Night Owls: Hand In Glove Review

Debut albums are always enjoyable to review because you really don’t have any preconceived expectations about the musical surprise package and what waits inside. Night Owls, a two-year-old blues band from Adelaide, Australia, and their first recording, Hand In Glove, turned out to be a very nice experience. The album was recorded at Twinearth Recording (also in Adelaide) and released on March 07, 2025. Night Owls is a four-piece group that includes Oscar LaDell (guitar, vocals and songwriter), Mickey Garcia (drums), Jason Mannix (bass), and Jesse Deane Freeman (keyboard). The band is traditionally styled in the likes of B.B. King, Jimmy Rogers, and Guitar Slim. They recently supported Charlie Musselwhite as he appeared in their hometown.

Hand In Glove offers ten tracks that the recording studio and band have created to sound reminiscent of the classic blues music of the past. For me, the stripped-down sound of the Night Owls is what makes them appealing and enjoyable. The album begins with “Played For A Fool,” and that title provides a clear picture of what the song is all about. “You done me wrong for the last time” gives you a clear picture, if you should need one. It also sets the tone for what you might expect from the remaining songs. There’s great classic blues styling throughout this song and the whole album. “Market Day”, the third track on the recording, is an upbeat instrumental tune that showcases some great guitar and keyboard work, with those drums and bass holding down their parts flawlessly. The very next song on Hand In Glove is “Slow Burning Love”, and it may be the highlight of the Night Owls’ debut project. There is some great keyboard work on this one, as well, as the lyrics cover the timeless subject of lost love. “If I don’t forget you soon, I’m gonna lose my mind”. “Doggin’ Me Around” is another upbeat, classically styled blues piece. The lyrics here include the warning, “better stop doggin’ me around, doing me all kinds of wrong”.

The Night Owls’ Hand In Glove is an enjoyable listening experience, and I think it will be, likewise, enjoyable to all those blues fans who enjoy the classics. I will also be anxious to see how they follow up this album and what plans they have for opportunities for listeners to hear and see them live. I look forward to seeing and hearing what they offer up next.

The Review: 7.5/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

-Played For A Fool
-Market Day
-Slow Burning Love
-Doggin’ Me Around

The Big Hit

-Slow Burning Love