New Music

Matt Hylom – “Roller Skates”

January 18, 2026

Charlotte hip hop artist Matt Hylom embraces smooth grooves on his latest track, “Roller Skates.” Hylom has a refined, silky delivery that serves his lyricism perfectly on this track. Roller skating serves as a lyrical motif for him, referencing not only the skates themselves, but the carefree, loose act. He calls for the audience (and himself) to bring elements of it to their lifestyle. The track’s groove is as smooth as a clean lap around the town’s rink. Neo-soul radiates from the production, with a carefree opulence generated by the rich piano lines heard throughout the track. Listen to more smoothness from Matt on Spotify, and while you’re there check out our 2026 Rap playlist.

Ailbhe Reddy – “That Girl”

January 17, 2026

Ailbhe Reddy is ready to KISS BIG. That’s the name of her new album, anchored by her stunning new single, “That Girl.” Ailbhe’s style is lush and ethereal, anchored by a virtuosic drumbeat, but layered thick with electric pianos, gauzy synth pads, and of course Ailbhe’s lilting vocals. It’s accompanied by a stunning music video directed by Greg Purcell that perfectly compliments the airy goodness found within. Here’s a bit more from Ailbhe about what exactly inspired “That Girl:”   “This is one of the record’s emotional anchors. A study in how love shifts shape over time – how we start seeing each other less tenderly, and forget what we once adored.”   “That Girl” is available via YouTube (below), or, on Spotify.    

Lateral – “Phenomenal Realization”

January 17, 2026

Lateral wants you to know they are scrongly… And if you’re a regular reader of our blog, you already know scrongly is kind of our thing. “Phenomenal Realization” is one of those songs that pays homage to the Midwest emo of old (think ’90s or ’00s) while still sounding fresh and fun. Expect lots of guitar energy and emotive vocals to power this banger forth. Here’s a bit more about the deeper meaning behind the song from the band themselves:   “Phenomenal Realization’s lyrics are written about the feeling of leaving a pot boiling on the back burner and the water spilling over, which was a metaphor for my life at the time. I felt like I had all these irons in the fire and i walked away and forgot about them and the water was spilling all over my life.”   Check out “Phenomenal Realization” on YouTube (below) or[...]

Meccathemanhimself – “Wild West”

January 16, 2026

Yeehaw! Veteran rapper Meccathemanhimself pairs his penchant for descriptive rhyming with his idolatry for a good ole Country Western theme with his latest track, “Wild West.” “Wild West” features a whimsical looping beat, perfectly countering Mecca’s unbidden and gruff delivery. Mecca’s talking all things horses, looting, and outlaws in a highly entertaining track that pairs rhymes like “Magnificent Seven” and Smith and Wesson. The Will Smith banger also gets referenced too, in case you were worried. If you’re into “Wild West,” be sure to check out Mecca on Spotify. While you’re there, you should check out our Underground Rap 2026 playlist, featuring Mecca and more from talented artists throughout the scene.

Vocab Slick – “Get Home”

January 16, 2026

Northern California rapper Vocab Slick knows the risks that come from a hustler’s mindset. His latest track, “Get Home” discusses the back against the wall mentality that allowed him to “find stability in instability” as he did whatever needed to be done to find shelter at the end of each day. “Get Home’s” beat feels gothic, with a sense of impending doom in its darkness — but not enough to make Slick uncomfortable in its shadows. Graveyards vocal samples are paired with legendary rap snippets to build a memorable hook. Slick’s verses are a streetside report of his cyphers, cases, and devious dealings, adding more authentic air to that track. If you’re feeling “Get Home,” check out more from Vocab Slick on Spotify. You’ll also catch him on our New and Emerging Rap playlist, updated every week.

Lex Leosis – “innerthoughts”

January 9, 2026

Sometimes the banality of everyday life kicks off your sense of existential threats. What macro factors lead me to my everyday day-to-day? Toronto artist Lex Leosis explores this state of mind in her latest track, “innerthoughts.” Leosis’s emotional delivery is matched with somber piano and drained trumpet, as she ties lines like “I don’t like what I used to,” and “can’t decide if my life is mine” to late stage capitalism, business-influenced dopamine rushes, and a terrifying new normal that we’re just forced to power through. “ICE kidnaps people in broad day, and we still have to clock in on Monday?”Leosis reminds you that other peoplr are seeing and dealing with this shit too. Wgether it can be a call to action or just a collective journal entry is yet to be determined. “innerthoughts” kicks off Leosis’s 2025 EP love adjacent.  Give it a listen below:

Jezuz Martinez – “December to Remember”

January 9, 2026

Florida rap duo Jezuz Martinez (Jezuz Borgia and Mike Martinez) form a perfect union with their partnership. Jezuz’s lyrics flow into deep dark crevasses of conspiracy and abstractness, whereas Martinez’s rock steady flows ground the duo’s output. “December to Remember” is an emblematic representation of their output. Its dusty production would would find a home among the East Coast crate diggers of the 90s, and both emcees show off flows that would make midwestern Rhymesayers proud. Martinez took the lead on production here, and his strummy sample find feels just a little bit downhome, a nice nod to their Florida roots. Each rapper’s flow is super distinct, with Borgia’s capacious ideas parred down by Martinez’s pragmatic flows. Take a listen below and see which side of the yin and yang you vibe with more.

O.G. Soul + Honey-B-Sweet – “Can’t Tell Me None!”

January 8, 2026

Hip hop producer O.G. Soul has a talent for building beats that blend seamlessly in with his collaborators. His latest chameleon effort, “Can’t Tell Me None!” is a percussion and piano-forward beat to pair with featured lyricist Honey-B-Sweet. Soul’s banging keys and crispy symbols match the coldness of Sweet’s streetwise lyrics. She offers a bit of venom to counter her saccharine moniker, discussing her narcotics involvement with an appropriate snarl. “Can’t Tell Me None!’s” production is rounded out with an eerie female vocal sample, adding a bit more texture to a surgical instrumental. Give it a listen on Spotify and check out both Soul and Sweet’s output while you’re there.

DV8 – “Ice Cream Float”

December 26, 2025

Jacksonville-based rapper DV8 brings a veteran mindset to his hip hop output. His latest track, “Ice Cream Float” are the wise words of an artist who sees a woman who he adores and admires with her “brains, beauty, and character.” In his reflections, DV8 also acknowledges his faults and how they can drive her away. His sage musings find the balance between his love for her and the steps he takes to keep her close. “Ice Cream Float” is anchored by soulful love song sample, elevating the temperature of the track. “RIP Randy Savage, Fuck Hulk Hogan” is a great little line for us wrestling heads over at BuffaBLOG HQ, too. Give the track a listen below, check out DV8 on Spotify, and give this track a spin on our Best of Hip Hop 2025 playlist.

Modyst + Saï T – “Gaslight”

December 26, 2025

Oakland emcee Modyst links up with crunchy hip hop producer Saï T to discuss a cycle of abuse with their latest track “Gaslight.” Saï T’s beat is a light and airy loop that gets grounded with crispy drums and Modyst’s stark vocal delivery. He tells a tale of a gaslighting partner who’s fiery contradictions eventually spread to him. When you look closely at the smoke, you see both sides are fanning the flames now. “You made a choice to be so wicked…it’s a gaslighting competition.” “Gaslight” kicks off Modyst’s 2025 EP Isolation. If you’re into storytelling in your hip hop, give this project a listen. Check out more from Modyst and T on Spotify. You’ll also find this track on our Best of 2025 rap playlist – save it before we refresh it for the new year.

big heck – “ALTAR 444”

December 19, 2025

big heck hits us with a big closing song with the capstone track on their latest EP, The Earth! The Heavens! The Sapient Stars!. It’s called “ALTAR 444” and its a lovely and noisy shoegaze-r with a core in art pop, pairing sludged-out guitars with bizarre, synth-y elements and impassioned vocals. There’s even a hint of Deftones energy here, with the whisper-moaned vocals that drip with intensity.   “ALTAR 444” is on both Bandcamp and Spotify.   The Earth! The Heavens! The Sapient Stars! by Big Heck

The Mad Mile – “Wendy Houses”

December 19, 2025

London-based duo The Mad Mile have an impressive pedigree – its two members, Adam Pickering and Matthew Goodbody, have worked together previously in seminal math rock act General Admin. The duo split off to explore new sounds, and the result is captured in latest single, “Wendy Houses.” Dark, angular, and gaze-y, “Wendy Houses” dabbles in post-punk atmospherics with dark vocals, stabby guitar work, and even some distorted keyboards. It’s cool and moody, and that pretty much checks all of our boxes… Not to mention, you can really hear the camaraderie these two have built having worked together for years.   “Wendy Houses” can be previewed via YouTube below, or, found on Spotify.    

Rude Films – “Horseshoe”

December 17, 2025

Rude Films occupies the dank mills of Manchester – those dank vibes have permeated the jaunty post-punk of their latest offering, “Horseshoe.” Ultimately guitar-driven in a discordant-but-melodic way, “Horseshoe” is full of shoegazy washiness, angular riffing, and swirling atmospherics. The crew made a purposeful pivot to a more controlled and refined sound with “Horseshoe,” and while we love the unhinged fuzz of their other work, it certainly tickles the eardrums in a lovely new way.   “Horseshoe” is available via Spotify (below).  

A Days Wait x Color Theory – “Empty Promises”

December 17, 2025

A Days Wait and Color Theory teamed up for a blippy bedroom-pop jam called “Empty Promises.” Color Theory jumped in to reimagine one of A Days Wait’s earliest songs, and the result is something super pleasant on the ears – expect easy-going vocals, a driving bassline, and an electronic backbone that feels organic and heartfelt.   “Empty Promises” is available on Spotify and Apple Music.   Color Theory · Empty Promises

Velly Marsh – “Too Late”

December 17, 2025

Sacramento Rapper Velly Marsh doesn’t sound like a lot of his West Coast contemporaries. His latest track, “Too Late” boasts a timeless soul sample for Velly to weave his intricate, introspective rhymes over. This is a track about crossing lines in a relationship – where both parties can be at fault when these lines get blurred. Velly’s performance is particularly strong, as he barely misses a beat across over 2 minutes of straight rhyming. Add this one to your playlists that are lyrically dense, with polished and clean production. Check out more from Velly on Spotify, where you’ll find him on our Rising Rappers 2025 playlist. We’ll be resetting at the end of the year, so save that playlist while you have the chance.