DISCOVERING THE NEW MUSIC UNDERGROUND AROUND THE GLOBE
Country/Review Jens Gustavson - Vissa dagar
For nearly 30 years, the Swedish singer/songwriter Jens Gustavson has composed, recorded, and released his own music on CD, vinyl, and digitally. With various bands, or solo, he has performed at numerous parties, pubs, events, and festivals in Sweden over the years. For example, Storsjöyran, Urkult, and Svarttorpsfestivalen. His previous band, Andras Ungar, were often praised for their rowdy and sweaty performances. Musically, Jens belongs to the alternative scene.
Hip-Hop/Review Trav B Ryan - Red Stars
Trav B Ryan will rap for vibes. The talents of this New York–based artist shine through every song he releases. With a distinctive voice and an even more distinctive flow, Trav has carved out a space that’s entirely his own—earning features on ComicBook.com, GrungeCake, The Girls at the Rock Show, and even a spotlight appearance on MSNBC’s The Beat with Ari Melber.
Rock/Review The Vigilante - Tell Me
The Vigilante stands at the intersection of retro rebellion and digital decay—a sonic vigil in the age of machines. Drawing influence from Depeche Mode’s brooding electronics, David Bowie’s shapeshifting glam, and the industrial tension of Nine Inch Nails, The Vigilante resurrects 80’s synth-rock with a modern, cinematic edge.
Metal/Review RMNSKI - Ashes (feat. ABZY)
RMNSKI is an alternative metal project built on heavy, guitar-driven energy and a raw emotional core. The sound leans into metalcore and post-hardcore influences, throwing aggressive riffs and harsh vocals against big melodic peaks, catchy hooks, and layered, atmospheric breaks.
Rock/Review Highet - Time is What I'm Wasting
Highet is the father-son songwriting duo of Nikolas and Thomas Erl, who collaborate to write and produce contemporary songs that they record with professional local session musicians in Vancouver, Canada. The band’s name originates from “Highet Creek,” a long, winding creek deep in the northern Yukon wilderness, where their ancestors operated a placer mine for decades, searching for gold. The authentic, guitar-centric sound of Highet’s music is inspired by artists such as Dire Straits, The Church, and Crowded House.
Rock/Review Wholes - A Mass in the Water
Wholes is what it sounds like when sleep is no longer sufficient. When the slate can’t be swept clean and thoughts pile on top of thoughts on top of thoughts. Indistinguishable. Unstoppable. A babel of bedlam. Members of Elefant, Pink Room, Hypochristmutreefuzz, and Kolektiv find themselves somewhere between Housewives, David Sylvian, Devo, and Gilla Band.
Rock/Review ABELA - Wicked
ABELA is a Finland-born, Stockholm-based artist who blends pop, rock, and raw edge with honest, striking lyrics. With explosive stage presence and a voice that cuts through the noise, she has captured the attention of music blogs and radio stations alike. Since her debut in 2019, ABELA has released a series of singles and her acclaimed debut album LOST (2024), where three tracks landed on major official Spotify playlists.
Reggae/Review Carlton Rara - Universed
Singer, composer, and actor Carlton Rara was born in France to a Haitian mother and a French father. He’s been influenced by shows and artists of all kinds since his early childhood. His music is a blend of various influences, such as reggae, blues, pop music, and others. His compositions often have a rhythmic approach.
Metal/Review The Dead Hearts - Plight Goes On
Hailing from Lublin, Poland, The Dead Hearts were founded in late 2020 by guitarist Damian Lipiński. Following numerous changes, the band’s current line-up is Grzegorz Iwańczuk (lead vocals), Filip Dolecki (guitar), Damian Lipiński (guitar), Mateusz Michna (bass guitar/backing vocals), and Cezary Szypulski (drums). The band debuted with a demo EP, ‘For What May Never Come,’ in January 2024, showcasing their alternative metal and post-grunge influences.
Rock/Review Seven Nation Army - Electro Time
Seven Nation Army (sometimes abbreviated 7NA) is a Polish rock band based in Cracow. The band was founded by Jarek Balsamski, who has been the only constant member throughout multiple line-up changes. The latest line-up consists of Jarek Balsamski (guitars, synthesizer, programming, lead & backing vocals, music & lyrics) and Olga Ostrowska (lead & backing vocals).
Rock/Review Mick J. Clark - It's Christmas Party Time
Mick J. Clark is a singer/songwriter on the Sonorus Record Label with over 1,000,000 Spotify streams on his songs; he reached No. 3 in the UK and No. 2 in the USA iTunes Top 100 Rock Songs in June 2020 with: We Know It's True. He has written over 60 songs, of which 54 are being played by Emerge Music in shops, and with two songs on the ‘Goa Chillout Zone Vol. 9’ album, which reached No. 1 in the iTunes Electronic Chart.
Pop/Review TaniA Kyllikki - I PROMISE (I’ll Wait For You) ft. Rynellton
Passionate, uprising, independent singer-songwriter TaniA Kyllikki has had charting success both in radio and in streaming apps. She has gained millions of views on her YouTube channel. She has been supported and praised for her in-depth honesty in her lyrics, often described as the one who tells the truth. She has been featured in hundreds of renowned music magazines, blogs, and news outlets. TaniA uses her rich, soulful tone and powerful vocal range that spans five octaves, including the whistle register, to deliver emotive performances in her songs.
Hip-Hop/Review Sugly Boy - Before the Raeskiverse
Sugly Boy is a cinematic rap and glitch-soul artist from Portsmouth, VA (757), blending heavy drums, warped harmonies, and mythic storytelling into a signature sound known as Raeskified. Every song he makes expands the Raeskiverse—a living world where music becomes lore, emotion becomes energy, and real life becomes legend. Raised between motion, loss, and creativity, Sugly Boy turns truth into sound. His style fuses trap aggression, soulful depth, and blue-glow atmospheres with experimental production.
Punk/Review Reapers Ghost - Lovebite
Reapers Ghost is the darkly theatrical creation of singer and artist Angie, whose high-energy performances blur the line between life and death, horror and rock ’n’ roll. Once silenced, Angie made a pact with the Grim Reaper and became forever 23—a ghostly muse with a voice that haunts the living. But the Reaper had another restless soul to deal with: his son, Johnny Reaper, a punk-rock rebel who wanted fame, not fate. Sent to join Angie, he fell for her instantly.
Rock/Review Tambyrlane - Fools Parade
Mike Molina and Steve Capozzi, known collectively as Tambyrlane, provide proof that the urge to make music remains intrinsically tied to one’s passion and purpose. So too, even when one has garnered attention early on—as Mike did with his first band, The Coins—the desire and determination tend to linger and find a safe and secure spot in one’s musical mindset and reside there forever.
Rock/Review No Lonesome - Am I What I'm Not?
No Lonesome is the DIY project of Chicago-based musician and producer Jeb Backe. Their mixed-fidelity sound shows a forward-thinking ear while flexing a studied understanding of what has come before. Backe is an ongoing collaborator with musicians Smushie, Astrachan, and Berta Bigtoe in the Chicago music scene.
Rock/Review John Michael Hersey - Democracy
Singer/songwriter/actor John Michael Hersey has released twenty-one albums of his music, including the October 2025 album, Democracy, where he continues his fertile fusion of rock, pop, folk, blues, and country.
Rock/Review Shouse - Jaded
Shouse, hailing from Jackson, KY, United States, is making a triumphant return with his long-awaited original album, "Jaded." This marks his first release in 15 years, and he's brought along an impressive lineup of guest musicians to elevate the project. With guest solos from renowned legends such as Michael Angelo Batio, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, and Tony MacAlpine, as well as the stellar drumming of Charlie Zeleny and bass work by James Amhelio Pulli, the album is a dynamic and captivating musical journey.
Rock/Review Highroad No. 28 - Ache
Formed in late 1998, Highroad No. 28 quickly established itself as a powerhouse in the Australian heavy rock scene. Their first two EPs, Obscure Madness (1999) and Dynamic Introspection (2002), showcased a band unafraid to explore the depths of anguish and despair—yet always infused with a relentless “never-give-in” attitude.
Country/Review Michellar - We Both Can Fall (feat. Gracie Lou)
Michellar hails from the vibrant music scene of San Francisco, United States. She has been writing songs from the age of 15 and had a 40-year hiatus from the skill. Until recently, her songwriting craft has been ignited by a confidence-boosting acceptance to The de Young Museum Open Call Exhibition in 2023.