Latest Posts

Sun Spoiler – “Reek”

Sun Spoiler said it best when describing new single, “Reek:”   “Locked myself in a room July 4 and made this song after being informed my 10 day lovebombing Gemini delusional situationship started dating someone else while I was out of town. Pure catharsis.”   If that’s not modern dating distilled into a perfect pull quote, I don’t know what is. “Reek” has the perfect musical backbone for these anger-inducing events too – sludgy, stanky, heady – not unlike that sweaty, barricaded songwriting oasis on that fateful July 4th. Expect lots of reverb, disgusting distortion tones, and a vocal delivery that would get you soaked in saliva in the front row of Sun Spoiler’s basement-show set.   “Reek” has a music video – check that out below.    

Bennett.io – “111”

Bennett.io is here to scratch that lo-fi electronica itch with latest single, “111.” Glitchy production, shuffling percussion, and breathy vocals are the M.O. here, offering a simmering soundscape not unlike that of Sylvan Esso, Zero 7, and late-90s house music. A cursory look at Bennett.io’s Instagram shows a performance in a Dipsy costume (yes, Teletubbies), so if you’re into niche references while performing and/or feeling chill asf, add “111” to your playlists immediately.   “111” is available via YouTube (below) and Spotify.    

Sophie’s Body – “Eyes”

“‘Eyes’ is about seeing people you don’t want to see, in places you don’t want to see them”   Sophie’s Body addresses that hyper-specific cringe that comes along with awkward eye contact on their latest single, “Eyes.” The Boston-based crew’s particular brand of bubble-grunge is the perfect, innocent-but-not-naive approach for this subject matter, pairing both jangly and fuzzed-out guitars with a lilting vocal presence. Gotta love when a band embraces pop and shoegaze in the same breath – your mom who likes Veruca Salt and your cool older sibling who likes Slowdive could probably both agree on “Eyes.”   “Eyes” is embedded below via bandcamp – here are some Apple Music and Spotify links too, if that’s your preferred method of music consumption.   Eyes by Sophie’s Body

Hera Lind – “Finsbury Park”

Icelandic/Londoner Hera Lind channels the complicated emotions of the dreaded situationship in latest offering, “Finsbury Park.” Defining a situationship/relationship/nebulous partnership is an unfortunate part of dating in the hellscape that is 2026 – even singer/songwriters run into complicated emotions, unrequited feelings, and uncertainty in their personal lives, evidently. Hera’s melancholy approach encapsulates her ennui perfectly – the skeletal indie folk backbone is equally as fitting.   Peep “Finsbury Park” via the YouTube embed below, or, via Spotify.    

Scarves – “Strays Forever”

Seattle. Chris Walla. It’s a pedigree made in heaven for Scarves on their new album, Strays Forever, more specifically in this instance, the title-track from said outing. The band holed up at the world-famous Hall of Justice studio with Walla and let it rip, adding flutes, strings, and whatever else into their airy indie-pop ,”Willy Wonka” style. The result is something ethereal and relaxing – for fans of Hop Along, Built to Spill, and Jay Som.   Check out “Strays Forever” via the YouTube embed below, or, on Spotify.    

Darkadejo – “100pre Salvaje”

Tell your friends you started listening to a really dope Nicaraguan surfer-turned-rapper. Rising artist Darkadejo took a break from his surfing career to drop one of the hardest tracks these ears have heard this year. “100pre Salvaje” or “Always Wild” for my gringos out there, boasts a brooding bassline and abandoned factory percussion, combining for a notable unchill aesthetic. Darkadejo’s delivery is packed with nonchalant menace, and the random drones, bangs, whizzes, and sirens that pepper the beat give you a steady unease. You don’t need to understand Spanish to feel like you should be looking over your shoulder. If you dig “100pre Salvaje” give it a listen on Spotify. While you’re there, check out our Best Hip Hop of 2026 playlist, where we feature underground sounds like Darkadejo and introduce you to dope under-the-radar artists.

Marvillous Beats – “Home at Last”

Accomplished violinist Marvillous Beats is carving out his own lane, merging his classical training with contemporary sounds. His output boasts both covers in this style and original work, such as his latest track. “Home at Last” is a textural adventure, led by his saccharine lead violin melody and anchored by percussive hip hop beats. Each listen offers a new layer to unveil, as you gain appreciation for whistles, choral samples and guitar strums that build a full and fulfilling listening experience. I’d personally pair it with some wine and a view of the city. “Home at Last” is featured on Marvillous’ latest project, CHILLED VIOLIN 2, where the artist continues to coalesce tradition with contemporary. Listen to past and future from the violinist wherever you listen to music.

Brice Blanco – “Cheap Thrills”

Authenticism and introspection drip from the latest work from Houston-born, LA-based rapper Brice Blanco. His new track “Cheap Thrills” explores the complicated disconnect between gratification and fulfillment, backed by warm, tactile instrumentation. My personal favorite part in this track is the lively percussion – they sound both live and hand-played, and serve as a human fabric for Brice’s tales of vices. He finds the cross-section between the “whys,” be them “indulgence [or] emptiness” If you’re digging Brice’s sound on “Cheap Thrills,” be sure to check out more of his work on Spotify. While you’re there, give our Best Underground Hip Hop of 2026 playlist a spin. You might find your next go-to track in there.

Big Brody Ode – “Lost & Found”

There’s something about a posse cut that locks me in every time. Who has the best line? Sickest flow? Most memorable verse? Each listen offers a new take, someone new at the top spot. We’ve got a new one to explore here from Toronto rapper Big Brody Ode. ” “Lost & Found,” originally released as a bonus track on Ode’s debut mixtape, moves quickly from emcee to emcee, as each of them quickly settles into the laid-back jams of producer Drum Fu. If you’re into the “Kool Aid and Frozen Pizza” instrumental, you’re definitely going to rock with this one. Anyway, there are two handfuls of artists to sort through here, each offering a different take on this summery tune. Give it a listen and choose your favorite. “Lost & Found” features a slew of talented underground and rising artists; make sure you click around the credits on Spotify. While[...]

Master Peace – “Sucker Punch”

Sometimes you just gotta put on some sultry alt-pop to get your blood churning, and that’s exactly what we think you’ll like about Master Peace’s latest offering, “Sucker Punch.” Beyond the great “If I don’t love you, who will?” aspect being dug into on the lyrical content here, “Sucker Punch” is a master class in alt pop songwriting. Classy enough to throw on a party at your parents house, but deep enough to spend more than a second pondering the poetry within, “Sucker Punch” is the best of both… or rather all worlds.   Check out “Sucker Punch” via YouTube below.    

ISHMAEL – “NEW PICASSO”

He’s got a style all his own, but this new track from Rochester-rooted artist ISHMAEL is reminding us of someone. “NEW PICASSO” is properly named, as both ISHMAEL’s vocal delivery and production choices draw parallels to a certain Pablo-influenced emcee during his less offensive, more acclaimed era. The Kanye influence comes through in the varied vocal stylings, varying from aggressively in-your-face to delicate autotune falsetto. Its production through-lines are exciting as well, with powerful bass lines countered with a chorus of heavenly harmonies. An extended outro brings it home, gradually punctuating one of the elaborate and impressive hip hop structures we’ve heard so far this year. If you’re feeling ISHMAEL give him a listen on Spotify. While you’re there, peep our Best Underground Hip Hop of 2026 playlist updated with vibrant new artists every single week.

King’s Evil – “King’s Evil”

King’s Evil wrote a song called “King’s Evil.” What a power move.   Beyond that, “King’s Evil” is actually a pretty chill indie rocker with elements of ’90s-coded slacker rock peeking through. Whirly and squiggly synths pepper this one with a lot of Casio-tone flavor, while plucky guitar twangs charmingly and heady bass licks peek through. “Pavement-fed” is the way they self-identify and I’d say that’s a pretty apt descriptor – stick around for the devil-may-care attitude but dig deep into the masterfully disguised ennui.   “King’s Evil” is available on Bandcamp, embedded below.   King’s Evil by King’s Evil

Great Klons – “Hidden Signage”

Great Klons get all twangy and swirly on their latest single, “Hidden Signage.” Plucky guitar, disassociated vocals, and a singing fiddle characterize this song, falling somewhere between bedroom-pop, twee, and slacker rock. With lyrics that touch on “nostalgia for the days of crashing out of a major city,” this one feels like a clarion cry for the halcyon days – perhaps experienced from a front porch or a lonely hammock somewhere in the woods. Put this one on if you want to chill out, or at your next backyard BBQ with the fam back home.   “Hidden Signage” can be streamed via Soundcloud (embedded below), or, on Spotify.   Great Klons · 04 Hidden Signage

Flywheel – “Stop Looking at Her”

Cork-based act Flywheel bring their psychedelic-influenced shoegaze to your ears with their latest offering, “Stop Looking at Her.” The song itself is driven largely by a droning guitar note and equally spacey vocals. The song eventually opens up into a tremolo-laced chorus that’s layered thick with heady guitar tones, taming the psych-tinges and leaning more into aggressive indie rock tendencies. It’s haunting, mesmerizing, and one of those songs you feel like you know the first time you listen to it… Which we love.   You can find “Stop Looking at Her” on Soundcloud (below) and on Spotify.   Flywheel · Stop Looking At Her

Rahseed Defoe – “Magic Water”

Swedish rapper Rahseed Defoe is a boom bap artist using the art form to connect people to places, ideas and communities. His latest track explores the ripples below the surface of certain places that make their people act differently. We may not know why, but we know where. In Defoe’s words, “Some cities have something in the water. Something that affects both body and mind … This song is about such a city.” Hooligans and shenanigans in pursuit of making it upriver. The cut features a snappy piano loop and outros with an awesome scratching session that looks like it’s the work of featured artist Tompa T. If you’re feeling “Magic Water,” give Defoe a follow on Spotify so you can track his upcoming releases. This track also appears on our Best Underground Hip Hop of 2026 Playlist and we update that jawn every week so you should check it[...]