Music Essentials

  • 8485 – Software Gore / Personal Protocol

    Software Gore

    8485 makes cyberpunk hyperpop for the AI apocalypse. If the human race is doomed, at least the soundtrack is great.

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  • FIEP — Fried Rice, Moon Bliss

    Fried Rice, Moon Bliss

    Amsterdam’s FIEP makes energetic and charismatic power-pop, and their two latest EPs combine for a catchy and hooky debut record.

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  • Bagdad — They Don’t Know

    They Don’t Know

    Polish three-piece Bagdad is sombre and contemplative on their debut EP They Don’t Know, channeling low-key 90s grunge classics near-flawlessly.

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  • Other Half – Transgression is Outdated / Dark Ageism

    Dark Ageism

    Other Half is incandescent with rage on recent single “Transgression is Outdated”, and last year’s Dark Ageism, is one of the great punk records of the 2020s.

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  • The Boojums: Hot Streak

    Outta My Head

    The Boojums are a Nova Scotia band making catchy lo-fi garage rock with fantastic music videos.

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  • The Bug Club — On the Intricate Inner Workings of the System

    On the Intricate Inner Workings of the System

    I’m now a card-carrying member of The Bug Club. The band’s lo-fi garage punk is charming, funny and irresistible.

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  • Shiv and the Carvers — Tell Me You Love Me Again EP

    Tell Me You Love Me Again

    Shiv and the Carvers’ second EP and first for Twin Fang is a brief and fun blast of 90s influenced skate punk.

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  • cootie catcher – Shy at first

    Shy at first

    cootie catcher’s second album, Shy at first, is a warm and charming throwback to mid-00s twee indie rock.

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  • Miynt

    Singles

    Miynt has always made music rooted in tie-dyed psychedelia. The lead up to her album Rain Money Dogs brings her sound into the 21st century, if only just.

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  • Adore

    Stay Free Old Stranger

    Irish garage punk band Adore takes on issues of domestic abuse and toxic masculinity with tight musicianship and feral intensity.

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  • R. Missing

    Dear Contests / Telepolartears

    R. Missing’s haunting, hypnotic music captures emotions with surgical precision, leaving listeners suspended in moments of quiet disquiet.

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  • The Orchestra (For Now)

    Plan 75

    The Orchestra (For Now) is a seven-member art-rock band with a live show that looks incredible. If you don’t know them yet you will soon.

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