FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

Best Rock Album

AWARENESS OR ILLUSION

Best Rock Performance

Just Shut Up, Stop Talking to Me
&
For Jeff

Best Rock Song

Something Has Changed

Best American Roots Song

I Look To The East

Listeners are particularly drawn to the album’s dynamic range, from soaring anthems to introspective ballads, each piece revealing new layers with every listen.

The production quality is crisp and immersive, allowing subtle instrumental details to shine through and offering a sonic experience that both rewards careful attention and invites pure enjoyment.

Beyond critical acclaim, AWARENESS OR ILLUSION has also sparked a vibrant conversation among fans on social media, with discussions ranging from lyrical interpretations to favorite tracks and live performance hopes. This groundswell of enthusiasm is a testament to MOTU’s enduring ability to connect deeply with audiences worldwide, ensuring that this latest release will resonate for years to come.

“The blues (and beyond) is alive and well in MOTU’s hands.”

- Progressive rock & jazz-fusion magazine, Sea Of Tranquility

“a true blues / rock / pop masterpiece.”

- Roots Music Report

“Awareness or Illusion should be on everyone’s top 10 list….has to be considered by any and all for album of the year…Do yourself a favor and see how a stellar musician does it.”

- Good Times Magazine

“the delicious rawness of his delivery seems to be only accumulating from release to release.” 

- Canadian based author, & journalist, Dmitry M. Epstein

“excellent guitar work and raw and impassioned vocal work.”

- LA based music critic, and blogger, Michael Doherty

- Voted BEST Non-Cover Band in the 2020 Best of Long Island Competition

- Voted BEST Non-Cover Band in the 2022 Best of Long Island Competition

- Voted BEST Non-Cover Band in the 2024 Best of Long Island Competition

- Voted BEST Non-Cover Band in the 2025 Best of Long Island Competition

- Past Semi-Finalist Winner in the International Blues Challenge held in Memphis (IBC)

- Past Semi-Finalist Winner in the International Songwriting Competition (ISC)

MOTU® (Music of the Universe) is the stage name of Dr Richard Michelson. A multi-talented Singer-Songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, band leader, and engineer who has performed all over the world and has released 24 albums.

MOTU has a Global Fan Base that can be demonstrated from his world-wide Indie album, CD & DVD sales, his Quarter-Million Followers on Facebook, and by the over 10 Million Views of his live videos on his YouTube Official Artist Channel.

© 2025 MOTU® Records/ All Rights Reserved