The Blue Stones, a blues rock duo from Windsor, Ontario, consisting of members Tarek Jafar (vocals, guitar) and Justin Tessier (percussion, backing vocals), released their sophomore album, Hidden Gems, on March 19th, 2021. It's a brilliant album, The Blue Stones have truly outdone themselves. It's a fun, powerful record that I completely love.
My favorite tracks are "Shakin' Off The Rust," "Grim," and "Spirit." This record explores topics like finding yourself and being that person, being young, and just here for a good time – living life to its fullest. It's a record that makes you feel good, feel alive. Hidden Gems is the brand of rock that I search for all the time - guitar driven, loud, and earth-shaking. I can't wait to attend a show of theirs, whenever it's safe enough to do so, if judging by this album is any reflection of how they sound live, then I'm absolutely ready to have myself blown away by their infectious, amazing music.
Hidden Gems is among the best of modern rock today. It's a fantastic record, from the start to finish. It's loud, it's confident, it has everything that makes it both memorable and fresh. It's a must-listen for any rock fan.