Pop & Indie
CONCERT: 12/28 – Ashley Hamel @ The Buttonwood Tree
“Last night’s mascara” is a recently released song from Griff that didn’t make it on her debut album. Griff is currently touring with Sabrina Carpenter as an opener on the “Short n’ Sweet” Tour. The song was previously unfinished but fans’ interest pushed her to finish the song while on tour. I think this song is really good and I’m glad her fans made this release possible.
Perrie, an artist previously in girl group Little Mix, released her single “Me, Myself, and You” this past Friday. The song is about mental health and the parts of yourself that you can’t control. She accepts that she has to live with her mental health struggles and all the ways they affect her everyday life. I think this song is really beautiful and the piano in the back was a great choice. This song is very important for those struggling with mental health issues and I think everyone should give this song a listen.
Kayla Grace released a single titled “in for the kill” on Friday. The song is about ruining everything good that comes at you. I think the chorus is catchy and the song is overall really good. This will definitely be added to a few of my playlists.
“Future Us” is a new pop song by Litany. The song has a fun beat and is about long distance relationships. I recommend giving it a listen.
Teddy Swims released “Bad Dreams” back in September but he recently released the acoustic version. One version of the song will be included as the fourth track on his upcoming album, “I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2).” Most known for his songs “Lose Control” and “Apple Juice” his pop music has landed him on the Billboard Top 100 in the past year. I had the pleasure of seeing Teddy Swims live at Soundside Music Festival this past September and he is absolutely incredible. I enjoy part one of the upcoming album and I look forward to the new releases.
Punk & Alternative
CONCERT: 1/27 – Platinum Moon @ Space Ballroom
The last we heard from Scottish alternative rock band Mixed Signals was in September, when the band released its debut single, “Are You Satisfied?” to incredible success. Things have died down a little since then for the band, sporting just over 600 instagram followers on its account, @mixedsignalsofficialband. On November 8, however, the band released a new single, titled “Destination Unknown.” The band has seen massive success since the release of its debut single, with ~13,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, and 221,000 plays on the band’s debut track. The new track, “Destination Unknown” sounds incredibly similar to the band’s breakout hit—and while a good song, it’s difficult to tell the two apart. I’m really hoping that this new single might be leading to a debut album from the band, but I can only hope that Mixed Signals branches out a little more in its sound in these days of its infancy.
Pop-punk band State Champs released a new self-titled album on November 8. The Albany-based band got its start in 2010, but released its first album, “The Finer Things” in 2013. State Champs is comprised of lead guitarist Tyler Szalkowski, lead singer Derek DiScanio, bassist Ryan Scott Graham, and drummer Evan Ambrosio. The band’s most recent release, “State Champs” is reminiscent of “Duality” era Set It Off, and “Double Dare” era Waterparks. The album sports 12 songs and runs for just under 40 minutes. While many of the tracks sound pretty similar, they each have their own story and soul that help to differentiate them from the rest. This album release is truly a pleasant surprise for classic pop-punk fans. State Champs has opened for Set It Off, William Beckett, Set It Off, All Time Low, and many others in those artists’ primes, and they performed at Warped Tour twice.
Alternative band Wallows released a new single on October 18. “BAD DREAM” is a new re-recorded version of the song “Bad Dream” off the band’s album “Model” from May 2024. The new version of the song is much grittier, and uses more electronic elements than the original version, which makes it a larger departure from the Wallows “sound” we’re used to. The new track was recorded by Lemasters, Preston, and Minnette during the production of the album, and was kept under wraps until now. Wallows is currently on its 2024 Model Tour through mid-December.
Folk & Country
CONCERT: 12/30 – Adam Ezra Group @ Infinity Music Hall Hartford
The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Brent Cobb released his latest single, “Snakebite,” on November 8. Cobb has mastered the art of classic cowboy storytelling, a fitting talent for a musician hailing from a town with deep musical roots in Georgia, the birthplace of legends like Otis Redding, Little Richard, and the Allman Brothers. It’s clear Cobb belongs in the company of such iconic artists, carving his own path in Americana music with his distinct voice and captivating lyrics. “Snakebite” is a stripped-down acoustic track that combines Cobb’s raspy, soulful voice with lyrics that carry a warning. In his gritty style, Cobb urges listeners to stay vigilant, reminding us that not every threat is obvious—sometimes, it’s the people we least expect who bring harm, “It ain’t the snake that you see, It’s the one in the weeds.” The song is all things Americana, blending authenticity, catchy melodies, and a thought-provoking message that lingers long after the final note. Cobb’s storytelling in “Snakebite” is memorable and raw, making this single a standout addition to his already impressive catalog.
Released on November 8, “Relics and Remnants” marks Kade Hoffman’s debut full-length album. The album is a mix of acoustic renditions of songs from his earlier EP “Relics,” along with four thoughtful covers of classics that speak to his influences. He takes on “Blackjack County Chain” by Willie Nelson, “Long Black Veil” by Lefty Frizzell, “Should’ve Been Home” by Blaze Foley, and “Further On Up the Road” by Bobby “Blue” Bland, each reinterpreted with haunting sincerity. Hoffman hails from the southeastern plains of Colorado, and he’s quickly carving out a space for himself in the western country scene. With a brooding, lonesome cowboy persona, Hoffman brings to mind legends like Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, and Eddy Arnold, infusing each track with a Western spirit that pulls you into his world. Two standout original tracks, “Lady Luck” and “Tired of Waiting,” capture a sense of uncertainty and yearning that’s as captivating as it is relatable. “Relics and Remnants” is an album without a single skip. The covers pay homage to legend in the country and blues scene and his original songs are filled with a rawness that many modern artists often miss. Hoffman’s work is a breath of fresh air in country music, check out all things Kade Hoffman—it’s well worth it.
Zach Bryan is undeniably one of the biggest voices in country music today. Fresh off the success of his recent album, “The Great American Bar Scene,” he released his latest single, “This World’s A Giant,” on November 7. Bryan initially teased the song back in July with a clip of him playing it acoustically. What I admire most about Zach Bryan is his ever-evolving musical style—he resists being confined to a single genre or identity, and “This World’s A Giant” is proof of that ambition. This track feels like a departure from his previous work. With the backdrop of horns and layered vocals, Bryan explores the weight of his newfound fame and the world’s expectations, crafting a song that’s more indie-folk than country. There’s a warm, nostalgic quality to the vocal layering that contrasts with his usual raw crooning style. The horns, in particular, are a beautiful touch, bringing to mind Bon Iver and his music. “This World’s A Giant” captures what I love about Bryan—he’s committed to his art and refuses to be put in a box.
Hip-Hop & R&B
CONCERT: 12/14 – Babyface @ Foxwoods Resort
I’ve heard a lot from Kenny Mason as a feature artist, but this is one of my first times listening to one of his own songs, and I was thoroughly impressed. I thought the sample of the song was used really creatively, and the cloud rap beat was a great direction for him to go. It aids in his mesmerizing flow, and I might just be hooked. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this song, but this will be one that stays solidly in my rotation for the foreseeable future.
Ab-Soul released a new album, “Soul Burger” on November 8. I wasn’t able to listen to the entirety of this album yet, but I’ve loved what I’ve heard so far. My favorite song by a good bit was “California Dream,” which features Vince Staples and Kamm Carson. The beat on this song is right up my alley, with a smooth guitar riff and piercing synths. The drums on this song are pretty basic but keep a good pace. There’s also a short skit of a freestyle at the end of the song, and it kind of goes crazy, too. I can’t wait to check out the rest of the project, because now I have pretty high hopes.
Just like Ab-Soul I wasn’t able to check out this whole project. While I probably won’t end up getting to the whole thing, I need to put one song in my weekly spotlight. “Demons” features Denzel Curry, and this is a song where both artists just go in and do their thing. Ferg gives one of my favorite performances of his that I’ve heard. The hook is pretty catchy, and then all of a sudden Denzel Curry comes in and the beat subsides. It sounds like something out of a Batman soundtrack, just menacing and grimy. The initial beat is incredibly high energy, with a shrieking synth in the back that honestly could be a lot for many people. Denzel also drops a bar where he says he’s “truly humble under god,” a reference to rapper Young Thug just getting out of prison. It’s a super fun song and I recommend it especially if you like experimental stuff.
