How The Cure Influenced Pop Culture and Left a Lasting Legacy
Photo credit: Ida Marie Odgaard / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP Words by: Sam Walker-Smart It’s been 16 years since alternative icons The Cure released their last album, 4:13 Dream. During that time, the band’s legacy has only grown. The moody hitmakers have regularly headlined major festivals like Glastonbury, Coachella, and Lollapalooza, and received recognition from […]
On the Rise with Tarian
Photo credit: EJ Visual’ Words by: Laviea Thomas Tarian, which translates to “shield” in Welsh, is an exciting rising talent bridging the gap between indie folk and hip-hop. Ready to start anew, he is developing a sound that perfectly captures life’s dissonant woes alongside its sporadic highs. Describing his style as “hip-hop with a singer-songwriter […]
How Toydrum Danced Their Way to Critical Acclaim with the ‘Slow Horses’ Soundtrack
Photo credit: IMDB Words by: Cat Woods British duo Toydrum may be a powerhouse you haven’t yet discovered. For trip-hop enthusiasts, the name Unkle might resonate, though. This pioneering outfit was formed by James Lavelle in 1992 and featured a revolving lineup of guest producers, vocalists, and musicians—most notably DJ Shadow, Thom Yorke, Mike D, […]
Album Review: Kit Sebastian, ‘New Internationale’
Words by: Sam Walker-Smart Formed in England in 2017 by two globetrotting souls, Kit Sebastian is the kind of band you can’t describe in a few words. They easily defy categorization, making them a genuinely refreshing listen. Merve Erdem left her native Turkey to study film in Italy a decade ago. She later wrote her […]
VERTTIGO: Charting the Rise of a Dream Pop Phenomenon
Photo credit: Shannon Johnson Words by: Cyclone Wehner “How do you take a beloved classic and make it your own?” This is the question the mysterious new dream pop band VERTTIGO, hailing from Edmonton, Canada, answers with their captivating cover of Mazzy Star’s psychedelic “Fade Into You.” Mercurial frontwoman Karímah describes the track—reimagined in […]
Album Review: The Airborne Toxic Event, ‘Glory’
Words by: Sam Walker-Smart Four years after their LP, Hollywood Park, and nearly two decades since their debut, Los Angeles indie rock veterans The Airborne Toxic Event have returned with their seventh album. At nine tracks and a 36-minute runtime, Glory offers a breezy yet anthemic exploration of frontman Mikel Frans Jollett’s world of doomed […]
THE DISCOVERY – ASHRR
Photo credit: Jeff Fourney Words by: Cyclone Wehner Los Angeles-based ASHRR is an unlikely dance music supergroup, consisting of Steven Davis, Josh Charles, and Ethan Allen. Each member brings a unique background—ranging from swing to country to rock. While their music may initially appear to be a hodgepodge of styles, it actually comes together in […]
For Big Fat Cow, Friendship Is the Foundation of Their Craft
Photo Credit: Imani Black Words By: Alex Gonzalez Big Fat Cow’s music, though executed spontaneously, stems from the unbreakable bonds of friendship and camaraderie. The Kansas City band—comprised of vocalist and guitarist Noah Cassity, lead guitarist Kole Waters, drummer Matt Chipman, and bassist and vocalist Alex May—has found that their sibling-like bond is the driving […]
Album Review: Hello Mary, ‘Emita Ox’
Words by: Sam Walker-Smart Despite barely being out of their teens, the Brooklyn trio Hello Mary has already been making waves. Their 2023 self-titled album garnered attention from industry legends Rolling Stone and KEXP, while recent festival appearances in the UK have only amplified the buzz surrounding these trailblazing noisemakers. Now, on Sept. 13, […]
Who Are Fishmans?: Japan’s Best Kept Secret
Words by: Sam Walker-Smart If there is one thing every collector loves, it’s a list. Head over to Rate Your Music— the go-to encyclopedia for LP enthusiasts—and browse their top albums of all time. Nestled between King Crimson’s Red and Slints influential Spiderland, you’ll find a lesser-known gem: LONG SEASON by the oddly named Fishmans, […]