Pop & Indie

CONCERT: 5/10- Chris Farren @ Space Ballroom

Disney Channel star Dove Cameron has had a music career for quite some time and while she makes good music it’s no “Froyo Yolo” from Liv and Maddie. “Too Much” is really good, the best way I can describe it is that it sounds similar to “Choose Your Fighter” from the Barbie movie soundtrack. I definitely wasn’t expecting this from Dove Cameron but I did enjoy it. Something I found interesting is that the song actually starts with the chorus, which seemed odd to me. This is her first release since 2023.

Lizzo released a new single this week titled, “Love in Real Life”, her newest release since 2023. The song is good, but it wasn’t what I wanted it to be. I really like her music but this song was just very different. I’m excited to see if a new album is possibly coming.

Dasha, the pop-country artist behind “Austin,” released a song titled “Not At This Party.” Dasha began releasing music at 13 years old, but most of her music has been released in the past three years. “Not At This Party” is a good song with a fun touch of banjo. This song has a great beat but the lyrics aren’t as memorable as “Austin” was. Overall, I think the song is good and if you like pop-country then it’s definitely a song for you.

Vilhelm Buchaus is a Swedish singer/songwriter who has been releasing music since 2023. He has an incredible voice that is beautifully shown in his new single “I’m Yours.” The song is short but the lyrics are great and his voice is perfect. I would absolutely recommend listening to this song if you like any pop music.

Gigi Perez, the 25-year-old singer/songwriter who is known for her viral songs on TikTok, released a new single, “Chemistry.” Perez’s song “Sailor Song” is probably her most recognizable, but she has gone viral on TikTok for others as well. Perez has been performing “Chemistry” since 2022, but fans have noticed that the lyrics changed throughout the years before its release. The final product is an amazing demonstration of her powerful voice and attention grabbing song lyrics. If you liked her past music you’ll probably enjoy this one as well.

Punk & Alternative

CONCERT: 4/15 – Knox with The Wldlfe @ The Webster

Alt-rock band Momma is back with new release “Bottle Blonde” that seamlessly blends pop melodies with grunge and rock instrumentals. Released on Feb. 25, this song is the third single the band has released to promote their upcoming album, “Welcome to My Blue Sky.” The song is definitely much closer to “pop” than the band’s previous releases, but that absolutely doesn’t mean the song is bad. It still has the charm and personality that are some of the biggest draws of Momma’s hits. “Welcome to My Blue Sky” drops this April.

Another new single from Mayday Parade this week, “Towards You” released on Feb. 27 as the third single from the band’s upcoming EP. A much different style from the rest of the band’s music, “Towards You” is a much more acoustic, pop-styled track. With this release, we see that the band is sticking with the uplifting, positive tone with the rest of the songs on this EP, with “Towards You” being a quite possibly the most heavy-handed love song from the band. “Sweet” releases on April 18.

A new release from alt-singer-superstar Djo this week in the form of “Delete Ya.” Released on Feb. 27, I have never listened to Djo before, and was pleasantly surprised by how much I really liked this track. With reverb and echo on the vocals, Djo creates a haunting effect while still feeling down to earth. “Delete Ya” is the second single that has been released to promote the singer’s new album, “The Crux.” The new album will drop on April 4, during the singer’s “Back on You” tour.

Folk & Country

CONCERT: 4/22 – Halle Kearns @ Toad’s Place

Nathaniel Rateliff and Gregory Alan Isakov have released their new song “Flowers,” a song that took five years to fully blossom. Originally conceived as a demo during the sessions for Rateliff’s 2020 solo album, “And It’s Still Alright,” the song sat unfinished until the duo recently returned to it. With Isakov’s gentle voice and Rateliff’s more raspy tones intertwining to create a harmony, the track is distinctive. It’s truly a wonderful song that was born from two wonderful artists. Catch Rateliff & Isakov together at Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats’ Madison Square Garden show on March 27.  

Adam Melchor’s latest single, “Suburban Siddhartha,” from his upcoming album The Diary of Living, was released on Feb. 28. The song serves as a reflection on self-discovery, with powerful lyrics and a haunting melody. It’s Melchor’s attempt at healing from the loss of a loved one to addiction, addressing the harm caused by prescription medications, particularly in small-town America. The track is raw and honest, with subtle horns and acoustic guitar creating an ethereal atmosphere that ties the song together beautifully. It’s truly a captivating and poignant listen 

Joshua Burnside discovered the song “Round the Ladies” in “Belfast, City of Song,” a book that compiles old Belfast street songs. His newest album, “Teeth of Time,” released on Feb. 28, pays homage to this piece of musical history. “Marching Round the Ladies” is Burnside’s reimagining of the song, where he transforms its melodies and lyrics into something entirely his own. The Belfast-based musician is experimental in his approach to folk music, he brings new life into old traditions, and this track is a perfect example of that. Folk songs are passed down through generations, with each performer adding their own interpretation. They are a living, evolving form of oral history, waiting to be retold. With “Marching Round the Ladies,” Burnside has created an instant classic—one that deserves to be sung in pubs across Ireland for years to come.

Hip-Hop & R&B

CONCERT: 4/12 – Black Violin @ Garde Arts Center

Transparently, this is just a great indie song with some R&B elements. I like what I’ve heard from Omar Apollo, but I’d consider myself a fan of Malcolm Todd. Their sounds blend really well in this song, with Todd’s trademark indie guitar tone and some funky R&B synth pops. I think it does enough genre-bending to give me a pass for this week. “Bleed” is about a person who’s refusing to open up to the songwriter, which I think is a pretty interesting premise. Both Todd and Apollo tackle it really well, especially with the iconic post-chorus guitar riff. In my opinion, it’s only a matter of time before Malcolm Todd becomes a household name, so hop on the wagon now if you haven’t already.

I don’t want to hear that I’m double dipping, these two songs this week are worth it. d4vd has had a rise that can only be described as meteoric, and he’s only 19 years old. I found him when he released Romantic Homicide in 2022, and over the past three years he’s built a fanbase of 28 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone. If you’re unfamiliar with his sound, you’ll get it quick if you listen to his newest song, “Crushing,” with Latin music icon, Kali Uchis (who is also a renowned R&B artist). Uchis’ vocals give this song an especially ethereal touch, with d4vd implementing full, echoing chords that give his songs such a grand feel. In content, this song is pretty similar to “Bleed.” It’s about the songwriter being vulnerable with their partner about being scared of losing them. It’s a bit sad, but likewise to “Bleed,” beautifully done. I will definitely be tuning in to d4vd’s new album, “WITHERED,” set to drop April 25.

22gz is an artist that blew up on TikTok over two of his drill songs, “Twirlanta” and “Suburban, Pt. 2.” On his newest single, “Hidden Gemz Freestyle” he switches his style completely and raps over a soul sample beat with a fantastic flute melody. He does this great beat justice on the mic with clever wordplay and a catchy flow. If you’re a fan of the album, “1999,” by Joey Bada$$, I think you’ll love this one.