Surtsey is a quartet from the US Midwest that’s been kicking around since the late aughts. They’ve just released their latest EP, the five-song Nothing Doing – recorded in St. Louis MO, their songwriting was strongly informed by their attendance at the School of Song, specifically under the instruction of Buck Meek (of both Big Thief and solo fame). The result is an interesting and beautiful collection of songs, rooted in country and folk sounds but with indie rock experimentation, thoughtful lyrical cadences, and sweet melodies peppered throughout. Opening song, “Stick” is a confident declara ..read more

Boston-based duo The Ballroom Thieves are fresh off the release of their latest LP, the stunning and aptly-named Sundust. Composed of Calin Peters and Martin Earley, the two have crafted a deeply personal album full of gentle folk with a specialization in dazzling harmonies that circle around a central theme – “What if we were all just a little more tender?” In a world that is often unforgiving, cold, and ugly, Sundust stands as a bastion of human kindness – a heartwarming batch of ten songs that dares to look at the potential beauty buried deep inside of us all. To create Sundust, Martin ..read more

Originally hailing from England and now in Germany, Martha Rose brings us her latest track “Heart Still Beats 4 U.” It begins with a speaking intro (“sometimes nothing is sweeter than what remains unsaid”) that breaks into a synth forward track that feels like a tip of the cap to 80’s style Madonna or Paula Abdul with plenty of modern day Clairo and Japanese Breakfast influence. The drum machine feels like a nice touch too – nothing against drummers, but this just calls for the drum machine. Rose’s voice, both spoken and sung, floats ethereally throughout “Beats 4 U” while nailing high notes l ..read more

“Money” is the latest from Dublin based Kynsy and we gotta say it’s…. right on the money. Showing off some strong indie-pop sensibilities, the intro is all wailing guitars that build up and then drop to give Kynsy and the bass room to breathe. I was initially hesitant about a five minute track – she not only manages to keep me on the hook for the entire thing, but I jumped back in for a second listen (and third). Fans of Bully, SPRINTS, or Phoebe Bridgers would find a lot to enjoy here as this is truly someone who understands songwriting to an incredible degree (she also produces her own music ..read more

Australia based Mike Watson, the brains behind Hypnic Jerks, brings us their latest single “Switch off/Return.” Citing influences such as Neutral Milk Hotel and Arcade Fire, Watson delves into the very relevant issues with modern media and the forever struggle between the mainstream and social media “experts.” Settling into a folksy guitar driven jaunt, Watson’s voice is all smooth baritone and slips into a more shoegazy wail-not-wail for the chorus. The latter half of the track sticks more so to the shoegaze (with a hint of folk); a sort of shoegaze/folk twist ice cream with Watson being the ..read more

The latest single off of O Slow’s newly released three track single Every Time I Look In The Mirror, is “Do You See Me.” We’ve covered O Slow before on the Blog (here) and continue to be impressed by Brooklyn based Jacqui Miranda’s impressive control of sounds and beats. Falling into the “indietronica” portmanteau genre, (similar to Purity Ring, Jenny Hval, or Chvrches) we’re treated to a kaleidoscopic combo of drum machines and synth and effects. A little lighter than 2023’s “These Dreams” but still heavy on the technical skill, you’ll find yourself tapping along to the beat here very qu ..read more

A band we’ve covered previously at the Blog (here), California act Conflict at Serenity Pools (CASP) brings us their latest single “Bosun.” Managing to both have an objectively interesting name and a song title that is the phonetic spelling for a boatswain or “a ship’s officer in charge of equipment and the crew,” is no small feat! The track itself is subdued yet simmering, keeping the vocals and guitar at a whisper while crescendoing sharply but then dialing things back. Luke McQueeney duets with a female vocalist through, using the nautical theme as device for discussing (what I assume ..read more

Florida based Cassandra Plunkett, going by ‘Plunki‘ for her musical project, brings us her latest single “Better Days” and it’s a chill banger. Lead by tight bass riffs and a steady drum beat, gentle synth pitter patters in the background, occasionally coalescing to take over and then backing off. Along with Plunkett’s fabulous voice, this all combines into a bedroom dreampop track with hints of R&B. Speaking to crafting track she had this to say: “I wrote this after coming out of a two year depression from COVID, moving, death, and heartbreak. It’s both a reminder and a survival strategy ..read more

Swedish act Little Lies combine shiny disco with a bit of The Cramps-esque psychobilly influence on their latest offering, “Crazy.” With a bubbling bass rhythm, sparkly keyboard features, and a lovely vocal feature, “Crazy” juxtaposes icy feelings with warm, inviting synthpop vibes. A unique lyrical pattern provides one of the biggest highlights here, rhyming words in a spitfire delivery that sounds intriguing and vague all at once. About the song, the duo says (cryptically, I might add): “When wanting something or someone, we often paint a picture inside our mind how wonderful it will be once ..read more

Philadelphia based 22° Halo is the current project of Will Kennedy and “Bird Sanctuary” is the latest single. 22° Halo has toured with Joel Johnston of Far Caspian fame (and is also on his label Tiny Library Records), so this isn’t just some flash in the pan. With two albums under his belt, it’s fun to hear someone who has quite obviously found their sound – in this case excellently crafted bedroom pop with some lo-fi undertones. Jangly guitar and an underrated bass riff combine with Kennedy and collaborator Kate Schneider’s dulcet, duetting tones (side note: today I learned that “duetting” ha ..read more