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…
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…
Hemlocke Springs Builds A Whimsical Pop Universe At Los Angeles’ El Rey Theatre
LOS ANGELES, CA- There are artists who perform concerts, and there are artists who invite audiences into fully realized worlds. Hemlocke Springs belongs firmly in the latter category. Before a single song was performed at the El Rey Theatre, the evening had already taken…
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…
Tiger La Flor’s “KODACHROMATIC” Is A Stunning Vintage Soul-Pop Daydream
LOS ANGELES, CA- There are moments when a song immediately pulls you into its world before you’ve even fully processed why. That was my experience hearing “KODACHROMATIC” by Tiger La Flor. The name sounded familiar to me, but I couldn’t immediately place where from….
Paris Paloma’s “Stem The Flow” Turns Emotional Exhaustion Into Cathartic Alt-Pop
LOS ANGELES, CA- What really pulled me into “Stem The Flow” by Paris Paloma wasn’t necessarily the overall concept at first. Honestly, the song initially just felt familiar in a comforting way. I was vibing with the rhythm, the percussive drive of the track,…
The Last Dinner Party’s “Big Dog” Finally Made Me Understand the Hype
LOS ANGELES, CA- For the longest time, I felt like I was standing just outside the conversation surrounding The Last Dinner Party. While seemingly everyone around me was completely enthralled by the London five piece’s theatricality, Baroque pop flourishes, and glamorous mystique, I admired…
MOD SUN’s “Mirror” Captures His Boldest and Most Honest Evolution Yet
LOS ANGELES, CA- There was a time when Mod Sun proudly branded his music as “Hobo Rap.” Back then, his sound felt tied to skate culture, backpack rap, Warped Tour parking lots, DIY positivity, and a kind of restless, wandering spirit that separated him…
