What Happens Nextby Joe Satriani

Long awaited album from guitar god extraordinaire Joe Satriani. This time with his sixteenth release we find him in top notch and for the first time with musicians Glenn Hughes on bass (ex Deep Purple) and Chad Smith on drums (Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Chickenfoot). It incredible that after so many releases Joe Satriani manages to put out new, interesting music with lots of energy. It would be interesting to be able to watch the muscians playing these songs while they recorded. One can be in awe when seeing how songs are performed. At first listen only a couple of tunes captured my ear, but this is an album that grows on you after each listen. As is expected this is a more mature Joe Satriani. Don't expect a Surfing With The Alien or The Extremist sound that one may be used to.

Album starts off with the song "Energy" and this it has. Classic Satriani groove. Next up is "Catbot" which has a different feel to the rest of the album and probably the weakest song. Third tune is "Thunder High On The Mountain. Since the first guitar strumming you instantly know it is his signature style. Fourth song, "Cherry Blossoms" a slower tune and also one of the weaker ones. Best songs are: "Righteous" with great melodic hooks. "Smooth Soul" which has a Santana feel but a great Satriani groove. "Headrush" which sounds a bit like something back from Flying In A Blue Dream. "What Happens Next", the title track which has all the Satriani ingredients for a great instrumental song.

In a time when good new releases are so difficult to find, this is a great delight to have. A high quality release for 2018!