Latest Posts

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.  

Red Velvet Papi, M3rce, & Junogloc – “Double Play”

May 6, 2025

Three emcees with NYC roots join forces to drop a tasty modern boom bap lick with this new track “Double Play.” New York’s Red Velvet Papi and M3rce, and Atlanta’s Junogloc are the minds behind the single – which elevates a chill beat into a full vibe with subdued deliveries and nonchalant flexes. I’ve never heard a less bothered rapper hit a line like “No matter how much you try, you can’t even front.” Each rapper brings a slightly different flavor to the mix, and the end result is a track that blends perfectly into your boom bap, smoking, and chill hip hop playlists. Check out more from Papi, M3rce, and Junogloc on Spotify. You’ll find them and more exciting new hip hop artists on our New and Emerging Hip Hop playlist. 

Tevin Williams – “PWFIRE”

May 6, 2025

Queens rapper Tevin Williams brings gets deep with the references on his Neptunes-flavored single “PWFIRE.” Shakers, shiny keyboards and a big hook anchor “PWFIRE,” where Tevin shows off his distinct rapping style and slick delivery. Tevin’s in his bag when the wordplay’s at its nichiest niche. “Shit that I reference got the nerd’s eyes wise” he raps after he drops an insane Sharon Enos reference. Googleable lines counter that early 2000s radio-friendly production style – it feels sweet on the ears. Thought maybe a Mystikal feature was coming around the corner. Check out more from Tevin on Spotify, where you’ll see him features on our Emerging Hip Hop playlist.

Laila Smith – “Diorama”

May 4, 2025

There are plenty of things that will break your heart in this world, so let the latest single from Laila Smith be solace that you’re not going through it alone. “Diorama” is a beautiful indie rock song that showcases Smith’s true pain – softly plucked acoustic guitars layered with spikes of electric guitar bring this one to life, of course, set off by Laila’s lilting vocal presence. She’s really putting herself out there with this one – here’s a snippet about the song:   “Diorama was born out of a very confusing time in my life, a period of deep denial about the quiet collapse of my marriage… We position ourselves as essential in someone’s landscape while knowing any fixed arrangement is a kind of death… The truth of intimate attachment is that all we desire is desire itself—not the messy reality of human connection.”   Check out “Diorama” via[...]

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[...]

Anthony OKS – “Warning Signs”

May 4, 2025

Winnipeg’s Anthony OKS channels both Mos Def and Saukrates on his newest effort “Warning Signs.” Growth has been top of mind in Anthony’s latest works, and on “Warning Signs,” it’s omnipresent. On the track’s hook, he calls out “I just want to make me proud, my goal is to be better.” When the verses strike, Anthony trades off between being clearheaded and skeptical, mentioning “I hate rhetorical questions” as he ponders his personal and interpersonal relationships. The track also features heavenly harmonies from Anthony and featured artist Marisolle Negash.  Add it alongside your more thoughtful  R+B and hip hop playlists. If you’re digging Anthony OKS, check him out on Spotify alongside more great artists on our Emerging Hip Hop playlist. 

Devantier Rain – “Melatonin”

May 2, 2025

German-Cameroonian artist Devantier Rain is back with another standout track, building off of the momentum of March’s “PHANTOM OF THE DRAMA.” Rain’s latest single “MELATONIN” compares the song’s namesake to his relationship. Is it time to stop putting up a fight; time to just accept that the night or relationship’s over? He begs the question “Tell me, we gon’ ride or die?” knowing that the answer’s clear to both parties. Rain’s smooth delivery remains a highlight — his slick voice delivering stories that have you hanging on each line. Check out more from Devantier on Spotify and Soundcloud, and check out his contributions to our Underground and Emerging Hip Hop playlist. 

Thought Trials – EARTHRISE/GAIA

May 2, 2025

Buffalo post-metal act Thought Trials are here to blacken your heart with their latest, two-song EP/split, EARTHRISE/GAIA. If you’re expecting a quick, six-minute listen – think again… This quartet specializes in the kind of epic, meandering, atmospheric black metal that journeys on and on through a never ending abyss… or at least 17 minutes worth of the abyss.   Guttural vocals from singer Lauren Davis ring out angrily over drop-tuned guitars from Josh Martin and Erin Malone, while an epic drum performance from Chris Wall thunders underneath. Track one “EARTHRISE,” may be the archetypal Thought Trials song – it crescendos endlessly, with an epic (if aptly creepy) climax that cuts straight to the bone. “GAIA” shows the wide width of the band’s range, running the spectrum from ambient to crushing, channeling everything from Explosions in the Sky to Deafheaven along the way.   As with most sprawling and/or atmospheric projects, this[...]

The Master Mimic – “On Go!”

April 30, 2025

Mysterious emerging rapper The Master Mimic comes through with a KO on his first single – a relentless onslaught of bars titled “On Go!” Produced by Michigan beatmaker Enrgy Beats, “On Go!” is driven by its heavy bottom half, with accenting snares and a winding synth loop. Mimic finds countless pockets in the beat, hitting bars “Wilder than Deontay or LA Fires”as he switches subjects, targets, and punchlines with an effortless delivery. Sounding a bit like Zack Fox but influenced by the Detroit scene, The Master Mimic is definitely one to watch as his profiles add new tracks. Get in early. Listen to the Master Mimic on Spotify and check him out on our 2025 Underground and Emerging Hip Hop playlist. 

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.    [...]

Milo – Valve/Whatever

April 28, 2025

Newly minted Rochester-based act Milo has just released a debut, two-song EP called Valve/Whatever. Inspired by raw and emotive music (think Buffalo greats Lemuria or the late ’90s/early ’00s output from Rainer Maria or Rilo Kiley), their music is largely guitar driven with raw-but-endearing vocals. Their poetic and nuanced lyrics focus heavily on storytelling with a hint of attitude; so much so that these songs, especially their charming production value, will make you want to dust off your thick, black rimmed glasses and pull out your ratty Get Up Kids track jacket like you’re discovering your favorite 2nd wave emo bands all over again.   You can catch Milo live at their next show on June 13th at the Psychic Garden in Rochester. Until then, get acquainted with Valve/Whatever (April 18th, 2025) – available now via bandcamp (embedded below), or, via Spotify or Apple Music.   Valve/Whatever by Milo

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[...]