they do it repeatedly. The music is like gumbo in the sense there are so many ingredients. Blues, jam bands, jazz, Americana.... just all of it rolled into one perfect stew called Misty Blues. 

Battle Cry was the first single released from this album and has been impacting radio for months at the highest level, being one of the most played songs of the last several months at XM Bluesville 75. This is a cut that holds up to multiple listens, each one exposing another layer of musical genius. Subtleties tucked low in the mix support the many guest vocalists impeccably. The recording of the song could not have been captured better. The production and performance are as good as it gets, setting the bar high for the band's contemporaries. This song is a measuring stick for the modern blues scene. A study in musical excellence. 

Track eight of eleven and the second single is Trifling Man. It's a funky midtempo cooker with special guest Lady Bianca splitting the vocal duties with the mighty Gina Coleman. The combo of the two singers is as infectious as can be. Pushing one another to peak performances while serving the song and supporting one another is like watching a cat walk the fence in pursuit of its prey. Quietly balanced with every step, but never taking its eyes off the prize. Waiting for the perfect moment to strike. That controlled intensity is at the root of this masterful performance. 

Passion is a standout track that in this writer's opinion embodies the entirety of the Misty Blues sound. There are always a few songs on each of their many records that capture the spirit of this band. This one and the aforementioned tracks from this wonderful release fall into the must hear column. There is NEVER filler with this band, but there are always a handful that have the elegantly cool vibe that is Misty Blues. It seems to come quite naturally to this band, but I am not a fool to think it has come easy. They just make it feel like that.

This record as always with every Misty Blues release is another chapter in the story that is simply uniquely their own. Stretching without ever feeling pushy is what this band does at the highest level. There seems to be a chemical reaction with the musicians that make up this unit. It is one of those bands that the sum is greater than its parts, that rare situation that one plus one equals three. That is always the ground floor of every band that has something special. It's never who has the best players, but who has something that is somehow magic. It can never be manufactured or forced, but is just discovered. Misty Blues is one of those rare magical units for sure and this record Still Ticking is another chapter in their long story!