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.

In our latest artist profile, we feature experimental indie rock/folk act Lesbiana. Her contribution to our compilation daylight x darknight is a personal and powerful “stream-of-consciousness song” written in high school. In our “Get to know” article, we discuss influences, processing emotions through songwriting, strange comparisons, and synth folk.

Brooklyn indie rock act Short Porch just released their new album Hot & Ready. In our latest episode of OBJECTS, frontman Sean McNulty shares the items that influenced the record—an album that captures the essence of New York City.

Chicago’s Wide Orbit shares their new live music video for “What’s the Point.” The song is off the band’s debut album Introducing... Wide Orbit and explores the beauty in simplicity. Watch it now!

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.

Brooklyn indie rock band Looms share “I Killed a Man” off of their new EP Big Dream. The song is about personal transformation and leaving behind an old version of oneself. Listen to the track now!

After a 20-year hiatus, Florida-based Velvet Sun returns with their new EP Empire, Inspired by early influences like the Pixies and Blue Öyster Cult, the EP channels nostalgic melodies with a fresh, politically charged perspective. In an interview, Scott Weinkle opens up about his DIY approach to songwriting, the evolution of his musical style, and navigating a transformed music industry. From cosmic guitar tones to introspective lyrics and societal themes, Empire is both a personal and sonic reinvention worth diving into.

Pittsburgh shoegaze band Weird Era makes a bold first impression with their debut EP Shrine. It’s a raw, distortion-laced release fueled by a strong DIY spirit and creative chemistry. Shrine is more than just a sonic experience. It’s a product of close friendships, spontaneous songwriting, and a clear love for their local scene. In our interview, the band opens up about capturing lightning-in-a-bottle moments, embracing vulnerability in lyrics, and why they don’t see their music as a business. Plus, they shout out some of Pittsburgh’s most exciting indie acts.

Brooklyn dance punk band Two-Man Giant Squid shows us the OBJECTS that led to the creation of their recent self-titled album. Frontman Mitch Vinokur shares the production/mixing notes written across photos, documents and envelopes. Watch the first episode now!

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.

On their fifth album Poison, French band CATHEDRALE dive into the nuances of ordinary life, drawing influence from traffic jams, solitude, and the poetry of Baudelaire. The record deepens their post-punk sound while holding onto the garage and power pop energy they are known for. We spoke with frontman Jules Maison about the band’s creative influences, writing habits, music sharing, and his take on guitar pedals.

Massachusetts-based songwriter and producer Hazel Adeline is a masterful storyteller, channeling raw emotion and introspection into her music. In a bold move, she released two strikingly different albums—Color of Nothing and ego death & nightmares—just a month apart. One is lush and collaborative, while the other is stripped-down and deeply personal, capturing unfiltered moments of self-reflection. In our conversation, Hazel opens up about her creative process, the power of authenticity in songwriting, and the challenges of being an independent artist.

Miami alternative band Ex Monarch blends 90s grunge with modern rock. Their most recent single “Rotten,” which we featured as one of our faves back in October, the band calls “an honest expression of grief.” 

“We want our music to create a sense of empathy, and a space to expand the conversation and destigmatize topics that are hard to talk about,” says vocalist Amanda Pasler.

In our “6 Things W/Ex Monarch” the band touches on sonic influences, creating a balance on social media, guilty pleasures and more.

Bordeaux shoegaze band Cosmopaark has released their latest EP, Backyard, which features five tracks that blend classic shoegaze with modern noise pop. The EP was recorded in a studio, allowing the band to experiment with new production techniques. Backyard explores themes of resilience and introspection while showcasing their evolving sound. With a limited-edition release that quickly sold out, Cosmopaark's creative journey continues to captivate fans. Read our interview with vocalist Clément Pelofy.

Pittsburgh post-punk band Valleyview recently released their debut album Still Life. The band, consisting of Jesse Farine, Jared Anderson, Ben Volk, and Ethan Herring, draws inspiration from both contemporary and classic post-punk acts, including Protomartyr and Joy Division.

In our "6 Things W/Valleyview" Farine talks the band's evolving guitar sound, stepping away from music to defeat writer's block, their approach to visual work and the importance of supporting others in the independent music scene.

New York indie artist Speedrun, also known as Nina Lüders, found solace and expression in music during the COVID lockdown. Her debut EP "Love’s Latest News," influenced by early to mid-aughts indie rock, explores various facets of love and draws inspiration from French poet Jean-Michel Maulpoix. In our Q&A with Speedrun, we talk about her DIY journey, evolving the project into a multi-dimensional creative endeavor, balancing social media and mental health, and more.

New York indie Jade. debuted their album Autumn Electric last year. The band, fronted by William States Langham, formed after Langham turned to music for solace. Drawing on influences like Tame Impala and The Smashing Pumpkins, the album melds crunchy distortion with introspective lyrics. Read our Q&A with Langham where we discuss new music, live shows and nostalgia.

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.

This year we compiled a list of our favorite releases from 2023. Our picks for best songs include poetic hip-hop from LPTHERAPPER and psychedelic rock from Holy Wave. Check out our full list!

This year we compiled a list of our favorite releases from 2023. Our EP picks include post-punk/industrial duo Polevaulter and London indie rock act Peter Xan. Check out our full list!