Latest Posts

Melanchro – “Pain Playground”

August 17, 2025

Up-and-coming cloud/emo rapper Melanchro values a good melody. The earworm chorus of his latest track, “Pain Playground,” rightfully dominates the 1:35 runtime of the track. Melanchro’s earnest and emotional pleas to himself get masked by vocals that expertly tap the catchy snarls of the 2000s emo-pop scene. In spite of its catchiness and in reference to its title, “Pain Playground sees the artist stuck on the merry-go-round of heartbreak, and he’s “pretending nothing’s hurting me, but that lie cuts way too deep.” You’ll be putting this one on repeat to get another taste of that hook. The LED Gengar constellation cover art goes hard as hell, too. Take a listen to this one on Spotify, and catch some more alternative hip hop tracks on our Emerging Hip Hop playlist.

Cerdarious and antonenow. – “GET RIGHT”

August 12, 2025

Compton artist Cerdarious teams up with the balaklava-clad rapper antonenow. for a tight new track, “GET RIGHT.” Clarity, motivation, and optimism pace the pens of each of these artists. Over two rapid-fire verses (with a literally breathtaking verse coming first), Cerdarious and antonenow. encourage friends and listeners to take a beat and trust the process, and stay focused. Life’s too short to get caught up, as referenced with lines like “I hope you live your life to the fullest and don’t regret it.” But a little extra money would help too, and both artists take a line to be realistic about that.  “GET RIGHT’s” beat is a hidden star, boasting a beautiful vocal sample that sounds like someone just put some money in a jukebox. If you’re feeling this track and want to hear more from these alternative hip hop artists, be sure to check out both Cerdarious and antonenow.[...]

Jack Manley – “Way Loud”

August 12, 2025

We’re lucky to still have Jack Manley – written after a near-fatal drug overdose, his latest offering, “Way Loud” is a powerful meditation on the “long road back to yourself.” Working in conjunction with that powerful context, the post-punk meets shoegaze of Manley’s music provides a perfect backdrop for this anthem of recovery. Dark and mysterious without ever losing its strong sense of melody, this is the kind of song that digs deep into your psyche… Moreover, as Manley puts it, “Way Loud” isn’t a cry for attention, it’s the sound of someone still trying to stay alive.   “Way Loud” has a lovely music video (embedded below), or, you can check it out via Spotify.  

Tuxis Giant – “Days”

August 10, 2025

“Days” is the latest from Tuxis Giant, and I’m here for it just as I was back in May when I reviewed their other single “Last Laugh” (here). Matt O’Connor was inspired by Spirited Away and other Miyazaki films, specifically that “…even the smallest moments contain their own sacred weight” – which also happens to be the main thesis of the album.   The track itself feels, appropriately, like it could fit into anime or a JRPG. The main guitar riff made me feel like I had a video game paused on a level with a thumpin’ tune and I just wanted to stay there to keep experiencing it. The chord progression definitely got stuck in my head and the temptation to start playing along was difficult to ignore.   You Won’t Remember is out August 15th. The music video (well worth the watch, tbf) is embedded below from YouTube, and[...]

Bad Self Portraits – “All Bark, No Bite”

August 10, 2025

Seems like just last month we wrote about Bad Self Portraits….. and that’s actually 100% correct. We covered “Pensive” (here) July 17th and enjoyed the hell out of that; “All Bark, No Bite” follows suit (meaning, we enjoyed the hell out it too).   The distortion on the intro had me thinking we were going into a grunge tinged anthem… and I was sort of right (more Stephen Malkmus, less Nirvana, with a smattering of Slowdive for good measure). The tempo slows down and takes on a more intimate feel with vocals from Ingrid Howell, with brief guitar solo interludes. The band certainly leans into a storytelling heavy style (which I love) but I found while zoning out that everything works incredibly well when I’m not listening to the words too! Definitely still listen to the lyrics – these ones are particularly powerful.   You can watch the music video[...]

MATTFOU – “Truth Be Told Again pt. 2”

August 10, 2025

Indie artist MATTFOU takes a break from his fuck ‘n rock outfit HÆDNUT to drop a study beats/conscious hip hop track that sounds right at home in your Nujabes playlist. Paced by piano and trumpets, “Truth Be Told” is a seamless entrant into these genres. MATTFOU’s lyrics focus on empowering the collective willpower while uplifting the next generation. On the hook, he raps “truth be told, we don’t break, even when the world tries to raise the stakes,” and closes out the song with more of this mindset: “I don’t rap to floss, I rap to breathe, to remind the next child what their soul can be.” My favorite conscious hip hop tracks are the ones that are focuses on the greater good – ones that non-hop hop heads can drop in on and see the quality of songwriting. That’s what MATTFOU’s done here, and he’s also done it on[...]

Amateur Hockey Club – “UPPERCASE!”

August 8, 2025

Stalwart Buffalo-based emo-punks Amateur Hockey Club are back with a brand new song, “UPPERCASE!,” found on the recently-released (August 1st, 2025) three-song-EP of the same name. The title-track is built around a jaunty lead guitar riff and razor-sharp vocals, playing around with pop-punk undertones, but mostly adhering to a Motion City Soundtrack meets Third Eye Blind kind of power pop… aka “IPA-rock,” as they’ve affectionately (and somehow accurately) deemed themselves. Even though the song’s about battling negative self talk, it’s a fun and engaging ride across its 2:41 run time, which includes a guitar solo, some tasty self-deprecation, and lots of energy.   Check out “UPPERCASE!” on Apple Music, Spotify, or the Soundcloud embed below.   Amateur Hockey Club · UPPERCASE!

Chammeili – “Call Me When”

August 6, 2025

Kaamya Sharma, the brains behind Chammeili, brings us their latest single “Call Me When.” Sad girl summer may give way to over-depressed fall, but good sad music knows no season. Driven by guitar that ebbs and flows with Sharma’s vocals, this is the perfect track to listen as the nights grow longer and/or your relationship slowly crumbles away and you’re looking for anything to grab onto (too specific?). You can feel the emotion in every note and what’s left unsaid. Speaking to the track, Sharma had this to say:   “It’s difficult to miss someone so much knowing there is no going back… Making it was cathartic. It’s a song people can sing along to in their cars in the last moments of heartbreak, right before they move the hell on.”   You can listen to “Call Me When” below on YouTube or over on Spotify. The band’s linktree has[...]

Geowulf – “Top Down”

August 6, 2025

“Top Down” is the latest from Australia based Star Kendrick, the brains behind Geowolf (I am uncertain if gee-oh-wolf or jay-oh-wolf, but lets rock with the former). Regardless of pronunciation, you’re treated to a synthy pop princess clearly in her prime. Rocking an 80’s vibes with a very fresh feel, synth and drums with a touch of bass lock in with Kendrick’s wispy yet strong vocals.   Sure sounds like sunshine and lollipops right? Not quite :(. Kendrick, speaking to the track:   “Written mostly about my struggle to recover from postnatal anxiety, its lyrics reflect an unraveling and a quiet cry for help. But then my producer and friend, Duncan Mills, breathed new life into it, turning it into this unexpected upbeat banger.”   You can hear “Top Down” embedded below from Soundcloud, or over on Spotify. Be sure to note the release countdown for her “Twinkly Depression” EP[...]

Tiberius – “Sag”

August 5, 2025

“Sag” is certainly an interesting name for a track and I’m willing to bet you’ll be into the latest from Tiberius. It’s a well-developed treatise on self reflection filled to the brim with brilliantly layered guitar that leans into a poppier so-called “farm emo” that adherents of the ole Midwest sound will appreciate. Speaking to the track songwriter Brendan Write had this to say:   “I wrote ‘Sag’ when I was really playing the ‘comparison game’ in my head and asking myself what role I wanted music to play in my life. It was the first in a batch about looking at yourself in relation to the others around you and trying to decipher who you are without that context.”   You can hear “Sag” below from the band’s Soundcloud. You can add it to your playlists on Bandcamp and Spotify. The new album, Troubadour will be available November 14.  [...]

Foot Ox – “Bleached Yellow”

August 5, 2025

Missing your dose of indie folk this week like my buddy Ronald? Look no further! Foot Ox brings us their latest track “Bleached Yellow” released in anticipation of their August 11 album A Lighthouse with Silver Dog Eyes.   Teague Cullen is the brains behind Foot Ox, but in the spirit of folk/country, there is a load of different musicians who step in makes for a very wholesome vibe. Written and inspired by/about Cullen’s travels through the American West, Foot Ox clearly plays with themes of nostalgia, playing around with multiple genres without ever pigeonholing themselves into one. The front loaded guitar will fill your soul proper while the nails from the drum and bass will keep things pinned solidly in place.   You can hear “Bleached Yellow” below from Bandcamp and of course on Spotify! You can find the new album, A Lighthouse with Silver Dog Eyes, in those[...]

Doter Sweetly – “sundown”

August 5, 2025

“sundown” is the latest single from Doter Sweetly, based out of Memphis. Writing under the name of Elijah Poston, to avoid any confusion with his non-human persona, Doter Sweetly/Poston have crafted a soothing jazzy infused lil number.   Somehow simultaneously slapping harder than most but not melting our eardrums with their awesomeness, the combination of perfectly picked guitar and offbeat drums really make you get into a *groove*. This is a perfect bath and cannabis track and I triple dog dare you to prove me wrong.   You can hear “sundown” below from Doter Sweetly’s YouTube as well as Apple Music and Spotify. I’m no meteorologist, but two singles after an almost ten year hiatus are hopefully a harbinger of things to come. Stayed tuned for more and all hail our new musical overlord Doter Sweetly.  

Men Without Hats – “I ❤️ the ’80s”

August 4, 2025

Men Without Hats – yes, that Men Without Hats – the electro-pop pioneers you might recognize from “The Safety Dance” or “Pop Goes The World,” are back with a brand new single. “I ❤️ the ’80s” takes us on a nostalgic journey, a self-aware homage to the deep love that folks have for the big-hair-era… And beyond the references to Terminator, “Just Like Heaven,” and The Fixx, Doroschuk & co. have written something genuinely catchy. The band never abandons their roots (there’s an actual vintage Prophet 5 synth on this particular recording) with more than a couple cheeky nods to their hits and an undeniable synth lead, but the modern day production helps keep this one rooted in our current zeitgeist. Queue this one up at your next family get together – we bet your mom’s going to love it too.   Check out the official music video for “I ❤️[...]

IAMJALEO – “Call Out”

August 4, 2025

Alternative hip hop artist IAMJALEO knows his worth. His latest release “Call Out” narrates the all-too-familiar sense of feeling undervalued. Through the lens of his less-than-satisfactory 9-5, IAMJALEO discusses how the time and energy suck away valuable time from creating art. Despite the temptation of calling out (as hinted in the song name and hook), paying rent and actually funding artistic passions keeps IAMJALEO and countless others clocking in when their heart and mind couldn’t be elsewhere. Their outlet becomes venting through art, which does benefit us listeners when it’s this well done and creative. “Call Out” boasts a backdrop of jazzy guitar runs and a chorus way more engaging than the job IAMJAELO likely crafted it during. If you’re digging, take a listen to more of his work on Spotify and check him out on our New and Emerging Hip Hop playlist, updated every single week with dope new[...]

khi – “star ignite”

August 1, 2025

What I dig the most about Atlanta rapper khi is the attention to detail within his bars. His latest track, “star ignite” is jam packed with internal rhymes schemes and seamless transitions to new lines and thoughts. ITs smoothness feels like a stream of conscious but it’s way too technically sound for that. khi’s nonchalant delivery and expert use of assonance position “star ignite” as a track you could throw right into the queue alongside Earl Sweatshirt. Lyrically, khi uses this track to discuss the isolationism tactics that have fueled his skills and his rise. When there’s limited time in the day to pursue your dreams, sometimes answering the phone moves down the list of priorities.  Get a better idea of khi by taking a quick stop on YouTube to check out this track’s visual. Stay up to speed with khi on Spotify, and while you’re there check out our[...]