Latest Posts

Risley – “World Goes On”

February 4, 2025

Feline-christened four piece Risley brings us their latest downbeat jam with “World Goes On.” Portland based (of the PNW varietal), this four piece meanders at the perfect pace through the track but never leaves you wanting. Clocking in at just under four minutes, it feels like Bauhaus and Dinosaur Jr. had a lovechild with split custody. Bass guitar often gets overlooked for its flashier cousin, but does a lot of heavy lifting here by setting the mood. Don’t let the flashy guitar ruin the mood… Even though in all actuality, the lead guitar riff here is quite captivating.   You can hear “World Goes On” below from the band’s Soundcloud, as well as over on Spotify and YouTube. The rest of the album, Umbra Penumbra (January 24) is worth chomping into and would pair well with a pinot noir or a long drive home from work where you just keep[...]

The Feather – “All My Life”

February 2, 2025

Winning the award for one of the most wholesome songs you’ll hear this week, “All My Life” is not a Foo Fighters cover, but rather a song of sibling love by Belgian solo artist The Feather (aka Thomas Medard, of Dan San fame who are also worth a listen). This song is filled to the brim with vibrant synth and *impeccable* bass licks that will leave you in a puddle. Medard’s vocals along with the groovy effects (both electronic and visual in the video below) craft an impossibly catchy track.   You can see the music video for “All My Life” below from YouTube. You can add it to your synth heavy playlist(s) on Spotify. Keep your ears peeled for more after this and 2024’s “Invisible” album; you won’t be left wanting but you’ll certainly be hankerin’ for more.  

KOTE – “To Be Horrified”

February 1, 2025

“To Be Horrified” is the latest from mysterious musician (and possible time traveler and/or vampire/deity) Veronique Bertelle, better known as KOTE. Bertelle’s lyrics mesh well with the tight combo of drums, bass, and rhythm guitar and showcase a story of strength against the patriarchy. Speaking to their experiences, Bertelle had this to say:   “My name is Veronique Bertelle, but I am not me. I don’t live, nor have I ever lived, by your rules of space and time. I was born in the United Kingdom in the ’50s, in an era that already felt the first beats of a musical revolution. In 1984, I was reborn in Italy, a fracture in the timeline that redefined who I was. Until 1990, I lived between 1965 and 1975, moving between Los Angeles and El Cerrito. In those places, immersed in sound and experimentation, I walked alongside artists I intimately knew through[...]

quickly, quickly – “Enything”

January 28, 2025

Portland, Oregon based quickly, quickly is the brainchild of Graham Jonson, and “Enything” is their latest song. I was briefly disappointed as I thought this was going to be a celebration of Enya (jk), but was genuinely very impressed with the lo-fi bedroom pop mouthfeel. The cavalcade of instrumentals, both big and small, reminded me of a lovechild betwixt Elliot Smith and Sufjan Stevens; parts jazzy and folksy, but altogether a most satisfying endeavor. If you aren’t taken in by the music video below, you’ll at least be able to enjoy crescendos that come out of nowhere and fade back.   You can watch the music video for “Enything” below on YouTube. You also have your pick of  Bandcamp and Spotify so you can throw this on your bedroom pop playlist (of which you should have many from us, right?).  

Fright Years – “Do What You Wanna”

January 28, 2025

Edinburgh based Fright Years brings us their latest track with “Do What You Wanna.” The rare, bass-heavy track that celebrates the idea that we can find joy in expressing ourselves without fear or judgement. The intro reminded me of “I Am One” from Smashing Pumpkins first album, Gish, with the heavy emphasis on the bass and drums. The guitar comes in the help carry us through the rest of track just before a minute has elapsed, but, in all honesty, I could listen to this chunky bass riff allllll day long.   You can hear “Do You Wanna” below from YouTube or add it to your punky/psychedelic-adjacent playlist on Spotify. The single also includes “Aftersun” and “Stars” and are also worth your time, showing the true range of the band.  

georgia, georgia – “friends”

January 28, 2025

It’s been a minute since we last heard from Italy-based musician georgia, georgia. We last covered her here back in October and, much like then, we’re quite stoked to hear her latest offering “friends” (back then it was “things you do”).   Other than thumbing her nose at capitalizing, Giorgia Piva has crafted an impeccably catchy dream pop track where the guitar and synth play second fiddle to her vocals. She makes the entire affair sound effortless even with her wispy-yet-strong vocals. Fans of Phoebe Bridgers or Clairo would find a lot to enjoy here, as would anyone who enjoys a well crafted song from start to finish (… so, probably everyone).   You can hear “friends” below from bandcamp or add it to your Spotify playlist of perfect pop songs delivered in a whisper song voice.   friends by georgia, georgia

Label Mou – “Sparkling Lights”

January 28, 2025

Label Mou, Italy-born and based in Germany, brings us her latest track “Sparkling Lights.” Mou’s vocals deftly weave through the house beats that underpin the track. The song was released as a message of support to people impacted by the Los Angeles fires (of 2025). Lyrically, “Sparkling Lights” is “an imaginary story of a devastating natural disaster, inspired by the strength found in love and the transformative power of reconnection, even in the face of overwhelming challenges.” While at first glance this may seem a little on the nose, the track itself was written a few years ago and was purposefully and thoughtfully released.   You can hear “Sparkling Lights” below from YouTube and can throw it on your “chill house around the house” mix on Spotify. I found a few other tracks she was featured on, as well has her past project Might at Night, but this was the[...]

honeygaze – “Heartthrob”

January 28, 2025

“Heartthrob” is the latest single from Philadelphia hyperpop band honeygaze. A combination of EDM, pop, punk, and then some, that comes together better than the sum of its parts (and not some (or perhaps some(?)) Frankenstein mish mash). Encompassing anywhere between Charlie XCX or “scawy monstews and nice spwites :3″ from Fraxiom, it’s quite the gap!   The track itself reminded me a lot of one of my personal favorites: Silversun Pickups – in particular, the fuzzed out guitar which keeps this rooted in indie rock. The synth and voice modulation keep the track interesting but not to the point where the band loses the plot and you’re left wondering what you’re listening to. Not that there’s anything wrong with that! Sometimes you need something so out of pocket that it haunts your dreams. In this case, honeygaze reigns in the wildness of hyperpop to create something left-field, but melodically[...]

Softer – “Messed Up”

December 18, 2024

LA based four piece Softer brings us their latest with “Messed Up;” a heartfelt shoegazy dream pop gem. Warm bass and guitar tones lead the way initially but bow down to lyricist Belinda Cai’s haunting vocals that echo through your soul.   Partly based on the second to last episode of Bojack Horseman and Cai channeling the cavalcade of emotions following the suicide of her sister, you might think “how are these related, Chris?” Well, dear reader, Bojack Horseman might be a seemingly crass look at stardom through the lens of a famous horse, but it actually delves into very real life feelings. Speaking to the track in relation to this, the band had this to say:   “The song is about all of the regrets and guilt one has in life in relation to other people and how, in a space free from time, our minds, and bodies, we[...]

Lucky – “Never Know”

December 17, 2024

The debut single from Australian native Chelsea Knight, better known by her stage name Lucky, is the incomparably catchy “Never Know.” Hazy guitars compliment Knights vocals, bringing to mind early Silversun Pickups but standing well enough on their own without being a rehash.   The track itself is a love letter to nostalgia and starting over: “…forgetting something beautiful, in the hopes of experiencing it again for the first time. Turning the clock back to a time when things were simpler, pop culture was trashier, and pants were baggier….” Listeners of Soccer Mommy will find a lot to enjoy here too, especially with the strong focus on hazy guitars and vocals.   You can hear it below from YouTube as well as Apple Music and Spotify. Be sure to keep your ears peeled for more; this is one of our top artists to look forward for the month.  

Wandour – “Glow”

December 15, 2024

“Glow” is alllll about the vibes and Wandour brings it in spades with his latest. Originally from Indonesia, Wandour has been making the rounds since 2019 and hasn’t stopped since.   House aficionados will be most at home here, but is super accessible to indie fans from all walks of life. Drums and bass coalesce with a gamut of effects all across the spectrum to make this an easy ear worm to pick up and almost impossible to put down. Autotuned vocals are your guide through this musical journey, but this is a feature and not a bug – you’ll be thumping to the beat from start to finish.   You can hear “Glow” below from Soundcloud. Throw on your favorite visualizer and be sure to add it to your EDM playlist via Spotify to help get your night hyped up. If you find Wandour playing near you definitely check[...]

young friend – “golden rule”

December 15, 2024

Vancouver based young friend has a new track guaranteed to make your hips sway with their newest, “golden rule.” Other than not being the biggest fans of capitalization, they are a JUNO nominated artist, so certainly one of our heavier hitters here (the Canadian equivalent of the US Grammy Awards, that came about ten years after the Grammys started).   Delivered in a cheeky and, dare I say, sultry means; the golden rule apparently is all about hookin’ up, gettin’ nudes, and bringing your romantic interest to see bands on the weekend (and that’s fine). Sexy synth and jangly guitars do a lot of heavy lifting and make this an instant add to your playlist. If you’re not instantly hooked within the first ten seconds then please get your ears checked.   You can watch the music video for “golden rule” below on YouTube. It’s available pretty much anywhere you[...]

Milk & Bone – “FORGONE”

December 12, 2024

Milk and Bone, made up of secret vampire duo Laurence Lafond-Beaulne and Camille Poliquin, bring us their latest track “FORGONE.” This is a track I’m sending to my friend Amanda in the AM because it really just…fits her vibe. There’s a light industrial tinged flavor that would pique her interest; the drum machines, synth, and bass all combine to a delightfully dreary delight. I will eat my left shoe if I’m wrong, but there’s a little bit of Amanda in most of us (in the not weird way, probably). So be more like Amanda and embrace this track and your inner goth (even if they’re hiding, they’re there).   You can watch (and hear) the music video for FORGONE below from YouTube. Be sure to add it to your moody goth-esque indie playlist on Spotify too! And I know I said this was a single, but there are not one….[...]

Ciao Malz – “Gold Rush”

December 12, 2024

NY based by way of Connecticut, Ciao Malz (aka Malia DelaCruz) brings us her newest single “Gold Rush” hot off of her Safe Then Sorry EP – and a clever turn of phrase to boot. This felt like a very warm and luscious track; dripping with the lightest helping of drums and guitar that falls somewhere between indie folk and psychedelic. DelaCruz’s vocals are second to none and she does the “haunting yet approachable” so so incredibly well.   Fans of Clairo, Soccer Mommy, or the comings and goings of Adrianne Lenker would find a lot to enjoy here.   You can hear “Gold Rush” below courtesy of Soundcloud. You can add it to your chill indie playlist over on Spotify as well. Be sure to check out the rest of the “Safe Then Sorry” EP and tip your hat to a fine wordsmith like Ciao Malz.      [...]

Stripes – “Forever, It Won’t Change”

December 12, 2024

“Forever, It Won’t Change” is the newest single from NY based Stripes (of the non-white-color sort). Channeling some Karen O/Yeah Yeah Yeahs vibes in the best way possible, Izzy MK and company give us the ole razzle dazzle. A raucous opening begins with a cacophony of sound and never takes its foot off the gas but for a short breakdown of bass and drums. 2:58 feels like the perfect amount of time for a pop track of this caliber, but, at the same time, I want another track. With the bands output, I’m sure we won’t wait too long!   In what is simply a criminal act by the band, they put the most adorable dog on the cover of the single yet don’t feature the dog (named Luna, apparently) once in the music video.   Check out the music video for “Forever, It Won’t Change” below from YouTube and[...]