Latest Posts

Slung – “Nothing Left”

May 9, 2025

Slung brings us their latest track “Nothing Left” off of their album In Ways (released May 2nd). The UK-based four piece has prepared a contemplative slow burn of an alt rock track with, frankly, a ballad level vocal performance from Katie Oldham.   The buildup from the seemingly humble first few notes really takes this track to the next level and gave me the chills. If you’ve ever fancied yourself a music aficionado, this hits all of the right spots and you’ll be better off having listened. Fans of Manchester Orchestra, Silversun Pickups, or Wolf Alice are going to like this one.   You can hear “Nothing Left” below from Bandcamp or over on Spotify. The rest of the album is worth a gander too, be sure to check ’em out live if you find yourself on the other side of the pond (or listen and follow and maybe they’ll[...]

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.  

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[...]

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.    [...]

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[...]

Codeko x Ella Poletti – “Keep Smiling”

April 25, 2025

Collaborators Codeko and Ella Poletti join forces to bring us their EDM track “Keep Smiling.” Codeko seems to produce the instrumentals and Poletti lends her vocals, something I’ve always been fascinated with when it comes to to EDM tracks; how the FUCK do you keep in time with SO MUCH GOING ON? Skittering percussion and pulsating instrumentals work together with chiming keyboards and Poletti’s hooky vocals to create something aurally interesting. I’ve seen different levels of live music but a DJ and emcee in sync is one of the most amazing musical spectacles. I could keep trying to describe what’s going on, but you’re better off just listening!   You can hear it below from Soundcloud or over on Spotify. You’ll be hard pressed to find a catchier tune, especially on such short notice. Rest assured, this will get your heart thumping on the dance floor or doing other aerobic[...]

Poster Girl – “I Wish”

April 25, 2025

“I Wish” is the latest single from Poster Girl, a Chicago based indie rock outfit. The most unfortunate thing about this track is that it’s only one of THREE that the band has released. Clearly this is a quality over quantity scenario, and this is only supposed to be about “I Wish,” but that was an important point to make; this band has only three songs and they knock all of ’em outta the park.   The guitar work is simple yet effective, meshing with light piano and vocals from singer Makayla Meister. Appropriately mournful while looking back on past regrets, it’s four minutes of bliss that you’ll be happy you spent time on.   You can hear (and see, via visualizer) “I Wish” on YouTube, Apple Music, or over on Spotify. If you enjoyed this track as I did, you can also hear the pun-tastically named “Bored Games” and[...]

eSex – “bumper sticker”

April 16, 2025

eSex is a weeb punk band out of California and “bumper sticker” is their latest single. They definitely tricked me the first listen through with the sudden heel turn from lovely guitar-forward emo-punk to SCREAMING. I thought the breakdown was gonna be the end but then NOPE, THEY CAUSED QUITE THE RUCKUS IN MY EARDRUMS. Funnily enough, the song ends as it began to bring it full circle. If you check out the band’s socials you’ll see what I mean about the weeb comment – assuredly, from me specifically, a compliment.   If you’ve ever been to a basement show or had/have patches on your vest you’ll feel right at home with eSex …and you may be entitled to financial compensation (not from eSex, to be clear). They deserve your financial compensation, so throw them a listen and check out one of their shows if you’re in Northern California.  [...]

Tarn PK – “Cry Baby”

April 16, 2025

Straight to your ears from Wellington, New Zealand, Tarn PK (the moniker of Tarn Puentener-King) shows off his latest track “Cry Baby.” I’m always a sucker for a well-crafted pop track and “Cry Baby” is no exception. Going with a “less is more” approach, the synth and drums play off each other to great effect and let Tarn PK’s catchy vocals do the heavy lifting. Speaking to the track, Tarn had this to say:   “[‘Cry Baby] came from a time of feeling like I wasn’t moving forward and thinking, what am I going to do about this….a big part for me was trying to detach from my expectations and just appreciate things as they currently are.”   You can hear it below from Soundcloud, Spotify, or check out the music video on YouTube (which is more or less a visualizer except Tarn PK in a daze in an elevator).[...]

Roller Derby – “Lights Out”

April 16, 2025

Roller Derby, a band we’ve written about before here, have a new track out – a dream pop affair entitled “Lights Out.” Clocking in at just under three minutes, organ flavored synth (or maybe actually an organ, who can say) and a slick bass line dance along with fitful bouts of guitar. I got some Beach House vibes here and there, but this isn’t just another cookie cutter dreamy track – the warmth and speaking to the complexities of love feel truly heartfelt.   You can hear “Lights Out” below from Soundcloud or Spotify. An AI music video also exists over on YouTube. As per the band this was done purposefully to “mirror the song’s dreamlike quality – blurring the lines between reality and illusion…” You can hear the rest of the album, When The Night Comes, on a streaming device near you.   Roller Derby · Lights Out  [...]

Color Palette – “Anywhere at All”

April 14, 2025

“Anywhere at All” is the latest single from DC based Color Palette and wow, is it just chock full of sound. A self described “indie dream-pop band,” “Anywhere at All” takes some rhythmic cues from industrial and shoegaze music that incorporates the synth – an approach I found intriguing and refreshing. I even felt some moments of “is this almost an EDM track?” Like I said: this track packs a lot of sound.   The band’s last major release was 2023’s Pacing Like a Lion EP with some singles here and there. Keep your ears out for more, because bands that keep up this long (since ~2017) certainly tend to have some staying power. Their other single of 2025, “Grateful,” is worth the listen too especially if you’re looking for a good example of the depth of the band.   You can hear “Anywhere at All” below from the band’s Soundcloud[...]