Following the breakup of New York City rock trio Upstate Escape, guitarist and vocalist John Norwood started Blanker as a solo project without any particular expectations about where the music would go. What began as a way to continue writing and recording independently has since developed into a more collaborative effort, with former Upstate Escape drummer Bryan Schwenk becoming a regular contributor. Blanker has released eight albums since 2017, the latest being The Picture

An album release from Layla Minoui showcases the composer's ability to really build out emotionally bound atmospheres, pushing gorgeous piano work with dynamic balance to deliver the mood and feeling behind each piece. Layla is really amazing at creating something that you almost automatically connect with. I feel like the Journey to Rebirth album speaks volumes for her, simply because she's able to take all these emotions and put them forward with these songs. The performanc

A fresh release from INDVGO delivers a bit of an edge in terms of its overtone, but it also boasts a lot of character which I think is one of the things you end up really liking the most. The production of this track has an alternative feel to it. It's got a heavy, deep rooted beat that hits pretty hard, but there's also all kinds of synthesizers that are decimated and distorted, giving it that more impactful and grittier feel. This is definitely a track that has spacious und

An addictive and animated new record from Casey Abrams manages to refresh classic jazz approaches with this almost outlandishly fun style that brings together classic composition with a colorful and very vivacious energy. The #Jazz album combines styles both old and new and features some brilliant takes on the genre, but what really reaches out and grabs you about this whole thing is really the character it involves. Casey seems to really let loose, and in doing so, that pers

An immersive new EP release from SUNTRAP brings out a pretty awesome blend of what I would consider to be classic, vintage, '80s-style new wave and pop, with post-punk, electro, and more. One of the things that really drives this record is the synth work. The synthesizers and keys are really robust and deliver all kinds of instrumental hooks and melodies, which is something I really enjoy because I feel like instrumental hooks are something that have been missing from all kin

Split Vision return with their new release, “Out of Nowhere,” a classic-feeling song that brings back the sound of vintage synthesizers while giving those familiar sounds a fresh new spin. The synthesizers give the song a strong retro feel, but the track still feels modern and original. We get a nice sense of nostalgia here without the song feeling stuck in the past. The song has a thick and full sound, with plenty of layers that help build its overall atmosphere. There is a

Packing take a much more personal approach with their 2025 single “Just as Bros,” a five-minute track that feels like a reflection on friendship, growing apart, and the complicated emotions that can come with losing someone who was once a huge part of your life. There is something very honest about the way “Just as Bros” approaches its subject. Rather than simply looking back at a friendship with nostalgia, the song deals with the harder parts of that relationship too. There

A heavy-hitting new EP release from Terry Ennison delivers a super impactful energy that becomes quickly infectious and doesn't let up throughout the entire record. This is a release that is relentless, and from the production to the rap flows, the entire thing has a sort of intense soundscape to it, but that's what lets it stick with you. A lot of these songs are explosive. The production and beats have orchestral and edginess to them, and the vocals can be just as edgy when