Latest Posts

Club 8 – Let It All Fly

April 14, 2025

Swedish twosome Club 8 bring us their latest single “Let It All Fly,” a languid and dreamy affair teaming with immensely satisfying effects and instrumentals (and vocals, of course!). I wouldn’t quite go so far as to call it ASMR, but damn if it isn’t toeing the line. Whatever they used for the *wooshing* effect was spot on and as close as I’ve gotten to actually flying while sitting down.   We most recently covered them here for their track “Free Falling” off of their 2024 album “A Year With Club 8.” They’ve been around the block a couple times and, if you click on the Club 8 label below (or here), you can see we’ve featured them more than once. With a catalogue stretching back into the late 90’s you’re certainly in for a treat and “Let It Fly” is the perfect jumping off point.   You can hear[...]

Reedus 3m – “Boss’d Up”

April 13, 2025

Boston-based rapper Reedus 3m channels classic soul sounds into his modern rap delivery on his latest single, “Boss’d Up.” A warm, eager vocal sample paces Reedus‘ braggadocios stream of thought, acknowledging “it might sound fake or like a tall tale.” His penmanship comes from the J.Cole school of writing – evoking real emotions and knowingly leaning into the persona Reedus builds with each line. Even though the track clocks in under 2 minutes, Reedus gives plenty of love to the nostalgic, thumping beat as it bookends the track. If you dig soul samples in hip hop, you’re gonna be hooked on this one. Check out more from him on Spotify, and discover more up and coming artists on our Spotify playlist. 

Keli – “Meant to Be”

April 13, 2025

German singer-rapper Keli calls out her ex for ghosting on her latest single “Meant to Be,” but on this track at least, the ethereal otherworldliness comes from her side. At times, Keli’s murmurs sound like Portishead and make “Meant to Be” feel like trip-hop. But significant sections of the song are Keli offering up her grievances in more traditional rap form. Producer Benji.Cares  creates a sparse, dour landscape for Keli to fill with her relieved rumination, finding solace in the idea that she no longer needs to watch “fake fires on tv screens.” Add this one to your atmospheric, nighttime playlists. “Meant to Be” is Keli’s first single of 2025 – give her a follow on Spotify to check out her upcoming output.

Bullet Brak – “Eating Good”

April 11, 2025

Hip hop veteran and Maryland native Bullet Brak raps with an intensity that makes you want to avoid eye contact at best, and duck and cover at worst. “There’s no need for low speed” for the rapper on his latest single “Eating Good,” where he takes the form of an urban legend – and not one we’re trying to cross over here at the blog. Sending shooters on mopeds, Belgian waffling peoples’ faces, things of that nature. His streetwise authenticity spits out of every word, and it’s combined with some icy, choral, bell heavy production that feels a bit like both ends of the 2000s. “Roll me a bag of green crack and purple haze.” Now we’re talking. “Eating Good’s” a highlight off of Brak’s latest project, World Traveler.  Give it some spins on Spotify and while you’re there check out our emerging hip hop playlist.

Navah Sea x Low Hum – Cinnamon

April 10, 2025

It took me a few listens to figure out what to say about “Cinnamon,” the latest collab between Navah Sea (aka Phill Simmonds, now of LA but formerly of Great Britain) and Low Hum (whose nationality I’m not positive on, but could be of British or American descent). The two combine forces to blast out a slick indie electronic track – dope beats and instrumentals slide through your brain waves to the point where you’re not even sure you’re listening or experiencing it. I particularly enjoyed the hazy, echoey vocals and underpinning synth.   You can hear “Cinnamon” below from YouTube or over on Spotify and Apple Music. Their EP, Dreams, is due out 4/18 and well worth the listen if you’re digging these phat jams. No tariffs here, just sweet sweet tunes that’ll get stuck in your soul.  

Cleo Handler – rules

April 10, 2025

Cleo Handler made an album and, while I’m not reviewing the *album,* I did give it a listen (though I’m focusing on the track “rules”). It’s important to point out though that she made a 13 track concept album around dating and about being yourself (but left out dating yourself).   The track itself is is a lowkey affair in a minor key that manages to be a major earworm. Clean guitar and vibrant drums mesh well with Handler’s vocals, delivering a no-nonsense take on compromise in a relationship:   “This song is about compromise and rigidity, and how, when you try to find common ground with someone quite stuck in their ways, a small offer of wiggle room can mean a lot… even if it’s not ultimately enough.”   You can hear “rules” below from Soundcloud or over on Spotify. The rest of the album, compare & contrast is out[...]

The Spins – “It’s Me”

April 10, 2025

The Spins are gearing up to release a new album and they’ve teased the world with their latest single, “It’s Me.” It’s shiny, it’s fun, and most of all… It’s me. Just kidding – it’s actually super catchy. Produced by Ayad Al Adhamy (of Passion Pit fame), this one has omni-relatable appeal, taking that The 1975 shimmer and shine and refining it into this fun little nugget of alt rock glory.   You know the drill – check it out via YouTube (below) or on Spotify.  

Altalune – “Fragments”

April 10, 2025

It’s been a few years since we last checked in with Altalune, but they’re still out here crushing the indie/emo realm. Their latest song, “Fragments,” channels the more upbeat era of contemporaries Movements and Citizen with its impassioned vocal delivery and chunky (but nimble) instrumental work. The particularly woofy bass tone in this song is ear catching in a delightful way, twisting and turning beneath heart-on-your-sleeve vocals in mind-bending ways. Just like a good emo song should – this one reminds you of the folks in your life who bring you comfort, even when you’re at your lowest.   Check out “Fragments” via the YouTube embed below, or, find it on Spotify and Apple Music.  

Francis Kelly – “Calcium, Unlikely (feat. Morphia Slow)”

April 10, 2025

As soon as the first vocal notes of “Calcium, Unlikely” wafted into my ears, I said to myself, “That’s that guy from Herbert Walker.” I was right. And then I found $5.   If anything, it’s testament to the unique timbre of Francis Kelly‘s voice on his first foray into solo territory. He’s teamed up with fellow vocalist Morphia Slow for this odd, creepy, and stripped-back slice of folksy Americana. A rambling acoustic guitar fumbles in the background; gently tapped drums carry an uncertain beat; and a moaning organ peeks out between the cracks… It’s all a part of the vibe, but the real appeal here is the duet between Francis and Morphia, who truly nail the dark and dreary vibe embodied here.   Check out “Calcium, Unlikely” via the YouTube embed below.  

Blase – “Middle of Nowhere”

April 10, 2025

North Carolina multi-instrumentalist Blase is coming at us with the indie-pop pulse of latest single, “Middle of Nowhere.” Leaning heavy into ethereal vibes, “Middle of Nowhere” channels Tame Impala with its far-off vocal presence, bell-tone guitar riffs, and bevy of atmospheric synths. Just barely psyched-out, “MoN” sounds like it’s in between every genre and also every genre at once. Blase’s super pleasant almost-falsetto vocals are the cherry-on-top here, bringing all the elements together into this cloud scraping new single.   Check out “Middle of Nowhere” via the YouTube embed below.  

Ben DSP – “BTF”

April 9, 2025

UK rapper Ben DSP takes the catchiness in his UK Garage roots and combines it with some tasteful boom bap with his newest single, “BTF.” The bilingual artist opts out of Italian and keeps it strictly English as he travels back and forth from “Brixton to Finsbury (BTF)” to court his potential mate. Ben relents that he’s got an inclination to ditch when times get tough, but he seems to have met his match, commenting “I don’t know how you can tell, I guess it takes one to know one.” “BTF’s” chorus is the shining star, countering Ben’s storytelling on the verses with a deep melodic hook. Brixton’s Nate Dogg, they’re calling him. Or Finsbury’s. Depends on the day. Check out more from Ben on Spotify and check out more rising rappers on our Spotify playlist. 

Alex Northrup – “Mutually Assured Distraction”

April 7, 2025

Listen, we’re no strangers to unique genres here at the blog, but “bargain-basement psych” is a new one for us… At least that’s the self-described qualifier that Rochester singer/songwriter Alex Northrup gives to his unique brand of chamber pop. “Mutually Assured Distraction” is the first single from Northrup’s upcoming LP, Victory Lapse, and it’s a great highlight of what we can expect from this eclectic songwriter. Tweaked harpsichord madness powers this retro-coded tune, fleshed out with strange organ tones, vintage drum machines, and Northrup’s pleasant tenor. Certainly sounding like a mashup of Goodwill-sourced instruments (in a good way!), “Mutually Assured Distraction” feels like a harbinger of a wildly inventive album to come.   “Mutually Assured Distractionis” out now via Raincoated Records. Check it out via bandcamp below.   Mutually Assured Distraction by Alex Northrup

Nevi Outlyr & Hiram Torres – “Golden Ticket!”

April 6, 2025

Cali rappers Nevi Outlyr and Hiram Torres begin their villain arc with a bang on their newest single, “Golden Ticket!” Over a menacing, wonky beat, Hiram and Nevi take turns spitting in your face channeling Samual L and Travolta. Hiram kicks off the track with bar after bar of triplet swagger, before Nevi tags in sounding like Andre 3k wanted to punch you in the face. Together the duo ooze personality in between their threats of violence and ridicule. I’d say it’s good for a summer driving playlist but don’t wanna be legally liable for your actions on the road. Good for shadowboxing. Watch the trouble unfold in the must see music video for Golden Ticket! and check out more from the artists on Spotify. You can find them and more on our New and Emerging Hip Hop playlist.

Mating Ritual – “Buffalo Blades”

April 3, 2025

Being a Buffalonian, I’ll tell you something: we always get excited when we see the word Buffalo. “Buffalo Blades” is the latest from Mating Ritual, and while I don’t think these two brothers from Central Cali are talking about Buffalo, NY, it’s nonetheless a groovetastic track. It feels super fleshed out and I *swear* I heard some steel geetar, with some synth mixed in for good measure.   You can hear “Buffalo Blades” below from Soundcloud or over on Spotify. The rest of the EP is worth a listen too, as the tracks show off their range – going from a country mouthfeel of Blades (steel geetar, hello) to a more amped up, punkier sounding “Shangri-Blah.” Speaking of….Shangri-Blah juuuust happens to be the title of the band’s upcoming album (where you can find “Buffalo Blades” as well).   Mating Ritual · Buffalo Blades

Sea Lemon – “Stay”

April 3, 2025

“Stay” is the latest track from Natalie Lew, the brains behind Sea Lemon. Coming in like a promise of a pleasantly lazy weekend, Lew’s vocals combined with the gentle guitar/bass/drums feel idyllic and warm. Speaking as to how she wrote the song:   “This older guy, probably in his 70s or 80s, was acting as a security guard at this thrift store near my house…I couldn’t stop thinking about him after I left, and wrote ‘Stay’ as a reaction to seeing this guy who I felt deserved to take a break…”   You can hear “Stay” below from Sea Lemon’s Bandcamp. Fans of physical media can pre-order a slice of vinyl with the upcoming album “Diving For A Prize” due out June 13. You can pre-save the album on Spotify as well.   Diving For A Prize by Sea Lemon