Single: 11% Wolf – If I’m A Rock
If you need a song to put a smile on your face, or a song that’s just a little squishy to send to someone you admire, “If I’m A Rock” is a very good option.
Will Sisskind
Album: Thee Windows – Out and Down
The Baltimore band’s first long-play features a sampling of sounds — indie, shoegaze, Americana, and Midwestern emo — to help keep you cool this summer.
Single: Poppkorn Sutton – Für Machete
Poppkorn Sutton writes a fond ode to a fallen furry friend, which swells into a serenade to face life without fear.
Album: star gazing iris – places
Matthew Livick’s debut album evokes memories of times and places long past, making nostalgia rear its head whether you like it or not.
EP: Soft No – Super Neutral
Soft No find sonic balance on their second EP, but their sound still blazes like a capacitor popping and catching fire.
Single: The Horses – Maybe If I Tried
The Boston duo returns with a more polished single that sounds a little more summery, though the lyrics still cast a little rain cloud shadow.
Single: The Essence of the Universe – Bring All Your Lovers
Though the Swedish duo’s never performed live, “Bring All Your Lovers” has all the makings of a crowd favorite sure to get them into a frenzy.
Single: loserbirds – Too Bad
Vancouver indie quarter says goodbye to the scene with a final single full of fuzz and feelings.
EP: Living Too Late – Autochrome
The new venture from South Australia’s Jakub Tengdahl roars with arena-rock anthems that are fitting for any season.
EP: Todd Sentilles – The Scenic Route Sessions
Sentilles’ songs could ring from the beach bandshell to the ears of everyone at the boardwalk bars and draw them to his catchy brand of Americana.
Single: Madeleine Rose – Caroline
Rose’s third single of the year once again showcases her melodic voice, singing tenderly about carrying someone’s spirit with you long after they’ve gone.
Single: Club 8 – Honestly
The next monthly release from Sweden’s indie pop legends gives off a summery vibe while blending in the band’s standard melancholia.
Single: Starzdust – How It Ends
The San Francisco songwriter says she’s rotten on this new track, but her work with the city’s underground scene says otherwise.
Album: Helicopter Leaves – Sabrina Nickels
Paying homage to an old friend, Beach Bunny’s Anthony Vaccaro returns with a second solo album featuring bigger production and bigger energy.
Single: Vesuvian – Hecate in the Highlands
Vesuvian’s third single speaks from the POV of the witch goddess mourning her loneliness, but the song’s bitterness drives its beat.
Single: Alpine Loop – Empty
Alpine Loop’s new single from their upcoming album shows off their vocal chops and their ability to cut a solid emo ballad.
Single: Ok Goodnight – Spiral
Boston prog-metal greats put out their second swirling single with a heart-stopping music video to match.
Album: Sun Era – Bedroom Cowboy
Sun Era drops their fourth album, a testament to their DIY ethic, traversing their own frontier with inspiration from the indie explorers before them.
Album: Pretty Baby – Layaway Plot
On their debut LP, Charlotte’s Pretty Baby point their melodic post-hardcore toward the grave and put all their grief and anger into the music.
Single: Creepy Crawly – Dead Cat Song
Creepy Crawly turns a traumatic childhood tale into a crisp indie track, full of their trademark layered vocals and lush synth and guitar sounds.