Léolo – “Feel The World” (Video Premiere)

Léolo

Today I’m so excited to share with everyone the latest music video from Montreal-based pop artist, Léolo. On this song that is filled with such raw emotion, “Feel The World” embraces the springtime with an optimistic outlook. When speaking on the single, Léolo shared, “The idea for this song came to me while I was taking a walk on the beach of a small island in the St. Lawrence River. It was the first time I had gotten out of the city since the beginning of the pandemic, so the need to sing about opening oneself up to the world and the urge to celebrate was quite legitimate at that point! If you’re enjoying the latest track, please consider streaming this artist’s music here. I was also able to catch up with the talented pop star below.

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Review: Be Well – “A Tap I Can’t Turn Off”

The latest two-track single from Baltimore punk/hardcore band, Be Well, is an electric-charged artistic statement that demands to be taken seriously. Led by fearless frontman Brian McTernan, “A Tap I Can’t Turn Off” and “Without A Compass” rock with an immediacy to them that put a firm focus on why this band is so dynamic. Starting with “A Tap I Can’t Turn Off,” the heavy opening riffing sets the tone for the lyrics of, “There is an overwhelming sense of doubt / That’s spent a lifetime occupying my mind / The things that I’ve done to block it out / Have corroded the rest of what’s left over time,” that showcase McTernan’s conflict within his own mind. The track explodes out of the gate with a rare sense of urgency, and ends with the pain in the lyrics of, “But I still lack confidence / And sometimes I feel like shit.”

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Review: Broadway Calls – Coming After You

Music has a funny way of finding us, doesn’t it? So when I got wind of the Oregon punk rock band, Broadway Calls, and their latest EP, Coming After You, I was taken back by just how good the music pouring out the speakers was. This slick, 4-song EP was recently pressed on a 7″ vinyl via Red Scare Industries, and is a pleasing blend of great punk rock riffing paired with sing-a-long moments that are sure to make you feel rejuvenated about the current punk scene. The set was produced by Scott Goodrich, and puts a bright spotlight on the band’s songwriting improvements. Broadway Calls are Coming After You, and you should embrace it.

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Marcel Wave – “Stop/Continue” (Video Premiere)

Marcel Wave

Today I’m so excited to bring everyone the new music video from British post-punk band Marcel Wave, called “Stop/Continue.” Band member Maike Hale-Jones shared, Stop/Continue is the product of a youth spent in a decaying post-industrial town. The carcasses of derelict mills looming over the landscape a stark reminder of how the mighty always fall and how nature carries on regardless. The song comes from the band’s upcoming LP Something Looming, that will be released on June 14th via Feel It Records/Upset the Rhythm. If you’re enjoying the latest single, you can pre-order the band’s new LP here.

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Love Fiend – “Hard Feelings” (Video Premiere)

Love Fiend

Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the latest single and video from rock band, Love Fiend, called “Hard Feelings.” On this 60’s stylized synth rocking jam, Love Fiend quickly establish themselves as an artist to keep a keen eye on as the year unfolds. The band shared, “What began as a conversation surrounding the meaning of the common phrase ‘no hard feelings,’ became a structured academic study into the cosmological origins of emotion. What we discovered was that before the human heart had fully developed, emotion first rested silently in the earth’s crust – petrified, rock-solid, HARD. If you’re enjoying the latest single, please consider supporting this talented band here. I was also able to catch up with the band for a brief interview below.

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Review: Dua Lipa – Radical Optimism

The world around us is quite brutal and ugly currently, so who couldn’t use a little optimism that things can and will get better? Dua Lipa has returned to the music world with a shimmering album titled Radical Optimism. With songwriting and producer credits from Kevin Parker of Tame Impala, plus other seasoned veterans like Danny Harle, Ian Kirkpatrick, and Andrew Wyatt, Dua Lipa comes well-armed for success. The album plays out quickly over the 11-song, 37-minute play time that is filled with thrilling moments, great vocal performances from Dua Lipa, as well as plenty new tricks to her arsenal. Radical Optimism is a heat-seeking missile to the eardrums and is bound to make even the most negative person feel a little bit better about their day after spending some time with it. While the current pop scene seems to lean towards darker elements (much like the brooding pop Billie Eilish), Dua Lipa cuts through the negativity with a surgeon-like precision on this instant pop classic.

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Review: Snarls – With Love

When the time came for Snarls to begin work on the material that would become their sophomore LP, they knew they wanted to work with producer Chris Walla again. The only issue was that Walla’s U.S. based Seattle studio wasn’t an option at that time period. When Chris Walla pitched the idea of the Ohio indie rock band to come to his actual home in Norway, the offer was simply too good for the band (whom had never been overseas) to pass up. With Love gets a lot of its charm from this other-worldly opportunity for the band to hunker down and pen some of their most meaningful songs to date, albeit in another part of the globe. Indie rock’s best kept secret shines all over their second full-length record that is urgent, thoughtful, impactful, and immediately gratifying. Snarls continue to show their steady growth as musicians, and Walla can only sit back and gleefully admire this journey the young band is taking with him at the producer helm. The shimmering first chorus on the title track sets the table nicely with its lyrics of, “‘Cause I’ll always love you / I’m in your corner, too / Carry you in my heart everyday / With love.” Much like the album artwork that carefully pens the words “With Love,” in the locket, Snarls keep their music accessible, yet utterly passionate.

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The Clamor – “You Bring Out The Demon In Me” (Song Premiere)

The Clamor

Today is a great day to share the newest single from The Clamor called “You Bring Out The Demon In Me.” The second single from the band’s forthcoming EP to be released this summer, was co-written by Vic Godard and the Subway Sect. This punk-infused anthem is sure to make you feel something. The Clamor shared:

Vic Godard is a legend and one of the most fiercely original songwriters and lyricists out there.  I love his song, and I thought a cover would work well as a thematic anchor to strengthen the narrative coherence of the four singles being released this spring. The struggle between saint and sinner, the plea for rescue, and the resistance against drifting between extremes all resonated with both my personal experiences and the overall exploration of personal struggles, the fragility of relationships, and the constant search for authenticity in the four singles.

If you’re enjoying the latest single, please consider supporting this artist here.

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Review: Greywind – Antidote

The Irish sibling duo of Steph and Paul O’Sullivan, better known as Greywind, released their debut full-length record in 2017 and have come full circle now with a renewed focus and energy on Antidote. With creative control firmly in the band’s corner, Antidote is a strong collection of songs that complement the energy that Paul (guitars) and Steph (vocals) have with each other as musicians. The set was produced by Sam Guaiana (Silverstein, Neck Deep), and showcases the band’s continued growth. With a slick-sounding mix between emo and pop-punk, Greywind sound like a blend between Paramore and The Wonder Years.

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Review: Maggie Rogers – Don’t Forget Me

The third major label studio album from Maggie Rogers, called Don’t Forget Me, showcases the singer-songwriter’s continued growth in more ways than one. While I originally saw Rogers in the same realm of pop artists like Kacey Musgraves, Phoebe Bridgers, and Julien Baker, it turns out she may just be this generation’s Joni Mitchell. With crisp production that Rogers and Ian Fitchuk co-produce on this outstanding record, Maggie Rogers quickly cements herself as one of the marquee pop acts in the world. Having recently announced a comprehensive arena tour, that is selling extremely well, Rogers takes full advantage of her time in the spotlight on this breezy collection of ten songs that blend pop, country, and captivating storytelling in her most fully-realized album to date. The artist that once had a starry-eyed vision of headlining the places she grew up attending, has come full circle and seeing her hard work come to fruition.

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Parris Mitchell – “Problem Child” (Song Premiere)

Parris Mitchell

Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the latest single from rising pop artist, Parris Mitchell, called “Problem Child.” Mitchell has a unique sound that transcends musical boundaries, and hits the right spots on this vibrant single. When speaking on his latest track, Mitchell shared, “This is a ‘neighbors calling in a noise complaint’ banger about self-reflection. My emo indie rock anthem, co-penned with Stalking Gia and Ryder Stuart, explores raw emotions and introspection with ripping guitars, angsty vocals and intense drums.” If you’re enjoying the latest single, keep an eye out for Parris Mitchell’s new LP, The Mixed Emotions Arcade, that releases on June 14th. I was also able to catch up with this talented artist for a brief interview below.

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Old Neon – “Empty Frames” (Video Premiere)

Old Neon

Today I’m so excited to share with everyone Pittsburgh, PA’s dynamic pop-punk band, Old Neon, and their latest single/video for “Empty Frames.” When speaking on the track, band member Sean Michael shared, The song is about developing feelings for someone who is emotionally unavailable and how lonely it can feel. More lonely, however, when upon expressing those feelings, finding it was not one-sided; whilst not an unrequited feeling, one that will never be alive in the way you want. The band would be perfect for fans of Four Year Strong and The Wonder Years.

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Dad Hats – “Claustrophobia” (Video Premiere)

Dad Hats

Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the latest video from Dad Hats called “Claustrophobia,” and share the news of their vinyl releases. After Dad Hats released Spill in February of 2023, the first pressing of the physical copies quickly sold out and – despite a run up that included several singles – there was one song that had been an obvious fan favorite that didn’t have a corresponding music video. To celebrate the second pressing of Spill on vinyl, the band announced a limited edition 7″ and a music video for their next single: “Claustrophobia.” “Claustrophobia” is a poppy little thing that hits close to home for anyone feeling suffocated by an endless cycle of work and obligations. Throughout the song, Dad Hats’ signature blend of overly honest introspection, woven guitars, and catchy melodies are on prominent display. It also serves as a must-listen for anyone who wants to have some friends over for a first world self-pity party. The seven inch features an acoustic B-side of “Brain In A Jar,” and this song is currently exclusive to only this limited edition vinyl pressing. You can purchase Spill here and the 7″ record here.

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Gileah Taylor – “Sweetness Surrounding” (Video Premiere)

Gileah Taylor

Today I’m so excited to bring everyone the latest video from ultra-talented songwriter Gileah Taylor, from her new album Slow Parade, called “Sweetness Surrounding.” It’s a song about putting on a happy face while feeling sad and lost, and fits well for fans of Big Thief or Boygenius. When speaking on her new single, Taylor mentioned, ““I felt lost and wanted to be by myself, to a scary point. I recognized where I was and decided to make a change. I took steps to feel better, like taking morning walks, choosing the good things around me, and listening to the birds.” If you’re enjoying the latest single, please consider purchasing Slow Parade here. You can also check out some insight on the new single from Gileah Taylor below.

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Interview: Sarah and the Safe Word

Sarah and the Safe Word

Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone an early listen to the new Sarah and the Safe Word single called “Pornstar Martini.” On this Motown-inspired track that sounds like a combination between early Panic! at the Disco paired with that classic Sarah and the Safe Word sound, the band continues their dramatic artistic development. Sarah Rose shared, “We wrote this song while we were on tour in the UK on an off day. I remember sitting in our AirBNB in Manchester and the chorus just kind of came out. Kienan and I knew pretty much right away that we were going to make a song out of it. It’s a love letter to our time in the UK as much as it is a love letter to some of our favorite vintage sounds. Feels like an interesting new chapter for the band. I’m excited to take folks along for this ride.” Additionally, lead guitarist Kienan Dietrich mentioned, “We’re trying to broaden the scope of our sound a tiny bit by taking the time machine back only a few decades instead of an entire century. The combination of references to works of dark academia, like Donna Tartt and Bret Easton Ellis, with a bright, Motown/Stax Records kind of music is such a fun thing to explore. The clash of squeaky clean, pop culture memories with the reality underpinning those memories. Classic juxtaposition stuff, and classic Safe Word. At the end of the day, who doesn’t want a penthouse view?” If you’re enjoying the early listen, you can stream it everywhere you get your music tomorrow. I was also able to catch up with the Kienan and Sarah for a brief interview below.

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