Undercover Cameo – Hands

    Undercover Cameo
    Undercover Cameo

    Undercover Cameo has today released their new single titled ‘Hands’ from their upcoming debut album, dropping soon via Bigger Beast Records.

    The type of song that can quietly bring a tear to your eye, not because of what it has, but because of what it lacks. It lacks that centric self-centeredness and quasi narcissism that we all encounter every single day from almost every single person. From a world of Karens, we gently glide into a universe of kindreds. The warm and subtle hand on our shoulder that no one else gave us, yet here it is in the form of a song. This, to me, is ‘Hands’.

    Musically, the song is exactly what it should be: unassuming and thoughtful. Meant for us by those who are a part of us, because they are like us. Kinship and solitude now have an anthem.

    “Hands is a song born out of a hopeless moment. A moment where I felt small, powerless, and pathetic. The writing of this song, while sitting in the sun with my guitar in my hands, and every performance of it, is a reminder to myself of the love that is within me, around me, and ever before me in the form of people, places, and experiences.”
    Undercover Cameo

    About Undercover Cameo

    Lucas Neil, Olivia Charlotte, and Sandy Allen are the creative force behind Undercover Cameo. With a beautifully ambient sound, poignantly poetic lyrics, and subtle yet powerful arrangements, this multi-generational folk collective is crafting a new brand of stomp-and-flutter indie folk with Mozart-esque compositional precision. Their music, steeped in melancholia yet rich with hope, will steal your heart.

    Undercover Cameo is an acoustic musical group based in Westerly, Rhode Island, that plays uplifting, engaging, and emotionally profound folk music.

    With Lucas Neil on guitar, Olivia Charlotte on piano, Sandy Allen on mandolin, and Elizabeth Beisel on fiddle, the group is widely considered to be one of the best rising folk groups in New England. Known for their ethereal sound and superb musical harmonies, Undercover Cameo is intent on cultivating an environment of loving and healing energies for every audience they encounter.

    Undercover Cameo is on a mission to spread love up, down, and all around through music, poetry, and hugs. The band’s newest release, the single “Hands”, launches the next phase of the band’s sonic presentation and establishes a beautiful groundwork for the band’s highly anticipated full-length debut album.

    LINKS:
    https://www.undercovercameo.com/
    https://www.facebook.com/undercover.cameo/
    https://www.instagram.com/undercovercameo/
    https://open.spotify.com/artist/4LP1hzsS1aQZQx5T2c4JHT

    Janus 4-14 – Blue to Infinity

    Janus 4-14
    Janus 4-14

    Janus 4-14 is a three-piece indie rock band based in Mount Airy, North Carolina. Their latest single, “Blue To Infinity,” from the E.P. of the same name, echoes the spirits of artists like The Replacements, Elvis Costello, and Sebadoh.

    Reflecting on the track, singer/guitarist/songwriter Chad Barnard said…

    “Blue to Infinity is about having to look in the mirror and face the fact that you’re the problem. You’ve finally seen through all of the pretense and artifice that you’ve built around your fragile ego and are disgusted by what you find. Now that you’ve come to terms with yourself, anything seems possible.”

    “Looking back through some old idea tapes, I found the kernel of Blue To Infinity. At its inception, there was just the intro, the first verse, the pre-chorus, and the chorus. I had forgotten that it existed. I immediately set about finishing it: adding more verses and creating the bridge. It’s songs like this that make me thankful that I have recorded and saved every idea since I started writing songs.”

    About Janus 4-14

    The Janus 4-14 live show can be a force of nature. Marathon three-hour sets. Punk ethos and arena energy in small rooms. Wide-open antics. Guitarist Shane Mauck has seen vocalist and guitarist Chad Barnard break two or three bars. Formed in 2009, the band’s energy and intensity built like severe weather. Then, one day, Barnard’s anger was gone. Maybe it was age. Maybe it was quitting his desk job. Whatever it was, the rage that had driven his songwriting evaporated. “What am I gonna write?” he wondered at the time.

    The answer: more nuanced music representing a broader emotional spectrum. Sitting in Fallen Trees Recording Studio, which he runs, Barnard explains that he still writes music constantly. It’s the lyrics that take more attention and time nowadays. On top of that, Barnard, Mauck, and percussionist Brett Beardsley have enlisted the help of esteemed producer John Agnello (The Hold Steady, Dinosaur Jr, Sonic Youth) to help evolve the long-standing band.

    They’ve built a reputation for memorable live shows in the region. They’ve grown their monthly Spotify listeners from 40 to 1,000. Now, Janus 4-14 is releasing an ongoing series of Agnello-produced EPs. This Mount Airy, NC band wants to reach even more ears.

    “Why not us?” Barnard wonders matter-of-factly. Growing up in Mount Airy, Barnard was always a music nerd with a penchant for niche indie bands. He collected LPs and recorded songs on little microcassette recorders as a teenager. By his thirties, however, Barnard had become painfully shy about his songwriting. At his wife’s suggestion, Barnard finally played out. He and Mauck’s kids played together, so the two got together to do one show. “I loved it and kept going,” says Barnard.

    Barnard grew up on Sebadoh, Guided by Voices, and Pavement, while Mauck adores Foo Fighters, Hendrix, and Zeppelin. Add Beardsley’s prog approach, and Janus 4-14 is the coherent result of unlikely ingredients. Live, Barnard plays his parts like clockwork, while Mauck rarely plays a song the same way twice. Sometimes, Mauck won’t even play the same instrument.

    “I’m gonna play a classic rock solo in the middle of a droney indie song,” Mauck says with a laugh. “It works so well for us.”

    SOURCE: Official Bio

    LINKS:
    https://www.janus414.com/
    https://tiktok.com/janus414
    https://instagram.com/janus414
    https://youtube.com/janus414
    https://facebook.com/janus414

    Tom Morello – Pretend You Remember Me + Tour Dates

    Tom Morello has today released his new video for the track titled ‘Pretend You Remember Me’. That rare occasion where Tom adds his vocals as well as his voice to an important message over his signature music and original depth of poignant attitude, and fearless poetic protest.

    Beautifully crafted and encompassed in an anthemic and memorable hook, Tom creates something as timeless as it is timely. Music is a stamp on our history as well as a chapter in the book of us that we are constantly writing. Let this be the start of a new chapter.

    About ‘Pretend You Remember Me’

    “Pretend You Remember Me” features Tom’s haunting voice and always searing guitar riffs. The song was written by Morello, produced/mixed/mastered by Zakk Cervini, and written in solidarity with immigrants after the recent militarization of ICE against immigrant communities & supporters in Los Angeles.

    Tom says, “This song is written for all the families torn apart by the recent immigrant purges and kidnappings. Children torn from their wailing mothers’ arms by masked government thugs, people coming home to find their loved ones abducted by the state. Folks who worked, suffered, and struggled for decades just to make a decent life for themselves and their family were violently separated with an uncertain future. “Pretend You Remember Me” is for them and for all those who are finding the courage to stand up against racism, tyranny, and injustice.”

    The release of “Pretend You Remember Me” is in partnership with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), a nonprofit organization that has served and protected the Los Angeles immigrant community since 1986. CHIRLA aids immigrants in getting the legal defense teams they need as well as fighting against wage theft, discrimination, and harassment in the workplace regardless of immigration status.

    Last June, Tom released the single “Soldier in the Army of Love”, a guitar-driven track that showcases Morello’s signature sound, skillful riffs, and a powerful solo penned by his son, Roman Morello. Anthemic and commanding, Morello passionately declares, “Who needs a weapon when you were born one?”

    Most recently, Tom was honored to head the musical direction of the “greatest day in heavy metal history”, “Back to the Beginning”, the farewell show for heavy metal icons Black Sabbath and their legendary lead singer Ozzy Osbourne. Tasked with coordinating this 10+ hour bash spanning performances from Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Pantera, Slayer, Tool, Alice In Chains, and star-studded supergroups, Morello paid the ultimate respect to the music that made him love music.

    Tom continues to tour the world, and after a stretch of sold-out US and Australia dates, he begins the next leg of his 2025 tour tonight in Vancouver with three more sold-out headlining Canadian shows and various festival appearances, including Ottawa Bluesfest.

    About Tom Morello

    Grammy-winning, Harvard-educated, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted artist, songwriter, and activist Tom Morello, renowned for his innovative guitar solos and thunderous chords, is living proof of the transformative power of rock’n’roll. He is a groundbreaking solo artist and is a founding member of the critically acclaimed, iconic bands Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave. Both bands continue to be lauded for their musicianship, songwriting, and powerful live performances, with Tom’s incendiary guitar playing instantly recognizable to fans. RATM and Audioslave received multiple Grammy Awards and boast combined worldwide LP sales of 30 million albums.

    Tom’s trademark style was a crucial component of Rage Against the Machine, helping launch Morello and the band to multi-platinum success – which in turn led to his recognition by Rolling Stone Magazine as the 18th “Greatest Guitar Player of All-Time” and subsequent inductions into both the Rock & Roll and Metal Hall of Fame. He has made music history over his decades-long career, including touring for six years with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, where his signature playing style can be heard, as well as forming the supergroup Prophets of Rage. In between all of that, Tom found time to tour and record as a solo artist known as the Nightwatchman and has released four LPs under that moniker.

    Morello is well-known as a vocal political activist and can often be found at the front of picket lines, strikes and protests around the United States: solidarity with United Mine Workers of America in Brookwood, AL, the United Farm Workers of America in Sacramento, CA, and the Star Garden Strippers Union in North Hollywood, CA to name a few. In 2023, Tom received the Music Will Humanitarian of the Year award for his efforts in sponsoring multiple music education programs across the country for schools in need, and is an ACLU Artist for Smart Justice for his advocacy work.

    Additionally, Tom can be heard every week on SiriusXM curating his playlists and hosting his show, “One Man Revolution.”

    LINKS:
    https://tommorello.com/
    https://www.facebook.com/TomMorello/
    https://www.instagram.com/tommorello
    https://twitter.com/tmorello
    https://www.youtube.com/@tommorellomusic
    https://open.spotify.com/artist/74NBPbyyftqJ4SpDZ4c1Ed

    Apollo Brown & Bronze Nazareth – Banshee Walk

    Apollo Brown & Bronze Nazareth have today released their new video for the track titled ‘Banshee Walk’, from their upcoming album ‘Funeral For A Dream’ dropping on July 25th.

    Lessons learned and love for the lessons, Apollo Brown & Bronze Nazareth drop a soul bomb of things to come with ‘Funeral For A Dream’, staccato vocal rhythms amid retrotastic beats present a lyrical beatdown with truth and wisdom from those in the know and the ones who lived it before. Life hidden in the art and truth apparent in the form, ‘Banshee Walk’ fills the heart through the ears and shoes that the voice can be a virtue.

    Check out our other features with Bronze Nazereth HERE.

    About Apollo Brown & Bronze Nazareth, ‘Banshee Walk’ & ‘Funeral For A Dream’

    Apollo Brown and Bronze Nazareth’s new single, “Banshee Walk,” builds a dense, textured atmosphere that reflects the weight of endurance and creativity forged through experience.

    The track carries an emotional undertow that speaks to resilience and transformation without leaning on obvious signposts. “Banshee Walk” offers a clear signal of what to expect on the upcoming album Funeral For A Dream, due out Friday, 25th July.

    They say the death of a dream is the best funeral. This implies that when a dream becomes a reality, it’s like saying goodbye to the dream itself, as the goal has been achieved. It’s a symbolic farewell, as the dream is now laid to rest.

    Well, cue the procession music…

    The obituary of Apollo Brown & Bronze Nazareth writes itself. It’s a bond, a brotherhood, and a lifetime friendship of ups and downs that has spanned almost 4 decades. Growing up in the same neighborhood, shaped by the same environment, it was in their mid-teens that they started their musical journey side by side.

    Over the years, though, both have carved out their paths, finding success in ways they never imagined—inside and outside the music. And now, after all the chapters they’ve lived—victories, losses, silences, and celebrations—the long-held dream of making an album together can finally be laid to rest.

    LINKS:
    https://apollobrownmusic.com
    https://www.instagram.com/apollobrown
    https://www.facebook.com/ApolloBrown/
    https://x.com/ApolloBrown
    https://bronzenazareth.com
    https://www.instagram.com/bronzenazareth/
    https://x.com/BronzeNazareth
    https://www.facebook.com/bronzenazareth

    Greenness – Hilltop

    Award-winning Franco-English duo Greenness are back with a brand new single and video ‘Hilltop’ via One Fern Records. This is the band’s first release since the debut album Sunrooms was launched to critical acclaim in May 2022, and there’s a lot more to come:

    “We’ve spent the past three years working on a new record, and it’s exciting to share the first single finally”, explains lead singer and songwriter Cess. “When writing the lyrics, I tried to capture the whirlwind feeling of falling deeply in love with someone and realizing they’re about to turn your whole world upside-down. It’s a song of dizzying heights and tender surrender.”

    “We live at the bottom of a hill”, adds co-writer and producer Graham, “and every day, we walk up that hill to watch the view and hatch some plans. A lot of the ideas that came to shape our new album were formulated there, on the hilltop. And it’s also a symbol of perseverance. Life can sometimes feel like an endless climb, with much to do and little time, but there are always moments to take in the view, and this song is a reminder to ourselves to enjoy the journey.”

    Earlier this year, Greenness sent a live acoustic version of Hilltop to the Croissant Neuf stage and were subsequently offered to perform three sets at Glastonbury Festival this year. This was their first appearance at the iconic festival. Further live shows and festival dates can be found on the band’s official website.

    About Greenness

    Greenness’ first two EPs were self-released in 2016 and 2018, both supported by a string of shows including at the Brighton Centre and the Royal Albert Hall, garnering attention from The Morning Star who called their live performance “a revelation”.

    In 2020, a video showing the recording process of their song Unfold using analogue synthesizers and “paper beats” went viral on social media, with 120,000 views.

    Following a successful Crowdfunding campaign, Greenness spent the lockdown months recording and producing their debut album Sunrooms at home and self-released it in 2022, with the singles receiving airplay on BBC 6 Music (Steve Lamacq), Radio X (John Kennedy), BBC Introducing and Amazing Radio.

    After a productive artist residency at Brighton Dome last summer, Greenness have been recording their second album, set to be released in the autumn.

    SOURCE: Official Bio

    LINKS:
    https://greennessmusic.com
    https://greenness.bandcamp.com
    https://www.instagram.com/greennessmusic
    https://www.facebook.com/greennessmusic
    https://www.threads.com/@greennessmusic/
    https://www.tiktok.com/@greennessmusic

    Modern Nature – Source + Tour Dates

    Modern Nature has today released their new video and single titled ‘Source’, from the upcoming album ‘The Heat Warps’, dropping August 29th via Bella Union.

    ‘Source’ is one of those songs that gets you from the start. It holds you and never lets you go. Like a subtle feeling that combines dread with epiphany. You just take what it is and let it become a part of you. Subtle with feeling yet deeply felt, the track floats just under the radar of the mainstream and gives you a chance to be alone. Truly alone. Enough to clear your mind and open your heart.

    Social commentary on social issues, ‘Source’ touches on the UK riots and gives a glimpse at the inner part of us that longs for inclusion, surrounded by disillusionment. A song filled with introversion that gives us a minute to think and breathe, while the world around us is choking.

    About Modern Nature & ‘The Heat Warps’

    Due out August 29 via Bella Union, ‘The Heat Warps’ is a deceivingly encouraging collection through which Jack Cooper, the band’s main creative force, continues to explore themes of collectivism, our relationship with the natural world, and the weight of consciousness with more directness and purpose. With awareness and care for the sensitivity of the topic, stating “it’s important not to turn away from these things,” the new single “Source” touches on the recent riots in the UK directed towards asylum seekers and skewers misinformation spread online.

    Jack shares, “Source was written in the aftermath of the 2024 UK riots, which were sparked by a campaign of misinformation aimed at asylum seekers. I found myself watching live streams of them unfolding on YouTube, despairing at what I was seeing but oddly gripped. These communities are like the one I grew up in. It’s easy to condemn them, and of course, their actions were appalling, yet amongst all that hate, you could see people desperate for community and collectivism. I wanted to write something about how I saw it, and it turned into this strangely uplifting song in the vein of ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’ or the Beta Band’s ‘Dry The Rain’. I was going to send it to Liam Gallagher, but then Oasis reformed…”

    In the time Modern Nature has been a band, the world has undoubtedly changed. For all the grimmer realities of 2025 that the new album wrestles with, it is ultimately not a record entirely consumed by anxieties. Jack Cooper explains, “Every day we’re confronted with a confusing and scary world. Making music and creating things can sometimes feel flippant or unnecessary. Still, my world view was defined and influenced by art and artists who weren’t afraid to highlight and offer solutions: Public Enemy, The Smiths, and a wider American counterculture.” The refreshingly optimistic record’s themes and lyrics are directed toward the community they’ve built in their immediate life and with their fans who are “struggling to reconcile how they fit into an increasingly cruel world.” It acts as a siren call to the community to double down with the hope that making an album that’s open, uplifting, and ambitious is in itself can be part of the solution.

    The Heat Warps features the core trio of Jack Cooper (vocals, guitar), Jim Wallis (drums), and Jeff Tobias (bass guitar) augmented by a new guitarist, Tara Cunningham. Be sure to catch Modern Nature on tour in the US this winter & UK this fall.

    SOURCE: Official Bio

    LINKS:
    https://modernnature.band/
    https://www.instagram.com/m0dernnature
    https://www.facebook.com/modernnatureuk/
    https://modernnature.bandcamp.com/

    Whiskey Jack & Kiera Jas – Old Expressions

    Whiskey Jack,Kiera Jas,Old Expressions
    Whiskey Jack,Kiera Jas,Old Expressions

    Whiskey Jack and Kiera Jas are like coffee and biscuits, incredible alone, and even better together, and that truly shines through in ‘Old Expressions’.

    Coming together after landing on several show line-ups, the Boorloo/Perth collab of Whiskey Jack (Jack Dacheff) and Kiera Jas feels like fate. With Whiskey Jack praised for his nomadic style, smooth sound, timeless vocals, and poetic lyricism, and Kiera Jas adored for her bright melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and multi-instrumental talents, the combination of the two is a golden-hued celebration of storytelling though song – bringing a contemporary take to the classic sound of Australiana.

    The duo has performed together across several Perth venues and even curated their intimate launch event in Fremantle known as ‘Soak in the Folk’, hosted at Hybrid Warehouse. Their stage chemistry could be soaked in like sunset light on an open verandah, resonating with fans both new and old.

    Now with this folk/alt-country single in the form of ‘Old Expressions’, they weave tales of love together through lilting harmonies and homespun instrumentation. With Kiera Jas on electric guitar and Jack Dacheff on acoustic, Amy Skellern on Cello, and Andrew Lawson’s seamless production. This song is comforting, with two distinct vocals, a leading cello, and a rhythmic bass line coming together to illustrate an honest reflection of natural human behavior. It’s nostalgic and softly luminous, with a slice of whimsy.

    Their song pulls you into its world from the very first note, letting the listener drink in the themes of the ever-changing nature of relationships that Kiera Jas describes as,

    “Even when a relationship feels old and familiar, you still find golden moments together—those deep, intimate understandings of each other’s expressions and mannerisms that no one else would notice the way you do.”

    Jack Dacheff adds:

    “A key theme in Old Expressions is an awareness when everything is seemingly perfect, a reluctance for change regardless of its inevitability. Taking photos to remember, the unravelling of a relationship as it deepens and the pleasant charm of a surprise.”

    SOURCE: Official Bio

    LINKS:
    https://open.spotify.com/artist/4rKjVbSoIihLcGclNsT9o9
    https://music.apple.com/au/artist/kiera-jas/1447808568
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC975WHgbIlDh0Z3UvQoluFA
    https://www.facebook.com/kierajasmusic
    https://www.instagram.com/kierajasmusic
    https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ZUmEN6tqV8MTuoaBo4Qjt
    https://music.apple.com/us/artist/whiskey-jack/1544138579
    https://ttps//www.youtube.com/@whiskeyjackmusic
    https://www.facebook.com/whiskeyjackmusic
    https://www.instagram.com/whiskeyjack_music/
    https://www.tiktok.com/@whiskeyjackmusic

    Heartwells – Ollie + Tour Dates

    Heartwells
    Heartwells

    Heartwells have today released their new EP titled ‘Ollie’ via Hey!Fever Records. Starting with that ‘holy shit’ type of start to an EP, or set of songs, the adreneline gets mixed with gasoline and only amps up from there. Featuring six tracks of old school, not even a box of Dramamine could stop that feeling in your stomach from festering during that initial listen, but would you want it to anyway?

    While the tracks all have that classic feel around the edges, there is nothing but future classic permeating throughout, while you realize that this is something new. Something different, original, and meant for that part of you filled with a mix of anger and blaise.

    This is melody with mutiny.

    Check out our other features with Heartwells HERE.

    About Heartwells

    Packed with raw emotion, tight musicianship, and skatepunk energy, Ollie is the band’s most personal and fully realized release to date.

    “This record is extremely sentimental and personal to me,” says Heartwells’ JT, who wrote what he calls “probably the saddest song I’ve ever written” about his father. “We feel we’ve come a long way since our last release. The chemistry and dynamics of the band shine on this EP—it feels like a full-length record in just six songs.”

    Following up on their fan-favorite The New Old School, the band put everything on the table to push themselves further. Two songs were written in the studio on the spot, with band members creating their parts without hearing the songs beforehand—an approach that was “both exciting and stressful,” according to JT.

    Recorded at Buzzbomb Studios in Orange, CA, with longtime producer Paul Miner, the EP benefits from a collaborative energy and veteran production touch. “Paul has been our guiding light from the start,” JT says. “He stepped up as a producer on this one, helping bring out the full potential of every song.” The EP was mastered by Chris Hesse of Hoobastank, giving Ollie its polished yet punchy final sound.

    The title Ollie is a nod to both the band’s skatepunk roots and the adorable dog featured on the cover—Moki’s pup, Ollie. It’s a playful visual for a record that dives deep into themes of personal struggle, fractured relationships, family dynamics, and social unrest. “It’s a pretty dark record,” JT explains, “but it has a lot of bright energy. I figured putting a cute dog on the cover would balance it out.”

    With its mix of urgency, honesty, and melodic grit, Ollie marks a major leap forward for Heartwells—and the band isn’t slowing down.

    LINK:
    https://linktr.ee/heartwellsband

    The New Citizen Kane – Ragbag Joy

    The New Citizen Kane
    The New Citizen Kane

    Following his celebrated return to the music scene with the “Endless Summer Serenade” EP, Kane Luke, also known as The New Citizen Kane, has continued to captivate listeners with a string of audacious releases. These include a haunting cover of Mariah Carey’s “Dreamlover,” the hypnotic, club-friendly single “Gotta Secret (Sometime Underground),” a refreshingly original Christmas single “Lonely Christmas Lights,” and the much-praised “Could Have Been” EP. The latter showcases a more raw, introspective side of the artist, blending lush alt-pop sounds, electronic beats, and hints of 80s new wave to create cinematic soundscapes that underscore his signature storytelling.

    “The Tales Of Morpheus” marked not just a return after nearly a decade of silence, but a statement. This full visual album with textured electronic production and deeply felt writing is equal parts diary and DJ set. Kane doesn’t merely release songs—he crafts mythologies.

    With roots in Dublin’s theatre scene, Kane’s journey spans continents and artistic disciplines. From music production studies at Pulse Recording College to working alongside Nellie Hooper at Meanwhile Records, his path led him to modeling and acting in New York and Milan. As a songwriter for Fuorifase Records, Kane honed his craft behind the scenes before featuring as vocalist on the international club hit & Beatport global no.1, “Don’t Feel No Shame” with DJ Aron & The Sample Guys. The New Citizen Kane emerged after his move to London in 2008, with his debut album “It’s Not Science… It’s a Feeling,” and follow-up EP, “Invention,” drawing comparisons to icons like George Michael, The Pet Shop Boys, and Depeche Mode.

    “Endless Summer” proved Kane’s music could once again captivate a diverse audience with his honest songwriting and genre-blending production style. His sophomore album “The Tales Of Morpheus” cemented his place within the Indie Dance scene. “This album is like a mini autobiography,” Kane shares, “a cathartic journey exploring vulnerability, love, and the healing power of music.”

    Now, with new singles “San Diego” and “Ratbag Joy” and his upcoming project “Psychedelika,” Kane is expanding even further. The storytelling is sharper, the production larger, yet the emotion still deeply resonates. He’s carving his unique path—not playing catch-up but building a new lane. Kane is fully himself in every track and video, an artist-first approach that sketches what’s next in his haunting, introspective style.

    About Ratbag Joy

    “Ratbag Joy” is a track that simultaneously makes you want to dance your heart out and contemplate the darker corners of human experience. This isn’t just a song; it’s a study in contrasts, a vibrant paradox that leaves you strangely invigorated.

    Central to the song’s power is the juxtaposition: The lyrics paint a picture of someone teetering on the edge, chasing fleeting highs, and desperately trying to outrun the hollowness within. We hear about “sins high on a low town drive,” dreams lost in “white dust,” and the numbing escape of a fleeting “alright tonight.” It’s heavy stuff, a raw and honest glimpse into the pursuit of temporary pleasure as a means of avoiding deeper issues. And then BAM! The music explodes with infectious energy. It’s bouncy, uplifting, almost relentlessly cheerful. This is where the genius lies. It’s not that the music is oblivious to the darkness; it’s that it reflects the very denial the lyrics describe. It’s the mask the protagonist wears, the carefully constructed façade of carefree abandon. The track sonically embodies the act of “escaping life,” as the chorus bluntly states, using music to amplify the song’s core message.

    The songwriting is sharp and insightful. The lyrics are evocative and poetic, painting a vivid portrait with minimal words. The bridge perfectly captures the feeling of being undervalued and choosing self-deception as a coping mechanism. The repetition of “You’re getting down tonight…” acts as a hypnotic mantra, mirroring the cyclical nature of the protagonist’s behavior. The driving beat, the shimmering synths, the carefully placed build-ups and drops – it all contributes to the song’s addictive quality. It’s polished but doesn’t feel sterile. The “down down down” vocal effect and the echoing snippets of lyrics like “your dreams are lost, in a lotta white dust” are particularly effective in creating a sense of disorientation and the character’s descent into escapism. The vocals, delivered with a mix of vulnerability and detachment, perfectly capture the internal conflict.

    The video also enhances the song’s themes. The frenetic editing, the dizzying visuals, and the characters that inhabit a world of fleeting pleasure and underlying emptiness – it’s a visual representation of the sonic and lyrical chaos. It’s stylish, visually arresting, and doesn’t shy away from the underlying darkness. In conclusion, “Ratbag Joy” is more than just a catchy tune; it’s a meticulously crafted piece of art that explores the complexities of human nature. Its strength lies in its masterful juxtaposition of dark themes and upbeat music, its insightful songwriting, its sleek production and performance, and its visually compelling video. It’s a song that will make you dance, make you think, and make you question the masks we all wear.

    SOURCE: Official Bio

    LINKS:
    https://www.facebook.com/TheNewCitizenKane/
    https://www.tiktok.com/@thenewcitizenkane

    Andy Tongren – Franconia

    Andy Tongren has released his new video for the track titled ‘Franconia’. Inspirational and motivational, ‘Franconia’ is a world-sounding track with Midwestern Americana roots. A solid, acoustic-driven verse that seamlessly slides into a resounding chorus that has all the feels, driving home the meaning and resonating with the heart.

    Andy is one of those artists who, while just getting his legs moving in the indie music scene, could no doubt help define it.

    About Andy Tongren

    By his admission, Andy Tongren is an optimist. “I do try and find the silver lining any way I can,” says the Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter. “At my core, I feel like there’s nothing else I can do.”

    That sunny disposition is the glowing core of his debut single “So Good.” The easygoing, compact tune is driven by an acoustic-backed verse before launching a blissful firework of a chorus that radiates joy and warmth, perfect for a summer playlist or a crucial year-round dopamine hit.

    In one of art’s great ironies, Tongren says “So Good” was born of circumstances that were anything but. “It’s funny – it kind of came from a dark place,” he admits. “I’m living in a cold, dark basement on the outskirts of Bushwick, trying to get by day to day…Winter was starting and I think I just wanted to feel a little bit of warmth.”

    Tongren wanted “So Good” to capture a vibe more than anything else. “I wasn’t overly precious with the approach to writing,” he explains. “All the minutiae that come with blending art and commerce…it’s so easy to get caught up in that. On ‘So Good,’ I didn’t think – I just did. “If it’s a little bit off, leave it,” he continues. “There’s real human elements in this.”

    And real human elements are what Tongren’s fans have loved about his work ever since the Ohio-born musician formed his previous band, Young Rising Sons, with a tight-knit group of friends across the New York-New Jersey border. Their debut single, “High,” dazzled audiences, leading to a deal with Interscope Records and a dizzying tour schedule that saw the group opening for The 1975, Weezer, Bleachers, Halsey, and more.

    “So Good” was quickly hailed by critics alike. OnesToWatch proclaimed Andy Tongren as a “pivotal voice in folk-pop”, while We Found New Music called him an “impactful artist”.

    His second release, “Franconia,” is an anthemic indie folk single filled with a sing-along-worthy foot-stomping chorus and poetic lyricism. Tongren shares, “Franconia is about falling in love with a person, a place, or both, all at once. It’s the sudden, undeniable pull that feels destined. Over time, Franconia becomes more than just a place – it becomes a state of mind, a memory, a metaphor for how certain people and places leave their mark on you.”

    Andy Tongren is continuing to write an exciting new chapter in his career, leaving his mark and looking to return to the road to connect with fans who, like him, continue to search for the good against all odds.

    LINKS:
    https://www.instagram.com/andytongren
    https://www.tiktok.com/@andytongren

    Famous Strangers – L.S.C.

    As one of the first songs that all four of them in Famous Strangers wrote together from start to finish, the track is raw and intense. It represents exactly where they are as a band right now: fearless in their songwriting and unafraid to blend melody with brutality.

    “L.S.C. is meant to take you on a ride. It starts soft, like it is letting you in slowly, and then it flips the switch. The heaviness hits out of nowhere. It grabs you, shakes you, and then drags you through the rest of the track without letting go. It eases you in, then completely takes over, and by the time it is done, it feels like it has drained the life out of you in the best way,” adds guitarist Jeff Kittilitz.

    Lyrically, the song is told from the perspective of a female figure who is part human and part spider. It is inspired by the mating behavior of black widows, where attraction, intimacy, and destruction all collide. At its core, it is about obsession, power, and survival. It speaks to the emotional weight of wanting something that was never meant to be yours, and the strength it takes to pull yourself back from that edge.

    “What we hope is that this song opens people up a little, even if it’s not what they usually listen to. There’s so much music out there that people miss out on because they’re stuck in one genre or one mindset. We’re trying to break through that and write what feels real, no matter what it sounds like. We are about being fearless in our songwriting. Put everything on the table, be yourself, and don’t hold back. That’s the energy they’re trying to give people when they press play,” says Kittilitz.

    Famous Strangers has had a healthy and steady evolution. Since their early singles in 2024, Famous Strangers have begun to gel creatively and naturally found a sound that they can all stand behind. It flows and feels more cohesive, and everyone in the band feeds off each other in a way that keeps pushing the songs to a new level.

    About Famous Strangers

    Since their formation in 2023, Famous Strangers’ signature blend of haunting melodies, powerful vocals, and immersive soundscapes has captivated listeners. The band brings together accomplished musicians whose past experiences in various musical projects have shaped their collective sound. Their diverse influences converge in a unique sonic experience characterized by atmospheric instrumentals and a dynamic vocal approach that seamlessly shifts between melodic and aggressive. They are recommended for fans of Halestorm, Judas Priest, Dio, and Arch Enemy.

    SOURCE: Official Bio

    LINKS:
    https://famousstrangersband.com
    https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559110131774
    https://instagram.com/famousstrangersband
    https://tiktok.com/@famousstrangersband

    Noble Hops – Life By The Numbers

    Noble Hops
    Noble Hops

    Americana/rock and roll band Noble Hops returns with a powerful dose of heartfelt advice and musical grit in their brand-new single, “Life By The Numbers,” released on July 4th, 2025, via Shady Lady Records. The track arrives just in time for Independence Day, delivering a message of self-reliance, accountability, and joy that feels both timely and timeless.

    Written by frontman Utah Burgess, the track is already being dubbed “simple advice” by fans who’ve heard it live. “In a world where a good bit of people seem to be a bit disjointed and fragile, I try to offer up some simple age-old advice,” says Burgess. “Pull your boots up, be productive, own your actions, and get outside and enjoy some sunshine. Our time is limited. Make it count.”

    Recorded at Rattle Clack Studio in Pittsburgh, PA, with producer and percussionist Jazz Byers, the single captures Noble Hops’ signature blend of straight-up American rock, lyrical storytelling, and unvarnished soul. But it’s the surprise appearance by Pittsburgh’s own Miss Freddye, known as the “Lady of the Blues,” that elevates the song to new emotional heights.

    “I kept hearing something more in the bridge section—where it just lays it all out,” Burgess explains. “I thought, ‘This needs some Gospel truth,’ and the first person who came to mind was Miss Freddye. She came into the studio on Mother’s Day after working a full shift at the hospital and just belted it out. It gave me chills.”

    The accompanying single artwork features a sun-drenched group photo of the band, captured at Liberty Corner Tavern in Freeport, PA. Photographer Linda Weber, who previously provided cover art for Noble Hops’ earlier releases, helped shape the shoot’s relaxed and celebratory vibe.

    SOURCE: Official Bio

    LINKS:
    https://www.facebook.com/NobleHopsMusic/
    https://open.spotify.com/artist/7zc2ItJLnzten8tNzH1YT0

    Die Tired – Fall Forever

    Modern rock heavyweights Die Tired return with “Fall Forever”—a powerhouse track that blends grunge grit, alternative emotion, and hard rock fire. Out now on all major platforms via SODEH Records, this single marks the band’s boldest and most sonically daring release to date.

    Fueled by soaring guitars, thunderous drums, and a bassline that refuses to quit, “Fall Forever” hits with a raw intensity that lingers long after the final note. Frontman Matt DeAngelis delivers a haunting yet hopeful vocal performance, exploring what it means to leap into love, dreams, and the unknown, without fear.

    “How does it feel to fall forever?
    Don’t you know I’m not afraid—just desperately in love?”

    Fall Forever is both a confession and a call to action—an emotionally supercharged anthem for anyone standing at the edge of a choice that could change everything. The lyrics pull listeners into a world of transformation, defiance, and emotional vulnerability, wrapped in arena-ready hooks and a dynamic sonic landscape.

    Produced with the unmistakable energy that Die Tired fans know and love, Fall Forever is more than just a single—it’s a statement of intent from a band that continues to evolve without losing sight of their roots. This is modern rock with heart, heat, and high voltage.

    Check out our other features with Die Tired HERE.

    About Die Tired

    Originally stemming from the age-old Marine adage, “You can run, but you’ll just die tired,” one might assume that their music carries ominous undertones and perhaps explores dark themes. However, for Die Tired, it’s a punk rock way of declaring “Carpe diem!”

    Hailing from various corners of Pennsylvania, Die Tired’s members each inject their unique flair and personality into their music. While they all have slightly different musical preferences, these diverse influences come together harmoniously to infuse fresh energy into irresistibly catchy alternative and pop-rock melodies.

    Die Tired is a versatile band that draws inspiration from a wide spectrum, encompassing classic rock, heavy metal, pop-punk, and virtually anything playable on a guitar. Onstage, their lively and passionate performances never fail to leave audiences craving more. It’s practically impossible to resist tapping your foot, nodding your head, or enthusiastically singing along to their incredibly eclectic interpretation of rock ‘n roll. In the world of Die Tired, every day is an opportunity to seize life’s moments!

    SOURCE: Official Bio

    LINKS:
    https://www.facebook.com/dietiredband
    https://www.instagram.com/die.tired
    https://dietiredband.com/
    https://www.tiktok.com/@dietiredband

    Yuni Wa – I Can See It In Your Eyes

    Yuni Wa
    Yuni Wa

    Yuni Wa has today released his new single titled ‘I Can See It In Your Eyes’. Clear DJ roots with a fantastic sense of song and soul, Yuni Wa hits the floor running with an evolving track that brings motion to emotion with a beat and hook that is a bit relentless and a tad mesmerizing.

    Guttural and emoting simultaneously, ‘I Can See It In Your Eyes’ is a dance club gem in the rough that will bring a smile to anyone with rhythm.

    Check out our other features with Yuni Wa HERE.

    About Yuni Wa

    Princeton Coleman, known by his stage name Yuni Wa, is a Music Producer, DJ, and Musician from Little Rock, Arkansas. Inspired by artists such as Daft Punk, Saint Pepsi, J Dilla, and Flying Lotus, Yuni’s musical family tree is steeped in some of the most unique acts music has ever seen, and he is very much one of the first waves of Gen Zers to create his interpretation of the underground producer movement. Yuni Wa began releasing music in 2013 and would go on to cement his place in the underground throughout the 2010s. Albums such as Ethereal Lover (2015), Data_Our Program Is Forever (2015), and Context 2 (2016) would become defining projects for Yuni Wa, with all projects being streamed over 1 million times around the world.

    In 2021, Yuni was asked to perform for Amazon Music’s Breakthrough Live series while also making him the cover of the playlist on Amazon’s streaming service. In 2022, Yuni Wa would play Electronicon 3 in New York, where he would share the stage with artists such as Washed Out, Neon Indian, George Clanton, and Skylar Spence fka Saint Pepsi. In 2023, Yuni was enlisted to perform in Bentonville, Arkansas, for that year’s Format Fest that would include acts such as LCD Soundsystem, Little Simz, Jamie XX, and Sudan Archives. In Oct 2024, Yuni would play alongside Hotel Pools and Vaperror for a Live Nation-produced show at the Thundercat Lounge in Phoenix, Arizona.

    LINKS:
    https://www.instagram.com/yuniwaofficial/
    https://www.yuniwamusic.com/

    Church Burglars – King of Lies

    Church Burglars
    Church Burglars

    Church Burglars have today released their new single titled ‘King Of Lies’ from their upcoming album, ‘Welcome To Dreamland’, out August 29th, 2025.

    A true test of freedom of speech with the sound and snark of an indie project meant for the mind, I can’t help but ask if this is as much of a concept as the concept of liberty. Is the state of the union still a state of mind? Or does the burden of proof now lie within the proof of purchase?

    Musically concise with an equilibrium of angst, anger, attitude, and America, Church Burglars gives us something to look forward to with their upcoming album.

    About ‘King of Lies’

    “King of Lies” is a deliberate nod to the contradictions of American independence. The band’s visual identity around this project is as bold as its message: a homeless Statue of Liberty crowned in cardboard and cloaked in disillusionment.

    “It’s a parody of Manifest Destiny,” says frontman Michael Foltz. “She’s holding a sign that says ‘Anything Helps.’ That’s where the empire’s at. That’s the state of the union.”

    Church Burglars’ upcoming album “Welcome To Dreamland” is scheduled for release on August 29th, 2025.

    About Church Burglars

    Church Burglars is a Los Angeles-based rock band originating from Boston, MA. Formed in 2018, the band consists of Chris Dee on drums, Bobby Weiss on bass and backing vocals, Alec Grugel on guitar, and Mike Foltz as the main vocalist and second guitar.

    Their overarching goal is to revive a thriving live music culture in LA through their raw, energetic sound and stunning musicianship. Drawing inspiration from all eras of legendary music, including contemporary pop, rock, country, and jazz, Church Burglars’ lyrics aim to evoke contemplation and inspiration by shedding light on the harsh realities faced in the world today.

    Despite being a relatively new band, Church Burglars has already achieved several notable accomplishments, including a headlining showcase at the world-famous Whisky a Go-Go. The group’s debut album “Subconsciously Conscious” has been described as if Guns N’ Roses wrote Dark Side of the Moon, because it mixes heavy guitars with hypnotically psychedelic melodies; a deceptive blend that perfectly serves as a soundtrack to their home turf in the Los Angeles Sunset Strip!

    What sets Church Burglars apart from other bands is their infectious energy and commitment to putting on an unforgettable live show. Whether they’re playing to a packed club or a small DIY basement, they deliver a furious intensity and pure passion to every performance.

    SOURCE: Official Bio

    LINKS:
    https://churchburglars.com
    https://linktr.ee/churchburglars
    https://instagram.com/CHURCHBURGLARS
    https://www.facebook.com/people/Church-Burglars/61558007259706/
    https://www.tiktok.com/churchburglars
    https://www.youtube.com/@churchburglars
    https://music.apple.com/us/artist/church-burglars/1608973297
    https://open.spotify.com/artist/2clJVd5ozNN6I9Z7MnMjHK

    Record Thieves – Cause and Effect

    Record Thieves
    Record Thieves

    Colorado’s melodic punk powerhouse, Record Thieves, return with their ferocious new single “Cause and Effect”, a bold and vulnerable anthem about personal reckoning, released today via Thousand Islands Records. The track offers the first look at the band’s highly anticipated new album, set for release this fall.

    A hard-hitting blend of urgency and emotional weight, “Cause and Effect” dives deep into the inner battles that keep us stuck in the past.

    “‘Cause and Effect’ is a relentless fight against the cycles that hold us back,” the band shares. “Trapped in repetition, cursed by time, and desperate for change, this song is about the struggle to break free from the past while still holding onto hope for something better. If you’ve ever felt stuck chasing the same ghosts, this is the moment where the scale tips—when you finally let go, move forward, and become the person you’re meant to be.”

    Formed by seasoned musicians from Authority Zero, Boldtype, and Allout Helter, Record Thieves made a powerful entrance with their 2020 debut Wasting Time—an album that blended melodic hooks with punk grit and emotional depth. Since then, the band—Jim Wilcox, Mike Waterhouse, Allen White, Chad Gilbert, and newest member Erik Livesay—has continued building a loyal following with high-energy live shows and music that’s as introspective as it is aggressive.

    Their upcoming album, due out fall 2025, promises to build on that foundation with sharpened songwriting and evolved dynamics, retaining the core of what’s made Record Thieves resonate: punk rock with purpose, heart, and honesty.

    “Cause and Effect” is streaming now on all major platforms. Expect more singles and tour news soon as Record Thieves gear up for their most impactful release to date.

    SOURCE: Official Bio

    LINKS:
    https://facebook.com/recordthieves
    https://www.instagram.com/recordthieves
    https://www.youtube.com/@recordthieves5291
    https://open.spotify.com/artist/0KMfUZpiTG7I4rtUhbMie2

    Lloren – Casual

    Lloren
    Lloren

    Lloren has today premiered her new single titled ‘Casual’, which drops tomorrow (July 4th) via A&G Songs Ltd. Lloren is one of those rare artists who blend a beautiful mix of a unique sound and a complete style that is as welcoming as it is original. She’s one of those musicians who was destined to do this, and although it seems she needs to put no effort into it, as naturally as it all sounds, there is a lot of work behind the scenes to make everything happen and sound just right.

    ‘Casual’ is the next step in Lloren’s musical evolution of revolution. While the hook is an obvious standout, it’s the nuances that stay with you. This is a song about songwriting, in a way. An abstract that transforms into a construct that takes flight as a muse. And, this song is as much for Lloren as it is from Lloren. What I mean is that it’s a stage for her unique voice. She has a subtlety in her vocal style that conveys a lot through variation as well as the voice itself. Inflections as well as inflictions, and an endearing, soulful feeling emanate from an artist who has lived what she preaches.

    Check out our other features with Lloren HERE.

    About Lloren & ‘Casual’

    Renowned TV sync music writer LLOREN releases her next single ‘Casual’ on 4th July. Hit BBC TV show The Traitors, Grey’s Anatomy, The L Word, 1923, Wish, The Company You Keep, Made In Chelsea, Love Island UK and Love Island USA are just some of the many sync credits LLOREN has amassed to date, which have steadily proved her rich, multi-faceted vocal and powerful contemporary inspired compositions to be a cut above the rest.

    ‘Casual’ is about the paradox of trying to play it cool and casual in a relationship, whilst also aching to be with that person all the time and plan a serious future. With driving rhythms juxtaposed against the repeating dreamy refrain ‘Kiss Me Like It’s Casual’, the track expresses both of these feelings in a whirlwind of sparkling synth-pop.

    “I wanna be cool, casual, and to satisfy my appetite with no strings attached. But in reality, I’m the sort of person at the start of a new relationship that’s already mapped out our star signs, talked to a psychic, and planned out our future!”, explains LLOREN on the inspiration behind the single.

    Tracks from LLOREN’s hugely anticipated forthcoming debut album ‘It’s Always Sunny in LA’ have already picked up airplay from BBC Radio 2’s Angela Griffin and Radio X’s John Kennedy and press acclaim from prestigious music tastemakers Louder Than War and The Line Of Best Fit. LLOREN’s video for her track ‘Like This’ also won a Telly Award in the US, as well as being nominated for a prestigious Leo Award in Canada.

    LLOREN appeared at The Gibson Garage All Day Festival in London earlier this year and in her career to date has opened European tours for Fleurie, Johannes Oerding and Michael Patrick Kelly respectively, played the UK’s annual PRIDE celebrations in Manchester and London and toured with Mauvey, with whom she collaborated with on the track ‘Pillow’, performing it at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend as well as the Isle Of Wight Festival 2023.

    SOURCE: Official Bio

    LINKS:
    https://www.lloren.co.uk/
    https://www.facebook.com/thatgirllloren
    https://www.instagram.com/thatgirllloren/
    https://open.spotify.com/artist/6BXnCNvWCmFRvlMazWAomB
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ1yHiwYH6mtGy8DXJmIajQ

    Ark Identity – Still In Love

    Toronto indie/pop singer-songwriter and producer Ark Identity returns with his latest single, “Still In Love”, a hypnotic track that explores the emotional limbo of heartbreak that refuses to fully fade.

    “Still In Love” is the latest taste of Ark Identity’s just-announced second EP, Deluxe Nightmare, a collection of dynamic, genre-bending indie pop songs slated for release on October 24th.

    The song itself takes you on a journey, blending dream pop textures with indie sensibilities, hints of alt-R&B, culminating in a psychedelic finale. The song pulls listeners into a dreamy, otherworldly space where the past and present blur. “This song came from that weird space between holding on and letting go,” says Noah Mroueh, the artist behind Ark Identity.

    “It’s about still being in love with someone who’s already moved on—feeling pulled back into their orbit even though you know it’s not good for you.”

    “Still In Love” articulates the emotional contradiction of missing someone you’re better off without. “It’s about the kind of love that lingers even after it’s over,” Noah explains. “I was trying to capture that push-pull—being obsessed but detached, wanting someone’s presence but not their attention. It’s messy, and that’s the point.”

    The lyrics are laced with poetic longing, delivering lines that echo in the heart like unanswered questions. “It’s about chasing a feeling you can’t recreate,” Noah continues. “Being still in love with a version of someone that might not even exist anymore—and wondering if they ever really did. It’s heartbreak disguised as a dream.”

    Musically, “Still In Love” floats between genres, never settling into one form, echoing the unsettled emotion at its core. “It lives somewhere between dream pop, indie, alt-R&B, with a sprinkle of psychedelia,” Noah explains. “The sonics aren’t trying to fit one box—it’s more about chasing an emotion and letting the production follow that.”

    “I liked the idea of love existing in another timeline—like maybe we ended up together somewhere else, in some alternate dimension,” Noah reflects. Perhaps that dimension is the 1980s. Fittingly, the official video is a throwback to the late ’80s, opening with the flicker of a worn VHS tape in a VCR. Ark Identity and his live band perform in soft focus and retro lighting, channeling the spirit of a classic MTV video. The song itself nods to that era too, blending shimmering synths with timeless hooks.

    For Ark Identity, “Still In Love” continues the artist’s exploration of emotional nuance, internal conflict, and the search for meaning within the haze of memory. It’s a dreamy anthem for anyone who’s ever been stuck in love’s rearview mirror.

    About Ark Identity

    Ark Identity is the dream pop project of Toronto indie musician Noah Mroueh. EARMILK hailed him as “one of the most exciting new artists to enter our attention in 2024.” Mroueh’s talent for crafting anthemic dream-pop that blends “shimmering melodies with introspective lyrics” got the attention of the online blog.

    His first EP, ANNDALE—named after the street Mroueh grew up on—was released in November 2024. The five songs on the EP were written in his childhood home. ANNDALE introduced us to Ark Identity with the first single, “Eyes,” being added to Apple Music’s New in Alternative playlist.

    It was a sign of things to come and a recognition of Mroueh’s talent. Within a few months of the EP release, he was signed to a distribution deal with ADA, the distribution arm of Warner Music Canada.

    Featured image by Maggie Kane.

    SOURCE: Official Bio

    LINKS:
    https://arkidentity.ca/
    https://www.facebook.com/arkidentitymusic/
    https://www.instagram.com/arkidentitymusic
    https://www.tiktok.com/@arkidentity
    https://www.youtube.com/@arkidentity

    KĀMA – Is It So Or Not

    KĀMA have today premiered their new video for the track titled ‘Is It So Or Not’, from their debut album ‘Propaganda’, out now via State51 and SĀMA Records.

    These are the types of songs I love in the summertime. The kind that seems to bounce and flow through the speakers without regard or a care in the world. Anthemic with a bit of quirkiness that radiates fun and good times. I would love to see KĀMA live, just based on this.

    With a solid hook and unique breaks and breakdowns throughout the song, I get that sense of originality and influence most bands and artists never achieve. Within the span of a few minutes, I hear elements of Madness, New Order, and even Yes, in specific parts of the track. That is brilliant beyond belief, to even make that work, much less intensely enjoyable.

    The video is simple yet elegant. An overflow of simple visual overlays that represent the song well, and give it a branding that stays in your head.

    ‘Is It So Or Not’ is the introduction to your next favorite band.

    About ‘Is It So Or Not’

    Is It So Or Not blends post-punk, art-rock, and experimental minimalism influences for a romantically restless anthem. The sonic energy crosses industrial territories: the tinkling of the guitars weaves a hypnotic plot for a gentle and deep baritone voice questioning the nexus between reality and imagination, while the pressing bass riff and the nervous and broken drums prepare an imaginary meeting between the Smiths, the Jam, the Talking Heads and the Einstürzende Neubauten; the rhythmic breaks wink at the concrete experimentations of Pierre Schaeffer; the crooked intersection of the final guitar arpeggios pay homage to the minimalist phasing of Steve Reich.

    The song is paired with a surreal video clip, featuring the metamorphosis in negative blue of the faces of the four members of the band, as a visualizer for the reality-imagination nexus on which the song’s lyrics are built.

    About KĀMA

    KĀMA formed in 2020 at Suonofficina Studios in Roseto: Cristoforo Magi (vocals and guitar), Paolo Maggitti (bass and synths), Antonio Donadeo (drums and percussion), and Luigi Maggitti (lead guitar).

    After numerous concert dates and four years of artistic gestation, “Propaganda” is KĀMA’s debut album distributed by English label State51: nine tracks contaminated by post-punk, electronics, jazz suggestions, and contemporary music, intertwined with dense collaborations, including Fabrizio Bosso.

    They found the Manifesto of Kataphysical Music: “Everything stems from Utopia, against the prolixity of reality”.

    A choral vision that rejects the hastiness of social media and the rigid schemes of algorithms in favour of music that invites concentration and listening.

    Their hypnotic sound and auteur music videos reveal the influences of Radiohead, the pulsating electronics of Depeche Mode, the new wave of Joy Division and New Order, the soul of Franco Battiato, the noise sculpture of Glenn Branca and the Einstürzende Neubauten, the tribalism of Dead Can Dance, American minimalism, the free jazz of Ornete Coleman and the aggressiveness of John Zorn, the lyricism of the Smiths, the meditative environments of Brian Eno and Jon Hassell.

    Members

    Cristoforo Magi, Doctor of Communication Sciences, combines in his dreamlike and visionary texts an interest in literary criticism applied to social dynamics.

    Antonio Donadeo is a composer, teacher of percussion instruments, and former member of the death metal band Vital Remains.

    Paolo Maggitti is a producer and sound engineer for the GRIDO music research centre and Suonofficina Studios.

    Luigi Maggitti, 3D artist and visual designer, and curator of the band’s visual material, together with photographer and videomaker Fabio Costantino Macis.

    LINKS:
    https://www.kamasound.com
    https://www.youtube.com/@kama-band-real
    https://www.instagram.com/kama.band.real
    https://www.facebook.com/61562886624062
    https://x.com/kama_band_real
    https://www.tiktok.com/@kama.band.real
    https://open.spotify.com/artist/4uFiPDjR4MyCMYWd2UqRZJ
    https://kamasound.bandcamp.com/
    https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCaagk9QEnfjKYEf5rhaE20Q
    https://music.apple.com/artist/1650455872
    https://music.amazon.com/artists/B0BFCJK9D5

    Plush – Why

    Plush is a rock band dedicated to bringing rock music back to the forefront of the industry. The band is made up of talented young woman, ages 21 to 24, whose skill and accomplishments far exceed their youth. The lineup features singer, songwriter, producer, and guitarist Moriah Formica, bassist and backup vocalist Ashley Suppa, and drummer Faith Powell. Plush has 4 Billboard Top 40 Mainstream songs to their credit in “Hate”, “Better Off Alone”, “Left Behind”, and “Run”.

    The band has been captivating audiences across the United States and abroad with their electrifying live performances supporting renowned acts like Disturbed, KISS, Alice in Chains, Evanescence, Daughtry, and Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators. They have also graced the stages of several major festivals, including Welcome to Rockville, Louder Than Life, Sonic Temple, and Rocklahoma. They have also played several shows for our Armed Forces, both in the United States and abroad.

    Plush is fronted by singer, songwriter, and guitarist Moriah Formica, bassist Ashley Suppa, and drummer Faith Powell.

    SOURCE: Official Bio

    LINKS:
    https://plushrocks.net/
    https://www.facebook.com/PLUSHOFFICIAL/
    https://instagram.com/plushrocks
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4eb0vj0-OExwbK1ngRTH6w

    Badlands – The Sun + Live Video

    Badlands
    Badlands

    Badlands has dropped their new single and live performance video for their track titled ‘The Sun’. With the unique perspective brought forth with the simultaneous release of both the original track as well as the live performance video, you can clearly see that this was a song meant for the stage in an intimate live setting. It’s simply beautiful. It’s overtly captivating. The subtle duet of vastly different stringed instruments is a wonderful blend of angelic emotion and simple beauty captured in the video. A musical muse.

    The atmospheric soundscape in the studio version adds a unique dynamic to the music. It’s almost worldbuilding. A surrounding feeling that highlights the in-between the lines of the music and adds a third dimension to the overall sound. This is music by the truest of musicians.

    About ‘The Sun’

    Stripping the vinyl-dusted meld of new wave, warehouse dub, and trip-hop heard on 2022’s Call To Love down to its more rustic, post-apocalyptic ambient folk foundation, the track is a meditative rumination on what it means to make someone else the center of your universe. “The Sun is about giving in to delusion in regards to another person, no matter if it’s in choosing a leader, infatuation or some other kind of paragon. When you idolize someone,” Jaunviksna says.

    About Badlands

    Composer, producer & sound alchemist Catharina Jaunviksna has been operating under the moniker of Badlands since 2011, under which she makes lush tracks from a wide palette of inspiration; stretching from post-punk, folk and shoegaze, to electro, dub and gritty techno working with analog electronics, sampling & organic orchestration.

    She’s the founder of the imprint and production company RITE based in Malmö, Sweden; her platform for making transboundary arts and documentary, original music and sound design for film and theater, as well as production for and collaborations with other labels and artists. She’s received several national awards and nominations, including the STIM scholarship and award for composer of the year by Manifestgalan & SKAP (2022).

    Featured image by Joel Ståhl.

    LINKS:
    https://linktr.ee/badlandssounds
    https://www.instagram.com/badlandssounds/
    https://open.spotify.com/artist/3Wpl996XTewqlmL4EkUpfI
    https://badlandssounds.bandcamp.com/

    Me, Like Many – Soldier On

    Me, Like Many
    Me, Like Many

    Me, Like Many, a.k.a. Tom D’Ademo, has released his new single titled ‘Soldier On’ via Bigger Beast Records. Soft around the edges with a diamond at the core, Me, Like Many feels like a pivotal shift, musically, for Tom in that ‘Soldier On’ has a personal flair and feeling that transcends any differences and objectives a listener could have. This is accessible on every level. Everyone has been where this song resides. Sometimes resolution isn’t so resolute. And, solitude isn’t always your soliloquy. The song unfolds through its structure with stoicism and grace, taking you by the hand with assurance and patience.

    Musically distant yet surrounding, ‘Soldier On’ lets you carry on with your life having a little more clarity.

    “This is my first release in almost 4 years, and from the subject to the actual production, it couldn’t be more fitting. To me, this song embodies the ebb and flow of positive thoughts in the real world. I think it describes a glass that is ¼ full rather than ½ full. I recorded it in my home studio and was so fortunate to work with Steve Rodgers, a musical hero of mine, on the production side of it. He added guitar parts and worked magic on it to make it shine.”
    Me, Like Many

    About Me, Like Many & ‘Soldier On’

    Me, Like Many is a solo indie act based in Southern Connecticut. It blends vintage-tinged minimalism with raw, inward-facing songwriting. The project centers around one voice – both literal and artistic; Tom D’Ademo crafts music that feels like a private conversation overheard in the quiet hours. With warm, analog textures and restrained arrangements, Me, Like Many invites listeners into a world where solitude isn’t lonely – it’s sacred.

    The newest release, ‘Soldier On’, builds on that intimacy with subtle yet emotionally charged production. Lush, clean guitars drift alongside gentle piano and muted percussion, allowing the lyrics to carry the weight. It’s a record that never demands attention but earns it, living somewhere between melancholia, mellow gold, and a lo-fi film score. The song moves with deliberate patience, echoing themes of presence, stillness, and the strange beauty of pessimism.

    Since launching the project, Me, Like Many has quietly gathered a growing audience through shows, releases, and word-of-mouth support from fellow artists and listeners who find comfort in the quiet. With the debut of Soldier On and new material already in the works, Me, Like Many continues to build a catalog of songs for those who prefer a softer signal – music meant to sit with you, not shout over you.

    Featured image by Zach Andersen.

    SOURCE: Official Bio

    LINKS:
    https://facebook.com/melikemany
    https://instagram.com/melikemany
    https://melikemany.com

    Alina Ly – Shoebox

    Alina Ly
    Alina Ly

    Singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Alina Ly returns with her most personal release to date: ‘Shoebox’, the breathtaking title track from her highly anticipated debut album, arriving later this year.

    An evocative blend of folk-pop, cinematic soul, and alternative pop, ‘Shoebox’ showcases the signature sound Alina has become known for – haunting vocals, warm analog textures, and fearless emotional storytelling. Self-produced and arranged by Alina herself, the track is a quiet triumph, drawing listeners into a reflective dreamscape where memory and melody intertwine.

    Built around gentle acoustic guitar, ambient piano, and ethereal guitar layers, ‘Shoebox’ unfolds with subtle intensity. Alina’s intimate vocal performance floats effortlessly between vulnerability and power, weaving a narrative that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant. The result is a stunning, slow-burning anthem of longing, memory, and quiet strength.

    She shares, “Written during a time of personal loss and grief, the single is a poignant meditation on memory, emotional weight, and the quiet moments that linger after someone is gone.”

    Following a run of acclaimed releases – including a live version of ‘Keep Me Warm’ that earned praise from the likes of Wonderland Magazine – “Shoebox” marks the beginning of a new chapter. With sold-out shows across the U.S. and Europe, and a notable sync placement in Emily in Paris, which accrued over 4 million global streams alone, Alina Ly continues to carve a distinct path through the indie-pop landscape.

    For fans of artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Jordan Rakei, and early Ben Howard, “Shoebox” offers a new voice rooted in cinematic sensitivity and lyrical depth. It’s a poignant introduction to the themes and textures of the forthcoming album, one shaped by love, loss, reinvention, and the fragments we carry with us.

    SOURCE: Official Bio

    LINKS:
    https://www.facebook.com/alinalymusic
    https://www.instagram.com/alinalymusic
    https://twitter.com/alinalymusic
    https://open.spotify.com/artist/6wmkY8R58ZELBAVbakde4v

    Kamizol-k – Diary

    Kamizol-k
    Kamizol-k

    Kamizol-k has released their new album titled ‘Diary’. Dystopia by default and decadence as a diatribe, Kamizol-k deliver it all full throttle and half baked with a collection of fuck yous and fuck offs given with the love and sincerity of modern originality.

    Take into account the mix of Japanese influence and hardcore roots, Kamizol-k stays true with every note and breaks your buds with the nail they just hammered into your skull. This is brittle brilliance with angst as the anthem and hell as your new home. Check your pants after that first listen.

    About Kamizol-k

    Kamizol-k, formed in 2016, has quickly established itself on Lyon’s metal hardcore scene. Their unique sound is a blend of powerful hardcore, enriched by a duo of female and male scream vocals. Passionate about Japanese culture (visual kei, video games, manga), the members integrate these influences into their music and aesthetic.

    With diverse influences ranging from Knocked Loose to New York Hardcore, Black Metal, and Hip-Hop, Kamizol-k creates eclectic, energetic music.

    After two EPs, “Awakening” (2017) and ‘Rising’ (2019), the band released their debut album, “Exile”, in 2022. In 2023, Kamizol-k won “The Voice of Hell” competition, which opened the doors to the Warzone stage at Hellfest that same year, alongside other prestigious festivals such as Plane’r Fest and Furiosfest.

    A new album is scheduled for release in early 2025. Kamizol-k continues to shine thanks to their captivating live performances and their passion for music.

    LINK:
    https://linktr.ee/kamizolk

    Romeopathy – Tomorrow

    Romeopathy
    Romeopathy

    Romeopathy returns with ‘Tomorrow’, a soaring alt-rock confession drenched in raw vulnerability and thunderous release. Balancing delicate introspection with explosive choruses, the track speaks to anyone who’s ever overstayed in a situation out of fear, habit, or hope. With echoes of Incubus, Biffy Clyro, and Funeral for a Friend, the band delivers a poignant message: sometimes the only thing holding us back is the silence we keep.

    Driven by a blend of emotional grit and dynamic instrumentation, ‘Tomorrow’ unpacks the quiet desperation of feeling invisible and the liberating power of finally speaking your truth. Laced with poetic tension and cathartic energy, Romeopathy once again proves they’re not just writing songs, they’re writing the soundtrack to life’s hardest realizations.

    About Romeopathy

    Romeopathy pride themselves on not taking itself too seriously, which gives them plenty of time to craft captivating live shows filled with dynamic riffs, solos, melodies, and (intentionally bad) jokes. Drawing inspiration from a wide range of genres, their sound blends heavy alt-rock riffs with bluesy melodies, hints of Midwest emo, and a dash of 90s grunge. As they gear up for a tour, Romeopathy aims to spread their music far and wide, hoping to win over new fans and share the love along the way.

    SOURCE: Official Bio

    LINKS:
    https://www.facebook.com/RomeopathyMusic
    https://www.instagram.com/romeopathy_/
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3tzQdNUdNFf8YHV-VNGrcQ
    https://www.tiktok.com/@romeopathy