Latest Posts

Liminal Shade – “Disorder (Joy Division Cover)”

May 4, 2025

As made popular by Joy Division on their seminal 1979 album Unknown Pleasures, Liminal Shade puts their own spin on the joyous themes of alienation and feeling lost. Born from hearing its resurgence on social media, the band wanted to tap into the same themes present now that Ian Curtis et al. dredged up oh so many years ago:   “The themes of ‘Disorder’ resonate profoundly with the current moment… The sense of instability and disquiet that Joy Division captured decades ago resonates with the collective uncertainty many are experiencing these days.”   I will say, the band definitely understood the assignment and took a song older than most of us and not only made it feel fresh but also paid respect to its storied origins.   If you’ve somehow missed out on Joy Divison, you can find the original on Spotify. It’s certainly not required listening before you hear the[...]

Pawl – “Bars”

April 30, 2025

“Bars” is the latest single from Paul Kraus, better known by his moniker Pawl, a clever phonetic pun on his first name. The track itself is a masterclass in how to craft a sly indie-pop song that gives a lot of different instrumentals time to shine (including a horn section!?). It builds up so nicely into a down tempo change that shows off some ole fashioned axe soloing (sweet and smooth bb).   Somehow, through all of the positively twee lyrics and feelings, the song ends on an even higher note than I thought possible. Speaking to the track Pawl had this to say:   “I wrote this song when I was thinking about how teenagers are dreading becoming boring adults…. [and] about how love can open someone up, and living in Bars is not a life.”   You can hear “Bars” on Spotify or from Apple Music.    [...]

Billy Bonbon – “Billy Bonbon”

April 28, 2025

“Billy Bonbon” is, in a rare occurrence, the newest (self-titled) track from indie three piece Billy Bonbon. We’re immediately greeted by a tight drum and bass formation that sets a post-punk mouthfeel, while eventually sliding into a low-fi groove. Clocking in at just over six minutes, this is very much a journey that we’re happy to go on. Billy Bonbon lets their instrumentals breathe and take center stage, which give it almost… a prog-adjacent vibe? Either way you slice it, lots of layers to peel back and enjoy here.   You can hear “Billy Bonbon” below from Soundcloud, as well as Spotify. If you’re into the visual representation of the track, the music video can be found on YouTube. While they have a small smattering of singles, this and the rest are worthy of your time and can be found in the aforementioned streaming platforms.   Billy Bonbon by Billy[...]

22° Halo – “Reward”

April 28, 2025

“Reward” is the latest single from 22° Halo and it listens like an indie lullaby you could easily play for your child or furry/scaly child (I see you, Alex). Delightful synth and the *most* gentle acoustic guitar play out with Kennedy’s subdued tones. The bedroom-pop vibes are impossibly twee and if you don’t fall in love with this track immediately you should get your pulse checked.   You can hear “Reward” below from Soundcloud. This is in support of of True Names, a compilation benefitting the Trans Youth Emergency Project, which helps families access gender-affirming care. Certainly a worthwhile cause to support and, while artists deserve our dollars a fuck-ton, so do the most vulnerable among us. If you’ve like what you’ve heard here the band’s 2024 album Lily of the Valley, for which “Reward” is a B-Side, is available for your listening pleasure on Soundcloud or Spotify.   Worry[...]

Codeko x Ella Poletti – “Keep Smiling”

April 25, 2025

Collaborators Codeko and Ella Poletti join forces to bring us their EDM track “Keep Smiling.” Codeko seems to produce the instrumentals and Poletti lends her vocals, something I’ve always been fascinated with when it comes to to EDM tracks; how the FUCK do you keep in time with SO MUCH GOING ON? Skittering percussion and pulsating instrumentals work together with chiming keyboards and Poletti’s hooky vocals to create something aurally interesting. I’ve seen different levels of live music but a DJ and emcee in sync is one of the most amazing musical spectacles. I could keep trying to describe what’s going on, but you’re better off just listening!   You can hear it below from Soundcloud or over on Spotify. You’ll be hard pressed to find a catchier tune, especially on such short notice. Rest assured, this will get your heart thumping on the dance floor or doing other aerobic[...]

Poster Girl – “I Wish”

April 25, 2025

“I Wish” is the latest single from Poster Girl, a Chicago based indie rock outfit. The most unfortunate thing about this track is that it’s only one of THREE that the band has released. Clearly this is a quality over quantity scenario, and this is only supposed to be about “I Wish,” but that was an important point to make; this band has only three songs and they knock all of ’em outta the park.   The guitar work is simple yet effective, meshing with light piano and vocals from singer Makayla Meister. Appropriately mournful while looking back on past regrets, it’s four minutes of bliss that you’ll be happy you spent time on.   You can hear (and see, via visualizer) “I Wish” on YouTube, Apple Music, or over on Spotify. If you enjoyed this track as I did, you can also hear the pun-tastically named “Bored Games” and[...]

eSex – “bumper sticker”

April 16, 2025

eSex is a weeb punk band out of California and “bumper sticker” is their latest single. They definitely tricked me the first listen through with the sudden heel turn from lovely guitar-forward emo-punk to SCREAMING. I thought the breakdown was gonna be the end but then NOPE, THEY CAUSED QUITE THE RUCKUS IN MY EARDRUMS. Funnily enough, the song ends as it began to bring it full circle. If you check out the band’s socials you’ll see what I mean about the weeb comment – assuredly, from me specifically, a compliment.   If you’ve ever been to a basement show or had/have patches on your vest you’ll feel right at home with eSex …and you may be entitled to financial compensation (not from eSex, to be clear). They deserve your financial compensation, so throw them a listen and check out one of their shows if you’re in Northern California.  [...]

Tarn PK – “Cry Baby”

April 16, 2025

Straight to your ears from Wellington, New Zealand, Tarn PK (the moniker of Tarn Puentener-King) shows off his latest track “Cry Baby.” I’m always a sucker for a well-crafted pop track and “Cry Baby” is no exception. Going with a “less is more” approach, the synth and drums play off each other to great effect and let Tarn PK’s catchy vocals do the heavy lifting. Speaking to the track, Tarn had this to say:   “[‘Cry Baby] came from a time of feeling like I wasn’t moving forward and thinking, what am I going to do about this….a big part for me was trying to detach from my expectations and just appreciate things as they currently are.”   You can hear it below from Soundcloud, Spotify, or check out the music video on YouTube (which is more or less a visualizer except Tarn PK in a daze in an elevator).[...]

Roller Derby – “Lights Out”

April 16, 2025

Roller Derby, a band we’ve written about before here, have a new track out – a dream pop affair entitled “Lights Out.” Clocking in at just under three minutes, organ flavored synth (or maybe actually an organ, who can say) and a slick bass line dance along with fitful bouts of guitar. I got some Beach House vibes here and there, but this isn’t just another cookie cutter dreamy track – the warmth and speaking to the complexities of love feel truly heartfelt.   You can hear “Lights Out” below from Soundcloud or Spotify. An AI music video also exists over on YouTube. As per the band this was done purposefully to “mirror the song’s dreamlike quality – blurring the lines between reality and illusion…” You can hear the rest of the album, When The Night Comes, on a streaming device near you.   Roller Derby · Lights Out  [...]

Color Palette – “Anywhere at All”

April 14, 2025

“Anywhere at All” is the latest single from DC based Color Palette and wow, is it just chock full of sound. A self described “indie dream-pop band,” “Anywhere at All” takes some rhythmic cues from industrial and shoegaze music that incorporates the synth – an approach I found intriguing and refreshing. I even felt some moments of “is this almost an EDM track?” Like I said: this track packs a lot of sound.   The band’s last major release was 2023’s Pacing Like a Lion EP with some singles here and there. Keep your ears out for more, because bands that keep up this long (since ~2017) certainly tend to have some staying power. Their other single of 2025, “Grateful,” is worth the listen too especially if you’re looking for a good example of the depth of the band.   You can hear “Anywhere at All” below from the band’s Soundcloud[...]

The Feather – BB

April 14, 2025

Solo act, The Feather, the brainchild of Thomas Medard, has a new single “BB.” It’s the latest single from his forthcoming album and, straight from his mouth on how important it is:   “It shaped the entire project: it’s the heart and soul of it. It speaks about daily life in a relationship, that routine that sometimes scares but also reassures. ‘BB’ is a song to remind the other person that some connections can grow endlessly. A song simply to say: I know you.”   The track itself is a smoooooth af synth and drum track that really sucks you in with how earnest and soulful it is. Aquatic FM piano tones lure in your ears with that quasi yacht rock sound. When you hear it, you’ll understand where the extra three o’s came from.   You can hear it below from Soundcloud or over on Spotify. An easy shoe-in[...]

Club 8 – Let It All Fly

April 14, 2025

Swedish twosome Club 8 bring us their latest single “Let It All Fly,” a languid and dreamy affair teaming with immensely satisfying effects and instrumentals (and vocals, of course!). I wouldn’t quite go so far as to call it ASMR, but damn if it isn’t toeing the line. Whatever they used for the *wooshing* effect was spot on and as close as I’ve gotten to actually flying while sitting down.   We most recently covered them here for their track “Free Falling” off of their 2024 album “A Year With Club 8.” They’ve been around the block a couple times and, if you click on the Club 8 label below (or here), you can see we’ve featured them more than once. With a catalogue stretching back into the late 90’s you’re certainly in for a treat and “Let It Fly” is the perfect jumping off point.   You can hear[...]

Navah Sea x Low Hum – Cinnamon

April 10, 2025

It took me a few listens to figure out what to say about “Cinnamon,” the latest collab between Navah Sea (aka Phill Simmonds, now of LA but formerly of Great Britain) and Low Hum (whose nationality I’m not positive on, but could be of British or American descent). The two combine forces to blast out a slick indie electronic track – dope beats and instrumentals slide through your brain waves to the point where you’re not even sure you’re listening or experiencing it. I particularly enjoyed the hazy, echoey vocals and underpinning synth.   You can hear “Cinnamon” below from YouTube or over on Spotify and Apple Music. Their EP, Dreams, is due out 4/18 and well worth the listen if you’re digging these phat jams. No tariffs here, just sweet sweet tunes that’ll get stuck in your soul.  

Cleo Handler – rules

April 10, 2025

Cleo Handler made an album and, while I’m not reviewing the *album,* I did give it a listen (though I’m focusing on the track “rules”). It’s important to point out though that she made a 13 track concept album around dating and about being yourself (but left out dating yourself).   The track itself is is a lowkey affair in a minor key that manages to be a major earworm. Clean guitar and vibrant drums mesh well with Handler’s vocals, delivering a no-nonsense take on compromise in a relationship:   “This song is about compromise and rigidity, and how, when you try to find common ground with someone quite stuck in their ways, a small offer of wiggle room can mean a lot… even if it’s not ultimately enough.”   You can hear “rules” below from Soundcloud or over on Spotify. The rest of the album, compare & contrast is out[...]

Mating Ritual – “Buffalo Blades”

April 3, 2025

Being a Buffalonian, I’ll tell you something: we always get excited when we see the word Buffalo. “Buffalo Blades” is the latest from Mating Ritual, and while I don’t think these two brothers from Central Cali are talking about Buffalo, NY, it’s nonetheless a groovetastic track. It feels super fleshed out and I *swear* I heard some steel geetar, with some synth mixed in for good measure.   You can hear “Buffalo Blades” below from Soundcloud or over on Spotify. The rest of the EP is worth a listen too, as the tracks show off their range – going from a country mouthfeel of Blades (steel geetar, hello) to a more amped up, punkier sounding “Shangri-Blah.” Speaking of….Shangri-Blah juuuust happens to be the title of the band’s upcoming album (where you can find “Buffalo Blades” as well).   Mating Ritual · Buffalo Blades