Nashville-based singer/songwriter Davis Gestiehr shows a melodic rock appeal across his new EP, I’m Always Lying… Make Me Famous!. The four tracks provide a consistently hooky immediacy, alongside compelling lyricism that ranges from aspirations of fame on “CCTV” to an admirably unique love interest in “Courtney Love.” Opening the EP, “CCTV” immerses with a debonair vocal charm and clanging bass bounces. Exhilarating, sporadic guitars complement the replay-inducing hook — “he wants to be on CCTV,” — and excels with further infection into the playful vocal sequence. Pursuits of fame, especiall ..read more

Hungarian artist Áron Porteleki presents a deeply memorable sound across Smearing, a debut solo studio production that serves as a “sonic manifestation,” of the contemporary dance piece ‘Cryptic Bodies.’ Smearing features words by Porteleki and Patrik Kelemen, who conceived and choreographed ‘Cryptic Bodies’ in 2021. The instrumentation is widely varied, from intensely expressive metal and alt-rock pursuits to gentle ambient explorations that emphasize space and vocal refrains. The opening title track struts an initial barrenness, wherein the vocals exude a titular repetition that flows seaml ..read more

The stirring sophomore album from Perth-based The Little Lord Street Band, Time and Place melds a twangy rock warmness with relatable themes of retrospection. “I guess it’s a ‘looking back’ album,” says frontman Jimmy Rogers. “It’s about when you get to that point in your life and you look back on what’s happened or what’s been going on. It’s that sort of longing for something that you can’t have back. It’s quite glass half empty, but at the same time, it’s about enjoying your memories.” Opening track “Can’t Go Back” weaves warming guitar work with lyrical observations on “old wounds revealin ..read more

A funky pop radiance shows throughout the I Know Girls EP, a catchy output from one-person band veryhandsomebilly. The musician and popular Twitch streamer excels with a catching pop/rock sound on the EP, bolstered by various music videos/shorts. Relatable thematic pursuits range from romantic yearning to examinations of online stalker relationships and the struggles of student debt. “Tell me ’bout your new tattoo,” the vocals urge on the opening “Flip Phone,” immersing with its crunchy guitars and rising vocal momentum; there’s a fun dose of throwback alt-pop nostalgia in both the peppy bras ..read more

“Parallel Lines” melds dreamy pop entrancement and textured shoegaze touches, representing a strong single from Holding Hour, a Des Moines-based band formerly known as Elison. “Parallel Lines” is their first release under the new name, and precedes an upcoming EP, out this fall. Lead vocalist and guitarist Marissa Kephart describes the single as “about the push and pull of relationships, the tension between two people who are close but over time slowly grow distant.” With a gentle vocal introspection and post-punk bass-y drive, “Parallel Lines” builds with an initially subdued composure. “St ..read more

“Nokonoshima” enamors with a melodic sense of escapism, showcasing an evolving rock and glistening pop introspection from Tiger Beach. Glistening guitars weave in sporadically amidst a steady acoustical backing, as vocals establish a waterside sense of contemplation — “looking out at the ships as they all float across the bay,” — amidst a sense of clinging onto paradise, even as the sun begins to set. The Raleigh, NC-based band conclude the track with an exuberant array of vocal layers and chirpy guitars, with shades of The Cure within the “think you’ll be mine,” aspirations. “Nokonoshima” i ..read more

Salt Lake City-based duo Tomper craft a chilled-out, melodic pop soulfulness on new single “Call In.” Balmy vocal lushness muses a state of “sitting by my phone,” suggesting to “leave a message,” if the answer machine arrives. A serenely enchanting vocal addition adorns the memorable chorus, as orchestral emergences and answering-machine samples add to the enchanting soundscape. A gorgeous, spacey synth-heavy interlude captivates thereafter. “Call In” is a warming, melodic success from Tomper. — This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emergi ..read more

A yearning for second chances meshes beautifully with the murky rock aesthetic on “Shooting Range,” a compelling single out today from SAINT KID. Chugging guitars and twangy adornments comprise a driving rock momentum, with some ’80s nostalgia apparent in the guitar tones. “We can talk this through,” the vocals exude with melancholic lushness, later admitting “I know that it’s all my fault.” “Shooting Range” is a memorable showing from the Upstate NY-based artist. — This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist ..read more

Inspired by autumn and casting a glowing warmness reflective of such, “Summer’s Daughter” is a memorable new single from Brooklyn-based artist Arlen Hart Ginsburg. References to sunlight exude visions of brightness peaking through autumn trees, while lyrical musings on togetherness send chills as prancing piano and comforting orchestral components intertwine. Guitar twangs and alluring vocal layers meld beautifully on “Summer’s Daughter” with a chamber-folk shimmering, producing a resonating success. Ginsburg notes that, in addition to autumn, the track is inspired by “how the light of summe ..read more

A riveting single with palpable rhythmic momentum and a delectably chilly soundscape, “Queen of Carthage” is a recent track from Taroug, the project of German artist Tarek Zarroug. “Queen of Carthage” represents the second single from Taroug’s upcoming debut album, Darts & Kites, set to be released on Denovali Records. Vibrant percussive momentum halts momentarily as the debonair vocal presence emerges. A shimmering synth character and frolicking jangle bolster the textured soundscape thereafter, reminding of Burial as chilly guitars align with a ghostly crackling. “Queen of Carthage” is ..read more