Latest Posts

The Lives of Famous Men – “Lost in the Branches”

February 4, 2026

“Lost in the Branches” is the latest from LA based The Lives of Famous Men (they took a leaf from Portugal. The Man and mostly moved out of Alaska). “Branches” is one of those lovely amalgamations of indie rock and the *tiniest* hint of electronica, slightly reminiscent of Gibbard and his tunes, that just fires on all cylinders (just kidding, it’s definitely more than a tiny hint). I can’t always get behind a track where the synth features prominently in the chorus, but consider me hooked by the hook (it’s a damn good hook). Speaking to the track, the band is pretty clear about the subject matter:   “[Lost in the Branches]… is about algorithmic culture and how all-consuming it’s become. …trees were an apt metaphor, both for something organic and rooted in place, as well as the cold logic of nodes and branches that decide everything from the songs[...]

Theo Black – “Follow The Money”

February 4, 2026

“Follow The Money” is both the words uttered by Deep Throat in All The President’s Men and the latest track from Theo Black. He started the song in Vegas (ya know, the place that’s all about dollars) and used that as a jumping off point.   He paints a dreary picture about how money makes people dehumanize others in the pursuit of more, but does it oh-so beautifully. A sick bass riff propels the track forward while his vocals mesh with simple yet effective guitar and drums that take it the rest of the way forward. I’m a sucker for post-punk that finds a way to feel fresh even after all this time, which “Money” nails in spades.   You can hear it embedded below from Bandcamp or Spotify. You can hear last year’s EP Last Nite if you’re looking for more, with the synth drenched “Girls On The Internet” being[...]

Cape Francis – “Catapult”

January 31, 2026

“Catapult” is the newest release from Cape Francis, aka Kevin Henthorn. CF begun as a solo project to realign with his own musical wants and needs; definitely still going strong since 2017, so a tenure that’s certainly nothing to sneeze at!   I was frankly enthralled by Henthorn’s vocals – he showcases an impressive vocal range with a strong yet surprisingly chill build up that levels out at the end. Vocals aside, the [acoustic] guitar does most of the talking and meshes well with the collection of light drums and second guitar layer or synths (hard to tell sometimes, seriously).   You can hear “Catapult” below from Soundcloud, as well as Spotify and Apple Music. His next album, Plateaus is due sometime in the near future from Sleep Well Records.   Cape Francis · Catapult      

Retro Kid – “Think I Know”

January 31, 2026

Sometimes the catchiest tunes have the best back stories. Case in point is “Think I Know” from UK born, Danish based Retro Kid. “Think I Know;” probably about someone suspecting their lover is cheating on them, or maybe knowing… the plot to the next Game of Thrones novel? Nope, in this case it’s inspired by his sassy toddler who enjoys putting his socks in the dishwasher.   The track itself is dandy of an indie electronica song with a sick beat to boot. Tight drums do a lot of the heavy lifting along with swirly synths and ear-tickling effects that are reminiscent of Zero 7 or Still Corners. I love the wholesomeness which adds, rather than detracts, from the overall presentation.   You can hear “Think I Know” below from Soundcloud or over on Spotify. The year is still early, with an EP on the way in the near future.[...]

Porch Coffin – “Family Portrait”

January 22, 2026

“Family Portrait” is Orlando based Porch Coffin‘s newest single off of their Dogs Bite EP. Far from being a happy go lucky track, it’s a slice of indie rock pie with a post punk crust, topped with some hints of Midwest emo sensibilities.   The band (a four piece, from what I gathered from their IG) paints a dreary picture but does it exceedingly well. This is mostly a guitar-forward affair with a small amount of reverb that gives an otherworldly effect, (like, “alien in your own skin what is going on around here” and not literally a different world).   You can hear “Family Portrait” below from Bandcamp, as well as Spotify. The rest of the EP is well worth a listen and a late 2025 album that may have gotten lost around that weird gap between Thanksgiving and New Years that feels like it just ended.   DOGS[...]

Synthetic Friend – “Renovations”

January 22, 2026

Natives of Winnipeg, Synthetic Friend is here in the new year with a new track off of a new EP. “Renovations” is the second track off of Catching the Outlines, and it’s one of our favorites this year!   Five piece bands can fall into weird overproduced messes with everyone doing something okay but not well. Here though, everyone brings something to the table and nothing ever sounds unnecessary. The build up to the guitar solo in the middle of the song is done perfectly and I have no notes. Emma Stevens gives us quiet and loud with the vocals, never missing a beat.   You can hear “Renovations” below on Soundcloud as well as Apple Music and Spotify. You should listen to the rest of the EP but if you only listen to one other track, I can’t recommend “Baby, You’re My Microwave” enough. It’s whimsical and hilarious and[...]

Wild Spelks – “305”

January 22, 2026

The word “pop” gets a bad rap sometimes and I hope you, dear reader, do not fall into this camp because you’re missing out on some fabulous music. That, or, one sneaks in a “pop-punk” or “dream pop” sublabel. Pop do be pop and it be poppin’. Japandroids, Saves The Day, Jimmy Eat World? The list goes on and, coincidentally, all happen to be in the same vibe-space as Wild Spelks (hopefully you didn’t forget about them, I’m getting there).   “305” is the latest from Wild Spelks, cleverly using the song title to reference what the band calls the “perfect pop-song runtime” (and we can’t disagree with them). The track itself is a masterclass of the genre, with all instruments getting their moment. Mainly driven by the guitar, the drums hold their own throughout. It’s the right type of upbeat that’s not blah or toxically positive.   You can[...]

Known Moons – “TIME”

December 13, 2025

Nothing like a build up with drums and guitar that bursts into immediate vocals, which “TIME” delivers in spades – courtesy of Milwaukee-based Known Moons. The guitar transcendence continues with upbeat tones and poppy vocals that would appeal to anyone who has listened to emo in the past 20 years. There’s also a trumpet too, performed by none other than the legendary Steve Lamos of American Football fame, so expect a bit of “Never Meant” flavor too.   You can hear it below via YouTube, as well as Spotify and Apple Music. Known Moons is releasing a split EP with Barely Civil 2/2/26, Barely Known so if you’re diggin’ “TIME” be sure to check that out when it drops. I always find it easiest to keep abreast of bands by following ’em, so I found the band’s linktree so you don’t have to! IG can be found here.      

Trip Tease – “Milano 2098 Ft. Lubo”

December 13, 2025

EDM tracks are sometimes tough to describe, because how do you describe a feeling that is sounds? I like association, so we’ll try this: What’s something you like doing for like, ten minutes (or more) that makes you look cool? Think about it, turn on “Milano 2098 (Ft. Lubo),” and get ready to… do whatever it is you do that makes you look cool. This is the latest from Mexico based Trip Tease off of of the Sex Having Disco, PT. 2 single – which features a couple other artists, but notably Lubo on this track. I’ll level with you, the cool thing I was thinking of was dancing (okay, it was sex, which is sort of a sort of dancing).   You can hear the track below on YouTube or add it to your “dancing” playlist on Spotify. If you need more dancing time, there’s a second track to[...]

j<3 – "hard 2 love / i’ll make it easy"

December 13, 2025

j<3 is the brainchild of Jeffy Yu and “hard 2 love / i’ll make it easy” is their latest single off of the f33l album. The track is divided in two, and while this confused me at first (“why not just call it one song?” I said aloud) but it makes a lot more sense after listening. There’s a line of delineation that occurs, but I’ll let you be the judge. While I couldn’t find much about Jeffy Yu, I can say already they are clearly talented with the unbelievable mix of sounds that are thrown together in this pulsing, hyperpop-tinged EDM track… Especially the breathy, innocent-sounding vocal treatment found here.   You can hear the track embedded below from YouTube. Spotify and Apple Music are the other places I found the track for easy listening and playlist adding. Check out the rest of the album, f33l, available now (I[...]

Christian Alexander – “You”

December 13, 2025

London based Christian Alexander brings us his latest single, “You,” and it’s the perfect bedroom-pop track for to take you through into the new year. Acoustic guitar and light drums are the meat and potatoes, with Alexander’s vocals being the succulent gravy that really ties everything together. It was honestly more calming and peaceful than a Christmas dinner and wouldn’t go amiss on your centering indie pop playlist. There’s cranberry sauce in there too, somewhere… Perhaps the rhythmic plunk of electric piano.   You can hear the track below embedded from Bandcamp or on Spotify and Apple Music. Be sure to check it out or the equally excellent album 11 from earlier this year. More to come in 2026 too, so stay tuned!   You by Christian Alexander

Shrimp Eyes – “Birds”

November 28, 2025

For the birds, this track is not! “Birds” is the newest from South East London based Shrimp Eyes. Giving me the unfortunate task of having to think about the eyes of shrimp is most certainly tempered by being catchy as fuck. Falsetto-y (except not, because people clearly practice singing) lyrics combine with a dope bass and some absolutely fucking understated guitar lines. Just when you think you have it figured out the guitar takes the center stage of the track and does some proto-soloing that makes your head turn.   You can hear “Birds” below from Soundcloud and over on Spotify. The other three fourths of their Wondering EP can be in the same locations. Definitely a band to keep an eye out for; BBC, Spotify, and Apple Music also seem to think they’re hot shit. Oh and so do we. We’re pretty important too.  

Lover – “Bones”

November 28, 2025

“Bones” is the latest from Melbourne-based musician Lover. Super stripped-down but not lacking in soul, the track is pretty much acoustic guitar and drums. This gives a lot of room to really showcase the impeccably recorded lyrics, which sounded like they were recorded on golden mics. Speaking to the track, Lover had this to say:   “Lyrically the song focuses on things of my past, with feelings of angst leaving my family back home in New Zealand, and trying to reconcile the fact that I won’t be spending as much time with them anymore.”   You can hear “Bones” below from Bandcamp, as well as on Spotify. The rest of the EP, Life In Secret, is available as well and worth the listen. Great example of superb range of sound while keeping in step with their vibe. If you’re interested in the visual medium, the music video is available on[...]

Violet UltraRay – “woods”

November 28, 2025

Keeping up with the forest theme from October’s “girl in a tree” (that we covered here), Violet UltraRay brings us her latest with “woods.” Based out of London and a self-described “dream pop shoegazer,” wailing guitars combine with those “under the water” vocals vibe to give a sense of feeling lost (or drowning… which I guess is sort of like being lost). Inspired by late night walks, “woods” certainly gives you a sense of dreamy solitude, which is something a walk in a forest might certainly inspire.   “woods” is available below via YouTube or on Spotify. I couldn’t find out much about the band from their IG which is just fine by me, sometimes we don’t deserve to have all of our questions answered and for musicians to have an air of mystery about them. Keep on rockin’!  

SELL EVERYTHING – “Star Girl (ft. Patrica Lalor)”

November 28, 2025

Self-described “artist collective” bands are always a fun bunch. They have a very Mom-and-Pop feel, like they’re a bunch of hippies in a commune selling honey or something. SELL EVERYTHING doesn’t give off the commune vibe, but all of the other good vibes? Seems like they nail it. Based out of Dublin (the one in Ireland), their latest is “Star Girl,” featuring fellow countrywoman Patricia Lalor. This is probably the best 2:20 of funk-flecked electronica I’ve heard all week; the drum machines and lo-fi synth really make the track.   You can hear it below from YouTube or add it to your chill afterparty mix over on Spotify. Be sure to check out Patricia Lalor‘s offerings as well – her vocals are one of the most beautiful things I’ve heard this week.