Pop & Indie
CONCERT: 5/6 – Joseph @ Space Ballroom
Harry Styles’ well known song “Adore You” was covered by Brittany Broski last week. This is Broski’s first venture into music as she is an internet personality. She’s known for “The Broski Report”, a podcast about anything and everything. Her cover of “Adore You” is great and you should definitely give it a listen.
Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco released their album on March 21, and it is not what I expected. Gomez has been promoting this album with “12 Days Of Really Rare Items” giving away a year’s worth of Rare Beauty PR, her Wizards of Waverly Place Wand, and lastly an outfit worn on tour for just 50 cents. The singles that came from this album, such as the Gracie Abrams feature, were really great, but the rest of the album kind of disappoints. “Call Me When You Break Up” ft. Gracie Abrams is by far my favorite on the album; I love the voicemail introduction. The rest of the album is very different, some songs are in spanish, some tracks are just a message to set the tone of the album, and the styles of pop change throughout. “Sunset Boulevard” is an interesting song to me, it ventures into Sabrina Carpenter territory with sexual lyrics but in a much more uncomfortable way. I can listen to Sabrina on the train all day but this song was uncomfortable. While I’m not a fan of the album I will say that Gomez’s voice is gorgeous, especially on “Ojos Tristes”. She clearly displays emotion in her voice and the song itself is beautiful. Overall, this album is not what I wanted it to be but some of the tracks are still worth a listen.
Haven Madison is a 19 year old I found on the New Pop playlist on Spotify and I’m so glad I did. Madison began releasing music in 2020 and has since released two EPs. She was eliminated from the top 8 on American Idol in Season 21. The song “Why Do The Pills Work” is an emotional single about the artist’s feelings while being on Lexapro and her mixed feelings on the results she was seeing. Madison has been very open about her anxiety on TikTok and this song is going to be relatable for so many people. The single is absolutely amazing and it’s definitely a favorite of mine this week.
Noah Cyrus released a single with Fleet Foxes this week titled “Don’t Put It All On Me.” Cyrus’s brother wrote the track about the weight he sees his sister carry. The song is gorgeous and the artists’ voices mix so well together. This sad indie track will definitely be on my playlists.
The Jonas Brothers released “Love Me To Heaven,” a track previously debuted in February at their 20th anniversary concert. I’m sure this track will be played all over the radio like many of their songs are. I really like this song, I think it’s super catchy and the sound is just classic pop music. The Jonas Brothers never disappoint with their pop hits.
Punk & Alternative
CONCERT: 5/8 – Hollywood Undead & Tech N9ne @ College Street
We have a debut single this week from a new band this week. Sorry my love is the brainchild of Dillon Francis. The song, released on March 21, is titled “Forget” and features Awsten Knight from the band Waterparks. So far, research has found little to no information on the band, they’re hot off the press. Jump on this one quickly, because with the unique and recognizable flair from the Waterparks feature, the song already has over 150,000 plays on Spotify. I’ll be watching this band fairly closely to see what they do next, because unfortunately, by utilizing Awsten Knight as the lead in this song, it sounds like just another Waterparks’ single, rather than the debut single of a band that’ll make it big. Of course, that doesn’t mean the song is bad, quite the opposite, actually. The song mixes the iconic Waterparks sound with acoustic sections and a slower, more deliberately somber pace.
Back at it again with another Knox release in the lead up to the long anticipated release of the singer’s new album, “Going, Going, Gone.” “50/50” was released on March 14. The Nashville based singer has been leading us on for months now, but the release of his debut album is just over a week away, with the release coming on April 4. The song is definitely following suit with the previously released singles, leaning more towards a pop/indie sound, rather than the pop-punk sound the singer had when he released “Not The 1975.” A contrast that will definitely be interesting to look at when the full album is released, as “Not The 1975” is the track that concludes the album. Unfortunately, “50/50” is a pretty generic track, with sentiments about an unsatisfactory relationship. The chorus, with the layered vocals, feels like a One Direction song where the crowd joins in on singing the lyrics. That being said; it sounds simple. It’s not the singer’s most unique track, and it’s definitely not his best.
The Black Keys have released a second single set to appear on its album, “No Rain, No Flowers,” coming out later this year. “Babygirl” released on March 21. Feelings are fairly mixed from the band’s dedicated fanbase. The biggest complaint? The band’s mixing. I can’t disagree. The vocals frequently get lost in and drowned out by the much heavier, denser, instrumental that’s used throughout the whole song. Many fans however, are very pleased with the band’s new release, praising their growth and evolution through the 24 years they’ve been together. I certainly think the song is unique, not necessarily on my repeat, but I’m sure The Black Keys have some gems saved up its sleeves for the album’s full release.
New York singer sombr released a new single this week. “Undressed” released on March 21. I had never heard of sombr before hearing this song, and wow. Just wow. This song was spectacular. The singer’s sound is familiar and unique at the same time. The vocal mixing is very similar to other alternative artists, but the melody and the instrumentals have a nostalgic quality to them. Several posters online have referred to the song as the “2025 ‘Somebody That I Used to Know.’” And while that comparison is not exact, there is definitely that quality in there, especially select portions of the song’s instrumentals. sombr is currently on tour, and will be coming to the Northeast in April.
Folk & Country
CONCERT: 5/24 – Megan Moroney @ Mohegan Sun Arena (photos)
Released on March 18, Esther Rose’s latest single, “Had To”, is a raw and honest reflection on drinking, something she gave up while making her upcoming album, “Want.” Rose has always been a great storyteller, shaping razor-sharp lyrics into what I consider to be perfect country-folk songs. (As an aside, her track “Money Tree” is one of my all-time favorites, I have it on multiple playlists.) In “Had To”, Rose reflects on the chaos of life on the road and the role alcohol once played in it. But while the subject matter is heavy, the song itself is anything but. The track channels the energy of a honky-tonk singalong, blending her signature country warmth with the gritty realities of a touring musician. With “Want” shaping up to be another standout release, “Had To” is proof of Rose’s ability to turn life’s hard truths into songs that feel like instant classics. Keep an eye out for “Want,” dropping on May 2.
Released on March 21, Susannah Joffe shifts gears with “Shit Out of Luck”. Following her last single, “Sofia Coppola”, Joffe trades dreamy romance for spiteful grit. With Western-tinged instrumentation and her signature airy, layered vocals, she sings of betrayal with unfiltered intensity. The track is a scorned lover’s reckoning, leaning into country blues as Joffe delivers cutting lyrics. It’s a smoke-and-dust-filled dirt road, a cinematic journey through heartbreak and resilience. The song highlights Joffe’s ability to blend vulnerability with strength, making for a compelling listen. Beyond the music itself, Joffe invites fans into the creative process with an interactive music video project. In an Instagram post, she encourages fans to submit videos, whether as simple as a burnt-out cigarette on the ground or as elaborate and artistic as they’d like. Those interested in being featured in the lyric video can find instructions on her Instagram (@susannah.joffe). With this track, Joffe continues to carve out a space of her own in the alt-country landscape and the indie music scene as a whole.
Released on March 21, “Under the Powerlines” is yet another captivating release by Jesse Welles. This staggering 63-song collection captures his rise over the past year, compiling viral videos that have captivated millions across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Welles offers fans direct access to the unfiltered recordings that launched him into the spotlight. I’ll be honest, I haven’t made it through all 63 songs yet. However, I’ve already fallen in love with Welles’ acoustic cover of “Dead Flowers” by The Rolling Stones. He also delivers magnetic renditions of “Angel from Montgomery” by John Prine and “Clay Pigeons” by Blaze Foley, further cementing his reverence for the folk and country classics. This album feels like a culmination of Welles’ career so far. Even its title, “Under the Powerlines,” pays homage to the field where he records his most well-known songs. If you’ve ever watched his videos and wished for full-length versions of his tracks, now you have them all in one place. Definitely give this one a listen.
Released on March 18, “Train of Thought” is the latest offering from singer-songwriter Olive Klug and their favorite track from the upcoming album Lost Dog (out April 25). True to its title, the song mimics the steady chug of a train, pairing rhythmic acoustic strumming with snappy snare drums. Infused with Klug’s signature lyricism, the track exudes a folky, old-timey charm. At its core, “Train of Thought” is an upbeat and playful reflection on Klug’s gender expression and their desire to resist societal boundaries. The lyrics shift between abstract metaphors and vivid imagery, embracing a freewheeling, almost stream-of-consciousness style reminiscent of bluegrass. With its infectious energy and lyrical wit, “Train of Thought” reaffirms Klug’s knack for folk music. Take a listen to “Train of Thought”, and catch Olive Klug live on their upcoming tour, with stops at Club Passim in Cambridge (May 2), AS220 in Providence, RI (May 3), and 3S Artspace in Portsmouth, NH (May 7).
Hip-Hop & R&B
CONCERT: 4/24 – Moon Hooch & Future Joy @ Space Ballroom
Lyrically, “Hopped Out” by Buddy is pretty much any other rap song, but the beat really differentiates this one in my eyes. The drums are such a unique groove, and Buddy and Huey Briss use the same flow that totally works. It’s a bouncy, early 2000s inspired banger. I don’t know if I can exactly call this a summer song, but I can see this song still being in my rotation in a few weeks.
Jack Harlow’s newest drop, “Just Us (feat. Doja Cat)” was a pleasant surprise. The sample is from an artist called Bolsen from 2021. It’s pretty soulful and I was expecting something older. Harlow’s lyricism is just alright, but it has funny moments, as he often does. His rhyme scheme is on point, though, which is what makes the song so satisfying. Doja Cat’s verse kind of blew me away though. She takes bits from Harlow’s verses but brings in her own style which gives the song some real personality. All in all the song is just solid. You won’t be missing too much if you skip but I’d check it out if you’re a fan of either artist.
Surprisingly, I had never heard of FISHER before listening to his newest single, “Stay.” He’s a popular tech-house producer known for hits like “World, Hold On – FISHER Rework,” “Losing It” and “You Little Beauty.” He’s also garnered over 17 million monthly listeners on Spotify, making him a top 500 artist in the world. I loved “Stay,” the beginning repetition into the first beat drop less than a minute in is so good. The way FISHER distorts the vocals brings a bit of an eerie feeling, but it totally works as the drums ramp up for another breakdown. I can say for certain this one will be a staple on my house playlist from now on.
