Anthony Gomes has been in the game for a long time, but many are just finding out about him in 2025, and his latest record- Praise the Loud is exactly what the title suggests.
The title track opens it up with a spiritually bluesy anthem that tells you right off the bat that you’re going to the church of the blues and “True That” keeps the party rolling.
“Netflix and Chill” slows things down at just the right time and shows a more calming, soothing side of Gomes’ vocals before “Inside Out” kicks it back up with another anthem and the standout track of the record.
“Meet My Maker” is a the standout ballad of the album and is a very personal one that you can tell Gomes spent a lot of time on before things kick back up with “Electric Blues Crusade,” which is an adrenaline-pumper to the core.
“Black Diamond Heavy,” “Rock and Roll Bluesman” and “Half” keep the blues train rolling before slowing it down again with “Love Song Gone Wrong,” which drops the genius line of “The blues is a love song gone wrong.”
Praise the Loud is as close to a perfect record as you can get. It’s balanced immaculately and slows things down just at the right times to give you a chance to breathe. Vocally, Gomes is at the top of his game. His raw, gritty delivery works with the heavy tracks just as well as it does with the ballads.
The band’s backup vocals are placed at exactly the right places and gives it a southern gospel blues experience that’s just addicting.
In the end, Praise the Loud is a record that could go down as Anthony Gomes strongest record when it’s all said and done and there’s something new to find and love on every listen.
Rating: 9.5/10
-Reggie Edwards