Latest Posts

Altalune – “Dead Weight”

July 25, 2025

“Dead Weight” is Altalune‘s latest track and the second one we’ve covered this year (with “Fragments” being the last we covered back in April). This hefty, almost proggish (not a word but it is now) track is *beautifully* composed and leans heavily into melodic guitar riffs and steady bass riffs that just… friggin’ gel! Emo and screamo aficionados will find a lot to enjoy here, as well as the prog… heads? Prog heads. Here’s a little snippet from the band about what the song means to them:   “This song is about recognizing that we all have our part to play in all aspects of a relationship. We’re all quick to point the finger at someone else but it’s much harder to reflect on what you’ve done wrong… I’m getting over myself, meaning I’m putting away the flawed perceptions I might have of myself and accepting my own impact, but[...]

Caleb L’Etoile – “Fireball”

July 25, 2025

“Fireball” can mean a lot of things. It’s the go-to sorcery spell in D&D for mass destruction, the go-to alcoholic beverage for lovers of cinnamon destruction, and the latest track from Caleb L’Etoile. Written as a tip of the cap and a tongue of the cheek to the sock hop anthems of yesteryear, it is impossibly catchy and if you still have your shoes on and aren’t boppin’ along – please get your ears checked.   My mother always spoke fondly of sock hops and desperately wanted to us to relive that dream for her – whether her own idealized version of what they were or from actual experience, I’ll never know (I was like 8). I’ll probably just ask her tomorrow, but in the meantime, you can live Babs’ fever dream of sock hoppin’ in the safety of your own living room right now.   You can hear “Fireball”[...]

Mikey Demilio – “Explain”

July 25, 2025

Mikey Demilio is exactly what you’d expect to get from a Jersey boy with an album titled Billionaire’s Club and a single called “Explain.” Really fun, controlled chaos-pop-rock that will assuredly find easy access through your ear canal to get stuck in your brain. I couldn’t find too much of a bio about Mikey, but a strong tip of the hat to anyone who can put together a cohesive 13-track album in this day and age of singles and soundbites. *shakes fist at cloud*   You can hear “Explain” below from YouTube or over on Spotify. Be sure to check out the rest of the album, Billionaire’s Club, in particular the title track – which I found an interesting juxtaposition to “Explain” and gives a better idea of Demilio’s depth. The rest of the album is also worth a listen to if you’ve liked what you’ve heard.  

Chris Combs – “Can’t Stop”

July 25, 2025

Tulsa based Chris Combs, other than obviously being a real cool guy based on name alone (check the by-line), is a man of many talents enmeshed in a smorgasbord of (excellent) sounds. His latest, “Can’t Stop” is a romp of a track that has a 90’s grunge/post grunge/Gregorian chant vibe that fits together beautifully. You might wonder how Gregorian chant fits into contemporary indie rock so well? Ask your nerdy music friend to explain time signatures or scales or keys… Or just listen to the track and judge for yourself.   You can hear “Can’t Stop” below from Soundcloud, or add it to your trippy playlist on Spotify or Apple Music. If you’re looking for even more proof of Combs’ depth of talent, give the other half of the single, “Historicity” a gander too.   Chris Combs · Can’t Stop

ZooDeVille – “Get it Tatted” ft. Adam Flowers, Pistol Mcfly, and Jonah Levine

July 23, 2025

ZooDeVille channels early 2010s blog rap to create a fresh, commercial-ready sound on their latest single “Get It Tatted.” Some of my favorite days spent circa 2013 were crawling the pages of DJBooth.net hoping I’d see one of the era’s mainstays repackaging a hot indie rock crossover into the hook for their next single. But in 2025, ZooDeVille, Adam Flowers, Pistol Mcfly, and Jonah Levine don’t need Empire of the Sun or Darwin Deez to drop an indelible single to build a pop rap single around. An earworm chorus that could have been Fueled by Ramen is generated in house by Zoo, and each artist adds in something accessible that makes “Get It Tatted” one of those feel good tracks you can mix in with a running playlist or a pregame and greet either inclusion with a smile. Some of the references are a little too new age for me[...]

MooreBeats – “Upside Down” (ft. LONG LIVE PHOENIX + O.H. BAGS + RealTime + The Commissioner + Z U L U + THEREALMFDOT)

July 23, 2025

MooreBeats is an up and coming old school hip hop producer who’s soulful beats give him more of an architect feel than your conventional beatmaker. His latest single, “Upside Down,” is a timeless, soulful boom-bap cut with such an approachable sound that he got 6 emcees itching to hop on it. Between LONG LIVE PHOENIX, O.H. BAGS, RealTime, The Commissioner, Z U L U, and the THEREALMFDOT, we get a full spectrum of rappers with conscious bars, charismatic deliveries and flows that don’t stop evolving. Give this track an add to your playlists that prioritize the art of sampling and the art of pure unadulterated bars. “Upside Down” appears on MooreBeats Team2025 project, featuring original instrumentals from MooreBeats and a full roster of exciting underground hip hop artists. Take it for a deep dive and come out with a couple new artists in your rotation. Check out MooreBeats on Spotify and[...]

Tebi Rex – “not with a fizzle fr”

July 23, 2025

The Irish duo of Tebi Rex (Max Zenga and Matt O) add another notch to their belt of momentum-building singles with their latest effort, “not with a fizzle fr.” Kicking off with angelic harmonies, “fizzle” evolves into a genre-bending, pace-changing track with elements of indie folk to coalesce with the duo’s alternative hip hop tendencies. Delicate piano, soul-searching saxophone and a grounding breakbeat each take their turn at the center of the production on the track. Vocally, Zanga and O take their turns embracing the light (potentially fleeting) that life’s given them to this stage, with harmonized, considerate singing vocals. Give this song a listen and decide for yourself what type of playlist it’d best serve – your ears will be happy regardless of what you decide. Check out more from Tebi Rex on Spotify, where they’re adding quality, high-performing releases to the growing Irish Hip Hop scene. While you’re[...]

Doza – “Keep it Down”

July 19, 2025

Los Angeles rapper Doza interweaves his Filipino and West Coast roots with his latest single, “Keep it Down.” Jumping directly into a verse, Doza name drops GOAT’d Filipino boxes Manny Pacquiao, California, and Dodgers/Japanese pitching legend Hideo Nomo seconds into the track. Doza’s references are sharp, but his commitment to the craft cuts deeper. “Keep it Down’s” hook begs those who aren’t taking him and his craft seriously to hush their tones so he and his art can control the dial. Production-wise, this track is built off off a classic 90s boom bap beat with at little bit of West Coast flavor — letting Doze feel right at home. If you’re digging Doza, check out more of his work on Spotify. While you’re there, check out him and other awesome up-and-coming artists on our Emerging Hip Hop playlist.

Bad Self Portraits – “Pensive”

July 17, 2025

Omaha-based act Bad Self Portraits nailed it on their latest single, “Pensive.” Blending the perfect amounts of jaunty indie rock and angular rhythms with soaring-but-reserved vocals that are lightly dripping with a succulent, pain-based sauce, “Pensive” is the kind of song that has it all. Musicianship. Sincerity. Hooky melodies… It’s the kind of rare song with “musical architecture” that manages to also be repeat-listenable. We’re assuming the band conjured up the following quote – it was too perfect not to include:   “A hushed, emotionally precise portrait of love shaped by faith, fear, and difference—capturing the quiet negotiations that make relationships real.”    “Pensive” can be found via the bandcamp embed (below), or, via Spotify and Apple Music.   I Think I’m Going To Hell by Bad Self Portraits

Weakened Friends – “Tough Luck (Bleed Me Out)”

July 17, 2025

Weakened Friends are doubling down on the feelings over apathy debate… And for that matter, did the apathetic ones ever even start debating, or are they still busy whispering vague nothings in the corner? Either way, emotions are being worn proudly on sleeves on the trio’s latest track, “Tough Luck (Bleed Me Out).” Eschewing agonizing over every detail for sharp, tip-of-the-tongue bursts of energy, “Tough Luck (Bleed Me Out)” is a natural and welcome continuation of the band’s fiery brand of post-pop-punk. There aren’t enough bands just letting it rip the way Weakened Friends do – so dig into this one and remember what it felt like to feel something again.   Feels Like Hell, the album upon which “Tough Luck” resides, will be out October 10, 2025. Until then, follow the embed to the forbidden YouTube link to the song (below), or, add it to your favorite Spotify playlist.  

madrone – “Lucifer”

July 17, 2025

“A song that seems like it’s about the devil but really is about love, and love lost. A song about death that doesn’t feel like dying.”   Vague and pensive words from madrone that perfectly describe the dreamy/gazy goodness of their latest single, “Lucifer.” We know barely anything about this band – except that this song rips. Light and airy with the gravitas of the title, the band uses a guitar-driven ethos and glassy-eyed vocals to great aplomb. It appears on the ostensibly tongue-in-cheek-titled Eponymous Debut Masterpiece, full of other shoegaze-adjacent rippers.   Check out “Lucifer” lyrically via the YouTube embed below, or, find it on Spotify.  

$vvokey – “Pain Move Slow”

July 16, 2025

Canadian rapper $vvokey can’t stop the cold, forward march of hurt on his latest track, “Pain Moves Slow.” The scenes from lost love haunt him as $vokkey falls into a dark hopelessness that consumes him throughout the song. He attempts to comes to grips with his loss on lines like “Eyes on the sky like I still want something.” Production matches through the tone with murkiness – A mysterious solemnity exists in its string lines. “Pain Move Slow” ends with an unceremonious bang, a testimony to how quickly emotions can take you to a dangerous place. It’s not right for your sunny day playlist, but $vvokey’s lines are packed with imagery and he’s got an ear for catchier hooks than you’d expect from the subject matter. The single appears on $vvokey’s Happy DeathDay! EP featuring really dope vintage VHS artwork. Listen to more from $vvokey on Spotify. While you’re there,[...]

Stephen Babcock – “Dumb Luck”

July 14, 2025

The Bab-man (aka Buffalo-based singer/songwriter Stephen Babcock) leans into song-of-the-summer vibes on his latest offering, “Dumb Luck.” Armed with his usual tools of the trade – an acoustic guitar, shuffling drums, and his soulful drawl, “Dumb Luck” touches on not ever knowing if things are getting better or staying exactly the same. It’s a shared Buffalonian experience – to wonder if our “small town” vibes are holding us back or propelling us forward faster than we can handle, so fellow WNYers should find solace in knowing that you’re not the only one wondering WTF is going on with your life. “Dumb Luck” is one of those songs that tackles something potentially heavy without ever losing that upbeat, feel-good feel, and for that reason, we think Babcock’s oeuvre is worth your time.   “Dumb Luck” is available on all your favorite streaming services. Preview it via YouTube (below), and then take[...]

Ginger Winn – “Socrates”

July 14, 2025

“Socrates” is the latest track from Ginger Winn off of her latest album Freeze Frame. Amusingly, her Spotify bio reads “people tell me I have a haunting voice.” This proves accurate, as she manages to pull that off in spades, with the added vocal effects probably unnecessary but certainly rachets up the haunting… ness? The track itself is a poignant-feeling vocal-forward track where Winn gracefully allows guitar, synth and bass to accompany her. Speaking to the track, Winn had this to say:   “Socrates is about the unknown legacy we all leave behind. The song is inspired by this idea about philosophy and planting seeds for a future we’ll never see…”   You can watch the music video on YouTube below or throw it on your Spotify playlist regular rotation. The rest of the album is worth a listen to, especially “Hyperallergic,” as I felt this also showcased her vocal[...]

Cerrone x Christine and the Queens – “Last One”

July 14, 2025

Who said disco was dead? Evidently not Cerrone nor Christine and the Queens! “Last One” is the pop disco collab between the two French artists – an amalgamation of Cerrone (who has been around the block a few times but still very much in the game) and Christine and the Queens -the pseudonym of Rahim Claude Redcar.  You won’t be disappointed in the lyrics, bass lines, synth, or any aspect of this track. Just listen, are you even actually working right now?   You can hear the track below from YouTube as well as over on Spotify. You will need to call your otolaryngologist if you aren’t bopping your head to this track. I’m not saying you have to like everything you listen to, it’s a free country (sort of), but if you aren’t at least bopping a little bit you’re probably need to get that checked out.