Justin Saladino Band: Steal My Soul Review

The Justin Saladino Band is back with a new album titled Steal My Soul. The self-produced record has been released independently on September 30th and is available on all major streaming platforms. The album honours the blues roots while bringing fresh energy to the forefront. Speaking about the record, Saladino said: “I’ve always wanted to make a blues album that brings together the influences that shaped me, exploring different corners of the genre while still speaking with my own voice. So we followed that feeling and dove in headfirst.”

The title track that kicks the album off is a laid back modern blues number that features filthy slide guitar playing. Rolling into a Texas blues style shuffle, “Money Talks” where Saladino switches between full voice and falsetto in his attention-grabbing vocal delivery. Midway through the song, and right before the end as well, the band snaps out of the shuffle feel for a few bars – just enough to catch you off-guard and allow the guitar to deliver the final blow. “Leave Me Blue” is the album’s ballad. A slow burner delivered with loads of feel. There’s something magical about that chromatic descending bass line, the subtle electric organ adding warmth, that 12/8 groove, and that beautiful Strat sound. The vibe does a 180 on “Mud”, a proper blues rock banger, a mean riff spiced up with an even meaner overdriven harmonica.

“Just Another Lesson Learned” adds a touch of south to the mix with a fun, bouncy groove, and a dirty country-ish guitar riff. A track that could go well with a glass of whiskey and a cigar, if you’re into that sort of thing that is. This is followed by another chilled yet groovy tune called “Don’t Know What You Got” that carries almost an R&B type of swagger – lovely stuff. The optimistic “Hoping to Arrive” gives southern soul vibes. The drum beat is so driving and engaging in this one. In “Grinnin’ In Your Face” Justin truly channels a bluesman of the old. Killer slide parts, soulful singing, and a slow heavy-tread groove. There’s a cool retro video that goes with this song too, make sure to check it out. The album closes with a cinematic “Whispers of Freedom”.

Steal My Soul is not your standard blues album, and that’s exactly what makes it so special. Justin Saladino carries so many influences and has so much to say that limiting his work to a specific genre box would simply be a shame. Great tunes, fresh takes on standard forms, excellent energy, and truly fun to listen to. Definitely an album worth returning to.

The Review: 9/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– Money Talks
– Mud
– Just Another Lesson Learned
– Don’t Know What You’ve Got

The Big Hit

– Mud