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.

Indiepop act The Photocopes presents their darkest work yet on our compilation daylight x darknight. It’s a new wave/post-punk piece on loss,  the kind that can drive you mad. Read more about “Constant Reminders” and watch the brand new video!

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.

Phantom Handshakes explores themes of twilight and emotional depth in their latest album Sirens at Golden Hour. The dream pop duo is Matt Sklar and Federica Tassano. They perform live as a 5-piece alongside Meghan Seeberg, Matt Billington, and Brian Alvarez. Sonically, the release expands on their lo-fi soundscapes, while they touch on themes of hope, despair and the climate crisis. We connected with the pair to discuss instinctual songwriting, measuring success and more.

Ottawa artist Hot Mud confronts addiction on his debut album Rehab Rock. The album is a raw and honest portrayal of addiction and recovery. Influenced by indie rock, stoner rock, art rock, and psych-pop, Hot Mud blends harsh truths with humor, addressing the emotional journey of healing. Hot Mud, who turned to creative pursuits during recovery, discusses art as therapy, mental toughness, and influences in our Q&A.

Berlin-based songwriter/producer Van Common set strict parameters before recording his debut album Sunstruck. Instead, the album took shape organically, stretching outside of those restrictions. The result is a mostly electronic, indie-pop dance album on which Van Common looks inward and analyzes the impact of his actions. In our interview with the Dutch musician, we discuss discovering instrumental dance music, the challenges of learning to create music on a laptop, translating the album to a live setting, and more.

Photo Credit: Hannah Aletta