Latest Posts

Dalmatic – “Empty Lights”

September 12, 2025

“Empty Lights” is the latest single from Glasgow based Dalmatic. Toeing the line somewhere between punk and indie with shoegaze sensibilities, there is a lot to unpack from this track. This is through and through a guitarist’s guitar track with several layers of that delightful phuzz that would pique the interest in anyone who enjoys non-stop sound. Don’t take that to mean you can’t hear anything through all of that though; not a single note or strum is wasted and I’m willing to bet bottom dollar at least one of them is classically trained.   You can hear “Empty Lights” on Deezer, as well as Spotify and Apple Music. The rest of the single is worth a listen to, with “Coming Down (Demo)” and “Not All The Time” rounding things out.  

Animal, Surrender! – “Misswanderer”

September 10, 2025

Truly embracing the mystique of the season, duo Animal, Surrender! shares their latest single “Misswanderer.” Discordant chords clash beautifully on a (real) organ along with bassist Peter Kerlin’s 8-string (electric) bass (I didn’t even know they came with 8 strings). The lyrics are those that you feel in your soul as you listen (or not, if you have no internal monologue), and, frankly I think a testament to the band. Here’s an even more cryptic snippet from Kerlin:   “This song is an ode to folks who against their better judgment follow an idea, impulse, obsession, or compulsion off the trail and deep into the bush, finding themselves lost, in a state they were their whole life warned against; a personal hell or a place of wonder and openness.”   A refutation on “waaaahhhh you need lyrics in a song;” you’ll be drawn in deep to Animal, Surrender! and I’m[...]

Django Duyns – “TBV”

September 10, 2025

We haven’t checked in with Amsterdam’s Django Duyns since “Leather Skin” from mid March, but his latest, “TBV,” seems like the perfect time to do so. He manages to bring the darker feels with the deep bass tones and almost mockingly-tuned guitars, but brings a bit of light with some vibraphone… vibes (I’m pretty sure that’s what you call notes from a vibraphone)? The track itself is a masterclass in the buildup to a nice payoff musically, while grappling with the oh-so-fun subject of imposter syndrome and overcoming self doubt. See? Post punk isn’t all gloom and doom!   You can hear “TBV” below on YouTube and add to your autumnal post punk playlist on Spotify. You can also find it over on Deezer, a French streaming service that offers FLAC (still waiting on that lossless audio OTHER STREAMING SERVICE).  

Moon Panda – “Superstore”

September 4, 2025

“Superstore” is the latest from duo Moon Panda, and if you’re having a *day* it’ll definitely help bring you down. Somewhere between dreampop and chillwave (they refer to themselves as ‘cosmic sway’), it’s just a sublimely layered track full of fuzzy lo-fi goodness. My friend likened it to “lil high + walking home at 1am.” Speaking to the track, the band had this to say:   “‘Superstore’ is about the micro moments of wanting to convince your partner of what you can be for them. I told our producer I wanted the chorus to feel like that scene in the movie ‘Challengers’ where they are outside and the trash is blowing everywhere. Total chaos and longing.”   I have literally never seen Challengers so I’ll just have to take their word for it.   You can catch the music video (with lyrics) below from YouTube. The track is also available[...]

Beast Beast – “Glue & Glitter”

September 4, 2025

“Glue & Glitter” is the latest track from duo Beast Beast – consisting of Gustav Cederberg and Mikael Landén. This is a fabulous mix of groovy guitars and even groovier bass…. grooves. The bass reverberated through my soul and felt, cleansing? I don’t know how else to describe it. It’s a nice amalgamation of jazz and low key rock, with the band charting their own course around pigeonholing to make something truly unique and good. Their attention to detail, specifically going with an analogue approach to recording, (which makes things even more difficult vs. the digital approach) certainly helped in this endeavor.   You can hear “Glue & Glitter” below on YouTube or add it to your playlist on Spotify. Keep your eyes peeled for the band’s upcoming album, B&B, due out sometime in the future.    

Repiet – “On and On”

September 4, 2025

If you’re like me and a novice when it comes to the different subgenres of EDM (sorry Chucks), you are probably at the very least cognizant that some songs sound different. Repiet’s “On and On” falls into the house flavor of EDM, and it’s catchy as fuck. Sometimes I find it hard to get into instrumental only music, which this is not as he collabs with Julia Kleijn on vocals. I could go on about how smoothly Repiet does his transitions or how he takes the less is more approach that leads to a gnarly crescendo… But you just gotta hear it to appreciate it. If you like house, you’ll definitely enjoy and if you’re not an EDM person you can admire the artistry.   You can watch the visualizer music vid below on YouTube or throw it on your house mix via Spotify.   Be sure to check out[...]

Goodnight House – “You Know I Know You Know”

August 29, 2025

“You Know I Know You Know” is the latest single from Goodnight House, formed by Joel Lane back in 2008 (remember ’08? rad year). We last covered Goodnight House earlier in the year here with their track “Existence.” Lane is a master of the fuzzy guitar and utilizes it very gently here and doesn’t beat you over the head with it. Sung with his wife Megan duet-style, they keep things at a light simmer that nonetheless ends up fully cooked at the end. The lyrics feel very personal and a little morose which makes the duet vocals an interesting choice that felt incredibly genuine.   You can hear “You Know I Know You Know” below from Bandcamp as well as Spotify.   If you’re diggin’ this, ho boy have I got news for you! October 3rd will see the release of the band’s latest album Good Consumers. Plenty more to[...]

da nang – “Kids”

August 29, 2025

Lead by queer Viet singer John Thai, da nang  is a group based out of Ontario and “Kids” is their title single off of their most recent EP. It’s an unabashedly delightful love letter to the 90’s garage rock of yesteryear intersecting with current day emo (something I think we can all agree is a very good thing).   No one instrument takes the spotlight immediately and gives Thai’s vocals plenty of room to stretch their wings. Power chords and the little diddy used in the bridge both definitely feel emo-informed and even have a pop punk vibe to them that I found enjoyable (think Blink-182 but everyone seems to get along and aren’t singing about fucking your mom).   You can hear “Kids” from Apple Music, as well as over on Spotify. Also, if you’re looking for more on the band be sure to use their linktree because, fun[...]

Foot Ox – “Bed Of Violets”

August 18, 2025

Ever wanted to know what a “Bed of Violets” was? I can’t say that I did, but after hearing the latest from Foot Ox, I’m equal parts intrigued and mortified. Pretty chill sounding, indie folk, little bit of synth (that reminds me of Napoleon Dynamite), and just generally good vibes. Behind the good vibes though? *Darkness* You can’t appreciate the light without the dark though, and if everything was gooey good feelings life would be boring. Speaking to the track, front person Teague Cullen had this to say:   “It’s about the struggle of facing a dark force in life and overcoming it. Even though the lyrics themselves might not be overtly hopeful, I feel like the orchestration and the strings bring a sense of something vast and beautiful.”   So apparently August 29th is the new August 11th. My editor either gave me the wrong release date for Foot Ox’s[...]

Lindsey Rose Black – “CUNT HONEY”

August 18, 2025

“CUNT HONEY” is the latest single from Lindsey Rose Black, and I’m honestly here for it. She uses clever word play to work through the trauma of growing up in small town Bible Belt USA with a uterus (spoiler alert: it doesn’t sound very fun, but makes for great music). This is pop music with a country mouthfeel of the highest order and a very fun romp that I didn’t know I was looking for but found it anyways.   I’m pretty smart, but I couldn’t quite figure out what she meant with the line “donut mango cherry peach.” I asked my girlfriend and she told me to ask the internet.   You can hear CUNT HONEY below from Soundcloud or over on Spotify. If you’re offended by the word “cunt” or women discussing menstrual cycles with a catchy pop hook, then fam I’m sorry, but this may not be[...]

Tuxis Giant – “Days”

August 10, 2025

“Days” is the latest from Tuxis Giant, and I’m here for it just as I was back in May when I reviewed their other single “Last Laugh” (here). Matt O’Connor was inspired by Spirited Away and other Miyazaki films, specifically that “…even the smallest moments contain their own sacred weight” – which also happens to be the main thesis of the album.   The track itself feels, appropriately, like it could fit into anime or a JRPG. The main guitar riff made me feel like I had a video game paused on a level with a thumpin’ tune and I just wanted to stay there to keep experiencing it. The chord progression definitely got stuck in my head and the temptation to start playing along was difficult to ignore.   You Won’t Remember is out August 15th. The music video (well worth the watch, tbf) is embedded below from YouTube, and[...]

Bad Self Portraits – “All Bark, No Bite”

August 10, 2025

Seems like just last month we wrote about Bad Self Portraits….. and that’s actually 100% correct. We covered “Pensive” (here) July 17th and enjoyed the hell out of that; “All Bark, No Bite” follows suit (meaning, we enjoyed the hell out it too).   The distortion on the intro had me thinking we were going into a grunge tinged anthem… and I was sort of right (more Stephen Malkmus, less Nirvana, with a smattering of Slowdive for good measure). The tempo slows down and takes on a more intimate feel with vocals from Ingrid Howell, with brief guitar solo interludes. The band certainly leans into a storytelling heavy style (which I love) but I found while zoning out that everything works incredibly well when I’m not listening to the words too! Definitely still listen to the lyrics – these ones are particularly powerful.   You can watch the music video[...]

Chammeili – “Call Me When”

August 6, 2025

Kaamya Sharma, the brains behind Chammeili, brings us their latest single “Call Me When.” Sad girl summer may give way to over-depressed fall, but good sad music knows no season. Driven by guitar that ebbs and flows with Sharma’s vocals, this is the perfect track to listen as the nights grow longer and/or your relationship slowly crumbles away and you’re looking for anything to grab onto (too specific?). You can feel the emotion in every note and what’s left unsaid. Speaking to the track, Sharma had this to say:   “It’s difficult to miss someone so much knowing there is no going back… Making it was cathartic. It’s a song people can sing along to in their cars in the last moments of heartbreak, right before they move the hell on.”   You can listen to “Call Me When” below on YouTube or over on Spotify. The band’s linktree has[...]

Geowulf – “Top Down”

August 6, 2025

“Top Down” is the latest from Australia based Star Kendrick, the brains behind Geowolf (I am uncertain if gee-oh-wolf or jay-oh-wolf, but lets rock with the former). Regardless of pronunciation, you’re treated to a synthy pop princess clearly in her prime. Rocking an 80’s vibes with a very fresh feel, synth and drums with a touch of bass lock in with Kendrick’s wispy yet strong vocals.   Sure sounds like sunshine and lollipops right? Not quite :(. Kendrick, speaking to the track:   “Written mostly about my struggle to recover from postnatal anxiety, its lyrics reflect an unraveling and a quiet cry for help. But then my producer and friend, Duncan Mills, breathed new life into it, turning it into this unexpected upbeat banger.”   You can hear “Top Down” embedded below from Soundcloud, or over on Spotify. Be sure to note the release countdown for her “Twinkly Depression” EP[...]

Tiberius – “Sag”

August 5, 2025

“Sag” is certainly an interesting name for a track and I’m willing to bet you’ll be into the latest from Tiberius. It’s a well-developed treatise on self reflection filled to the brim with brilliantly layered guitar that leans into a poppier so-called “farm emo” that adherents of the ole Midwest sound will appreciate. Speaking to the track songwriter Brendan Write had this to say:   “I wrote ‘Sag’ when I was really playing the ‘comparison game’ in my head and asking myself what role I wanted music to play in my life. It was the first in a batch about looking at yourself in relation to the others around you and trying to decipher who you are without that context.”   You can hear “Sag” below from the band’s Soundcloud. You can add it to your playlists on Bandcamp and Spotify. The new album, Troubadour will be available November 14.  [...]