DISCOVERING THE NEW MUSIC UNDERGROUND AROUND THE GLOBE
Jazz/Review Gianfranco GFN - Traces Of The World
Gianfranco GFN was born on October 8, 1966, in Biel, Switzerland. He started playing guitar at the age of 7, took some lessons during his adolescence, and then continued as a self-taught musician. He is notably influenced by jazz, blues, bossa nova, and funk, while not denying his Mediterranean roots, which are reflected in his warm and groovy compositions.
Pop/Review Naoko Hiranuma - Sea of Light
Naoko Hiranuma is a Japanese indie folk/pop artist based in Australia. Having spent over half her life overseas, she worked as a diving instructor in Japan, the Maldives, and Fiji, and later ran a surf camp in Fiji. Drawing inspiration from the ocean, surfing, and coastal landscapes, she creates cinematic indie folk and indie pop that blend intimate storytelling with atmospheric soundscapes, exploring themes of love, loss, resilience, and hope.
Hip-Hop/Review ENDROXUS - Tieň v hlave
ENDROXUS is an independent artist from Slovakia creating emotional pop/rap with melodic vocals. His music combines honest lyrics, memorable hooks, and modern production, focusing on themes of hope, perseverance, and real-life emotions. Inspired by personal experiences, ENDROXUS aims to create songs that listeners can truly connect with.
Pop/Review Tulegon - Rovine
Tulegon is a Milan-based artist whose musical vision has been shaped by an eclectic range of influences, from the poetic storytelling of Bob Dylan and Fabrizio De André to the atmospheric soundscapes of Sufjan Stevens and the distinctive Italian artistry of Paolo Conte and Baustelle. This unique blend of international and homegrown inspiration has cultivated a songwriting approach that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.
Electronic/Review John Miller - Sexy Blueberry
John Miller is a Paris-based artist whose music emerges from the depths of raw emotional experience and unfiltered vulnerability. Working as a solo creative force, Miller channels personal heartbreak into sonic landscapes that resonate with anyone who has loved and lost. His artistic approach is refreshingly honest and introspective, drawing entirely from his own emotional reservoir rather than external influences. Miller's creative philosophy centers on authenticity, allowing his wounded heart to guide the songwriting process.
Jazz/Review Suzanne Grzanna - Sunset Dreams
Suzanne Grzanna grew up in a suburb of Milwaukee in a musical family. Her parents, Don and Maureen Grzanna, are professional musicians, and she began piano lessons with her mother at age five. She added clarinet at age nine and later focused on alto saxophone in seventh grade. From an early age, she performed in her family band, gaining experience in jazz, rock, and dance music. She continued her musical journey through school bands, choir, and eventually the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus, where she performed for many years beginning at age eighteen.
Soul/Review Cheryl Craigie - What's Going On
Cheryl Craigie is an independent singer, songwriter, and musician. Singing since childhood, her passion for composing original music has blossomed in recent years. Her original songs evoke powerful emotions about love and life. To date, she has co-produced nine songs with Eric Goldberg, including three originals.
Hip-Hop/Review Yung Yuee - The Real Yuee (feat. Ricogotthatfye)
Yung Yuee is a visionary hip-hop artist from New Haven, United States, whose creative journey took an extraordinary turn following a life-altering tragedy. Drawing inspiration from artists like G Herbo, Trippie Redd, Bump J, and Lupe Fiasco, Yuee has transformed personal adversity into artistic innovation. After sustaining a spinal cord injury that left him a full C4 quadriplegic, he refused to let his circumstances define his creative output.
Rock/Review RSM - Life is...
RSM is a progressive fusion-rock project hailing from Lodz, Poland, led by composer and multi-instrumentalist Rafal Szewczyk. This studio-based collective brings together seasoned musicians who have cultivated their chemistry over many years, including bassist Marcin Blasiak and drummer Paweł Stepien.
Pop/Review Franck Rapp - Love on the Rocks (Stellar Version)
Franck Rapp is a composer first and a singer by choice—an artist who spent years perfecting his craft behind the scenes before stepping into the spotlight under his own name. Hailing from Chevilly Larue, France, Rapp built his reputation as a composer, producer, and arranger, writing music for films, artists, and his band, The Pink Crows. His work reached international acclaim when three of his compositions were featured in Antonio Maria da Silva's film Ashes & Blood, contributing to a soundtrack that garnered 16 international awards for Best Original Score.
Rock/Review DownTown Mystic - Mystic Highway Road Trip
DownTown Mystic is the alter ego of American rocker Robert Allen, whose passion for “old school” recording borders on obsession. Robert adds, “I grew up listening to all these great records, and their sound and style stayed with me.” Robert is joined by a stellar cast of musicians, including drummer extraordinaire Steve Holley (Paul McCartney/Wings/Elton John/Ian Hunter) & Paul Page (Dion/Ian Hunter) on bass, as well as one of the great rhythm sections in the history of American rock and roll—Max Weinberg & Garry Tallent of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band.
Cinematic/Review Leyla Romanova - 9/8
Leyla Romanova is a multi-genre composer whose work spans nearly the entire musical spectrum—from symphonic grandeur to cutting-edge electronic soundscapes. Her portfolio includes orchestral, chamber, and piano works, as well as experimental electronica, progressive techno, pop-jazz, and pop-rock. Rooted in the academic tradition of concert halls and handwritten scores, yet constantly evolving, she now fuses orchestral textures with electronic pulses to craft cinematic worlds that evoke vivid imagery through powerful dramaturgy and atmosphere—a vision that has earned her numerous international awards.
Metal/Review Ten Ton Devil - Bad Hombres
Ten Ton Devil is the uncompromising sonic vehicle of The Mighty Caputo, a Wilmington, NC-based artist who refuses to be constrained by genre conventions or political correctness. Operating primarily as a studio project with occasional contributions from anonymous collaborators, Ten Ton Devil represents a fearless approach to extreme music that draws from the raw energy of early thrash pioneers like Overkill, Exodus, and Megadeth while forging its own caustic path.
Electronic/Review Remik Erikson - Nacho
Remik Erikson is a Windsor-based artist whose creative journey began in the most romantic of circumstances—crafting lyrics for his wedding day song. This unconventional entry into songwriting has shaped his distinctive artistic voice, one that blends affection and lifestyle in ways rarely heard before. Erikson's music emerges from genuine, lived experiences, transforming everyday moments into compelling sonic narratives. Working from his basement studio, he has developed a raw, authentic approach to music-making that prioritizes emotional honesty over polished convention.
Hip-Hop/Review Lil' Mike - The Halloween Part2 (feat. Evička & Onii)
Emerging from Goldtown, France, Lil' Mike is a multifaceted artist who seamlessly blends music production with cinematic storytelling and choreographed performance art.
Jazz/Review Martina Lupi - Dannate Salvatrici
Martina Lupi is more than just a voice: she is a seeker of invisible frequencies, an artist who has successfully carried the ritual power of ancestral instruments into the sophisticated textures of contemporary songwriting.
Pop/Review Gray Harbor - Sweet Angel
Gray Harbor is the adult contemporary songwriting project of Michael Gray—a fresh creative endeavor built around one simple idea: great songs, brought to life by exceptional voices. Drawing inspiration from the timeless craftsmanship of Billy Joel, Sting, and Elton John, Michael crafts emotionally rich, piano-based music that lingers long after the last note fades. Each song is performed by one of three distinct vocalists, giving the project a dynamic range of expression while staying true to a sound rooted in melody, feeling, and honesty.
Rock/Review Shortout Kid - Toy Shop
Shortout Kid is a one-of-a-kind artist. For over 15 years he worked in seclusion, building an instrument yet unseen by the human eye, with the fused looks and sounds of an electric guitar and a chainsaw. It took him another 3 years to get his hands permanently attached to his razor belt and to learn to play it virtuously.
Rock/Review Ghost of Panama - The Last Food on Earth
Ghost of Panama are a West London-based duo comprising Keith Welham (instruments and voice) and Cristabel Liu (lead voice and instruments), who have carved out a distinctive sonic identity that deliberately sidesteps easy comparisons. Their sound bridges decades with finesse—channeling a 1980s vibe infused with punk and post-punk energy while remaining firmly planted in the 2020s contemporary landscape.
Metal/Review Frequency Overload - Sunburn
Frequency Overload is a Long Island-based metal band delivering a hardcore-infused twist on crossover thrash. Founded by guitarist Corey Schaefer and drummer Kevin Daily, the band draws from their deep roots in metal, with Corey’s history in bands like Uncle Jack and Misery Kills and Kevin’s background in Exit Verona and Akalamathesia. Vocalist Mr. Bush (formerly of Social Disease and Pummel) and bassist Steve Little (Cobalt 60, Ionize) round out the lineup.