GA-20: Orphans [Album Review]

GA-20
Orphans
Self-Released [2025]

“GA-20 spark a new chapter with Orphans, turning classic blues cuts into their own raw, road-tested groove.”

Album Overview: GA-20 emerged from Boston in 2018 when guitarist Matthew Stubbs set out to revive the spirit of early electric blues with a compact, guitar-driven trio. The group built its following the old-school way: constant touring, a throwback sound, and a deep respect for the music that shaped them. This year marks a new chapter with Cody Nilsen stepping in as lead vocalist. Already known for his guitar work in country and session circles, Nilsen slips into the role naturally, giving the band a spark that feels both fresh and grounding. Drummer Josh Kiggans, who joined last year, rounds out a lineup that’s locked in and ready for its next phase.

Orphans pulls together eight cover songs from across the blues and early rock songbook—material the band has lived with onstage for years. Four tracks first appeared on their Volume 2 EP back in February, while the other four debut here, making this release feel like the completed picture. The record plays like a snapshot of the trio settling into its new chemistry around Nilsen’s voice, trusting feel over flash. Instead of chasing a big concept, GA-20 simply deliver songs they love and shape them with their own rough-around-the-edges character.

Musical Style: GA-20 lean into the warm corner where blues, early rock, and country once overlapped. Their sound favors clean guitars, roomy tones, and steady grooves that leave space for vocal phrasing and melodic guitar lines. The band keeps things direct and unpolished in the best way, capturing the charm of small-room sessions where the players do the heavy lifting without studio gloss.

Evolution of Sound: The band has always embraced traditional blues, but Orphans shows them working with a relaxed confidence. Instead of expanding their production, they double down on what makes them click: tight rhythms, lively guitar exchanges, and vocals pushed to the front. These covers feel personal, not imitative, suggesting a group comfortable enough to let instinct guide the sessions.

Artists with Similar Fire: If you’re drawn to the tone and spirit of Otis Rush, Junior Wells, Howlin’ Wolf, Earl Hooker, or Hound Dog Taylor, you’ll find familiar sparks here. There are hints of Jimmy Reed’s loose swing and flashes of Lonnie Mack’s clean, controlled guitar work. GA-20 aren’t trying to recreate the past, but they speak the same musical language with real affection.

Pivotal Tracks: “I Love You, I Need You,” first recorded by Lazy Lester, stands out for its gentle delivery and the confidence Nilsen brings as the band’s new voice. “Cryin’ and Pleadin’,” originally by Billy Boy Arnold, opens the album with bright energy and sharp guitar interplay. “I Don’t Mind,” the James Brown classic, eases into a smoother groove and gives the trio room to stretch out. “Just One More Time,” from Ike Turner’s Kings of Rhythm catalog, brings one of the record’s punchiest moments with its tight rhythm and quick, fiery solo. The closer, “Chicken Pickin’,” Lonnie Mack’s instrumental gem, ends the album on a lively note and shows how comfortably the band moves within roots-guitar tradition.

Lyrical Strength: Because Orphans pulls from songs written by blues greats, the themes are timeless—longing, regret, resilience, and devotion. GA-20 treat the material with care, giving these stories a natural, grounded delivery. Nilsen’s phrasing brings a human touch that keeps the lyrics feeling honest and connected, even as the band puts its own twist on the originals.

Final Groove: Orphans doesn’t try to reinvent GA-20, but it does show a band settling into its newest lineup with confidence and a clear sense of purpose. These covers highlight their strengths as interpreters: tight playing, warm tones, and a feel-first approach that keeps things engaging even when the songs stay simple. It’s a solid step in their ongoing evolution, and it hints that this refreshed trio has plenty of room to grow when they turn their focus back to original material.

GA-20 REVIEW HISTORY
Crackdown (2022) / Try It…You Might Like It! (2021) / Lonely Soul (2019)

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