DISCOVERING THE NEW MUSIC UNDERGROUND AROUND THE GLOBE
Rock/Review Neil Valmonte - Down on the River
Neil Valmonte is a solo producer, songwriter, and musician from Westport, CT, United States, who pushes creative boundaries by exploring the fascinating intersection between human-written lyrics and AI-assisted production. Working independently from his basement studio, Valmonte crafts anthemic soundscapes that echo the stadium-filling energy of legendary arena rock performances from the 1980s and 90s.
R&B/Review Keesha Blair - Truth Always Shows Its Face
Keesha Blair is a songwriter, music creator, and custom music director whose work centers healing, empowerment, boundaries, truth, and emotional restoration. Through Divine Purpose Music, she creates message-led songs and music experiences for listeners moving through deep inner work and returning to their own voice, clarity, and peace. Her role centers on songwriting, concept, message, and creative direction.
Pop/Review Moon and Aries - High Noon
Moon and Aries is a transatlantic duo (Canada/Germany) creating Electronic Cinematic Soul—a distinctive blend of atmospheric electronic production, soulful vocals, cinematic storytelling, and emotionally immersive soundscapes. Formed by vocalist and songwriter Jordana Moon and composer-producer Tom Aries, the duo creates music that moves between trip-hop influences, electronic soul, cinematic pop, lounge-inspired atmospheres, and organic textures.
Pop/Review C'batch - Next Time (I Won’t Be Falling)
Stephen H. Cumberbatch, a/k/a C'batch, is a composer, author, producer, and musician (guitarist) from White Plains, New York, United States. He is also a keyboard, synthesizer, and sampler programmer who has worked in association with many music professionals. Stephen proudly stands as a distinguished member of ASCAP.
Folk/Review Reece Sullivan - To Tir Na Nog
Reece Sullivan - To Tir Na Nog
Rock/Review Kings County - What Now
Originally from Long Island, NY, Orlando, FL-based Kings County creates hard-hitting rock with infectious hooks. Inspired by an eclectic combination of old and new artists, their songs blend edgy hard rock with strong melodies. The band’s music is somewhat reminiscent of 90s hard rock artists (Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, and Korn) but with a decidedly modern twist.
Country/Review Cody Jack - Nothing Left to Hide
Cody Jack is a Pacific Northwest country musician bringing a rugged blend of honky-tonk grit, heartfelt storytelling, and small-town soul to every stage he steps on. Influenced by artists like Chris Stapleton, Jamey Johnson, Bob Seger, and The Eagles, Cody’s sound is built on honest lyrics, strong melodies, and the kind of songs that feel lived-in. Whether he’s playing a brewery, barroom, wedding, or hometown stage, Cody Jack delivers country music with heart, edge, and authenticity.
R&B/Review Deportee - 2 Pretty
Deportee is a reggae/dancehall fusion artist based out of Detroit, Michigan, and St. Mary, Jamaica. A true world citizen, Deportee grew up in 8 different countries with his mother, Sylvia Curran, who was a high-ranking United States diplomat. His controversial name comes from the fact that he and his mother were expelled from Uzbekistan in 2006 for his mother's political activism in the country.
Classical/Review Otto Orany - 10 Blue-Penciled Stories
Otto Orany is a Czech composer and keyboardist who has spent the better part of a decade working at the intersection of contemporary classical music, jazz, and electronics.
Rock/Review Andrei British - South Florida Police
Andrei British - South Florida Police
Pop/Review Anna Thoresen - GROUNDHOG DAY
Los Angeles-based artist Anna Thoresen has been transforming personal adversity into compelling sonic narratives since relocating to the West Coast. Working from her home studio, Thoresen channels raw emotion through her guitar-driven songwriting, creating music that bridges classic rock sensibilities with bold experimental production. Drawing influence from iconic acts like The Police and Fleetwood Mac alongside contemporary innovator Dijon, she crafts a sound that feels both timeless and refreshingly modern.
Hip-Hop/Review Deportee - Black Women Are Not Cheap
Deportee is a reggae/dancehall fusion artist based out of Detroit, Michigan, and St. Mary, Jamaica. A true world citizen, Deportee grew up in 8 different countries with his mother, Sylvia Curran, who was a high-ranking United States diplomat. His controversial name comes from the fact that he and his mother were expelled from Uzbekistan in 2006 for his mother's political activism in the country.
Rock/Review GUIDES - FAILURE / DEFINES
GUIDES is a modern hard rock band blending the textured aggression of nu metal with the emotional depth of post-hardcore, delivering a sound built on heavy riffs, atmospheric layers, and melodic intensity. The band has quickly risen through the regional heavy scene, sharing stages with Sevendust, Taproot, Cold, Orgy, and Attack Attack! while building a reputation for raw, high-energy live performances.
Rock/Review Trophic Cascade - Cool Zep
Trophic Cascade is the musical project of Peter Marsh, a multi-instrumentalist based in the coastal town of Bulli, New South Wales, where the ocean meets lush Australian rainforest. Working from his home studio surrounded by this inspiring natural environment, Marsh is a true one-man band who writes, performs, and records all instruments himself—from piano and guitars to bass, congas, live drums, and vocals.
Rock/Review Dave's Manual - Electrical
Minneapolis-based rock band Dave’s Manual returns with their latest single, "Electrical," a high-energy nightlife anthem about hitting the town with your crew and making the most of the night.
Folk/Review Mark Cee - How You Left Me Still
Mark Cee is an ambient indie folk artist dedicated to the art of the "human" recording. With a history of writing poetry and music dating back to 1995, his work is a soulful reflection of the Gen X experience.
Hip-Hop/Review Medium B - Right Hand Man (feat. Ben Miller)
Medium B is the hip-hop production alias of Ben Miller, a Rochester-based jazz pianist, composer, and producer who leads the Ben Miller Trio and Dweller on the Threshold. As founder of Third Motion Studios in Rochester, New York—a creative lab and full-service recording studio—Miller has established himself as a multifaceted artist who traverses the worlds of jazz performance, production, recording engineering, mixing and mastering, film scoring, and large ensemble leadership.
Hip-Hop/Review Ray Gibbz - Royal Ruby
Ray Gibbz is a self-taught producer, songwriter, and rapper emerging from San Diego's vibrant music scene. What makes his journey particularly compelling is his completely independent approach to music creation—with no formal schooling or traditional music background, he's crafted his sound entirely through dedication and raw talent. Working from his San Diego apartment, Ray Gibbz handles every aspect of his production, demonstrating the kind of artistic authenticity that resonates in today's music landscape.
Hip-Hop/Review 13illy - NOTHING W/O YOU
13illy is an independent 20-year-old Canadian R&B/hip-hop artist blending melodic rap, alt-R&B, and atmospheric trap into emotionally charged, late-night records. Raised between Vancouver and Beijing, he has been making music since age 12 and playing piano since age 4. Drawing influence from artists like The Kid LAROI, Brent Faiyaz, Don Toliver, and PARTYNEXTDOOR, 13illy creates songs that balance smooth vocals, introspective songwriting, and modern, polished production.
Folk/Review Finlay Birch - Weight Will Unwind
Finlay Birch is a Scottish singer-songwriter originally from Inverclyde and now based on the Isle of Mull, where his creative spirit has long felt at home. His music blends alternative folk, indie, and soft rock, shaped by a reflective writing style and a strong sense of place.