MARIS Doubles Down on Emotional Catharsis with “Losing People”
LOS ANGELES, CA- Earlier this year, I came away impressed by MARIS’ single “MOSH★PIT.” While its title suggested chaos and unbridled energy, what stood out most was the conviction behind it. MARIS wasn’t simply writing glossy pop songs. She was chasing emotional highs and…
The Linda Lindas Embrace Growth on ‘Closer’ Featuring Hayley Williams
LOS ANGELES, CA- The first time I saw The Linda Lindas perform was five years ago at Head In The Clouds. At the time, the quartet was only 13 to 16 years old, but they were already impossible to ignore. Armed with an unapologetic…
Pond’s “Skyworks” Soars With ’80s-Inspired Energy Ahead of Terrestrials
LOS ANGELES, CA- The Australian psych-rock veterans of Pond returned last week with a propulsive, ’80s-inspired studio album, Terrestrials. Its fourth single, “Skyworks,” heralded the album’s release the day before it dropped, offering a big, bright sound that begs to be heard with your…
cosmosy’s “Paradise ~ I need you ~” Is an Infectious Surprise
LOS ANGELES, CA- When I first pressed play on cosmosy’s “Paradise ~ I need you ~,” I wasn’t expecting it to become the song that convinced me to write about the group. That’s not meant as a slight. Pop music… particularly the highly polished…
Better Late Than Never: Zac Farro’s Operator Finally Found Me
LOS ANGELES, CA- One of my favorite things about music is that it doesn’t expire. Sure, albums have release dates, but they don’t have expiration dates. In fact, some of my favorite discoveries have come months…. or even years… after a record first hit…
Forest Introduces Her Debut Album Swan Dive with Haunting New Single “Anchor”
LOS ANGELES, CA- For those discovering Forest for the first time, Swan Dive feels (based on the singles that have been released thus far) less like a conventional debut album than an introduction to an artist already possessing a remarkably defined creative identity. Scheduled…
Grumpy’s “Twenty Five” Finds Beauty In Love, Change, And The Fear Of Being Forgotten
LOS ANGELES, CA- There is something oddly soothing about Grumpy’s “Twenty Five.” On its surface, the song feels warm and nostalgic, built around a lo-fi aesthetic that evokes memories half-remembered rather than fully recalled. Yet beneath that comforting exterior lies a subtle unease that…
Babe Rainbow’s “Polymuscalsaccharide” Is a Psychedelic Summer Groove Worth Surrendering To
LOS ANGELES, CA- Some songs demand analysis. Others simply ask that you come along for the ride. Babe Rainbow’s new single, “Polymuscalsaccharide,” falls squarely into the latter category. From the moment the track opens with its fuzzy, lo-fi bass line, I was hooked. Before…
Steve Aoki and Mia Takarabe’s “Heartless” Signals a New Global Era for J-Pop
LOS ANGELES, CA- Japan has been trending for years, making its way into our daily lives one anime episode or sushi roll at a time. But what about the music? Slowly but surely, more Japanese tracks have been landing on global streaming playlists, more…
Dogpark Keep Their Momentum Rolling With New Single “Don’t Lie”
LOS ANGELES, CA- A few months ago, Dogpark caught my attention with “September,” a song that balanced emotional weight with the kind of adventurous songwriting that keeps listeners coming back for more. Their latest single, “Don’t Lie,” feels like a natural continuation of that…
