New Music

Razor Braids – “She”

Brooklyn-based Razor Blades brings us their newest track, “She,” and it’s a fun garage rock tinged banger. A vocal-forward track with non-stop (fuzzy and clean) guitar riffs, singer Hollye Bynum sings about meeting that special someone and how positively uplifting that can be. Queer, female, and non-binary identifying members gracing the lineup make this a well rounded group, able to bring their voices to a chronically underserved listenership – as well as just rocking the f*ck out for all. Fans of Alanis Morrissette, Pom Pom Squad, or The Cranberries would find a lot to enjoy here, along with anyone who enjoys a well executed garage rock romp. “She” is available on Soundcloud or Spotify, as well as a fabulously done music video embedded below. Be sure to check out their equally impressive backlog of songs as well! Razor Braids · She

Found Space – “What’s Yours Is Mine”

Found Space jangled their way into our hearts with the dreamy goodness of new single, “What’s Yours is Mine.” Co-Produced by Day Wave (Jackson Phillips), you can really hear the bedroom-pop, well, pop, in this sparkly and washy new tune. Pulling from strong (and timeless) 80s and 90s influences, “What’s” nods respectfully to its forefathers without ever sounding dated or trite. Fans of The Pains of Being Pure at heart, The Radio Dept., or the aforementioned Day Wave are going to vibe on this immediately. You can find “What’s Yours Is Mine” on Spotify. Found Space · What’s Yours Is Mine

Brookside Mall – “NNNYN”

Brookside Mall is bringing us their first new release in over five years with No More Fragrant Thoughts which is due January of 2024. Our first sniff of the project is their new song “NNNYN,” a shaggy indie rock jam that throws haymakers at listless uncertainty. Warbly guitar lines burble and glorp over one another sounding like it’s pouring out of concrete piping while a thumping drum rhythm impacts your chest with an industrial cadence. “Being twenty eight and still chasing contract work /Makes me a foster dog, my life a firework” is the growling preamble that echoes with dissatisfied acrimony, setting the scene for the chest-emptying chorus coming to combat the building exasperation. That leads in a teeth gnashing chorus that will have you howling “Give me something I can hit” as you thirst for that circumstance of empowering adequacy in the face of a vexing and bewildering existence in[...]

teddy<3 - "i belong here"

L.A. based, Grammy nominated songwriter Teddy Geiger, under her moniker teddy<3, just released her new album Teresa. She is coupling that release with her new single “i belong here,” an indie cut that is bursting with momentous atmosphere and layered shoegaze influences. Teresa formed itself out of a formative journey through Madrid that had the artist expressing her deepest vulnerabilities and innermost feelings, pouring her heart and soul onto the page, using the act of writing as a method for both personal healing and spiritual purification. That earnest catharsis is felt throughout “i belong here”, as a pulsing driven rhythm creates a heart filling momentum that galvanizes the layered, reverb soaked guitar textures that change from a laconic melancholy to a feeling of a head rush that would be brought upon by night air of a enchanted Madrid night. The interplay of the lush textures and dynamic rhythm that fades[...]

Shuttle – “One More Job”

Shuttle’s newest single just hit, and it’s our first taste of their upcoming EP. “One More Job” is a laid back psychedelic indie-pop cut whose off-kilter charms hook you indefinitely (check our previous feature on them here). Nostalgia dripped guitar lines strum before tripped-out synths take you to extraterrestrial planes and a groovin’ bass locks into a tight drum beat striking you with danceable effects. Shuttle grounds the psychedelic elements of his synths, vocals, and reverbed guitars with rich velvety bass and fat drum slaps that really take the pop track to new heights at the chorus. Here, Shuttle coo’s in falsetto “One more job to do/Then I’m done/Nothing left to lose/If you’re gone” showcasing that all too familiar brain space of chasing an elusive happiness in the promise of the future. The track has some gorgeous builds with synths blooming into a dispersion field before Shuttle cuts them with[...]

Rangleklods – “Alien”

Copenhagen-based musical maverick Rangleklods, aka Esben Nørskov Andersen (check our previous feature on them here), has a new full length, titled Breathe In, Breathe Out slated for Feb 9th 2024. The latest glimpse into the electronic wizard’s upcoming project is the single “Alien” which combines his signature sonic experiments with a heavy, groovy beat, creating a captivating and paradoxical experience. Andersen’s mind-bending perspective is on full display with “Alien” as the songwriter pitches his vocals to a guttural low level to simulate the effect of hearing his voice inside the stomach of his pregnant wife, as the “Alien” here is the growing creature that would be his first child that was born last year. Andersen stretches his synths and lets the tension coil them back in on themselves creating a bouncing, undulating melody that is filled with head turning textures and production wizardry. He pairs mesmerizing production with songwriting that[...]

Juno Dunes – “Dissolve”

New Orleans *maybe* solo act Juno Dunes, so-called “Louisiana beach music (or tropical shoe-gaze),” is the latest spin on the genre you didn’t know you needed to hear. “Dissolve” is their latest and it immediately brought my blood pressure down by twenty points and truly brought some much needed relaxation to my evening. Bringing the calm tones of bands like Real Estate or Goth Babe, you’re immediately transported by the warm guitar and laid back drum fills that feel like they’re fading into a sunset. Brought to life by Connor James Reever and a backing band, you’ll find nothing but chill vibes here with his whisper singsong voice. For us yanks in the north in November, you’ll appreciate the feeling Reever brings to our frosty lawns and hearts. Give “Dissolve” a listen over on Spotify or Sound Cloud, especially if you’ve had to scrape frost off of your windshield at any point[...]

PEPTALK – “Long Haul”

Australia-based three piece PEPTALK brings us their latest track “Long Haul” and it’s a delightful pop jam, showcasing the band’s sugary songwriting credentials. Having collaborated with artists the world over, most notably with fellow countryman LDRU, they are here to kick ass and are undoubtedly succeeding. Running a gamut of melodies and excellent lyrical pop with some great beats, it’s impossible not to find yourself to feel the vibe from this upbeat, coming-of-age banger. Citing artists such as Remi Wolf and HAIM as influences, you can start to get an idea of their vibe but it’s best experienced straight from the source. Give “Long Haul” a spin over on Spotify or Sound Cloud and be sure to check out the rest of their impressive catalogue if you (undoubtedly) like what you hear! PEPTALK · Long Haul

LOR – “The Same Shit”

LOR is the project of Taylor Harrison, who, if not for a LinkedIn profile, has me convinced he’s a deep dark electronic being singing songs of a dystopian future (think Blade Runner vibes). “The Same Shit” is his latest track and the squelchy indietronica matches up with the spooky fall vibes and the aforementioned Blade Runner aesthetic. Speaking to the track, LOR had this to say: “I went back to my indie electronic roots with this one – I imagined the vibe of the murky alleys of a dystopian world in the midst of rebellion… I tried to paint a picture of resilience and defiance from the shadows.” The best elevator pitch I could think of would be if you crossed the eclecticism Daft Punk with darkness of Trent Reznor, which just barely scratches the surface. Be sure to give LOR a listen on Spotify or Apple Music.

A Days Wait – “Signals”

“Signals” is the newest song from Canadian indie pop band A Days Wait, released ahead of their new album. We previously wrote about them here (thanks Nick), and enjoyed what we heard back in ’22 and haven’t changed our minds. This understated yet mournful sounding jam is filled to the brim with wispy guitar and a slick bass line that form a sturdy backbone but don’t overpower singer Adam Alfano’s dulcet tones. As per the band, the proceeds from (presumably the album) will go to charity, which seems to be a common theme with their music. I’m not rightly sure on the charity, but I’m gonna go with something worthwhile and heartwarming. You can hear “Signals” on Spotify or YouTube. Be sure to let us know your thoughts over on our social media! A Days Wait · Signals

Bad Veins – “Wendy”

Bad Veins is a Cincinnati-based band from the mind of Ben Davis, and “Wendy” is the first single off of their upcoming album Imposter (December 1, Dynamite records). The track itself is a crisp sounding, 80’s-tinged, synth forward track with some robotic auto tune sounding vocals thrown in for good measure. Imagine if Daft Punk was about 60% less electronic and throw in a dash of Grouplove, and you’d have “Wendy” (in a nutshell). Davis plays things pretty close to the vest, as much as a musician can, speaking to that he said: “I am in constant fluctuation back and forth as to whether I want to be a public person, or just keep to myself. I had no career ambitions when I first started Bad Veins. I just enjoyed making music in my attic. So, there is always the feeling of ‘imposter syndrome’ when I have to do music[...]

Wild Arrows – “Got To Know”

Mike Law, aka Wild Arrows, has been shapeshifting his sound for nearly a decade, each release re-imagining his identity while holding onto his core identifying qualities of a singular voice, eccentric songwriting and crushing lyrics. Law’s latest single “Got To Know” takes those tenets and folds them into a glimmering indie pop shape that affects as much as it dazzles. Law’s voice arrests your attention as its plosives pop with each punch of gurgling bass synth. Shining tones flare and shimmer as they take turns peering out from the thick of the synth groove thus creating a flirtatious mood that provokes you as it seduces you. Fans of MGMT and Passion Pit will find lots to love on this single. Listen to Wild Arrows new single “Got To Know” now on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music. Catch more from Wild Arrows on their Instagram and Linktree.

Unknown Venus – “The Worst”

Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter, and harpist Unknown Venus is an emerging artist that just started releasing their music to the masses. Her latest cut to make waves is the brooding and acidic single “The Worst” that boils over with rage filled bile brought out from a relationship that turns from bond to exploitation. Venus sings with a dispassionate tone that wilts its target with a acerbic, barren, frigid inflection that perfectly encapsulates the songs message by tone alone. She etches the songs chorus with a corrosive tongue “You want the best for me, I guess I want the worst for you.”  Venus crafts a melting world with guitar lines that disperse and cascade down with diffuse tones while a muted kick drum hammers like a heart pounding with hate after your psyche has fully realized how little someone close to you values you. Fans of EMA, Mitski, and Angel Olsen[...]

Vlimmer – “Teerritt”

Coming to you from Berlin, Vlimmer’s latest single “Teerritt” is from his August 25 album Zerschöpfung. We previously wrote about him a few years ago here, and loved what we heard then – not too much has changed in that regard in the ensuing years. The track itself is a masterclass in the gothier musics – specifically post punk/industrial/darkgaze. Picking up where bands like the Cure and Joy Division left off sort of starts to give you the idea of the sound, but not the whole picture. The drum machine, sorrowful lyrics, and synth are all there – along with Vlimmer’s impeccable attention to detail throughout. Speaking to the song (and the meaning behind the word teerritt) Vlimmer had this to say: “‘Teerritt’ is literally about being so exhausted that you lay down on the tar of the street. And when you crawl across it becomes some sort of really slow[...]

Steven Van Betten – “Friendship”

Based out of Los Angeles, Steven van Betten‘s latest single is “Friendship” off of his debut album Friends and Family (October 28, Future Gods). Bringing that fuzzy vintage folksy feel, “Friendship” features van Bettern’s soothing vocals with guitar but also throws in catchy synth. With each verse corresponding to a different friend you’d think this would turn into a “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall” type scenario, but, as van Betten helpfully points out, “… but I’m trying to be in bed by 11/ someday I’ll write a verse for all of my friends and the song will be never ending…” Fans of Sufjan Stevens or Neutral Milk Hotel will find some similarities they can latch onto here, between the composition and musical style. You can hear “Friendship” along with the rest of the album over on Spotify or Soundcloud. Future Gods · Steven van Betten – Friendship