Latest Posts

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.  [...]

Foot Ox – “Bleached Yellow”

August 5, 2025

Missing your dose of indie folk this week like my buddy Ronald? Look no further! Foot Ox brings us their latest track “Bleached Yellow” released in anticipation of their August 11 album A Lighthouse with Silver Dog Eyes.   Teague Cullen is the brains behind Foot Ox, but in the spirit of folk/country, there is a load of different musicians who step in makes for a very wholesome vibe. Written and inspired by/about Cullen’s travels through the American West, Foot Ox clearly plays with themes of nostalgia, playing around with multiple genres without ever pigeonholing themselves into one. The front loaded guitar will fill your soul proper while the nails from the drum and bass will keep things pinned solidly in place.   You can hear “Bleached Yellow” below from Bandcamp and of course on Spotify! You can find the new album, A Lighthouse with Silver Dog Eyes, in those[...]

Doter Sweetly – “sundown”

August 5, 2025

“sundown” is the latest single from Doter Sweetly, based out of Memphis. Writing under the name of Elijah Poston, to avoid any confusion with his non-human persona, Doter Sweetly/Poston have crafted a soothing jazzy infused lil number.   Somehow simultaneously slapping harder than most but not melting our eardrums with their awesomeness, the combination of perfectly picked guitar and offbeat drums really make you get into a *groove*. This is a perfect bath and cannabis track and I triple dog dare you to prove me wrong.   You can hear “sundown” below from Doter Sweetly’s YouTube as well as Apple Music and Spotify. I’m no meteorologist, but two singles after an almost ten year hiatus are hopefully a harbinger of things to come. Stayed tuned for more and all hail our new musical overlord Doter Sweetly.  

SWOLL – “The Wind At Night”

July 30, 2025

Baltimore based Matthew Dowling is the brains behind SWOLL and “The Wind At Night” is their latest single… and WOW does it leave it all on the turntable. The heavy bass layered breakdowns give a prog rock vibe, but don’t let that scare you away, as this is a track that defies any attempt at pigeonholing. You can feel some electronica, shoegaze, and post-punk vibes throughout, as well as good ole fashioned rock ‘n roll. I personally enjoyed the the high falsetto/synth/whatever the HECK was going on in the choruses (you can hear around 1:45 mark). It reminded me of something I couldn’t quite put my finger on, but I liked it.   The music video (with lyrics) is available on YouTube embedded below or over on Spotify. Fans of bands like Death From Above 1979 would find a lot to enjoy here, especially with the layers and layers of[...]

Lynz – “just wanna be yours”

July 30, 2025

LA based act Lynz gets to leave Buffalo, but there’s a secret agreement where we have to mention if an artist originally hails from here (sorry if you’re trying to fly under the radar). Her latest single, “just wanna be yours” is her second (the first being “Fallin’), and it’s a nicely layered indie pop track (more cake than onion).   Lynz starts off with gentle acoustic guitar that gives way to a reaaaaally groovin’ bass beat that meshes with drums and other effects. If it doesn’t have you bobbing your head or swaying your hips, we’d encourage you to get checked out for something… Anything really. Once it gets to the proto-disco beat please please please turn up the volume and tell me you don’t feel something.   “just wanna be yours” is available in the usual gamut of of streaming: Soundcloud, Apple Music, and Spotify. You can hear[...]

Altalune – “Dead Weight”

July 25, 2025

“Dead Weight” is Altalune‘s latest track and the second one we’ve covered this year (with “Fragments” being the last we covered back in April). This hefty, almost proggish (not a word but it is now) track is *beautifully* composed and leans heavily into melodic guitar riffs and steady bass riffs that just… friggin’ gel! Emo and screamo aficionados will find a lot to enjoy here, as well as the prog… heads? Prog heads. Here’s a little snippet from the band about what the song means to them:   “This song is about recognizing that we all have our part to play in all aspects of a relationship. We’re all quick to point the finger at someone else but it’s much harder to reflect on what you’ve done wrong… I’m getting over myself, meaning I’m putting away the flawed perceptions I might have of myself and accepting my own impact, but[...]

Caleb L’Etoile – “Fireball”

July 25, 2025

“Fireball” can mean a lot of things. It’s the go-to sorcery spell in D&D for mass destruction, the go-to alcoholic beverage for lovers of cinnamon destruction, and the latest track from Caleb L’Etoile. Written as a tip of the cap and a tongue of the cheek to the sock hop anthems of yesteryear, it is impossibly catchy and if you still have your shoes on and aren’t boppin’ along – please get your ears checked.   My mother always spoke fondly of sock hops and desperately wanted to us to relive that dream for her – whether her own idealized version of what they were or from actual experience, I’ll never know (I was like 8). I’ll probably just ask her tomorrow, but in the meantime, you can live Babs’ fever dream of sock hoppin’ in the safety of your own living room right now.   You can hear “Fireball”[...]

Mikey Demilio – “Explain”

July 25, 2025

Mikey Demilio is exactly what you’d expect to get from a Jersey boy with an album titled Billionaire’s Club and a single called “Explain.” Really fun, controlled chaos-pop-rock that will assuredly find easy access through your ear canal to get stuck in your brain. I couldn’t find too much of a bio about Mikey, but a strong tip of the hat to anyone who can put together a cohesive 13-track album in this day and age of singles and soundbites. *shakes fist at cloud*   You can hear “Explain” below from YouTube or over on Spotify. Be sure to check out the rest of the album, Billionaire’s Club, in particular the title track – which I found an interesting juxtaposition to “Explain” and gives a better idea of Demilio’s depth. The rest of the album is also worth a listen to if you’ve liked what you’ve heard.