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Violet UltraRay – “girl in a tree”

October 30, 2025

“I needed to come down from negative tree I was in so wrote this song instead to chill out.”   When Violet UltraRay needs to come down from a proverbial tree, she just writes a song about it. For her second (!) release – we’d say she did a pretty good job. “girl in a tree” is London shoegaze at its finest. Built around a catchy guitar riff, the verses of this song capture your attention instantly… But the payoff is truly in the insanely catchy chorus that explodes with shoegazy goodness. “She said take it easy” is about to be stuck in your head for the next few days.   Check it out via YouTube (below) or Spotify.    

Pagodas – “Blanket Ban”

October 30, 2025

Pagodas is a twee-sounding five-piece that might trip you up with “Blanket Ban.” At first, it’s all Shins-esque plucking – a fun rhythm and sunshine-y energy that pushes forth with a perfect amount of pep, but never truly explodes… That all changes at 1:58, when the band abruptly changes directions for an exceptional outro, pairing blasts of distorted guitar with catchy vocals and neurotic riffing. The result had us replay the song instantly to make sure we heard everything correctly – turns out we did, and that’s why we’re writing about it now.   “Blanket Ban” is out now on In A Box Records. Check it out via the bandcamp embed below, or, add it to your favorite Spotify playlist.   Blanket Ban by Pagodas

Dylan James – “Stylite”

October 30, 2025

Dylan James is just a regular guy (with a name that would further bolster that hypothesis), but there’s nothing ordinary about the blast of energy he just released called “Stylite.” After a 10 year absence from music writing (it happens!), Dylan found himself grieving life happenings by picking up his guitar again. Out poured “Stylite,” a start-stop explosion of indie rock energy full of riffing, rhythmic jauntiness, and Dylan’s passionate vocal delivery. This sounds huge, Dylan… Never put down your guitar again.   Get a good feel for “Stylite” via the bandcamp embed (below) – you can also find it on Spotify.   Stylite by Dylan James

Genoese Speed – “THIN ICE”

October 30, 2025

Genoese Speed wasn’t the plan – but when do the best-laid plans ever work out? Instead GS figurehead Shelby Jean stumbled upon this sound by accident – perhaps best embodied by latest single, “THIN ICE.” Largely guitar-driven, the denizen of Nashville conjures up an icy, indie rock sound – powered significantly by Shelby’s vocals, but making great use of driven guitar, bell-like leads, and lush layers of reverb. Put this on your play list next to Jay Som, Soccer Mommy, and/or Waxahatchee.   “THIN ICE” is available via Soundcloud (below), Spotify, and Apple Music.   Genoese Speed · THIN ICE

zahra – “bloom”

October 30, 2025

What is there to say about an acoustic backbone of a song – like “bloom” by zahra? It’s one of those breathless songs that sucks all the air out of the room (in a good way) – utilizing hush-hush, layered singing (a la Elliott Smith); minimal percussion; and gently-plucked acoustic guitars to great effect. Raised in Rochester, NY (our neighbor!), zahra aims to use unique songwriting tricks to convey emotion with without becoming monotonous – the warm and fuzzy tape-esque production value here certainly adds to that ambiance.   “bloom” is available now on bandcamp (below), Spotify, and Apple Music.   bloom by zahra

mel denisse – “going nowhere”

October 30, 2025

mel denisse gazes so hard at her shoes in new single “going nowhere,” she might burn a hole through the floor. Inspired by a fantasy novel (The Serpent & the Wings of Night to be specific), “going nowhere” dives into themes of survival; feeling invisible; and being an outsider. For those that may resonate with those themes, “going nowhere” is going to be a welcome addition to your melancholy playlist – with an instrumental that encapsulates the feeling of a rainy day, this song sounds like it was recorded underwater with rays of sun beaming down through the salty waves. Perfect on any playlist next to Slowdive, MBV, or anything with sad girl vibes.   “going nowhere” is available on both Spotify and Apple Music.   mel denisse · going nowhere

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.