A Soulful Love Letter to the Golden State

Eddie Witz and The Most High’s reimagined “In California” is more than just a song—it’s a deeply personal, sun-drenched anthem that captures both the magic and the fragility of the Golden State. With a masterful blend of Americana, folk, reggae, and pop, Witz weaves a sonic tapestry that mirrors California’s duality: a land of golden dreams, but also a place marked by loss and resilience.

From the first strum, “In California” feels like a familiar breeze—warm, nostalgic, and tinged with bittersweet memories. Witz’s vocals, rich and heartfelt, carry the weight of personal loss and transformation, making every lyric feel lived-in and sincere. The song’s breezy melodies and tight percussion grooves, courtesy of an all-star rhythm section, keep it moving forward like an open highway drive at sunset.

What truly elevates this track is its ability to balance light and shadow. There’s an undeniable optimism in its soaring guitars and laid-back rhythms, yet the lyrics hold a quiet ache—a tribute to the homes, lives, and landscapes forever altered by the L.A. fires. It’s music as memory, music as healing.

With six-time Grammy-winning engineer Mauricio Iragorri adding depth and polish, “In California” glows with sonic clarity, proving why Witz is a force in the Americana-folk landscape. It’s a reminder of what it means to belong to a place, even when that place changes forever.

A Hauntingly Beautiful Descent – Ian Aaberg’s “When the Reign Starts to Fall”

From the very first note of Ian Aaberg’s When the Reign Starts to Fall, you know you’re in for something special. This isn’t just an acoustic track—it’s a raw, intricate, and deeply emotional journey that feels as if it was plucked straight from the depths of introspection.

Aaberg, known for his stunning fingerpicking and a unique ability to weave melody into emotion, takes us through a story of struggle, movement, and eventual descent. Inspired by the acoustic stylings of Led Zeppelin, the track unfolds in three movements, each carrying its own weight. The opening is light, almost hopeful, but as the piece progresses, it mirrors the experience of pushing forward only to realize you’re still in the same place. The final shift to a parallel minor key lands with a weight that lingers—like the moment you realize the rain isn’t stopping anytime soon.

What makes this track truly captivating is the way Aaberg recorded it. Instead of a rigid composition, he allowed the music to take form organically, recording multiple takes and carefully stitching together the most resonant version. The result is a piece that feels alive—fluid, natural, and heartbreakingly real.

Whether you’re a fan of intricate acoustic storytelling or just need a song that perfectly captures the melancholy of persistence, When the Reign Starts to Fall is an absolute must-listen. It’s a debut solo piece that doesn’t just showcase skill—it speaks to the soul.