Album Reviews

Jake Cassman – Idling High

September 9, 2025

On his 2025 debut album, Idling High, Jake Cassman displays his solicitude, profound lyricism, and satirical humor. The heart of this record has a nostalgic, yet modern feel to it, which Cassman exhibits beautifully. His eclectic style is a mix of indie rock, Americana, and even power pop, an accessible blend that keeps listeners engaged and excited. He often writes with a dark sense of humor, using it to tackle heavier topics like depression, stagnation, and self-esteem.   Cassman attended the University of Pennsylvania for a brief two years before he transferred to Berklee College of Music in Boston to pursue his music career. While music is his main forte, Cassman also expresses his comedic side in tracks such as “Asking for a Friend”, and “I think I’m Happy.” Both songs present his wry sense of humor through blunt, shameless, and sarcastic lyrics – “Ever look in the mirror, hate[...]

Freidrich$ – Wish

August 29, 2025

Who is Freidrich$? What is Freidrich$? Is it even possible to know Freidrich$? We’re not exactly sure either, but the enigmatic individual known as Freidrich$ (F) is hot off the release of their latest offering, Wish. Clad in smeared and streaked face paint, Freidrich$’s existence may seem like it lies somewhere between Slipknot, ICP, and/or Ghost, but the 10 tracks on Wish are actually a lot more grounded in heartfelt emotions, blending elements of trap, bedroom pop, and dreamy atmospherics to create something all his own.   “The Moviegoer” is our introduction to Freidrich$’s unique style. A crushing Red Hot Chili Peppers (!) sample forms the backbone of this song; Freidrich$ goes as far as to call them out by name mid-track, a fun and interesting way to reference where his sample came from. Moreover, we start to vibe on F’s vocal style – haunting, self-referential, and incredibly personal lyrics, delivered[...]

Tabloid Nation – They Never Told Us Why

July 30, 2025

NYC based alt rockers Tabloid Nation (TN) have a foundation built “pre-9/11.” Whether that’s a testament to their politically-charged leanings, or an unshakeable bond 20+ years in the making, it certainly informs the energy found on their latest offering, the 11-song They Never Told Us Why. Channeling a muscle car abandon (their words, not ours, but apt words nonetheless), these songs certainly sound muscular – expect rip-roaring guitars, honeyed melodies, and an accessible rock ‘n roll sound that sounds equal parts Alkaline Trio and Rise Against, with a not-so-subtle nod toward the foundational 1990’s sound where they laid their first bricks.   The band slams into your consciousness with opener “I’ll Make It Up To You.” There’s a Matt Skiba-esque drawl found here, soaring overtop their aforementioned rock ‘n roll backbone… And while the band is certainly rooted in a pleasantly accessible alt rock formatting, there are hints of other[...]

Liquid Pennies – Fore

July 25, 2025

You gotta love a band that describe themselves as “psychedelic explorers;” that’s exactly how St. Petersburg-based act Liquid Pennies introduce themselves… And honestly, it’s a pretty apt description. The power trio specializes in a hard-to-describe sound, combining elements of prog, psych rock, and indie with a little bit of je ne sais quoi powder sprinkled overtop. They’re proud to announce their latest offering, Fore, which explores all of the aforementioned elements in a tight-but-expansive collection of eight intriguing songs. With a laundry list of wild influences – think The Mars Volta, TV on the Radio, The Smile, and King Crimson (and anything and everything in between), it’s not hard to imagine that Liquid Pennies are here to push a few boundaries. Luckily for us listeners, they do it in an exquisitely listenable way, a challenge for some prog-ish acts, but not this talented trio.   The album opens with “Tapered Scape,”[...]

Eli Lev – Past Lives

July 20, 2025

Eli Lev included the voices of his actual ancestors on his upcoming release – the tellingly-named Past Lives… And when we say that his relatives are “included,” we don’t just mean as an iPhone voice memo clip, or some random interlude. Eli actually works their essence into this five-song collection of folk-coded indie pop in a way that feels poignant and reverent. You can call it a concept album, but Past Lives is more than that – it’s a celebration of Eli’s foundation as a person. Here’s a little more about what their inclusion means to him:   “This album honors my ancestors… Their voices and stories are the foundation of who I am. I wanted to bring them forward – not just in memory, but in sound, in rhythm, in life.”   The album opens with “Echo,” in this case, an introduction to both Eli and his family. Eli’s music[...]

Tristan Turdean – 5 SONGS TO GET OVER YOU

July 17, 2025

Tristan Turdean aims to tug at our collective heartstrings with a brand new breakup EP that traverses all the different stages of grief… From denial all the way through acceptance (we omitted anger, bargaining, and the all-encompassing depression, but Tristan sure didn’t), 5 SONGS TO GET OVER YOU is a nu-age pop-punk journey that aims to assault all of your senses with powerful musical compositions, heart-on-your-sleeve vocals, and excellent production.   Normally we’d start with the opening song, but we’re giving our nod for album favorite to album closer, “Leave You In The Past.” While the rest of the EP is an incredible ride, there is something special about hearing Tristan’s acceptance of his situation. Especially since, as per his words: “This project is about feeling everything, surviving it, and moving forward stronger.” on “Leave You In The Past,” Tristan delivers vocals that are restrained yet emotionally resonant, while the[...]

Plàsi – Camino

June 23, 2025

“Scandinavian clarity and Mediterranean warmth” – a design element that fits oddly well when describing singer/songwriter Plàsi. On his latest EP, Camino, the Greco-Swede explores gentle, acoustic-folk with his trademark vulnerability. Hushed and intimate while simultaneously exploring the genre’s infinite bounds, Camino is an album that encourages you to break free from expectations and societal pressures. Instead, project mastermind Mikael Bitzarakis crafts natural-sounding songs that are the aural embodiment of following your passions and retaining a childlike sense of wonder.   Even when Plàsi is exploring heavy topics, like a rough father/son relationship on album opener “Father’s Eyes,” his music sounds warm and inviting. It speaks to his talent as a writer – exploring these hard-to-breach subjects with an underlying musicianship that makes them feel approachable and normalized. Here’s a little more from Bitzarakis about the powerful message beneath the song:   “… We don’t want to see or learn from our similarities.[...]

Zach Tabori – Attack of the Clout Chasers

June 17, 2025

For once, we may have found ourself at a loss for words… But we’re still going to pump out about 400 of them regarding Zach Tabori’s latest offering, Attack of the Clout Chasers. This album is a wild ride – a kaleidoscopic, genre-defying, Zappa-esque grind that’s equal parts progressive experimentalism, sci-fi dystopia, and political satire. Tabori throws listeners head first into this ten-track, 40 minute concept that whirrs with chaotic energies – a meticulously-crafted opus that has a hawk-eyed glare (and eagle-taloned grasp) on today’s modern dystopic existence… And while you think Tabori might be all-Zappa-all-the-time (and we wouldn’t be surprised, seeing as how he’s a member of Dweezil Zappa’s band), he’s got an impressive pedigree, having written for pop luminaires like Téo and Jaden Smith. Are you as bamboozled as we are? It’s ok – Tabori is probably reveling in your wide-eyed stupor.   In what I can only[...]

The Unlimited Stars – Impossible

June 16, 2025

Whip out your black outfits and eyeliner – Texan quartet The Unlimited Stars (TUS) have a new EP out that’s sure to please your inner goth. They’ve named the EP Impossible – four songs (including a live track and a radio edit) that showcase the group’s penchant for ’80s-inspired post-punk that brings The Cure and Siouxsie and the Banshees to mind while also channeling shoegazers like Slowdive… And while don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, consider this a last hurrah of sorts for this version of TUS – the chameleon-esque band will be switching to a more high-octane industrial/EBM sound in the near future, reflecting their shared love of industrial metal.   The EP kicks off with the title track, “Impossible – LIVE,” a song that has evolved with the band over their four-year tenure. The band purposely worked to capture the je ne sais quoi of their live sound,[...]

Post Death Soundtrack – IN ALL MY NIGHTMARES I AM ALONE

June 8, 2025

What does it mean to release a 90 minute album in 2025? Post Death Soundtrack (PDS) explores that approach on their fifth full-length album, IN ALL MY NIGHTMARES I AM ALONE (IAMNIAA). A true exploration of heavy sounds, experimental vibes, and everything and everything in between, IAMNIAA is a wild collection of songs. An amalgamation of a forgotten album from the late aughts and 15ish new offerings, project mastermind Stephen Moore deconstructed what it means to make music in our modern landscape. Throwing caution to the wind and doing what feels right takes a certain amount of chutzpah – here’s a bit about the process from Moore himself:   “This album is in some ways a complete breakdown in audio format. I find it beautiful and powerful to express what often is not acknowledged or communicated. I learned that from Kurt Cobain and I’m very proud of this work.”   It’s not[...]

Ded En – The Gala

June 8, 2025

Ded En has made their doom-filled debut with the five-song EP The Gala. A showcase of brutal guitar atmospherics, this solo act pushes limits of genre by incorporating elements of shoegaze, slowcore, and doom metal into a melancholy meditation. Expect walls of blown-out guitar rhythms, gloopy guitar leads that drip like thick molasses, and through-an-old-phone vocals that chant with a brooding monotone affect. If you’re wondering what it feels like to die (in a good way, if that’s possible), The Gala might be a good place to start.   The album kicks off with an instrumental, “March.” Immediately, we’re introduced to the recurring motifs of Ded En’s sound. Fuzzy bass plunking, triple-Big-Muff (TM) guitar tones, and surprisingly tender drumming… And while the brutality of the guitar tones is the album’s real calling card, the quiet drumming keeps these songs grounded, rooted just as equally in slowcore as doom metal. It’s a[...]

Cartman – Waves

May 30, 2025

One listen to the new album from Denver-based artist Cartman and you’ll wonder if he’s telling the truth about recording it in a walk-in closet in a guest bedroom. Residing at the vertex between hip hop, indie rock, and pop music, Waves is a collection of breezy, summer-sounding songs that rest heavily on excellent production, acoustic-guitar twinkles, squiggly synths, and Cartman’s past as a hip-hop artist. Expect plenty of earworms, perfect for putting on for your next poolside gathering.   The mysterious and nebulous “Gold” opens this fantastic album – at just about a minute in length, this one is fleeting, but hits hard. Cartman’s flow is smooth and unbothered, gliding over a 3:4 time signature like some sort of modern day waltz. Just when you think it’s about to explode into something beautiful, he launches into song two, “Tonight.” “Tonight” is an archetypal Cartman song – catchy hip-hop-inspired rhythms, twinkly[...]

Glitter Etiquette – CERULEAN, DEEP BLUE

May 29, 2025

Glitter Etiquette (GE) dives deep into synth-forward indietronica bliss on their latest release, CERULEAN, DEEP BLUE. Highly conceptual, the album dives deep into highbrow ideas about socioeconomic and cultural archetypes… And while we’re usually pretty good at parsing out the meaning behind lyrics, in these instances, it’s usually better to hear a snippet from the band’s own words – see below:   “The album contrasts the tranquil, expansive hue of blue (cerulean) with the ominous force of darkness thru the metaphoric red army, portraying a cosmic battle between clarity, empathy, and depth versus aggression, ego, and decay. These colors become metaphors for clashing worldviews: blue as the fading ideal of unity and imagination, with the antithesis showing the toxic acceleration of greed, polarization, and control. Through its swirling textures and lyrical critiques, Cerulean warns of the rise of socioeconomic and cultural archetypes—techno-feudal overlords and their machine counterparts, influencer-worship, manufactured identity—that[...]

Rob Finlay – Sunset | Darkness | Sunrise

May 21, 2025

Whatever happened to the humble singer/songwriter?! Rob Finlay is here to prove that the artform isn’t dead with his latest EP, Sunset | Darkness | Sunrise (SDS). As with any good, acoustic-driven music, SDS is a well-orchestrated and emotional affair, finding Finlay wearing his heart on his sleeve more often than not. With a bevy of pro musicians in tow (including session musicians from Feeder, Rag’n’Bone Man, Beyoncé, and Keane), this collection of songs is dripping with emotion and a longing-but-hopeful disposition. Led by Finlay’s ever-pleasant voice, this EP was meant for those that grew up in the 90s, particularly the late ’90s, when Matchbox 20, Edwin McCain, and your favorite one-hit-wonder bands were ruling 1998-era pop radio.   For those looking for a quick one-two punch, we’d recommend starting with lead single “Afterglow.” An archetypal Finlay jam, “Afterglow” jangles along with a deep and touching emotion, letting his poetry[...]

The Sunmills – The Art of Burning Bridges

May 8, 2025

Seeing as how we’re located in the northeastern US, we don’t get a ton of opportunities to cover acts from Utah. Here’s hoping The Sunmills are our first of many – they’ve just released their debut album, The Art of Burning Bridges, an eight-song collection of riffy rock n roll that catalogues the messy roller coaster that is, well, love. Whether we’re talking ex-girlfriends, failed situationships, and self-deprecation, The Sunmills cover it with a wry smile and a healthy dose of sarcasm. You might leave a listening session of The Art of Burning Bridges wondering “… Are these guys ok?” At the same time, you’ll notice their songs have the same sunshine-y polish that you’d expect from ’90s luminaries like Third Eye Blind, Everclear, Fastball, or Semisonic… And it’s not like those guys weren’t singing about failed relationships to great success.   The album opens with “Take Me Away,” a blast of pop-punk energy[...]