With her thirteenth “Thunder In The House”, Detroit coming force of nature, Eliza Neals, has unleashed a terrific sound storm. Following the path of the acclaimed “Badder To The Bones”, Neals confirms her status as one of the undisputed actual blues queens, delivering a nine-track album she describes as an “antidote for the soul”.

From the opening song “Speedy Beady” to the deep rhythm of “Love Will,” the album drives listeners into a deep atmosphere full of groove and mysticism. Neals’ vocals masterfully move between roar and whisper, with a gritty, whiskey-soaked texture that could remain Janis Joplin’s one but with the technical precision of her classic opera training, Her vocal delivery hits breathtaking peaks on tracks like “Wicked Heart,” supported by incisive guitar solos and a Fender Rhodes touch that adds a spiritual, postmodern layer to the whole recording.

A wise production by her long-time collaborator Michael Puwal, manages to capture the raw Detroit essence, allowing that instruments like Hammond B3 organ breathe fire in every song. The record closes with the track that gives tittle to it, “Thunder In The House,” a masterclass of dark, swampy blues that leaves a lasting mark, thanks to Puwal’s exceptional slide guitar work.

In short words, Neals doesn’t just honor the genre, she boosts it forward with a songwriting maturity and a raw energy that few artists can match today. A fine well-crafted album that proves that if you hear a thunder in the house, Eliza Neals’ lightning is included and not far behind. VERY GOOD.