North Carolina’s Stray Owls have a sort of broken sound but, wait… I mean that as a compliment. There is a certain reticence in their rock, a raw imperfect perfection, street smarts and a tendency to like things that feel a bit off. Just listen to Words that have a kind of crashing sound of Pixies and Miracle Legion blended together. A heavy but sort of tender 90’s College rock tone.
“Disengaged” b/w “Slipping” is the first recorded material from the reformed Delta of Venus. Plying their own vision of shoegaze and indie pop, the songs also benefit from the unique song writing process Ellery has refined during the solo work. They have eschewed the traditional format of verse / chorus / verse with something more in tune with their sonic palette. There are no verses, there are no “choruses” there are no “solos”. Instead, musical movements revolve around each other, creating an architecture that adds definition to the indeterminate description of shoegaze.
Portland psychedelic gaze-wave outfit Sun Atoms present their sophomore album Everything Forever, set for release on November 8 via Little Cloud Records. Meticulously crafted with cosmic energy, their magnum opus features notable guest appearances by Modest Mouse’s Isaac Brock, Jasno Swarez of The Vandelles, and Lauren Andino of Tremours, amongst others.
Judas Goat and the Bellwether is the love child of Pete Vincent, a multi-instrumentalist from Yeovil and Sara Vian, a singer/songwriter from Frome; described as indie-rock alchemy, transforming leaden woes into sonic gold with sweet, melancholic riffs, moody basslines & powerful, nuanced vocal performances with luscious harmonies.
Nick Gusman and the Coyotes’ new album Lifting Heavy Things was released on December 6. The band recorded it completely live at Native Sound Recordings in St. Louis*—no click tracks, no overdubs, just six people playing together above a whiskey bar on *Cherokee Street.
Iconic post-punk band Pink Turns Blue has announced that their new Black Swan album will be released in February on limited edition vinyl, CD and digitally via Orden Records. Ahead of that, they present ‘Black Swan (But I Know There Is More to Life)’, the only ballad on the album, this song offers ample fruit for thought. Delving into profound questions about existence, it reflects on life’s purpose and the beauty of the world.
Based in Myrtle Beach, The Yets features the creative synergy of guitarist-producer Craig Anderson Snook and vocalist Robin Wilson, both natives of the state. Their collaboration fuses Craig’s dynamic guitar work and production expertise with Robin’s rich, emotive vocals, resulting in a sound that is both powerful and distinctive. Further highlighted by their multi-instrumental performance abilities, The Yets have developed a sound which is truly their own. From composing to performing to production, Craig and Robin are a “duo” in the most genuine sense of the word.
Using the bridges in Monk tunes as a starting point, the trio leaps off into a set of original songs.
This Albany, NY alt-rock foursome’s follow-up EP to 2023’s impassioned second LP Suburban Mayhem is the first of a planned music industry-themed trilogy; all four songs are vigorous and exhilarating.
Formed by singer/guitarist Neil Sabatino as a solo project in 2001, northern NJ’s ever-changing Fairmont now boasts six members; the seven-song I Wish I Was Stupid is their 13th album.
Kramies (pronounced Kraim-iss) is an American singer-songwriter, best known for his work with producers Jason Lytle of Grandaddy, Patrick Carney of The Black Keys, Jerry Becker of Train, and Todd Tobias of Guided by Voices.
Raised On Candy has arrived, their music echoing with the promise of something truly extraordinary—a testament to the alchemy that occurs when three souls unite to craft something greater than themselves. The dynamic rock trio, with roots in the San Francisco Bay Area and New York Tri-State, features Joe Penna (vocals/guitar), Scotty Imp (drums/percussion), and Kevin Harris (bass/vocals), blending indie rock, post-punk, and shoegaze into a unique sound.
Crash Harmony is made up of Dave Derby (vocals, guitars), Mike Potenza (guitars, keyboards, vocals), Jon Nighswander (bass, vocals), and Nils Nadeau (drums, percussion, vocals). Formed in 1986 at Yale University in New Haven, CT, the band played its last gig in May 1988 and hadn’t played together again until beginning to record this album in 2022.
Now a name mostly floated in guitar nerd circles, Emily Remler was on her way to becoming a major star of jazz guitar before her untimely death in 1990 at age 32.
UK-based duo Straylings returns after six years with their epic third LP, “Call Back Your Name” (Deadpan). Utterly satisfying across every track, the 11-track odyssey fuses indie, California canyon pop, folk, and psyche with Middle Eastern flourishes. Hands down, this is their best record to date.
colby! grew up in Fort Worth, TX, surrounded by live music and spent her time exploring creative passions like singing, writing, baking, painting, and performing. Diagnosed with severe dyslexia at age 8, she spent three years in intensive therapy to learn how to slow her brain down enough to try to read. Creative arts helped her cope, and she started singing and writing at a young age. At 14, she began co-writing with her producer and brother, RJ Johnson, a Berklee College of Music grad. When not writing, she loves driving while singing (screaming) at the top of her lungs. Her most immediate goal is to continue to create songs with her brother that people will want to scream in their car to, thereby possibly escaping from situations they do not find encouraging.
Any Minute Now is the debut album from These Dead Machines (a human also known as Dan). There’s a lot of deeply personal and yet universal themes of loss, love, anxiety and resilience. While the alt-core from the days in the previous band, there’s elements of a slightly electronic touch
The Harbours, formed in 2024, are an indie band from Leicestershire, UK. An exciting upcoming talent their debut single ‘Out of Sight’, featured on BBC Introducing in the East Midlands. The Harbours went viral on social platforms when promoting ‘Out of Sight’, with Manchester City FC commenting “what a banger!” Their catchy follow-up single ‘So Sweet’ launched in time for 2024 summer vibes, increasing their fan base and cementing The Harbours energetic sound.
Cigarette is a hypnotic hard-edged psychedelic rock score for our current age of decay and disappointment, fear and fury, idiocy and hope. Previewed by the singles ‘Pipes’ and ‘The Shot’, this long-awaited and loaded 7-track offering is full of surprises, taking new risks with subject matter and composition while maintaining the intensity and dexterity fans know and love.
The latest in the Zev Feldman*-produced line of *Bill Evans’ European concert recordings, In Norway: The Kongsberg Concert exhibits a show from the 1970 Kongsberg Jazz Festival in the eponymous Norwegian town.
On the follow-up to their 2021 debut LP Undressing Minds for Show, this Philadelphia alt-rock quartet sheds some of the U2 and R.E.M. comparisons of past reviews.
With its breadth, depth, and enthusiastic performances, it’s like a crash course in Arkestral history.
An album with 12 original songs dealing in a theme of remembrance, change and loss. Some are celebrated, some are sombre. This is TMPP’s third album Some of the songs have already been released leading up the release of this album. TMPP’s third album called It Was Here He Received His Only Formal Education is spinning on a speaker near you right now. Also on limited edition blue vinyl!
Led by Alex Calabrese, Boston-based indie-folk band Old Tom & The Lookouts blend the introspective grit of Americana with the emotional rawness of indie rock. Known for their brooding lyrics and powerful storytelling, the band explores themes of mental health, love, and resilience. Drawing influences from artists like Tom Waits, Frightened Rabbit, and Phoebe Bridgers, Calabrese’s evocative vocals and poignant songwriting strike a chord with listeners searching for authenticity and emotional depth.
British alternative artist SICKY presents his new single ‘I’m Happy If You’re Happy’, an upbeat affair exploring temptation and the art of winning over another…. of all the possibilities if the bait is pitched right. Featuring Jen Bone (Project Blues Band) on double bass, this is the first taste of his new album Troubled Delight, to be released in early 2025.
In 2014, a group of Franco-Irish musicians formed The Celtic Social Club for a one-off performance at the Vieilles Charrues Festival. Now, they are celebrating a powerhouse decade of The Celtic Social Club with a BEST OF album INVENTORY and a World Tour.
In France captures something simple: a great B.B. King show.
Alternative-glam-punk band Bad Mary teams up with fellow Long Islanders Mega Infinity for a limited edition split 7-inch single, Mega Bad Disaster Party. Each band contributes two newly recorded tracks, set for release on the digital streaming platforms via SPI (Ska Punk International) on December 3, with a vinyl release to follow in early 2025.
This single is a tribute to Canadian music. This upbeat indie rock song references many famous and not-so-famous Canadian artists who have influenced The Muster Point Project over the years. It’s being released along with a 12 song album.
Trumpeter Charles Tolliver is an unsung hero in jazz.
Atlas Rivers is a new UK indie-rock three-piece with big tunes and a big future. “The Vanishing” is their second single, recorded at South City in Manchester for self-release in November 2024. A towering chorus, catchy hook and ethereal lyrics continue the upward trajectory of this hard working band.
Acclaimed Northern Irish vocalist and songwriter Colm Warren returns with his latest single, “Thinking Of You.” Known for his distinctive voice and refusal to conform to genre expectations, Warren delivers a unique blend of Beatles-era rock and orchestral sophistication, making this track a standout in today’s music scene.
The Dazed Minded, hailing from Reading, England, is a rising indie sleaze garage rock band making waves in the music scene. Lead singer and songwriter Beth, along with bassist Tam and the rest of the band, deliver a unique sound influenced by the likes of Miles Kane, Kings of Leon, and Razorlight. Formed late last year, the band quickly gained attention with their debut single ‘Oh Boy’ and a cover of The Family Rain’s ‘Gasoline,’ showcasing their talent and passion for the independent music scene.
From the outset of her career, Janita has commanded attention. As a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and songwriter, she has uniquely defied convention yet repeatedly enjoyed mainstream success. Her new single, “Real Deal,” is out November 21st, ahead of her tenth studio album, Mad Equation (out May 2025).
“Our music is an oddly literate, completely eclectic approach to fuzzy, tweedy, garage-y, country-tinged, stomp and clap American rock-n-roll. Sometimes singer/songwriter, sometimes loud and unapologetic – our songs are a little whiskey soaked and world weary – but always leave a little room for redemption.”
Manchester post-punk death-rock rockers Inca Babies release their ninth studio album, aptly titled Ghost Mechanic Nine via their Black Lagoon label. Here, frontman Harry Stafford (guitar, keys, vocals) revisits the raw guitar sounds of the band’s 80s output, joined by Rob Haynes (drums, percussion), Jim Adama (bass) and Kevin G. Davy (trumpet).
Directing an all-star group of guitar Bill Frisell, pianist Jason Moran, drummer Andrew Cyrille, bassist Thomas Morgan, and, most significantly, legendary saxophonist Lee Konitz, Bro let go of the music as written and embraced the way his bandmates altered his work on the fly.
The Holiday Hustle Club is a throwback to the era of iconic nightclubs, vocalists and songwriters. It connects to the Great American Songbook through the likes of Irving Berlin, Mel Tormé and Ella Fitzgerald. And it introduces new tunes inspired by their sophisticated musicality, simple storytelling, and winking innuendos.
Hiberno-British collective* Otherish* announces its 4th album of original songs in just three years. The triangulated quartet (with several gifted guests) mounts its operations from the triptych of Belfast-Frome-Bristol. Whilst the triumvirate of Otherish’ writers is defiantly, wilfully multi-instrumental, the magnetic north constant at the heart of the band is, as ever, drummer Mark Bradley.
Black Rose Moves (Birmingham, UK) present their third single, released 1st November 2024,“Jessica,” a mesmerising dive into a love unravelled. “Jessica” explores infatuation’s darker depths, driven by relentless basslines, pounding drums, and sharp synths. Catchy guitar riffs and an intense, repetitive chorus irresistibly pull listeners into the song’s obsessive trance.
Holiday music finds its honest voice in Ever More Nest’s Merry Little Thing EP, a three-song collection that speaks to both the joy and solitude of the season. Rather than coating the holidays in sugar, songwriter Kelcy Wilburn crafts narratives that resonate with genuine lived experience, from playful marital spats to profound solitary moments.
“Otherwise” is a raw and introspective journey through self-doubt, regret, and the start of self reflection. With moody melodies and emotionally charged lyrics, the song captures the vulnerability of confronting one’s inner turmoil while yearning for clarity and hope. Its blend of introspection and relatability makes it resonate deeply with listeners navigating their own struggles.
Haag is a rock band that was formed in 2011. They met at the Tehran University of Art for a gig before 300 university students. Amirhossein the drummer, asked his brother Mohsen and his friend Arya to join him to form a rock band called Haag. Haag is a Persian word that means “spore”. After the gig, they continued as Haag and released their first original EP in 2015, Buoyancy. Asia Magazine wrote about Buoyancy and called it “The first instrumental Rock album released in Iran”.
The artist ColSeth returns with Stellar Illusions, a striking new album that showcases their signature blend of evocative production and masterful songwriting. Spanning twelve tracks, the album delves into a rich spectrum of emotions, exploring nuanced shades of grey that resonate with the depths of human consciousness—an experience that transcends what words alone can’t convey.
Formidable up and coming rock trio King’s Vengeance is set to push the speakers of the music scene into overdrive with their latest single, ‘Mystery,’ released on November 15, 2024. The track is a relentless, driving and dynamic hard rock song full of big riffs and even bigger choruses! ‘Mystery’ is the sixth single from the Melbourne (Australia) trio, and it demonstrates the unwavering intensity, unpredictable changes and raw power that have become synonymous with King’s Vengeance.
Four suburban friends make up the Indie Punk Rock swelter, Poison Oak. From the sunny streets of Townsville, Poison Oak has been kicking around for half a decade. Since their inception, they have released three Eps and their debut album These Suburban Dreams.
For Landloper, Andersen hooks his double bass up to a set of effect pedals and goes it alone.
“my blue heaven” is a joint composition between FHMY and AQL, two suburban music friends from Maadi and Haram (literally translating to Pyramid) in Cairo. Their bond deepened further as they battle societal dynamics, relationship changes, childhood traumas, loss of family and friends, as well as negligence overall. This single is the first of 3 created between the duo.
“Social Genocide” delves into the negative impact of social media on our daily lives, reflecting the band’s keen observation of contemporary societal issues. This marks ALGORERHYTHM’s first studio effort, entirely self-funded, showcasing their dedication to their artistry and authenticity. Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Cody Leavitt of Asteroid M Records in Las Vegas NV, the release captures the band’s raw energy and passion, offering listeners a powerful musical experience that resonates long after the final note fades.
