Sleepytime Gorilla Museum – “Salamander In Two Worlds” (Video Premiere)

Sleepytime Gorilla Museum

Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the latest music video from Sleepytime Gorilla Museum called “Salamander In Two Worlds.” On this dance-filled track that is sure to make you feel something, this band showcases why they’re on the rising acts in the music world. Gooby Herms, the director of the video, says inspiration was found: “In the depths of woods in upstate New York, where the frogs sing their last chorus of the season and whispers of the falling leaves provide the harmony. Amidst this tranquil solitude, we delved into themes of loss and isolation. And dance.” If you’re enjoying the latest single, you can listen to the band’s latest LP Of The Last Human Being that’s currently on all streaming services. I was also able to catch up with this band for a brief interview below.

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Review: Barely Civil – I’d Say I’m Not Fine

The third studio album from Barely Civil, called I’d Say I’m Not Fine, takes a dramatic leap in their artistic growth and highlights the young band’s ability to fully realize their vision for their music. When I last caught up with the band to discuss the new record, they explained that the title of the record, and the song titles themselves, complete the statement of “I’d say I’m…” This creative approach to each of the tracks connects the LP in a way that is sure to keep longtime fans of the band engaged, and for new fans to discover one of the best albums to be released this year. I’d Say I’m Not Fine is a gripping listening experience, it takes listeners on a thrilling ride, and still leaves plenty of room for people to make their own interpretations on these songs. While Barely Civil did an outstanding job of paying homage to the artists they were influenced by on their sophomore record, I’ll Figure This Out, this album blows away all expectations from this talented band and cements them as one of the marquee acts in the emo scene.

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Review: Zaq Baker – “Treadmill”

Zaq Baker - "Treadmill"

The latest single from pop singer Zaq Baker, called “Treadmill,” is a stripped down pop song that features the artist Corzine and is a piano-laced ballad in the style of artists like Ben Folds, Billie Eilish, and Clairo. Baker’s harmonies with Corzine are well-constructed and shimmer off the speakers with ease. Zaq Baker shared, “In just one madcap year, my catalogue has enjoyed many wardrobe changes — piano rock, pop-punk, synthpop, musical theatre, a piano-and-strings album, even a McCartney send-up — made possible by dozens of incredible collaborators. “Treadmill” reflects the fact that now it’s time for something new. Hayley [Corzine] makes all the words sparkle.’” The single brings in some other instruments, like the cello and some programmed drums, to provide a landscape for the introspective lyrics. While a treadmill may not take us anywhere, Zaq Baker is well on his way to making his mark in the crowded music scene.

Kate Clover – “Here Comes The Love Bomb” (Song Premiere)

Kate Clover

Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the latest single from Kate Clover called “Here Comes The Love Bomb.” Taken from her upcoming LP, The Apocalypse Dream, out everywhere music is sold on April 5th, Clover commands the song from the first notes and never lets up on this raucous single. If you’re enjoying the latest track, you can pre-order Kate Clover’s new record here. I was also able to catch up with Kate for a brief interview below.

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Grant Summerland – “The Ballad of Captain Chup” (Song Premiere)

Grant Summerland

Today is a great day to share the news that Grant Summerland has returned with a new single and the announcement of a brand new EP, entitled Unnatural History II. Summerland is sharing his lead single, “The Ballad of Captain Chup,” that showcases a harsher guitar and ambient sound presenting a darker and more mature soundscape for the much loved pop-punk melodies soaked in reverb. If you’re enjoying the early listen to the new single, please consider pre-ordering the EP here. I was also able to catch up with Grant Summerland for a brief interview below.

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Review: Tokyo Police Club – Forcefield

Tokyo Police Club - Forcefield

Have you ever felt like an album compelled you to buy it? That strange, out of body experience that lures you towards the record in hopes that you’ll take a chance on listening to it? Funny enough, that seemed to happen to me in the case of Tokyo Police Club and their third studio album, Forcefield. I was browsing the record bins at my local shop when I saw behind the counter a white-covered LP that simply said “Tokyo Police Club – Forcefield” in a faded-stylized stamp. Having heard of the band through my friend at work, there was something in the world that told me I needed to have that record. What I wasn’t expecting when I first let the needle hit the vinyl was for Tokyo Police Club to quickly become one of my favorite bands in the world. Forcefield takes your breath away, from the early opus of “Argentina” to the cautious closing of “Feel The Effect,” the 9-song LP hits all the intended targets and still left room for future growth on subsequent releases. I would later backtrack through the band’s catalog of their debut EP, A Lesson In Crime, their first full-length of Elephant Shell, and the brilliance found on their breakthrough record, Champ. Forcefield still holds its own to this day, albeit ten years down the road from its release, and I’m just as drawn in to its magic.

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Jose Lobo – “Nuevos días (versión alternativa)” (Song Premiere)

Jose Lobo

Today is a great day to share the latest single and lyric video from Jose Lobo called “Nuevos días (versión alternativa).” On this great-sounding new track, Lobo channels his love for sweeping instrumentation and big hooks. Lobo shared:

’Nuevos días’ is a song written right before the year ended back in 2020 to 2021. It is a song that predicts the year will come silent and asks to know already what lies ahead, impatiently and at the same time it questions the notion of planning the year ahead because in my mind no matter how hard I tried to plan everything what brought me the most joy tended to always be a surprise. This new version comes with voice recordings that are extremely personal and further set the song in a time period of my life. With electric guitars and a bigger production, the song hopes to emulate the turmoil my mind and that of many others can sometimes enter during the winter season.

I was also able to catch up with this talented artist for a brief interview below.

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Christian Parker – “Ballad Of Easy Rider” (Song Premiere)

Christian Parker

Today I’m so excited to share with everyone the latest single from songwriter Christian Parker, a cover of The Byrds’ classic, “Ballad Of Easy Rider.” This cover that comes from Parker’s upcoming LP, Change Is Now, spans The Byrds discography and comes on the heels of Parker’s 2023 tribute album of Sweethearts. Christian Parker shared, I first heard the ‘Ballad of Easy Rider’ when I was 16, which changed my life. It was such a great message, and as a teenage kid searching for answers, it came at the right time. I knew this was my anthem, and to this day, it is my favorite song ever written.” If you’re enjoying the early listen, you can check out the rest of Parker’s discography here.

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Review: Bleachers – Bleachers

Bleachers - Bleachers

The atmospheric rise of Jack Antonoff continues on the latest full-length record by Bleachers. The same man that kicked his career off with Steel Train, showcased his songwriting prowess with fun., re-established himself as a solo artist with Bleachers, and along the way became a Grammy winning producer, Antonoff is certainly no stranger to the bright lights. The pressure seemed to be on this ultra-talented artist on Bleachers (his first album on Dirty Hit), and yet Antonoff delivers in more ways than one in his most fully realized record to date. With a sound that feels like a modern take on Bruce Springsteen, paired with the atmospheric elements found in the brooding synths of The 1975 and The Midnight, Bleachers does the near-impossible task of paying homage to where he came from while simultaneously moving the needle forward in his artistic growth. Jack Antonoff is a man of many talents, and they are all on full display on the fourth studio album from Bleachers.

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As Good As It Gets – “Stay (Be Honest)” (Song Premiere)

As Good As It Gets

Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the latest single from Indiana pop-rock duo, As Good As It Gets, called ”Stay (Be Honest).” On this up-tempo rock song about facing those difficult conversations in relationships, the band captures the spirit of the Drive-Thru Records-era of music with a sound that strays somewhere between Something Corporate and Foo Fighters. The band shared, ““Stay (Be Honest)” is a song about love, fighting, friendships, breakups, and marriage. Growing up as kids in pop-punk and emo bands, we wrote a lot of songs about breakups–this one is about staying together by two guys in healthy marriages, but it still packs the pop-punk punch we refuse to let go of.” If you’re enjoying the early listen, please consider purchasing the band’s music here.

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Sophia Dashing – “Does Love Have To Be This Way” (Song Premiere)

Sophia Dashing

Today I’m thrilled to share with everyone the latest single from pop singer-songwriter, Sophia Dashing, called “Does Love Have To Be This Way.” This piano-driven pop ballad is filled with cathartic songwriting and emotional vocals, documenting the multifaceted emotions endured after heartbreak and the moments of difficulty with love through past relationships and family trauma. Dashing shared:

”Does Love Have to Be This Way” is my most vulnerable single yet. I am so happy this song is out, and I truly hope others can connect with the raw message in the song. It took me truly getting out of my comfort zone to release this song, but I know I’m not alone. As humans we naturally can relate somehow someway with feeling insecure towards love / relationships / heartbreak at any point in our life. I hope me being real within the lyrical content of this song can help people feel less alone! I’m so grateful for music and how it’s healed me in so many ways. Thank you for checking out my new single!

If you’re enjoying the early listen, you can check out Sophia Dashing’s other music here.

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Sharp Eyes – “Past Your Best” (Video Premiere)

Sharp Eyes

Today I’m thrilled to introduce everyone to a UK-based pop-punk band called Sharp Eyes who have just released their latest music video for “Past Your Best.” Drawing inspiration from the likes of All Time Low, The Maine, The Story So Far, and Neck Deep, the band puts their uniquely English stamp on the genre. Lead singer Sam Day shared, “‘Past Your Best’ is a bit of a kick back at those people who stick around you but are a real drain on your energy, picking at your personality and making you feel awkward about the things you enjoy. We wrote this track as a kind of reclaiming of that energy and a celebration of having a good time with the people you love.” If you’re enjoying this latest single, please consider checking out the band’s other music here.

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LYSOL – “Padded Cell” (Song Premiere)

Lysol

Today I’m so excited to bring everyone the latest single from Seattle punk rock band, LYSOL, called “Padded Cell.” The track comes from the band’s new EP, Down the Street, following 2021’s Soup for My Family. The four piece lineup of Anthony Gaviria, Xtine Lundberg, Chad Ringo Bucklew, and Noah Earl Fowler waste no time on this EP, with all four tracks clocking in at two minutes or less. It’s perfectly executed hardcore punk with a touch of Pacific Northwest guitar rock in the mix. LYSOL have yet again kicked down a steamroller of a record that matches their power as a live band. If you’re enjoying the latest single, please consider purchasing the band’s EP at their Bandcamp page here.

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Black Polish – “birthwright” (Video Premiere)

Black Polish

Today is a great day to share the latest video from pop artist, Black Polish, called “birthwright.” With a sound that fits somewhere between the punk rock spirit of Paramore, paired with the complex songwriting sensibilities of Mitski, Black Polish is truly an artist in the purest form. When speaking on her latest album, Jayden Nicole Binnix shared:

This album was created while I was living in Maryland and beginning high school. My family home was secluded and tucked away within the suffocating trees. It was my first major project I had ever worked on and I was only 15. Within this time, the unexpected Pandemic hit. Days blended together, as deep isolation set in. I felt as if I saw the world in 3rd person. Seclusion in my room became my existence.

If you’re enjoying the latest single, please consider visiting their website here. I was also able to catch up with this talented artist for a brief interview below.

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Slow Fiction – “Monday” (Song Premiere)

Slow Fiction

Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the latest single/visualizer video from Brooklyn rock band, Slow Fiction, called “Monday.” On this electric new single, Slow Fiction showcase why they’re a rising band in the alt-rock scene. The band shared about the new single, “The moment just before the storm hits. Built up, frenetic energy that exists in your mind, with the knowledge that it can surely come spilling out at any point. Pretending to have internal peace gets exhausting after a while.” If you’re enjoying the latest track, you can pre-order their new EP, Crush, here. I was also able to catch up with this band for a brief interview below.

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