1. Carver Commodore — “Ring Ain’t Free” is a meditation on maturity that brings the funk without the masturbatory solos. 2. Captains of April — “Groovy Tuesday” leads from an expansive intro into a crisp pop-punk banger. 3. Dar Stellabotta…
Rocky Bottom’s latest EP, Modern Machine, takes a much harder stance than American Man. While the previous album was good-natured, Modern Machine takes a bluesier approach to tackle the ennui of modern life and the quest for self-satisfaction. “Someday” picks…
1. Nichole Wagner — “Lies (A Murder Ballad)” takes a truly exhausted trope and flips it on its head. Wagner is a perceptive songwriter, and this time she turns her powers towards the misogyny of folk music. 2. The Still…
Madison Lewis’s artist’s bio says pretty prominently that she’s only 14 years ago. After listening to a few seconds of the album, I wrote back to her PR person and said something like, “Shut up. You’re lying.” Lewis’ alto has…
1. EHM Sky Patrol — “Pulling Around Moons” is a gentle Southern waltz that is equal parts dreamy and romantic. 2. Matt Tarka — “Time Travels” is a jangly Southern rock number that calls to mind both REM and Against…