New Music

Antietam – “Way Too Well”

June 28, 2026

Gotta love a band that’s been kicking around since the 80s and is still putting out bangers. Antietam is a NYC-based act whose been around for 40 years and are still pumping out that warm and fuzzy brand of ’90s influenced indie rock. On “Way Too Well,” the band pairs understated guitars that ring out overtop sparse tambourine shimmers. The lyrics are heartfelt on-point – and on that note, sometimes a band sums up their music better than we ever could. Here’s a snippet from Tara Key:   “While making this record under the geopolitical equivalent of a tornado warning, I questioned if I even had the right, the privilege, to be creative… But progress is not a straight line – it’s gain loss gain. I have lived through cycles of events that were shocking and catastrophic, and ones that were insidious and stealth in their invasion. It always comes[...]

Lord Jane – “Think of Something Nice”

June 28, 2026

The last time we checked in with Irish act Lord Jane, we were jamming on their incredible single “These Last Few Weeks.” They’re back with another beautiful shoegaze-laced offering called “Think of Something Nice.” Lilting but powerful vocals are in the limelight here, but there’s lots more to enjoy. Spindly guitar work and a 6:4 time signature help to give this one a choppy and angular feel. This is one of those songs that rewards multiple listens – it’s hard not to appreciate the real beauty this quintet is crafting. Put it on your playlist next to The Cranberries, Field Mouse, and Palehound.   Peep “Think of Something Nice” via the Bandcamp link below, or, on Spotify.   Think of Something Nice by Lord Jane

Steve Nguyen – “oyakake bukaeru”

June 28, 2026

Maybe the most important, genre-defining characteristic of lo-fi, study beats is that they take you elsewhere. It could be through hypnotic rhythms, lush layers and loops, a sample that entrances your mind, or any number of reasons. But it needs to take you somewhere that you currently aren’t. Steve Nguyen has this figured out. His latest effort, “oyakake bukaeru” is just another entrant in a long line of ambient, lo-fi, study beat tracks by him that accompany his contemporary visual animation. Fluttering flutes, heavenly harps and train track rhythms draw you into the journey – give it a listen and see where this one takes you. Check out Steve’s Instagram account to get a full taste of his multimedia artistry – rife with animation, music and more. You can check out “oyakake bukaeru” on our new Jammy Study Beats instrumental, too.

Tedsson – “The Double Text”

June 25, 2026

Does it get more helpless than the moments before sending that second text? Pathetic maybe, irrational probably, desperate certainly. Rising hip hop artist Tedsson explores the signs of “long paragraphs honed and rewritten,” and “seeing you post every minute,” before you end up stacking blue bubbles on his latest track “The Double Text.” Tedsson’s matter of fact delivery appropriately masks the fool-hearted emotions that come with the situation at hand, and he speaks to it in a breakup setting. “The Double Text” boasts a truly beautiful, longing soul sample to anchor its beat. Its music video is fitting as well, and I’d recommend pressing play on that below. I’m gonna steal an observation from a perceptive YouTube commenter (oxymoron) and say that Tedsson is cut from a similar cloth as NYC alternative hip hop mainstay Homeboy Sandman. If you’re digging “The Double Text,” then give is a listen on Spotify[...]

Heykryp – “Pregame/Function”

June 24, 2026

Pittsburgh PA’s Heykryp is a rising rapper who combines the experimental nature of cloud rap with more traditional trap sounds. His latest track, “Pregame/Function” smashes together murky and glitchy production that can only be held together by the honey smooth vocals of ‘kryp. It’s a fusion of sound that further bends your listening experience by introducing a hyperpoppy percussion section and counter melody. Heykryp’s backing vocals are often folded into the lead mix, simulating your swirling brain after too many substances. All in all the track rounds out to sound like you’re trapped in a Gameboy Color loading screen for a game about getting too turnt for your own good. If you’re feeling “Pregame/Function,” check out Heykryp on Spotify, and while you’re there give our Best Underground Hip Hop of 2026 playlist a listen. We’re adding rising, undercovered, and undiscovered artists to it every week.

Our Violet Room – “Run”

June 22, 2026

Our Violet Room goes for the heart on latest single, “Run.” Evoking early Death Cab For Cutie, Mansions, and even The Cure, “Run” feels organic and cathartic – a must-have in our current era of AI slop. Nimble bass and neurotic drums add to an overall sense of urgency – the clangorous guitars in the background are the coup-de-grace, ringing out like discordant sirens among this otherwise tightly-wound offering.   You can find “Run” via Soundcloud (below), or, on Spotify.   Our Violet Room · Run

Cafe – “Radio Head”

June 22, 2026

Cafe just put out a chill house track called “Radio Head,” and while we’re pretty sure it’s not about coffee or the esteemed ’90s and ’00s band, it’s still worth your time. Bleeting and bleeping synths work together with a gently driven beat to give this a groovy, but understated feel. Passionate and heartfelt vocals sing vaguely nostalgic songs about flip cup and hanging out in the woods with your friends. It’s a uniquely heartwarming experience – give it a listen and experience for yourself.   You can find “Radio Head” on Spotify (embedded below).  

SAOL – “Lines”

June 19, 2026

SAOL, aka Zoë Gough, brings her flavor of the Irish 90’s grunge aesthetic with her latest single, “Lines.” Do you like guitars? Good. Because there’s at least three or four layered up and fuzzed out throughout. The gradual buildup pays off so well lyrically and musically, with Gough escalating things to breakdown and absolutely slaying on geetar. Speaking to the track, Gough had this to say:   “…I realized I was subconsciously exploring feelings of pain and grief that I hadn’t fully realized were there. The throbbing kick drum at the end, representing a heartbeat, is intended to tap into the universality of what Lines is exploring- the pain of being alive and not being alive…”   “Lines” is listenable below from YouTube below, as well as Spotify. With this being her first single of the year with three released last year, here’s hoping for more before 2026 is done![...]

TÁVOL – “MÁV M41”

June 18, 2026

Bence Nebehaj is the brains behind TÁVOL and “MÁV M41” is their latest single off of the Metanoia EP. Interestingly, TÁVOL translates to far/away or absent while MÁV M41 is a type of Hungarian diesel locomotive. The intro borrows heavily from trains/train tracks (could be feedback, could be actual train, maybe a bit of both).   Other than being named Bence and being from Hungary, I couldn’t find much else out though – which I respect because an air of mystery is almost always chic. You won’t find any lyrics here, only vibes (which I’m also a huge fan of).   You can hear “MÁV M41” below from Bandcamp below, as well as Spotify. The rest of the EP, Metanoia, delivers on the dark atmospheric vibes with some spots of sunshine -particularly with the second track, “Citra.”     Metanoia by TÁVOL

nazire – “leech”

June 18, 2026

Istanbul-based nazire brings us her latest with “leech;” a fun gem of indie ingenuity that does some interetings things with layering and playing back pieces of guitar recordings. We last covered nazire and her prior single, “junebug,” here. Both tracks clearly are stamped her MO, with “leech” leaning into her electronica roots a bit more. Speaking to the lyrics of the track, nazire had this to say about it:   “‘leech’ is about the slow realization that someone pretending to be a close friend has actually been draining and mistreating you for years…”   You can hear (and watch) “leech” below from YouTube and Spotify. Much like a long engagement, nazire’s album glitchfolk is due to come out soon. How soon? Only the record label knows!          

Canalss – “Shave The World”

June 18, 2026

“Shave the World” is the latest from Canalss (the extra “s” is not a typo and a great way to separate yourself from “canals” or “canal”). As per Canalss (I think Spotify said his name was Jeremy), this track was written with the current US political climate in mind. It has a nice hopeful tone but lines like the following show you where the song’s voice is:   I smell just like sepsis and I’ll never get old Though this shining cross necklace burned a hole in my chest Evangelical Christians still think I am the best   You can hear the track below from Soundcloud as well as over on Spotify. It’s the first single off of the upcoming full length, “What Every Girl Should Know” (Zerowell Records). If the witticisms and voice are any indication of the rest of the record, we’re in for some more good music[...]

D-NiAL and TrippyThaKid – “Pac-Man!”

June 18, 2026

The soundtrack to PAC-MAN! is a lot more experimental than I remember. This collaborative effort from rappers D-NiAL (Canada) and TrippyThaKid (New Jersey) is built off sugary electronic synth line and bumbling bass that feels like PAC-MAN! might have been hitting up the carnival for a plug. D-NiAL’s crafted an earworm of a hook, expertly airbrushed with some autotune to hack its way into your ear drums. Trippy has some awesome subversive lines, parlaying the neverending war coverage on the news with a hankering to play some Call of Duty. It’s a bit of a ridiculous sounding track, and it’s expertly delivered by two rising artists in the genre. If you’re feeling the dark arcade vibes of D-NiAL and TrippyThaKid, check them out on Spotify. While you’re there, give our Best Underground of 2026 Playlist a spin. Tons of dope new artists to discover on there and we update it every[...]

Kimi – “Make Up”

June 18, 2026

Dutch rapper Kimi proves that modern drill isn’t limited to the UK on his latest effort, “Make Up.” The track’s title is essentially the only English in the track, and it’s additive to its charm. Kimi hits all the marks of a hit drill track – an infectious loop that drives the entire beat, snappy drums and a relentless on the microphone. The rim hits on this percussion also set the track apart from others in the genre. KIMI finds his groove alongside it, adding a relentless that pairs well with the production. Give this a listen and add it to your gym playlist – drill knows no boundaries! Check out Kimi on Spotify – he’s on a run of great new tracks. While you’re there, peep our Best Underground Hip Hop playlist, updated for the best new tracks of 2026.

Jerré – “Bread”

June 15, 2026

If you’re ready for a kick in the ass, but in like a chill way, this new one from NYC rapper Jerré is worth checking out. Jerré’s lyrics serve to separate the dreamers from the doers. No time for scrolling — rent’s gotta get paid, and there’s work to be done if you’re going to get what you want in this life. The beat is punctuated by hand drum sounds, a walking standup bass line and zappy guitar that slithers in and out of the instrumental.His message is incisive, but his flow remains mellow and synchronized with the steady grooves offered by production. “Bread” is the latest single from the upcoming project Working HeadsCheck out more from the NYC artist on Spotify. You’ll also find “Bread” on our Best Hip Hop of 2026 playlist, updated every single week.

Ava Trepeck – “Wolves”

June 15, 2026

Ava Trepeck is here to soothe you with her potent brand of indie folk. “Wolves” is as relaxing as it comes – new age drums, gauzy synths, and twinkling string instruments paint an ethereal picture for Ava to paint with her stunning vocals. This is one of those songs that reminds you there’s more to life than just a heady hook (although I think this is pretty catchy, ngl) – instead, “Wolves” is more of a meditation… A chance to take a step back and appreciate a little slice of beauty. Put this one on and bliss out – you deserve it.   You can find “Wolves” on YouTube (embedded below), or, on Spotify.