Pop & Indie
CONCERT: 7/20 – Kidz Bop Live @ Toyota Oakdale
“Have you ever tried this one?”, Sabrina Carpenter released a deluxe version of her album “Short & Sweet”. Carpenter used this album to express her sexuality and the new songs do the same. The song many fans have been excited about in the deluxe version is her popular song “Please, Please, Please,” with a very special guest, Dolly Parton! This version is clean unlike the original however the lyric change is different than the clean version of the original. I think it was an interesting choice to include Dolly on this track, she should not have tried that one. I love that she included a banjo! I think my favorite song from the deluxe edition is “Couldn’t Make It Any Harder.” Parts of it remind me of “Hopelessly Devoted To You” from Grease. I’m not sure if I’m the only one that can hear the similarities but I definitely can’t explain them. I also really enjoy the track “Bad Reviews”. It has similar vibes to some of her other songs. Overall the deluxe album is absolutely worth a listen for any Sabrina fans.
Selena Gomez surprised fans this week by dropping a new song and announcing an upcoming album, “I Said I Love You First” which will be coming out in late March and is a collaboration with her fiancé, Benny Blanco. It’s been a long time since I have listened to Selena Gomez but I’m enjoying her new song, “Scared Of Loving You”. It gives Boygenius vibes a little bit and it’s a lot slower and calmer than music I’ve heard from her in the past.
I saw this random artist I have never heard of on TikTok and heard a clip of her song. The second I heard it I stopped doom scrolling and added it to my list of upcoming releases. The song is “Rhyme or Reason” and the artist is Chaislyn. We have established that I love my sad depressed people music and this song hits the spot. The storytelling through the lyrics is amazing, her voice is amazing, the song in general is amazing. You should 1000% listen to it. Her voice is so calming and the lyrics are so sad but relatable. I think I’ll be listening to this nonstop for the next 3-5 business days. Sometimes artists leave a little note with recent releases on Spotify and the note for this single is “happy anti-valentines day lol” and that just made me giggle.
Lucy Dacus released another single from her upcoming album this week. I really liked this song and I think her fans will be happy with it. I like the instrumental pieces of this song a lot. It’s calming. I still haven’t listened to Lucy as an independent artist but I definitely have to after the two singles she’s released for her upcoming album. I’m looking forward to the album!
The artist behind one of my favorite songs, “If You Love Her” has absolutely crushed it yet again with their new single “ Love You ‘Til Death”. Unlike my favorite song of theirs, this one did not rip my heart apart and put it back together at the same time. I think Noah Kahan fans would really like this new single. I love this man so much and I’m so happy to have a new addition to all my favorite playlists!
Punk & Alternative
CONCERT: 6/3 – Simple Plan with Winona Fighter @ College Street Music Hall
Canadian rock band PUP released a new single on Feb. 12. The single, titled “Hallways” is the second to be released from the band’s upcoming album, “Who Will Look After The Dogs?” Which is set to be released on May 2. “Hallways” has a very different sound to the previous single “Paranoid,” taking on a much more indie-rock, midwest-emo tone. The song is incredibly catchy, with glowing guitar riffs and whining vocals. The sentiment that “there might be no other doors” seems to have really hit close to home with fans of the band, feeling stuck without any options to move forward. The song talks very heavy-handedly about loss and what comes next, not being able to die or move on because of personal responsibilities, “Who will look after the dog?”
Yet another release from Californian hard-rock band Scowl has come across my radar. The band’s newest single promoting its upcoming album “Are We All Angels” was released on Feb. 11. “B.A.B.E.” is the third single I’ve covered from the band, and like the previous single “Not Hell, Not Heaven,” the band is pissing off fans who still think they’re trying to be a hardcore band. This track definitely hits a little harder than the previous single the band released, but I understand where the sentiment comes from—the band is definitely leaning more towards pop punk than hardcore, and the music definitely isn’t groundbreaking in the industry.
Pennsylvanian alt-rock band The Wonder Years released a new single on Feb. 12. The band’s first new music since June 2024, “Junebug” is the first single to be released from the band’s upcoming album, “Burst & Decay (Volume III)” that comes out this May. The “Burst & Decay” series typically features reinterpretations of the band’s pre-existing tracks, but “Junebug” is an entirely new creation for the album. The song is written about the birth of the lead singer Dan Campbell’s second child, and their relationship despite his career as a touring musician. The track is very stripped down, with the focus on the vocals, the track ends up sounding very midwest-emo, like Kings of Leon dad music.
Folk & Country
CONCERT: 3/21 – Blake Shelton @ Mohegan Sun Arena
On Feb. 14, The War and Treaty celebrated Valentine’s Day with the release of their fourth studio album, “Plus One.” Hailing from Nashville, Tanya and Michael Trotter are more than just husband and wife, they are the heart and soul of the duo The War and Treaty. The twice Grammy-nominated couple has delivered yet another stunning album, showcasing their ability to transcend genres while staying true to their roots. “Plus One” draws inspiration from gospel, rock, bluegrass, and R&B, serving as a testament to what country music can become when artists push its boundaries. Subtle brag alert: Back in September, I had the opportunity to see The War and Treaty perform at the Soundside Festival in Connecticut, where they played their then-unreleased song, “Can I Get an Amen.” The song is a love letter to Tanya, an emotional tribute to the support she provided Michael as he battled PTSD after returning home from Iraq. Music has always been a source of healing and growth for the couple, and this album continues that journey. For me, the standout track is “Drink from Me,” featuring the electrifying guitar skills of Billy Strings. The War and Treaty truly expand their range on this record, not only do they collaborate with one of bluegrass’s biggest names, but they also incorporate elements of jazz and power ballads alongside traditional country sounds. This 18-track album is a genre-blurring celebration of musical freedom. Give “Plus One” by The War and Treaty a listen. You won’t regret it.
Maine-based artist Geneviève Beaudoin has released her first full-length album under the moniker Dead Gowns. On Feb. 14, she unveiled the 12-track record “It’s Summer, I Love You, and I’m Surrounded by Snow.” Born in the early days of the pandemic, the album has evolved alongside Beaudoin, flowing between seasons and tracing the love and loss she has experienced. One standout track, “See People,” is a folk-inspired piece featuring pedal steel and swooning guitar melodies. The song captures a deep yearning to reconnect, to step away from the isolating world of the internet and experience life firsthand. I have not stopped listening to this album since I heard it. For a debut studio album, “It’s Summer, I Love You, and I’m Surrounded by Snow” is nothing short of incredible. Dead Gowns has a few upcoming tour dates in New England, catch a show now so you can say you saw her live before she inevitably blows up. And if there’s any justice in the world, she will.
Truman Sinclair’s latest album, “American Recordings,” released on Feb. 14, is a reflection on a better America. With this record, Sinclair embraces a stripped-down folk sound, he also self-produced the album, showcasing not only his songwriting prowess but also his vision as a producer. Hailing from the Midwest, Sinclair has experience with long, cold nights and a divided nation, a theme deeply embedded in this album. Standout tracks include “Bloodline”, “Set By My Fire”, and “Chicago Fire.” Each song highlights Sinclair’s storytelling ability. Each song feels fresh, and authentic, something folk music could use more of. This is a truly great album that is filled with the rich warm sounds of acoustic guitar, and a harmonica on virtually every track. With “American Recordings,” Truman Sinclair delivers a compelling debut, proving that folk music is alive and well in 2025.
Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Jason Isbell released his latest single, “Bury Me,” on Feb. 14, ahead of his upcoming album, “Foxes in the Snow,” set for release on March 7. The song carries a twangy feel, blending bluegrass with gospel-infused melodies. It plays like an ode to a past life, one that exists in memories and nostalgia. “Bury Me” is hauntingly lonesome. Its subtle authenticity makes it a standout bluegrass track. The acoustic guitar and Isbell’s vocals intertwine seamlessly, creating a duet like no other. For a song that just dropped on Friday, it already feels like an old favorite, an instant classic. If the rest of “Foxes in the Snow” is even half as good as “Bury Me,” Isbell’s new record could easily be my favorite of 2025.
Hip-Hop & R&B
CONCERT: 4/5 – G-Eazy @ Toad’s Place
This collaboration felt so out of left field that I just had to include it in my picks this week. Kankan is a young rapper who’s been in the underground scene for a while. He released his self-titled album in 2019 and has seen moderate success over the years. You might recognize him from his song, “Wokeup,” which has over 100 million streams. Flawed Mangoes also offers his talents from a completely different genre. He makes ambient electronic guitar music which blew up on TikTok over the course of the last year. “Hopecore” videos frequently used his songs, and he was able to gain a ton of traction. Kankan raps over one of Flawed Mangoes’ instrumentals, but it’s only alright. I think Kankan’s style is more suited to harder beats and Flawed Mangoes’ music is best left without voices. While I wasn’t a huge fan of the song, I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t a fun and hilarious collaboration.
This is the first time Kenyan artist KayCyy has gotten on my radar, and I’m so glad he did. On his newest single, “ALL IN VEIN” he implements a Donny Hathaway sample over a slow beat with some quicker flows. The drums are simple which helps the calmer vibe. With about a minute left in the song it slows down, then there’s a beat switch for the outro. It uses some guitar as KayCyy vocalizes a little bit before the song ends. I really liked this one and I will definitely be keeping an eye on KayCyy.
I haven’t heard of either Blvck Svm or Elijah Who, but this song was great. It reminds me of the coke rap beats I really like with few electronic elements. Elijah’s beat is a piano riff, background guitar, simple drums and some static that also sort of sounds like a rain stick. Blvck Svm’s flow is quick and consistent, and his rhyme scheme in particular was really impressive to me. Just like KayCyy I will be looking out for more of both of these artists’ music.
