Track of the Day: JFK Blue – Restless City (2026)
Just a group of guys, sitting around, messing about with their instruments, bouncing off each other (not literally, of course), jamming with an undeniable camaraderie, and sharing that moment when ingenuity meets whatever happens to emerge. Not complex nor simple, it’s just the vibe, the lingering desire, and a natural talent for turning everyday stuff into easy melodies. This is JFK Blue.
Returning from the ashes, reigniting the embers that never really burnt out, JFK Blue re-introduce themselves to audiences with the new single, ‘Restless City’. The first track released since 2019’s ‘Should Have Been There’, ‘Restless City’ weaves together the talents of Stef Allsebrook (vocals and guitar), Stas Melian (lead guitar), Leslie Fleischman (bass), Firat Gunel (keyboards), Omid Armini (tenor saxophone) and Dave Charles (drums). Produced by Brian Bogdanovich, each individual adds a particularly sparkly thread to the sonic tapestry, making it shimmer with life while holding a subdued veil of melancholy.
Blues at its best, the pulsating drums crash in the background, while keyboards swerve across, and a bold bass keeps the beat. The lead guitar soars in the track with classic rock ferocity, particularly in the rhythmic, bold crescendo to end the track. However, it is the sax that really brings everything home for me. In a smooth, silky, rather sexy way, it adds sensuality to ‘Restless City’. A sensuality that is beautifully enhanced by the rich, honey-dipped vocals of Rebecca Downes that dance hand-in-hand with Allsebrook’s gritty voice.
Smooth, mellifluous, and so easy on the ears, ‘Restless City’ is a breath of fresh air. Yet, as much as it lightens the mood, it also draws attention to the dystopian state of our world. The band explain:
“Inspired by a weekend spent re-reading George Orwell’s 1984 and Animal Farm – and punctuated by a speeding ticket the following morning – the track captures the dark undercurrents of modern life drawn from news headlines and social media scrolls. While not musically complex, it’s a song that burrows into your consciousness with each listen.”
In addition to the single, JFK Blue released an official music video for ‘Restless City’. You can view the video below and/or on their YouTube channel. Please note that this video uses lighting effects that can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.
VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED
Find out more about JFK Blue on their official website, Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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