New album Hold My Gun is out. The Naki’ Blues behemoth The Mons Whaler keeps doing it for me, and man oh man, lead single Linger On is intense!

This track is the nominated release day promo track for radio promo, and man it must have been a hard job to pick one, because this band knows its stuff and can deliver on the tools too. Linger On is a rattlesnake of a swamp blues number, with a slightly menacing, fey vocal melody augmented immensely by a discordant, absurdly well-delivered lead. This lead itself gives us a surprising second part with a gutsy, almost jazzy tone, layering the piece nicely.

This song feels like it should have come from Robert Johnson himself. It’s nasty, it’s uncompromising, it is BLUES. The Mons Whaler consists of, and I have said this before, four exceptional musicians. All of this band is demonstrably in sync with where they are taking this thing. It’s got a fat, meaty bottom end, wonderfully engineered and delivered as a single cohesive unit. I can’t sing the drums and bass praises enough, to be honest.

Courtnay is a machine on her parts. The guitars gel wonderfully and the extrapolation involved in the lead parts are impressive to the Nth degree. Put the vocal in and this is a complete piece. The vocals are a rich, velvet tenor delivered with an emotive edge that elevates it even further – if that were possible. I must point out that this number is absolutely Delta Blues. It’s not meant to be your friend or make you feel comfortable.

The band has yet to misfire, as far as my enjoyment of their product goes. Pick the festival of your choice, and this will be a hit at it. I haven’t got a video to crow about for the guys this time, but if you’re someone who enjoys listening to a band that has clicked, and is firing on all cylinders, give The Mons Whaler a listen. If classic Blues is your thing, Linger On will blow your mind.

It’s on Spotty Fly. You can bet your sweet peaches it’s on Flash-Trax’s playlist! Now git yo’ ass down to the Crossroads!