Zero Point Energy Closer to You

I have really high expectations for the debut from Zero Point Energy; the duo has already dropped one banger, and here they are following it up with another gem, although this one goes beyond just its musical relevance. Musically, there’s a steady 90s indie rock vibe to it; the guitars providing this dramatic punch that allows for Genesis to weave his vocals in and out of the mixture. Now, when going through the notes, Genesis wrote this tune as a “trans anthem,” hoping to give an underrepresented side of the trans experience from their perspective. That’s super important to have that narrative for young listeners trying to find their way, but in his commentary on the track, he says ‘I tried to keep it fairly lyrically universal in that its less about becoming a certain gender and more about the fiery somewhat painful forging of an authentic identity.’ As a teacher of young teens, having folks try to build a road map for navigation through adolescence always strikes a chord. Bad ass song: check. Great message: check. Picking up their new album: check. Tilted Planet is out May 17th via Danger Collective.

Zero Point Energy Share Over My Head

There’s always something pleasurable in a tune that sort of begs you press the reset button and soak in it, like this new Zero Point Energy. You’ll find this naturalness in the songwriting, a sincerity in its craft that sort of moves it beyond traditional blogger pigeonholing. I was drawn by the guitar sound, particularly in the verses where it has this pristine chug to it; that caught me immediately as it carried this familiarity that seems to have been with me my whole life. Genesis Edenfield’s vocals are offered up in an almost haphazard manner, sort of not wanting to step into the light, so they hide in the shadows of the song to great effect. Really enjoyed this bop; they will release Tilted Planet on May 17th via Danger Collective.

New Single From Slow Hollows

It’s been a bit of a slog for me to get back into the swing of things here in the new year, but I am finally starting to open my ears to some fresh tunes for 2024. Los Angeles based artist Austin Feinstein, who records under the moniker Slow Hollows, has this fresh new tune called “Idle Hands” available today for your enjoyment. After right on three years since we last heard from him, this is a welcome return from Feinstein. His familiar deep voice pairs well with his sort of indie folk rock tunes.

Slow Hollows will release a new album entitled Bullhead on Marth 8th via Danger Collective.

Spiral XP Share Another Ripper from It’s Been a While EP

This Friday you’ll be able to stream all the songs from Spiral XP‘s brand new It’s Been a While EP, and with that, it seems only fitting that we hit up the latest single. For me, this song’s all about those churning riffs, ringing out in the front of the mix here. Sure, the jettisoning notes that shoot off into the horizon are great, but there’s something primal and rhythmic about the lead work; it’s like you’re running full steam ahead, almost out of balance and about to fall flat on your face. Except the vocals keep you steady; they’re calmed indifference in the midst of the noise holds you upright, keeps your ears and guarantees you get a taste of enough melody to come back to this track! Look for the EP this Friday courtesy of Danger Collective.

Spiral XP Share Deja Vu Video

When I first turned on this new track from Seattle’s Spiral XP, I was feeling pretty targeted. The track comes in immediately with these soaring guitars, crashing, hinting at angular notes, though also with a penchant for 90s college rock vibes; the rollicking drums give the music just enough edge to hit hard. Suddenly, the curtain opens on the vocals and there’s this gooey sweetness pouring through my speakers, softened tones curling around inner ear. It’s like playful noise rock, toying with you by presenting as loud and boisterous, but secretly melodious and covered in hooks. The group will release their new It’s Been a While EP on February 17th via Danger Collective.

Impressive New Tune From Spirit Was

Nick Corbo is a guy you probably knew during his time playing bass and sometimes signing in the innovative indie rock band LVL UP. After his old band decided to go their separate ways, Corbo stepped out on his own under the recording moniker Spirit Was. Many years were spent perfecting the sound of this new project and now Spirit Was will release a brand new, debut LP on October 22nd entitled Heaven’s Just a Cloud via Danger Collective Records. Prior to that release date, we’ve been treated to this post-emo, Built to Spill, muddy, blues inspired number called “Come Back up to the House”. I love the way the song progresses from this acoustic ballad, into a sort of muddy, indie rock gem with some stellar female vocals to give it a softer touch. You’ll want to check it out below.

Pre-orders for Heaven’s Just a Cloud are live now.

Psych Rocker From Red Ribbon

For those unfamiliar to the indie scene, Red Ribbon is the musical project of LA based songwriter Emma Danner. With a few releases that have flown somewhat under the radar of the last few years, I could see this new album really picking up steam if it all hits like this new single “Way”. I love the heavy, almost spaghetti western style, guitar sounds of the single paired with a sparse, yet striking drum beat. A bit of psych rock meets dark lounge music.

Red Ribbon will release this track as part of a full release entitled Planet X due out June 11th via Danger Collective (pre-order now).

Surf Curse Shares Hour of the Wolf

It’s really hard not to fall in love with Surf Curse; they haven’t really dropped a bad note since they’ve burst onto the larger scene this year (they haven’t really set a foot wrong, period). Their latest single, as the video would hint, has this natural brooding to it; it’s both ominous and dreamy, with notes occasionally cascading off through the tune that allow for the flare of artistry. What really gets me is the faint quiver in the vocals; it’s both fragile and intimate, giving us the briefest glimpse into the soul of the duo. Their debut album Heaven Surrounds You is out on September 13th via Danger Collective, and if there was a band I was wishing success upon, its this bunch.

Give Momma Some Love

This is not a preemptive Mother’s Day post, but rather an encouraging push towards the work of Momma, the teenage LA duo. Don’t let their age impact your impression; I think this tune sounds better than the majority of like-minded peers. I love how there’s this natural building of momentum throughout, though they show enough restraint to never fully give into that gradual build. Piling guitars atop each other, the duo happily let you drift away on the edge of their notes. It’s a wonderful tune, showing a great bit of care, thus leaving me impressed. Their forthcoming LP, Interloper, drops on May 25th via Danger Collective.

I Love This New Slow Hollows Tune

slowSometimes I see a song has a thousands of plays and I ignore it; I figure you’ve probably already heard it elsewhere, so what’s the point of shouting into the Internet void. But, this Slow Hollows track is just too great not to share, so take a listen to it. I like the pop croon from the group, almost like a nice nod to indiepop, though with a more orchestrated sound coming from the entirety of the group. The drums sit fairly far back in the mix, allowing the melody to steal the show, which, in songs like this, is precisely where things go right. The band’s album, Romantic, is out November 4th via Danger Collective.

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