Single: Stellar Ruins – Sunless 
EP: Night Windows – Nonsense 
Single: JW Francis – Watery Road 
Single: Stellar Ruins – Sunless
Drenched in fuzz, this is a sonically adventurous rock n roll smorgasbord that touches on alt-rock, nu-metal, grunge, shoegaze, and more.
EP: Night Windows – Nonsense
An intimate EP that leans into themes of displacement and solitude with polished production, rich instrumentation, and a heavy dose of longing.
Single: JW Francis – Watery Road
“Watery Road” is a spark of child-like wonder—a song that feels at one with the river on which it was conceived.
EP: Runaway Ricochet – Made From Recycled Materials, Vol. 2
Five flawless performances of simple songs; even with no new songwriting, Runaway Ricochet is still such an incredible band.
Single: Opah – Stay
Denmark’s Opah tells a classic love story through their latest single “Stay.”
Single: Elizabeth and the Catapult – Responsible Friend
Channeling mid-2000s shiny pop and vulnerable lyrics, the title track from Elizabeth Ziman’s sixth album will attract new listeners to her two decades of work.
Cherub Dream Records’ “Lucky Three”: The split EP for your next California road trip
Three bands – Natasha Sandworms, Christina’s Trip, and Mox – team up to craft a soundtrack for driving down the Golden State’s winding highways.
Single: Super Cassette ft. Pacing – Heaven Isn’t Real (But Hell Is)
More poppy than expected, but still retaining indie punk power, Super Cassette and Pacing team up for a delightful new single.
When American Football becomes German: New emo song from Be Kind
If I didn’t know they were from Germany, I would definitely put them in the Midwest emo genre, inspired by bands like American Football, but I am so excited that American emo came to Europe in a fresh form.
EP: New Place – Garden Songs
New Place have drawn from medieval botanical illustrations, archives, and 60s pop to craft introspective songs touching on human connection and detachment.
Rethinking Stereotypes of Austin, Texas: Very Busy People’s “Ordinary Night”
There’s a willingness to put yourself out there, a not worrying about seeming so damn cool that puts the listener on his side.
Single: Tomdahomie – Ego
Melbourne alt-pop contrasts a catchy guitar and bouncy beat with timely lyrics calling out toxic masculinity.
Single: Khyla – Too Big for a Small World
Khyla Granstrom’s second single will punch you in the face and heart with vocal layers singing of vulnerability and lingering trauma.
Single: Levi Taschuk – Benefit of the Doubt
The lead single from Taschuk’s debut LP features beautiful grand piano melodies and a saxophone solo that elevates the track in the final minute.
Single: Club 8 – There Is A Light That Seems To Go Out
Renowned Swedish duo Club 8’s sparkling third single of the year is here.
EP: New, Not Shameful – Interlude
Interlude warrants headphones and solitude, and even if that means canceling plans and hanging in for the evening, you won’t regret it.
Single: Borders Of Nothing – The Life We Knew
An intriguing juxtaposition of styles, The Life We Knew is ragged and wild but at the same time, undeniably majestic and graceful.
EP: Midnight Soup Opera – S/T
Ardent readers will note that our very own Joshua Cotrim of Brazil isn’t just a
Single: No Floor – Loop
Seattle’s underground continues to push shoegaze into heavier, more textured territory, and No Floor are right in the middle of it.
