Latest Posts

Drift City – Spectral Heart Mosaics

October 28, 2025

Kentucky-based musical effort, Drift City, plants a promising seed with their latest EP release, Spectral Heart Mosaics. From start to finish, the folk-and-jazz-and-blues-inspired band presents themselves very professionally – the sounds, accurate; the production (see: Kevin Ratterman), thick and palpable. There is a wide variety of instruments utilized throughout the EP, like lulling saxophones and zipping synthesizers. While the songs wrap the listener in a dampening mist of tangible relaxation, the overall feel of this music collection is hopeful, pushing toward self-growth, as well as somewhat spiritual.   The EP opener, “Leave Your Life,” listens like the soundtrack of a mood-lit lazy river. Immediately, one may take note of the vocal delivery, falling somewhere between Iggy Pop crossed with The National. After a brilliant saxophone solo, there is a pleasing shift in feel when the drummer strikes the ride with brushes more consistently, lending to a relaxing, jazzy feel. Song[...]

D.R. Da Rula – “NEW LIFE”

October 25, 2025

Detroit’s D.R. Da Rula brings innovation and authenticity to his rhymes, and his lates track “NEW LIFE” is no different. Da Rula’s rhyming meter gives “NEW LIFE” a freshness that you’re not gonna hear in a lot of new rap songs. Lines go long – the rhyme doesn’t resolve when you expect it to. Right when you start to think he’s ignoring the beat, it resolves and satisfyingly scratches an itch before hopping right into another. “NEW LIFE’s” production samples some retro throwbacks, and its softness juxtaposes well with the edges Rula carries with his rhymes. With a nonchalant, conversational tone he delivers lines equally menacing, introspective and descriptive. “Same day I had my son, i bought a new pipe.” We’re excited to hear more from him. Stream more of Da Rula’s work on Spotify, where he leads off our recently updated New and Rising Rappers playlist.

Doottak – “Glow”

October 25, 2025

Doottak is about to defeat you with the quiet crush of latest single, “Glow.” Sounding like some perfect amalgamation of Pinback and Electric President/Radical Face, “Glow” has those trademark plucky guitars and gentle vocals that you’d expect from a Rob Crow or Ben Cooper composition. This is one of those bedroom-pop songs that feels like it was accidentally and perfectly literally created in Doottak’s bedroom… Bonus: once you’ve let this one sink deep into your soul, give it a re-listen and take in that nimble bassline. *perfection*.   Let “Glow” wash over you by clicking on the incredibly convenient YouTube embed we’ve provided below.  

Blond:ish x Notre Dame x Black Circle – “Higher (Notre Dame Remix)”

October 25, 2025

Blond:ish, Notre Dame, & Black Circle teamed up for a slice of progressive house they’re collectively calling “Higher.” If this isn’t already a dancefloor anthem, it’s only a matter of time. With it’s accessible repetitiveness, jittery synth play, and overall hypnotic pulse, “Higher” is a song meant to be danced to. Let the drop wash over you, take in the earworm refrain, and remember 2012 when you were still able to drink your ass off until 4am at the club. Good times.   “Higher” is embedded below (YouTube), but you can also find it on Spotify and Apple Music.  

Kaia Müller – “The best of me”

October 25, 2025

Sometimes it’s all about the bassline – ask Oregon-based Kaia Müller on her latest single, “The best of me.” “The best of me is yet to come / if it ever does” Kaia muses existentially, with a sassy, sprechgesang – echoing a sentiment we all have at times… Are we ever going to be the best version of ourselves? Who knows. But Kaia’s gotta be close… I repeat – that bassline.   “The best of me” is embedded below – enjoy.  

Fool Nelson – “Forget It”

October 25, 2025

Perth’s Fool Nelson have been filling a The Get Up Kids-sized hole in our hearts – one listen to “Forget It” might help you understand why. They’re already popping off in Australia, and we’re betting they’re gonna connect with audiences worldwide with their ready-made hooks, crunchy guitar, and accessible emo punk vibes. The trio of brothers/best friend have an undeniable chemistry, writing songs that reflect their upbringing in 90s/00s surf/skate culture down under… If you know us, that’s right up our alley. Check it out – you’re gonna love it.   Check out “Forget It” via the forbidden YouTube embed below, or, click this link to get to their Spotify.  

Ian McFarland – “Every Days a Saturday”

October 25, 2025

Pop punk has a funny way of bridging existential dread and breezy joy – take Ian McFarland‘s latest offering for example. “Every Days a Saturday” is a unique take on burnout (which we’re all feeling on some level, let’s be honest) – but it’s explored with upbeat, jangly guitars; quirky Motion City Soundtrack-esque lyrics; and McFarland’s uplifting vocals. If you want to harken back to the late 90s when SR-71 was ruling the airwaves, this might be a good place to start.   “Every Days a Saturday” is the first track on McFarland’s latest EP, Midnight Surgery, out now, (October 17th, 2025). Check out the forbidden YouTube embed below, or, peep it on Spotify.  

Karlmer – “Blackout”

October 24, 2025

“Blackout” is the newest track from Australian artist formerly known as Fly Trap, but now goes by Karlmer. They made the move to Germany at the beginning of the year. Other than not being an island, I guess Germany helps with expanding your reach, so good on them!   “Blackout” is a LOT of guitar – like almost nonstop; the first thirty seconds feature some particularly blistering licks. When saying that they played “Rock” music with a capital ‘R’ I assumed it was a typo because we don’t generally capitalize common nouns. *buzzer* Wrong! This definitely falls under Rock and deserves the gravitas of a capital. Serving a twofer of alarm and a call to action, the band had this to say about the meaning behind the song:   “The song is about a blackout in the modern day. We don’t have survival skills anymore like direction and find what[...]

NoMoniker Dev – “Mine”

October 23, 2025

If you’re interested in hearing some of the crispest drum sounds of 2025, you gotta tune into the latest track from Brooklyn hip hop artist NoMoniker Dev.  “Mine,” paced by those tight snares and kicks, tasty trumpet and sax parts, touchy keys and a warm vocal sample, is an ode to owning your shit. In NoMoniker’s case, it’s the rap artistry that he’s honed through years of experimentation in other genres and FL Studio. “It’s mine. Don’t play with it.” Dev folds his vocals in really nicely with the driving beat, bringing energy to match the horns and dropping down to a whisper to mix into the drum-first sections. This production needs to be heard, so stop reading and press play. If you’re digging NoMoniker Dev, give him a visit on Spotify. While you’re there, check out our Rising Rappers 2025 playlist that we give a polish every single week.

The Mookies – “Grocery Store”

October 22, 2025

Sporting an updated lineup and a slight rebrand, The Mookies (formerly Mookie) have dropped their latest single, “Grocery Store,” a track that gives the Buffalo five-piece a solid launchpad for their jangle-pop trajectory. Recorded at Watchmen Studios and mixed/mastered by Nathaniel Weiss (of Rom Com Victims), the track is a quick, boppy earworm that has surf-punk leanings, showing a bit more teeth than their previous work. The instrumentation is tight and energetic, a fitting foundation for a song that’s all about the dizzying internal monologue of spotting a potential crush in the produce aisle.   The concept is relatable enough–letting your imagination run wild with “what-ifs” in the context of an alluring stranger–but it’s the execution that makes the song shine. Giuliana Bauman’s vocals are sweet and disarming, offering a counterpoint to the song’s blazing pace and jangly, overdriven guitars. It’s bubblegum punk of the highest degree–accessible enough for a[...]

H_ngm_n – “Three Hours Sleep”

October 21, 2025

Listen. Emo isn’t dead. Emo will never die. And, despite their name, H_ngm_n are one of the many bands keeping the genre alive and well. “Three Hours Sleep” is sharp, emotional, and strikes the perfect balance between dirty and polished. Fans of mid-aughts style emo will love the readily-accessible hooks, while fans of deeper cuts can appreciate that well-constructed emo is still being made. With lyrics that touch on anxiety and guilt, this one’s a dead ringer for all us steadfast emos.   Check out the band’s most recent LP, Paper Street, upon which “Three Hours Sleep” resides, via the Bandcamp embed below. You can also find it on Spotify and Apple Music. Paper Street by H_ngm_n

The Tin Can Collective – “Knot With Threads”

October 20, 2025

The Tin Can Collective specialize in beer-soaked indie/emo that your older brother probably loved, specifically the good stuff from the late 90s. We’re talking Rainer Maria, The Get Up Kids… Even Tigers Jaw. You get the idea. Throw “Knot With Threads” on your favorite, sweaty basement show emo playlist. The big, guitar-forward energy here would be perfect for a DIY venue or a VFW hall, with a particularly sweet vocal performance from singer/guitarist Jess Warren.   Check out “Knot With Threads” via the Bandcamp embed below – Spotify too. If you like what you hear, they have a whole album called The Thrill Is Gone And I Can’t Get It Back   The Thrill Is Gone And I Can’t Get It Back by The Tin Can Collective

BILLY WHITE – “Mama”

October 20, 2025

West Dallas emcee BILLY WHITE isn’t going to be put in a box. He draws on eclectic tastes and backgrounds to bend genres with his latest single, “Mama.” Built on a crackling retro beat, this track keeps throwing different vocal styles at you, each one more interesting than the last.  His rapped verses are deconstructed, flipping between conversational and melodic. On the hook, he belts a sing-songy chorus, complete with contrasting backing vocals and some Bone Thugs-style triplet singing that plants this track squarely in your memory. “Mama” touches on growing up, being compared to your parents, and creating your own legacy. If you’re digging BILLY here, make sure to give more of his music a listen on Spotify. While you;’re there, take a look at our Rising Hip Hop 2025 playlist, updated every single week.

SUMiT, Method Man and Termanology – “Ammunition”

October 20, 2025

Massachusetts rappers SUMiT and Termanology take a quick trip over to Shaolin for their latest Method Man-assisted single “Ammunition.” The Wu Tang legend’s opening verse sets the stage with its sharp wordplay and gruff delivery, as Meth trades in his swords for a ruger to blast through one-liners and double entendres. Termanology and SUMiT bring the grime of Lawrence and Worcester, MA to their verses. Termanology’s command of consonance kicks off his verse, as his word play using the letter “m” really needs to be heard to be appreciated. SUMiT closes the track down with a patient delivery, calmly carving up the beat with vivid imagery and references to the streets. Celebratory trumpets pace “Ammunition’s” beat, giving each emcee plenty of brass to support their braggadocious claims. The track appears on the newest collaborative project from the Mass rappers – check it out here.  Take a listen on Spotify, where[...]

Nikmoody and Blvff – “explain it all later”

October 17, 2025

Nikmoody and Producer Blvff are two rising Long Island artists are putting the area on the map for hip hop. Their latest collaboration “explain it all later” boasts a driving rhythm from Blvff, taking influence from Arabic music in a similar manner to the excellent work Clipse did earlier this year. Nikmoody is relentless on the microphone, as the track features a spree of one-liners as he weaves between sports, LI and pop culture references. On the chorus, he’s tapping into his wiseguy Italian roots on the cheeky chorus where he asks (and expects) his listeners to trust him while he handles business. “Explain it all later” appears on Nik’s latest EP It’s not done yet, freshly available where you listen to music. If you’re digging “explain it all later” take a peek at these artists on Spotify. You’ll also find them on our Rising Hip Hop 2025 playlist — updated every[...]