Rock musician Sanjay Michael returns with Wall Street Blues, a tight, unvarnished three-track EP that channels his long-standing devotion to rock’s most iconic eras. Following the success of his 2023 full-length Rocking Into Midnight, Michael shifts gears here, offering a rawer, more immediate snapshot of his sound—one that leans into classic blues-rock grit while embracing the spirit of reinvention.
Across Wall Street Blues, the Singapore-based artist tips his hat to the pillars of electric guitar music: AC/DC’s swagger, Thin Lizzy’s twin-guitar punch, B.B. King’s emotional clarity, and the Rolling Stones’ loose, devil-may-care charm. The EP’s riffs are straightforward and unpretentious, its vocals delivered with a knowing attitude that speaks to both reverence for the genre and genuine joy in the act of playing it. Michael’s enthusiasm for the craft is palpable; he isn’t just nodding to his influences—he’s clearly having fun.
The EP’s genesis reflects a moment of transition for the musician. The title track was originally cut for Rocking Into Midnight but ultimately didn’t fit the album’s broader arc. Rather than let the song sit idle, Michael reframed it as the anchor for a more focused release. Studio jams with his band further shaped the project, leading to the creation of the energetic “Baby Baby,” a track born from simplifying riffs, tightening lyrics, and following instinct over intricacy. “Who’ll Be My Friend,” by contrast, takes a late-night blues approach—evoking barrooms on the verge of closing and the quiet honesty that comes with them.
Throughout the EP, Michael underscores his belief in the enduring power of electric guitars and the timeless appeal of direct, relatable themes. At a time when rock’s mainstream presence has waned and pop culture continues to splinter into micro-scenes, Wall Street Blues aims to reassert the genre’s accessibility. Instead of abstraction or the heavy subject matter often dominating contemporary rock, Michael intentionally grounds his narratives in the everyday: love, money, longing, and the push and pull of ordinary life.
Stripped down and purposefully concentrated, Wall Street Blues feels like a recalibration—a reminder of what drew so many listeners to rock in the first place. It captures an artist reconnecting with his foundations while carving space for immediacy and emotional punch. For Michael, it’s a return to basics; for listeners, it’s a brief but spirited revival of the kind of straightforward rock energy that rarely gets a spotlight in the current musical landscape.
Wall Street Blues is available now on digital and streaming platforms.
Nadia Elkharadly
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