Chicago-based art pop artist Madame Reaper shares her new music video for “Utopia.” The visual is a blend of accidental fact and fiction, pushing toward the absurd while unintentionally capturing reality. Read more about the work and watch the video.

Chicago power pop band Time Thieves are back with their second EP of the year, If you Survive. The releases showcases the band’s strength as songwriters, focusing on their original intention: to write bops. We spoke to frontman Jonathan Pool about collaboration, selling merch, buying too many pedals and sending a live goat to hell.

Hannah Frey's second full-length album Lucky Girl is a heartfelt tribute to her life-changing move to Chicago in 2021. She found a thriving, supportive indie music community there that influenced her artistry. Recorded live with her band, the album captures the joy of collaboration and the magic of a city that promotes creativity. Frey draws inspiration from strong female songwriters, blending introspective lyrics with a communal spirit. Learn more about Hannah Frey as we discuss recording highlights, vulnerability in songwriting, the records that shaped her musical taste and more.

Chicago-based trio daarling has emerged onto the music scene with their debut album, "The Deep Within." Recorded in the basement of their old practice space with CJ Melton, the album showcases a mix of alt-rock and shoegaze, tinged with elements of noise and grunge. Tracks like "Metamorphosis" and "Out of Greed" offer introspective lyrics and dynamic instrumentation, highlighting daarling's ability to craft emotive and compelling music. As they embark on a spring tour to promote their album, daarling promises to continue pushing creative boundaries while staying true to their evocative sound. Read our Q&A with the band.