Discovering the new music underground around the globe
Rock/Review Blackout Transmission - Twilight & Resonance
Blackout Transmission is a band formed in Los Angeles, CA, now residing in the Mountain West of the United States, that composes and plays neo-psychedelic rock music with UK shoegaze and darkwave influences.
Rock/Review Joseph Schwartz - Ready for Doom
Joseph Schwartz is a Chicago-based artist on a journey to explore new techniques for songwriting and production using synthetic music and vocals. His intention is to create songs that are not bound by a particular sound or genre but are fun to listen to and, even more importantly, spark conversation and emotion.
EP Review: The Co$t of Life – “Destination: Unknown”
Blending 80's nostalgia with modern electronic rock, pop, and synthwave, The Co$t of Life is a solo project from Colorado-based songwriter and musician Jason Irving. Music has always been a journey and sanctuary for Jason, blending influences from the pop tunes of the 80's, the dynamic sounds of Mutemath and The Midnight, ambient beats of electronica, and cinematic scores by composers like Thomas Newman.
Electronic/Review Max Macready - Holding Pattern
Max Macready is a musical transmission from a lost future—where analog tech, neon-lit spaceports, and pulsing synths converge. Hailing from the UK, the duo crafts a sound rooted in synthwave, electronic, and post-punk, pulling deep influence from the progressive ambition of Yes and Rush, the rhythmic energy of The Police, and the cinematic textures of John Carpenter.
Rock/Review RISE - Lost For Words
RISE is a dynamic four-piece band hailing from Liverpool, England. Known for their high-energy performances and distinctive sound, RISE is making waves in the rock music scene. The band features Sam Kinley (aka stayMellow) on bass and vocals, Paul Kinley on keyboards and backing vocals, Alex Mahoney on drums, and Brian Petch on guitar.
Rock/Review Ehson Hashemian - Me Then You
Southern California-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ehson Hashemian released his 14-track fifth solo album, "Me Then You." A founding member of The Jakes (now Young the Giant), Ehson co-wrote their double-platinum hit “Cough Syrup,” which reached #3 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. Since launching his solo career, he has steadily released albums, including Animation (2023), Face Shine (2024), Bliss (2025), and Believe (2025), with "Me Then You" representing a new level of cohesion and storytelling.
Country/Review Clinton Belcher - Scars and Six Strings
Clinton Belcher is a quintessential country rock storyteller, with a sound that draws on the heartland honesty of Johnny Cash and the raw spirit of Elvis Presley. His extensive catalog, featuring albums like Last Call Blues, Highways & Heartaches, and River to Redemption, establishes him as an artist who chronicles the American experience with a guitar in hand.
Blues/Review Ezra Vancil - Babylove
Ezra Vancil, hailing from Dallas, Texas, is a talented artist whose latest release, "Babylove," showcases a blend of emotional storytelling and musical prowess. Collaborating with key contributors such as Lori Martin on bass and backup vocals, Chris Brush on drums, and the husband-wife duo Jonathan and Liz Estes on strings, Ezra brings a unique depth to his sound. Drawing inspiration from the late Chris Whitley, Ezra's music resonates with a raw and heartfelt essence that captivates listeners.
Funk/Interview Paul Louis Villani - Sweat Drips
Paul Louis Villani is a Melbourne multi-instrumentalist and producer who thrives on instinct and experimentation. His sound bends across genres, pulling from funk, metal, hip hop, and art rock to create something raw, vibrant, and unpredictable.
Rock/Review Fiona Amaka - Wingman (feat. David Taro)
Fiona Amaka, hailing from London, England, is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist known for her captivating "rock'n'soul" sound. With influences ranging from Stevie Nicks to Smashing Pumpkins, Fiona's music blends bluesy vocals with driving rock guitar or chill folk vibes.
Country/Review LaCosta Tucker - Woman Behind the Wheel
LaCosta Tucker rose to fame in the seventies, scoring fourteen chart hits, touring with country music’s biggest names, and appearing on beloved TV shows like Dolly, Nashville Now, The Jim Nabors Show, Pop Goes the Country, The Alan Hamel Show, The Dinah Shore Show, and Hee Haw. Early in her career, LaCosta met legendary publisher Al Galico and signed with Capitol Records, where she was teamed with producer Norro Wilson for five albums.
Hip-Hop/Review JAKEWITHSPACES! - DOPEFUMEMIDI
Emerging from the hazy digital underground, known for bending expectations and pushing the boundaries of beat making, JAKEWITHSPACES! has crafted a sonic realm that feels like surfing through a corrupted hard drive in the middle of a lucid dream. From a parallel internet—where dusty samples, glitched-out MIDI textures, sci-fi aesthetics, and off-centered grooves collide in chaotic harmony.
Pop/Review Adai Song - The Bloom Project
Adai Song (also known as her EDM persona ADÀI) is an internationally acclaimed singer, producer, songwriter, and DJ based between New York City and Beijing. A Berklee alum and former faculty member at Berklee NYC, she is also a Recording Academy voting member and a New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA)-funded artist. Her work explores the future of C-pop by blending Chinese and Pan-Asian musical roots with bold electronic production and feminist storytelling.
Pop/Review No Band Left - Wonderland
No Band Left is the songwriting project of composer Dexter Britain. Known for his cinematic and orchestral classical-crossover work, Dexter has spent more than a decade creating music that tells stories without words. With No Band Left, he turns back to where his journey began. The project blends electronic and cinematic pop, balancing expansive production with an emphasis on melody and lyric. At its heart are themes of escape, belonging, and the search for something beyond the everyday.
Electronic/Review sugarstealer - 2552
Songwriter/producer from Lancaster, UK. sugarstealer’s “2552” is a bold statement record—one that seems to straddle the line between immersive listening and club-minded machinery. On one hand, it rewards deep, repeated listens; on the other, many of its sonic decisions clearly consider how tracks might live in a DJ’s crate.
Pop/Review Lusaint - Apothecary (Pt. 1)
With over 200 million streams globally, Manchester-based singer-songwriter Lusaint is one of the most exciting newcomers to hit the UK with her melodic blend of soul, jazz, blues, and pop influences mixed with her distinctive tone and captivating melodies. Notion Magazine quoted Lusaint as an "overnight success." Lusaint began releasing original music in early 2023 and already has garnered support from the likes of BBC Radio 1, BBC Introducing Manchester, and publications such as Rolling Stone Magazine, Wonderland, Notion, and Knuckle Mag.
Classical/Review Karen Salicath Jamali - Mary's Blessing
Karen Salicath Jamali has been a multi-award-winning composer, pianist, and producer since 2015 and a professional American artist, painter, sculptor, and photographer for the last 30 years. Born in Denmark and living and working in NYC & Florida, she is a voting member of the Recording Academy.
