New Music

The Spins – “Rain or Shine”

May 9, 2025

Right around a month ago (almost to the day), we gave The Spins…… A spin. Nick covered their B-Side “It’s Me,” and I’m gonna be real, not much has changed in a month. Our love hasn’t diminished and has only grown with their latest, “Rain or Shine.” The guitar hook is undeniably catchy, pairing nicely with the polished, pop hooks. You’ll be feeling all of the feels through the journey of the music video embedded below. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll want to love and hate how unfair everything is sometimes and you’ll feel it all throughout.   “Rain or Shine” is available pretty much wherever you stream your music but I’ll be nice and link the YouTube music vid and Spotify. This is all in anticipation of their forthcoming album, which will be out sometime soon (their linktree is a good source to keep abreast of their comings and[...]

Nadia Faye – “Swallowing Spit”

May 9, 2025

“Swallowing Spit” sounds gross and it really is. In both the literal and figurative sense, who the heck likes doing that? If you’re not familiar with latter meaning of the term, YOU AREN’T ALONE! It refers to holding back thoughts/emotions/words whether you don’t want to or are unable to. Nadia Faye obviously knows, and damn it if she doesn’t lay out her thoughts on the matter, and how empowering it can be to finally stop swallowing, beautifully.   Her dulcet tones fit nicely with the mix of guitar/bass/drums that give a great alt pop feel (see if you can count the geetar layers). We’re definitely looking forward to hearing more and you’ll certainly be among the first to know.   You can hear “Swallowing Spit” below from YouTube or over on Spotify. Her other release, “Gardening” is a little less gross sounding but just as rockin’ and well worth the[...]

PANIK FLOWER – “symptom of paradox”

May 8, 2025

Finally, someone who gets it. PANIK FLOWER spells the “panik” in their name the way the word should be spelled. It definitely takes on the right vibe when spelt like that.   *crikets*   Okay…just me and PANIK FLOWER – it’s fine I get it. Regardless of your thoughts on the matter, their latest track “symptom of paradox” off of their rearview EP should sway you in the right direction. They do a lot in just under three minutes with at least the first 20 seconds being a shoegaze-y ear delight of wailing guitars. You’ll get teased with a crescendo and some sprechgesang-type vocals a few times until you get the release, but let me assure you, it’s well worth the buildup.   You can hear the track below from Bandcamp, as well as over on Spotify. Check out the rest of the EP and let us (and the band,[...]

Michael Sanders – “blue”

May 8, 2025

Michael Sanders is the myth and the legend behind… Michael Sanders and “blue” is the latest single from his blue EP. Sanders croons and whispers sweet nothings to us (the listener, not the Blog specifically) behind some solid guitar work that gives a country-adjacent vibe at times; vintage Beach Boys brand pop; and some blistering shoegaze-y solos that might remind you of another blue something (no, not that, whatever you may be thinking).   blue blue blue blue blue blue blue – that’s the exact number of times Michael uses the word blue in “blue…” or is it? There is only one way to find out.   You can hear “blue” below, courtesy of YouTube, or over on Spotify. There’s an album coming sometime this year titled “fuzzer,” so keep your ears peeled for that and, in the meantime, the rest of the four track EP.  

Red Velvet Papi, M3rce, & Junogloc – “Double Play”

May 6, 2025

Three emcees with NYC roots join forces to drop a tasty modern boom bap lick with this new track “Double Play.” New York’s Red Velvet Papi and M3rce, and Atlanta’s Junogloc are the minds behind the single – which elevates a chill beat into a full vibe with subdued deliveries and nonchalant flexes. I’ve never heard a less bothered rapper hit a line like “No matter how much you try, you can’t even front.” Each rapper brings a slightly different flavor to the mix, and the end result is a track that blends perfectly into your boom bap, smoking, and chill hip hop playlists. Check out more from Papi, M3rce, and Junogloc on Spotify. You’ll find them and more exciting new hip hop artists on our New and Emerging Hip Hop playlist. 

Tevin Williams – “PWFIRE”

May 6, 2025

Queens rapper Tevin Williams brings gets deep with the references on his Neptunes-flavored single “PWFIRE.” Shakers, shiny keyboards and a big hook anchor “PWFIRE,” where Tevin shows off his distinct rapping style and slick delivery. Tevin’s in his bag when the wordplay’s at its nichiest niche. “Shit that I reference got the nerd’s eyes wise” he raps after he drops an insane Sharon Enos reference. Googleable lines counter that early 2000s radio-friendly production style – it feels sweet on the ears. Thought maybe a Mystikal feature was coming around the corner. Check out more from Tevin on Spotify, where you’ll see him features on our Emerging Hip Hop playlist.

Laila Smith – “Diorama”

May 4, 2025

There are plenty of things that will break your heart in this world, so let the latest single from Laila Smith be solace that you’re not going through it alone. “Diorama” is a beautiful indie rock song that showcases Smith’s true pain – softly plucked acoustic guitars layered with spikes of electric guitar bring this one to life, of course, set off by Laila’s lilting vocal presence. She’s really putting herself out there with this one – here’s a snippet about the song:   “Diorama was born out of a very confusing time in my life, a period of deep denial about the quiet collapse of my marriage… We position ourselves as essential in someone’s landscape while knowing any fixed arrangement is a kind of death… The truth of intimate attachment is that all we desire is desire itself—not the messy reality of human connection.”   Check out “Diorama” via[...]

Liminal Shade – “Disorder (Joy Division Cover)”

May 4, 2025

As made popular by Joy Division on their seminal 1979 album Unknown Pleasures, Liminal Shade puts their own spin on the joyous themes of alienation and feeling lost. Born from hearing its resurgence on social media, the band wanted to tap into the same themes present now that Ian Curtis et al. dredged up oh so many years ago:   “The themes of ‘Disorder’ resonate profoundly with the current moment… The sense of instability and disquiet that Joy Division captured decades ago resonates with the collective uncertainty many are experiencing these days.”   I will say, the band definitely understood the assignment and took a song older than most of us and not only made it feel fresh but also paid respect to its storied origins.   If you’ve somehow missed out on Joy Divison, you can find the original on Spotify. It’s certainly not required listening before you hear the[...]

Anthony OKS – “Warning Signs”

May 4, 2025

Winnipeg’s Anthony OKS channels both Mos Def and Saukrates on his newest effort “Warning Signs.” Growth has been top of mind in Anthony’s latest works, and on “Warning Signs,” it’s omnipresent. On the track’s hook, he calls out “I just want to make me proud, my goal is to be better.” When the verses strike, Anthony trades off between being clearheaded and skeptical, mentioning “I hate rhetorical questions” as he ponders his personal and interpersonal relationships. The track also features heavenly harmonies from Anthony and featured artist Marisolle Negash.  Add it alongside your more thoughtful  R+B and hip hop playlists. If you’re digging Anthony OKS, check him out on Spotify alongside more great artists on our Emerging Hip Hop playlist. 

Devantier Rain – “Melatonin”

May 2, 2025

German-Cameroonian artist Devantier Rain is back with another standout track, building off of the momentum of March’s “PHANTOM OF THE DRAMA.” Rain’s latest single “MELATONIN” compares the song’s namesake to his relationship. Is it time to stop putting up a fight; time to just accept that the night or relationship’s over? He begs the question “Tell me, we gon’ ride or die?” knowing that the answer’s clear to both parties. Rain’s smooth delivery remains a highlight — his slick voice delivering stories that have you hanging on each line. Check out more from Devantier on Spotify and Soundcloud, and check out his contributions to our Underground and Emerging Hip Hop playlist. 

The Master Mimic – “On Go!”

April 30, 2025

Mysterious emerging rapper The Master Mimic comes through with a KO on his first single – a relentless onslaught of bars titled “On Go!” Produced by Michigan beatmaker Enrgy Beats, “On Go!” is driven by its heavy bottom half, with accenting snares and a winding synth loop. Mimic finds countless pockets in the beat, hitting bars “Wilder than Deontay or LA Fires”as he switches subjects, targets, and punchlines with an effortless delivery. Sounding a bit like Zack Fox but influenced by the Detroit scene, The Master Mimic is definitely one to watch as his profiles add new tracks. Get in early. Listen to the Master Mimic on Spotify and check him out on our 2025 Underground and Emerging Hip Hop playlist. 

Pawl – “Bars”

April 30, 2025

“Bars” is the latest single from Paul Kraus, better known by his moniker Pawl, a clever phonetic pun on his first name. The track itself is a masterclass in how to craft a sly indie-pop song that gives a lot of different instrumentals time to shine (including a horn section!?). It builds up so nicely into a down tempo change that shows off some ole fashioned axe soloing (sweet and smooth bb).   Somehow, through all of the positively twee lyrics and feelings, the song ends on an even higher note than I thought possible. Speaking to the track Pawl had this to say:   “I wrote this song when I was thinking about how teenagers are dreading becoming boring adults…. [and] about how love can open someone up, and living in Bars is not a life.”   You can hear “Bars” on Spotify or from Apple Music.    [...]

Milo – Valve/Whatever

April 28, 2025

Newly minted Rochester-based act Milo has just released a debut, two-song EP called Valve/Whatever. Inspired by raw and emotive music (think Buffalo greats Lemuria or the late ’90s/early ’00s output from Rainer Maria or Rilo Kiley), their music is largely guitar driven with raw-but-endearing vocals. Their poetic and nuanced lyrics focus heavily on storytelling with a hint of attitude; so much so that these songs, especially their charming production value, will make you want to dust off your thick, black rimmed glasses and pull out your ratty Get Up Kids track jacket like you’re discovering your favorite 2nd wave emo bands all over again.   You can catch Milo live at their next show on June 13th at the Psychic Garden in Rochester. Until then, get acquainted with Valve/Whatever (April 18th, 2025) – available now via bandcamp (embedded below), or, via Spotify or Apple Music.   Valve/Whatever by Milo

Billy Bonbon – “Billy Bonbon”

April 28, 2025

“Billy Bonbon” is, in a rare occurrence, the newest (self-titled) track from indie three piece Billy Bonbon. We’re immediately greeted by a tight drum and bass formation that sets a post-punk mouthfeel, while eventually sliding into a low-fi groove. Clocking in at just over six minutes, this is very much a journey that we’re happy to go on. Billy Bonbon lets their instrumentals breathe and take center stage, which give it almost… a prog-adjacent vibe? Either way you slice it, lots of layers to peel back and enjoy here.   You can hear “Billy Bonbon” below from Soundcloud, as well as Spotify. If you’re into the visual representation of the track, the music video can be found on YouTube. While they have a small smattering of singles, this and the rest are worthy of your time and can be found in the aforementioned streaming platforms.   Billy Bonbon by Billy[...]

22° Halo – “Reward”

April 28, 2025

“Reward” is the latest single from 22° Halo and it listens like an indie lullaby you could easily play for your child or furry/scaly child (I see you, Alex). Delightful synth and the *most* gentle acoustic guitar play out with Kennedy’s subdued tones. The bedroom-pop vibes are impossibly twee and if you don’t fall in love with this track immediately you should get your pulse checked.   You can hear “Reward” below from Soundcloud. This is in support of of True Names, a compilation benefitting the Trans Youth Emergency Project, which helps families access gender-affirming care. Certainly a worthwhile cause to support and, while artists deserve our dollars a fuck-ton, so do the most vulnerable among us. If you’ve like what you’ve heard here the band’s 2024 album Lily of the Valley, for which “Reward” is a B-Side, is available for your listening pleasure on Soundcloud or Spotify.   Worry[...]