Pop & Indie
CONCERT: 6/3 – Dean Wareham @ Space Ballroom
Elton John and Brandi Carlile released their album “Who Believes In Angels?” this week and it’s soooo good. Their voices go so well together making this album sound absolutely beautiful. I have previously covered “Swing For The Fences” but it is one of my favorite tracks on this album, it makes me want to get up and dance. It’s just so fun. I also really enjoy the slower title track, it showcases their voices so well. While this is a collaborative album each artist has their own track that ends each of the two discs the album is separated into. Overall the entire album is fantastic and definitely deserves a listen.
“DON’T TELL THE GIRLS” is a fun song from young pop artist, BIZZY. This song and the Instagram graphics are so fun. BIZZY has been promoting the release of this song with BIZFLIX (Netflix) themed posts on Instagram and they’re so cute. This song is about spending the night with someone you shouldn’t and knowing that your friends wouldn’t react well. It’s a fun upbeat pop song that I definitely recommend.
The deluxe version of Ally Evenson’s “BLUE SUPER LOVE” came out this week and I really enjoy the five new tracks. This album will hopefully be added to the sequencer soon and I can’t wait to play a song during one of my shows. I really like the ending of “I Love My Wife”. I’m a big fan of dialogue in songs, I think it’s a fun addition and this song ends with Evenson talking. I’m really excited to have these songs available to play during shows.
Gracie Abrams released a live version of “Death Wish” this week. Any Gracie Abrams releases are really special to me because “Risk” was my first ever genre manager pick and I really became a fan of her through “The Secret of Us” which is the album that single came from. “Death Wish” is an unreleased song Abrams recently performed at O2 Arena in London. I really like this song, it’s slow and sad and fits her voice perfectly. I hope she releases a studio recorded version soon.
Calum Scott released “God Knows” and I love it!!! His voice is so powerful as shown by the start of his career on Britain’s Got Talent. He is known for his cover of “Dancing On My Own” which is a song that I really love so the second I saw his name I knew I had to listen. This song is really catchy and I think his voice fits perfectly.
Punk & Alternative
CONCERT: 6/8 – The Kills @ Toad’s Place
The long awaited full release of Scowl’s “Are We All Angels” is here. I’ve followed this band for the last couple months, covering its successes, failures, and documenting its attack by some incredibly dedicated members of Reddit. Unfortunately, the full release doesn’t feel like it meets the hype that the discourse surrounding it caused for me. Having released four songs off an 11 track album before release, it feels like I’ve already heard the whole album—a sentiment not helped by the fact that the other songs sound so similar to the singles that the album just feels like one song. While I’m happy the band has been able to find and refine its new sound, I’m hoping that going forward, we’re able to see a little more variety in the content of each track.
Australian Alt-Rock band The Grogans consists of Quin Grunden, Angus Vasic, and Jordan Lewis released the third single from its upcoming album “Stagger” on April 3. The song, titled “Roundabout,” is an edgier track, compared to the band’s typical releases, but is still incredibly catchy. Reverb has been the style with new releases lately, and The Grogans are not an exception to that trend—the lyrics linger and echo over other instrumental and vocal tracks, creating an interesting listening experience. The full album releases in late May, and I’m excited to see what else The Grogans have to bring to the table.
Virginian Rock band Car Seat Headrest had its start in 2010, the brainchild of Will Toledo. He would eventually be joined by Ethan Ives, Andrew Katz, and Seth Dalby as permanent band members. The alt-rock band began work on its upcoming 13th studio album in 2023, and just released the second single off the album “CCF (I’m Gonna Stay With You)” on April 2. The song is interesting, beginning with an instrumental and some experimental bongos, before Toledo begins to chant in Spanish and French. The song is interesting and experimental, but as we get to the chorus, it becomes incredibly catchy, even though I still can’t understand what’s being said, even in English. The song is sung by two characters, Chanticleer and Beolco, that appear on the cover of the full album “The Scholars,” to be released in early May.
Folk & Country
CONCERT: 6/8/25 – The Native Howl @ Space Ballroom
Released on April 2, Waylon Wyatt’s latest single “Smoke & Embers”, features artist Willow Avalon. Wyatt’s steady vocals pair perfectly with Avalon’s harmonies, creating a sound that feels both timeless and modern. Backed by a delicate acoustic guitar and piano, the song paints a picture of love fading, two people clinging to memories. The title itself captures this sentiment: the fire may be gone, but its warmth still lingers. Wyatt and Avalon co-wrote the song after a chance encounter following one of Wyatt’s shows in New York, and their creative chemistry is undeniable. Building on the homegrown success of his debut EP ‘Til The Sun Goes Down, Wyatt continues to show that his greatest strength lies in raw, honest songwriting. With a sold-out tour currently underway, Wyatt is quickly becoming a major voice in the country music scene. Give “Smoke & Embers” a listen.
Riding the momentum of a breakout year that includes touring with Noah Kahan and a viral hit with “Rattlesnake,” Jack Van Cleaf isn’t slowing down. His latest single, “Using You,” released on April 2, dives into themes of love, guilt, and self-awareness. The song opens gently, with a quiet ache in Van Cleaf’s delivery as he confesses to being with someone for comfort rather than for love. Blending folk and indie rock with a touch of Americana, “Using You” showcases Van Cleaf’s signature style, witty lyrics of hard-hitting truths. This song is a quiet gut punch and a testament to the power of his songwriting. The accompanying music video is cheeky and unexpected: think makeshift drug labs, Conversation Hearts, and line dancing, like Breaking Bad set in a honky tonk. Keep an eye out for Jack Van Cleaf’s sophomore album, “JVC,” dropping May 9.
Released on April 4, John Williamson returns with “How Many Words,” his 53rd album and his first collection of all-new songs since 2018’s “Butcherbird.” Celebrating 55 years in the music industry, Williamson offers a heartfelt reflection on his life, legacy, and love for the Australian countryside. My favorite track from the album is “Beautiful Words,” a touching tribute to the fans who’ve written to him over the decades. Another standout is track five, “Come Back to Me Country,” a song that beautifully expresses Williamson’s love for Australia, its people, landscapes, and all the unique qualities that make it such a special place to live and love. Across the 12-track album, Williamson’s signature storytelling shines. He weaves tales of rural life, quiet love, and the passage of time with a familiar warmth. Musically, “How Many Words” stays true to his acoustic, bush-ballad roots. He doesn’t chase trends; instead, he leans into authenticity, inviting listeners to slow down and reflect. This is an album for longtime fans and newcomers alike. Folk music knows no borders, so if you’re a fan of country, give Australian country a listen with “How Many Words.”
Hip-Hop & R&B
CONCERT: 5/8 – Hollywood Undead & Tech N9ne @ College Street
Two of the biggest up and coming names in EDM dropped this week, the first being 2hollis with “star.” It’s an incredibly authentic album rooted in a production style that’s just begging to be performed. Hollis is no stranger to showing vulnerability in his art, and “star” is no different. “flash” confronts some uncomfortability in his newfound fame behind the beat of a rowdy club hit. He goes deeper into these themes on “tell me, ” which was also one of my favorites. The way Hollis shapes the beat around his lyrics is so unique, and with several big drops “tell me” always kept me guessing. I thought the middle of the album dragged a bit, but he certainly stuck the landing. “sidekick” seemed like it was more of a nod to his trap beginnings, with a blaring bass. “eldest child” slowed things down to only an acoustic guitar where Hollis gets very sentimental, telling the eldest child how “your momma and your daddy are goddamn proud.” To be transparent, there are some pretty corny lines on this one, but the genuine delivery warms my heart too much to care. If you’re a fan of EDM, you’ll be a fan of 2hollis and “star.”
The other big name in EDM to drop was Jane Remover, with “Revengeseekerz.” There are a lot of similarities between both of these albums. Both are from incredibly authentic queer artists who clearly love pushing their genre’s boundaries to their limits. When it comes to age they’re literally only four months apart, and both have crafted elaborate internet personas to accompany their music. While I did like “star,” I think “Revengeseekerz” cements Remover as the artist to beat in the genre right now. Their experimentation is impressive, and to go back to their glitch-core and digicore sound after not using it for so long astounds me all the more. Their production is all over the place, but there were times on the album when I found it to be too much. I think one of the best examples of Remover doing too much in a good way was “Experimental Skin.” The opening melody is incredibly catchy, and as the song builds towards the middle, I’m a big fan of the moving piano they add. The song maintains a blistering energy throughout, which honestly, every song on this album does well. If you’re willing to push into the genre more after listening to “star,” “Revengeseekerz” should be next on the list.
Aminé isn’t the only one affected by a few Kaytranada features. After appearing on his 2024 album, “TIMELESS,” PinkPantheress seems to be going down the same house music rabbit hole that I am. She uses a bass-heavy, bouncier sound on her newest single, “Tonight,” in a way that most closely resembles “Boy’s A Liar.” This song is a great addition to the promiscuous pop of 2024, headlined by names like Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX. It’s exactly what I look for in a great PinkPantheress song, and it’s over two and a half minutes long, which is an impressive feat. PinkPantheress has gone on interviews saying songs don’t need to be longer than two minutes and caught a lot of flack from the general music community. All in all though, I’m grateful that one of her longest tracks is also one of her best.
Lil Yachty and Veeze’s newest release, “Can’t Be Crete Boy” was pretty fantastic. I first heard Veeze’s name in the summer of 2024 for his song, “F*cked A Fan,” but he’s been dropping since 2019. The song starts with a great chipmunk soul sample, then switches the beat to something more electronic, utilizing a synth melody instead of the sample. Yachty and Veeze both put some solid wordplay on display throughout the song, both known to drop a goofy bar every now and then. If you’re a fan of trap, this is the release for you.
