Latest Posts

Hit Like A Girl – “Are You In Love (feat. Zayna Youssef)”

February 27, 2026

Philly based Hit Like A Girl collaborated with Zayna Youssef for “Are You In Love.” You may want to sit down for this, but it’s a love song, and I think it’s just what everyone needs right now! It’s delightfully uplifting and starts with a synth intro that leads into bedroom pop vibes that give way to pop-punk tinged guitars. All of this meshes oh so well with with Youssef’s and Maroulis’s vocals.   You can hear “Are You In Love” below from Bandcamp. “Burning At Both Ends” is their next album, due out March 27 (Cryptid Records). They’ll be touring in support of it and may be coming near you (check their socials). Be sure to check out the non-profit, No More Dysphoria, mentioned on their Bandcamp page. They support trans and non-binary individuals financially with their transitions.   Are You In Love (feat. Zayna Youssef) by Hit Like[...]

Here if you need – “When It Falls Back into Place”

February 27, 2026

Nothing hits quite as good as some straight up emo mainlined into your ears, right? “When It Falls Back into Place” is the latest from Here if you need; Midwest Christian emo at its finest. Vocals delivered by Luke Whatman elicit fond memories of yesteryear when everyone could just vibe to some happy/sad and everything in between. We couldn’t dance and barely figured out how to mosh, but we figured it out, right? This is very much a guitar driven song in the spirit of TBS or Reliant K, and you’ll appreciate the ups, downs, and breakdowns.   You can hear “When It Falls Back into Place” below on YouTube or on Spotify. This is only the band’s second single, the first one being 2024’s “E-Mail,” but give the band a follow and maybe we’ll see some more soon!          

The Same Sky – “What’s Left”

February 27, 2026

“What’s Left” is the end result of Montreal based act The Same Sky mashing together a breakup through the lens of The Odyssey (the Greek one, not the Christopher Nolan one). The trip back to finding yourself after a breakup probably makes one feel like Odysseus trying to get back home, though I don’t recall if he fucks with a guitar and Big Muff pedal this hard (I never read the whole thing, but neither did your English professor).   I doubt Homer could have fathomed the crossover of his epic to a shoegaze track some two thousand years later, but I’m sure he would have at least appreciated the artistry.   You can hear “What’s Left” below via Bandcamp and on Spotify. You’ve not long to wait for more from The Same Sky as their album “Haunting in the Mountains” is out in April (Casa Joven).   Haunting in[...]

Big Sleep – “Bruiser”

February 27, 2026

“Bruiser” is the current single off of Holy Show, the latest album from Dublin’s own Big Sleep. It felt like one of those recipes my girlfriend tells me I need to “keep at a simmer, Chris.” While I can’t quite point out the difference betwixt a low boil and a simmer, Big Sleep obviously can because this track simmers *perfectly*. Tight drums combine with flittering guitar with moments of focus where the whole band comes together. Vocally, I was reminded of (younger) Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse fame and in general just loved the hyper focus of the track.   If you’re simmer challenged like I am, let “Bruiser” guide your way. It has nothing to with cooking, but you’ll enjoy it nonetheless. The album is available wherever you stream music; we have it below from Soundcloud and the Spotify link here.   Big Sleep · Bruiser

Bleary – “bug”

February 26, 2026

Nashville based Bleary bring us their latest single, “bug” (with a lower-case b) but with capital letter quality sound. “bug” features heavily what feels like a wall of guitars in multiple flavors that will pique the interest of shoegazers anywhere, with four minutes that feels like just enough but leaves me waiting for the next track. Luckily there IS another track – the equally catchy yet subdued “sugar splint.”   Fans of Mitski may already be familiar with the band, as they have opened for her on her tour.   You can hear “bug” below courtesy of Soundcloud or Spotify. Their debut full length “Little Brain” is due out May 15 (yk records) but until then have plenty of back catalogue for your listening pleasure. I particularly enjoyed 2019’s “Ghost” but I’m sure you’ll have your own.   yk records · Bleary – bug

Tōth – “Thoughts Are Like Clouds”

February 20, 2026

Tōth is the brainchild of Alex Toth and holy fuck is “Thoughts Are Like Clouds” the weirdest/funniest trip I’ve had in a minute! It meanders with a sense of whimsy with smooth as fuck bass and guitar, with some surprise trumpet thrown in for good measure. Gave me some Andrew Bird vibes but only slightly; Tōth is on a whole ‘nother plain of existence. Speaking to the track, Toth said:   “I’m pretty sure I was in a recovery meeting and a friend of mine shared with the group in a thick New York accent ‘thoughts are like clouds in the sky of your brain or whatever’ and it tickled me deeply.”   You can see the music video below from YouTube as well as the usual suspects of Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp (but definitely check out the video). It cleverly turns into a sort of lyric video with[...]

Shirehead – “Zero degrees”

February 20, 2026

The name may sound like my buddy who embraces the Hobbitcore lifestyle, but Shirehead is a Montreal based-band and not affiliated with him. “Zero degrees” is their latest release, based on the lead singer’s time living in a van in Spain during the winter. It sounds appropriately stressful and… lonely? Difficult to capture that but Shirehead delivers in spades with the mood. The synth tone they use gives a goth post-punk feel and if you pay any sort of attention, we love that shit and are here for it.   You can hear “Zero degrees” below from Bandcamp or on Spotify. The band’s first album is due out soon, so follow on the band’s IG if you haven’t already!   Zero degrees by shirehead

Lesser Birds – “Buffalo”

February 20, 2026

“Buffalo” is an oddly specific name for a song, is someone trying to curry favor with us?! Evidently not, but Lesser Birds has roots here as two members are University at Buffalo alums. You can argue for or against Boston being an upgrade, but I won’t wade into that; ask me about my khakis or my car keys but not both.   Aficionados of post-punk will appreciate the various smatterings of sounds that pop up (including some brassy sounding instruments). The track warps and shifts around and adopts a prog-ish experimental vibe – although, where post-punk ends and prog rock begins, who can say? Speaking to the track the band had this to say:   “Buffalo is a meditation on change, loss, and the quiet pull of home. The song captures the tension between nostalgia and escape, the reluctance of chasing a new life while still haunted by where you[...]

Caleb L’Etoile – “Gun”

February 20, 2026

Caleb L’Etoile brings us his latest with the incredibly relevant “Gun.” I won’t get super political, but I’m sure you’ll be able to guess which way Caleb leans within five seconds of watching his music video below. It starts off feeling like a folksy/sea shanty track but shifts the vibe and turns things up to 11. Caleb suggests that the performance below is critical to the overall reception of the track – luckily, we’re fans of the whole package, and have embedded for your convenience.   “Gun” is available streaming via Spotify or below with his Tiny Desk Performance submission. If you want to know more, he did also throw up his musings on Substack. I’m sure my editor takes this out (editor’s note – he didn’t), but the shit happening in Minnesota and around the country isn’t normal and you should vote and support local artists. Release the *redacted*[...]

Feedback Freud – “Hypnosis”

February 20, 2026

Self-described Swedish psycho-pop-rockers Feedback Freud have dropped their latest with “Hypnosis.” It was honestly a treat to listen to and we’ve added it to my big ole mix of songs. It’s truly a raucous affair, with both drums and bass really pulling their weight. Equal parts funk, pop, punk, and psyched-out-whatever really combine into a truly fun track that rewards you for a close listen or ten. You wouldn’t think a band named after guy who thought his mom was hot would write something this catchy… Or maybe they’re the best examples? We’re here for it.   You can hear “Hypnosis” embedded below or on Spotify. No true music video I could find, but that’s level of awesome that we just aren’t ready for as human race because it would probably melt our collective faces.          

Misty Coast – “Hallucinating”

February 13, 2026

Misty Coast is Linn Frøkedal and Richard Myklebust and their latest is “Hallucinating.” Just based on the album art, I knew I was gonna be a fan, and now, so will you! They shoved quite a bit of sound into this track; it’s chockfull of drums, Synth with a capital S, and possibly a ghost (seriously, right around the 2:20 mark, what is that?!). The psychedelic and dream pop portions of the track cohabitate very well together with Linn Frøkedal’s vocals driving things forward, without feeling rushed.   You can hear “Hallucinating” below, as well as their other single “Always Sun.” I’m not quite sure what the sun is but it sounds nice… New album is out soon, be sure to keep your eyes peeled (but for the album, not the sun!) You can find both (and more) via that Soundcloud embed below or on Spotify.   Misty Coast ·[...]

Shaky – “In a Heartbeat”

February 13, 2026

“In a Heartbeat” is the first single of the year for Shaky and it wastes no time establishing itself with a very un-shaky guitar intro (actually, two seconds and then guitar, but I digress). I felt some fun vibes between the notes – somehow being simultaneously reminded of the Strokes and Bruce Springsteen (check the 1:10 mark and tell me you disagree). Speaking to the track, Jake Hammill had this to say:   “‘In a Heartbeat’ is the feeling of nostalgia. For me, it’s a look back at my life in my early 20s, living in Philly… As I get older and the world gets stranger, I find comfort in my memories of the past – when times were simpler.”   As I was listening before writing I was thinking to myself, “Dang this feels like it would make for a cool music video.” Well fam, not only is there[...]

Pat Faking – “You’ll Find It”

February 12, 2026

I have no idea what Pat Faking alleges to be faking, but it sure as shit ain’t music. Their latest single “You’ll Find It” is a fantastic build up of sounds from the garage rock family of indie rock, with hints of shoegaze haze poking through. The brainchild of Patrick Fagan (I see where the name comes from now), you can tell he either plays bass or really knows how to make killer bass lines with some of the little licks that pop up in the middle and ending stanzas. Combo that with some rawkin’ guitar and his at times ethereal vocals, and you’re in for a (not) faking and very legitimate good time.   You’ll find “You’ll Find It” below from Soundcloud or on Spotify with their other two singles “Easy” and “Have You Had Enough.”   Pat Faking · You’ll Find It

Mount Mural – “Out and Down”

February 12, 2026

I usually like doing really silly preambles about “such and such artist” and they’re “yadda yadda yadda.” Really though? Just have to say that “Out and Down” fucks hard and I’m friggin’ here for it.   This was billed as showing off Mount Mural‘s “unpredictability” which can be good for music, but not so great for relationships (ask me how I know). As it compares to the random smattering of songs I listened to including “Sickboy” and “Froze,” this was definitely more in your face with lots of reverb and spitty distortion tones. Think “SHOEGAZE DAWG” and less “gentle dreampop tune;” both quite good in their own right, but this one falls into the former camp.   You can hear it below from Bandcamp as well as on Spotify. I know time is fleeting and you gotta seize the day, but taking two minutes for some mindfulness and MUSIC… This one’s[...]

Bleary – “sugar splint”

February 5, 2026

Based on name alone, Bleary sounds like it could be something cutesy or hazy (like that feel when you wake up bleary-eyed) but they are and they aren’t. Shoegaze is funny like that because it’s a little bit of everything! Their latest is “sugar splint” and I gotta say, it sounds pretty sweet (sorry not sorry).   Written partially during the lockdown and over the past four years, the tracks have had time to germinate and (as evidenced here) really grow into something spectacular. “sugar splint” is filled to the brim with sound and lots of geetar layers and is one of those tracks that rewards subsequent listens.   You can hear “sugar splint” below from Soundcloud or over on Spotify. A new album, Little Brain will be out in May of this year. yk records · sugar splint