New Music

Tebi Rex – “not with a fizzle fr”

July 23, 2025

The Irish duo of Tebi Rex (Max Zenga and Matt O) add another notch to their belt of momentum-building singles with their latest effort, “not with a fizzle fr.” Kicking off with angelic harmonies, “fizzle” evolves into a genre-bending, pace-changing track with elements of indie folk to coalesce with the duo’s alternative hip hop tendencies. Delicate piano, soul-searching saxophone and a grounding breakbeat each take their turn at the center of the production on the track. Vocally, Zanga and O take their turns embracing the light (potentially fleeting) that life’s given them to this stage, with harmonized, considerate singing vocals. Give this song a listen and decide for yourself what type of playlist it’d best serve – your ears will be happy regardless of what you decide. Check out more from Tebi Rex on Spotify, where they’re adding quality, high-performing releases to the growing Irish Hip Hop scene. While you’re[...]

Doza – “Keep it Down”

July 19, 2025

Los Angeles rapper Doza interweaves his Filipino and West Coast roots with his latest single, “Keep it Down.” Jumping directly into a verse, Doza name drops GOAT’d Filipino boxes Manny Pacquiao, California, and Dodgers/Japanese pitching legend Hideo Nomo seconds into the track. Doza’s references are sharp, but his commitment to the craft cuts deeper. “Keep it Down’s” hook begs those who aren’t taking him and his craft seriously to hush their tones so he and his art can control the dial. Production-wise, this track is built off off a classic 90s boom bap beat with at little bit of West Coast flavor — letting Doze feel right at home. If you’re digging Doza, check out more of his work on Spotify. While you’re there, check out him and other awesome up-and-coming artists on our Emerging Hip Hop playlist.

Bad Self Portraits – “Pensive”

July 17, 2025

Omaha-based act Bad Self Portraits nailed it on their latest single, “Pensive.” Blending the perfect amounts of jaunty indie rock and angular rhythms with soaring-but-reserved vocals that are lightly dripping with a succulent, pain-based sauce, “Pensive” is the kind of song that has it all. Musicianship. Sincerity. Hooky melodies… It’s the kind of rare song with “musical architecture” that manages to also be repeat-listenable. We’re assuming the band conjured up the following quote – it was too perfect not to include:   “A hushed, emotionally precise portrait of love shaped by faith, fear, and difference—capturing the quiet negotiations that make relationships real.”    “Pensive” can be found via the bandcamp embed (below), or, via Spotify and Apple Music.   I Think I’m Going To Hell by Bad Self Portraits

Weakened Friends – “Tough Luck (Bleed Me Out)”

July 17, 2025

Weakened Friends are doubling down on the feelings over apathy debate… And for that matter, did the apathetic ones ever even start debating, or are they still busy whispering vague nothings in the corner? Either way, emotions are being worn proudly on sleeves on the trio’s latest track, “Tough Luck (Bleed Me Out).” Eschewing agonizing over every detail for sharp, tip-of-the-tongue bursts of energy, “Tough Luck (Bleed Me Out)” is a natural and welcome continuation of the band’s fiery brand of post-pop-punk. There aren’t enough bands just letting it rip the way Weakened Friends do – so dig into this one and remember what it felt like to feel something again.   Feels Like Hell, the album upon which “Tough Luck” resides, will be out October 10, 2025. Until then, follow the embed to the forbidden YouTube link to the song (below), or, add it to your favorite Spotify playlist.  

madrone – “Lucifer”

July 17, 2025

“A song that seems like it’s about the devil but really is about love, and love lost. A song about death that doesn’t feel like dying.”   Vague and pensive words from madrone that perfectly describe the dreamy/gazy goodness of their latest single, “Lucifer.” We know barely anything about this band – except that this song rips. Light and airy with the gravitas of the title, the band uses a guitar-driven ethos and glassy-eyed vocals to great aplomb. It appears on the ostensibly tongue-in-cheek-titled Eponymous Debut Masterpiece, full of other shoegaze-adjacent rippers.   Check out “Lucifer” lyrically via the YouTube embed below, or, find it on Spotify.  

$vvokey – “Pain Move Slow”

July 16, 2025

Canadian rapper $vvokey can’t stop the cold, forward march of hurt on his latest track, “Pain Moves Slow.” The scenes from lost love haunt him as $vokkey falls into a dark hopelessness that consumes him throughout the song. He attempts to comes to grips with his loss on lines like “Eyes on the sky like I still want something.” Production matches through the tone with murkiness – A mysterious solemnity exists in its string lines. “Pain Move Slow” ends with an unceremonious bang, a testimony to how quickly emotions can take you to a dangerous place. It’s not right for your sunny day playlist, but $vvokey’s lines are packed with imagery and he’s got an ear for catchier hooks than you’d expect from the subject matter. The single appears on $vvokey’s Happy DeathDay! EP featuring really dope vintage VHS artwork. Listen to more from $vvokey on Spotify. While you’re there,[...]

Ginger Winn – “Socrates”

July 14, 2025

“Socrates” is the latest track from Ginger Winn off of her latest album Freeze Frame. Amusingly, her Spotify bio reads “people tell me I have a haunting voice.” This proves accurate, as she manages to pull that off in spades, with the added vocal effects probably unnecessary but certainly rachets up the haunting… ness? The track itself is a poignant-feeling vocal-forward track where Winn gracefully allows guitar, synth and bass to accompany her. Speaking to the track, Winn had this to say:   “Socrates is about the unknown legacy we all leave behind. The song is inspired by this idea about philosophy and planting seeds for a future we’ll never see…”   You can watch the music video on YouTube below or throw it on your Spotify playlist regular rotation. The rest of the album is worth a listen to, especially “Hyperallergic,” as I felt this also showcased her vocal[...]

Cerrone x Christine and the Queens – “Last One”

July 14, 2025

Who said disco was dead? Evidently not Cerrone nor Christine and the Queens! “Last One” is the pop disco collab between the two French artists – an amalgamation of Cerrone (who has been around the block a few times but still very much in the game) and Christine and the Queens -the pseudonym of Rahim Claude Redcar.  You won’t be disappointed in the lyrics, bass lines, synth, or any aspect of this track. Just listen, are you even actually working right now?   You can hear the track below from YouTube as well as over on Spotify. You will need to call your otolaryngologist if you aren’t bopping your head to this track. I’m not saying you have to like everything you listen to, it’s a free country (sort of), but if you aren’t at least bopping a little bit you’re probably need to get that checked out.  

Big Society – “Guarantee”

July 14, 2025

Big Society‘s new track “Guarantee” brings an intro that, while purposeful or not, gave me a JRPG soundtrack vibe. Intro included, the British trio, music students the lot of them, have crafted a delightful pop track that is on the surface a whimsical pop song but… just listen (spoiler alert, the lyrics take a turn within the first minute). Nestled into those twee guitars and synth you’ll find quite the gem.   You can hear the track below on YouTube (for free) or over on Spotify and Apple Music. Be sure to add it to your “more than the sum of its parts and a little dark” pop playlist. Their debut album will be out… sometime. In the meantime, listen to the other two tracks “Foolish” and “Every Stage of a Genuine Heartbreak” for a better idea of what to look forward to (and even some folk tinged action too).[...]

The Kerosene Hours – “Who’s That in My Room?”

July 14, 2025

“Who’s That in My Room?” can either be a frightening or exciting experience, but in this case it’s the latest track from The Kerosene Hours – much closer to exciting rather than frightening.   Aaron Silverstein (no relation) is the brains behind this act and brings a bass-soaked post-punk vibe with sampling and synth mixed in. It had a goth rock mouthfeel that feels fresh – a line that Silverstein walks quite confidently.   The song itself delves into disassociating as we change, living in the times we live in (check the news) and coming to terms with it. Silverstein’s vocals feel appropriately haunting and bring a spunky energy that is sometimes difficult to conjure when you’re singing about the dreariness of this life we live in.   You can hear the track below from Soundcloud or over on Spotify and Apple Music. The Kerosene Hours · Who’s That in[...]

Damon Omen and $cream-Capone – “Viola”

July 12, 2025

New York producer Damon Omen brings sounds from the underground on his latest team up with grizzled veteran rapper $cream-Capone. The collaborators’ recent single “Viola” balances a booming bottom half, melodic retro piano and the streetwise words of $cream Capone. Capone’s senses are never doubted, weighing temptations of the environment with lines like “No ouija board but the Devil’s sending information.” Omen’s bass knocks your ears off your head, but it’s earned not given. You’ll get caught up with that piano before the boom brings you back to earth. You can check out the tight visuals for “Viola” on YouTube, and more from Damon Owen on Spotify. While you’re there, check out our Underground and Emerging Hip Hop playlist, updated weekly and featuring Owen/Capone and other great rising artists.

JOMEGA – “WANTED MORE”

July 10, 2025

The soundtrack to Summer 2025 is brought to you by the DMV. Moving parallel with the return of legendary Virginia rap duo Clipse, DMV rappers and (another set of) brothers JOMEGA dropped a new track that could have made an appearance on Hell Hath No Fury. Their new single “WANTED MORE” features pounding keys heavily influenced by the Neptunes production style on early Clipse work. Kris and Keagoe are right at home on this beat, attesting to their grind with a snarl that would make Pusha T proud. Nod along with this one on Spotify and check out JOMEGA while you’re there. You can press play from our Underground and Emerging Hip Hop Playlist, curated with new songs every week.

The Dog’s Body – “Skeletons”

July 8, 2025

The Dog’s Body describe “Skeletons” as the “weird” single on the album, which we can fully get behind. The angular and jaunty post-punk-ish jam deals with the ugliness of death, and perfectly so. Guitars swirl like a maelstrom, vocals pontificate plainly-but-effectively, and drums sound like they’re about to bash through your speakers at any second. If you’re a fan of band-in-a-room type sounds, The Dog’s Body has got you covered in spades.   Side note: for all you audiophiles out there – this one was recorded live to two-inch tape. That’s real band shit.   Check out “Skeletons” via the Spotify embed below.  

Nadia Faye – “Smoke in the Room”

July 8, 2025

Nadia Faye has been on fire with her recent releases – perhaps both figuratively and literally. Her new single “Smoke in the Room” (ostensibly from being on fire) picks up where her previous single (“Swallowing Spit“) left off – pairing Faye’s lilting vocals with shimmering indie-pop instrumentals. Expect tape drum machines working perfectly with gauzy synths and ever-present pillows of guitar working in tandem with Faye’s confessional lyrics about a love lost.   “Smoke in the Room” is on YouTube (below) and Spotify.  

ThrAnk – “Bubblegum”

July 6, 2025

U.K. producer ThrAnk maximizes the potential of an old Denzel Curry freestyle with his latest track, “Bubblegum.” Samples are a core component of the ThrAnk production experience. Vocal samples are often paired with reimagined drum breaks, breathing a classic energy into the production to create standout tracks. “Bubblegum” is a track built from an old “Breakfast Bars” Denzel Curry freestyle. ThRank pairs Curry’s brashness with light flutters and fuzzy drums, providing a peaceful balance to “Bubblegum.” Fans of Curry will definitely get down with this, as will BoomBap fans who’s be excited to hear crispy production supporting one of the game’s best. Check out more of ThrAnk on Spotify – you’ll also find him on our New and Emerging Hip Hop playlist.