DISCOVERING THE NEW MUSIC UNDERGROUND AROUND THE GLOBE
Pop/Review Je Bonus - Vaticide (feat. Brian Montanaro)
Je Bonus is a style-blending artist from New England whose sound lives at the crossroads of gritty folk and hip-hop. With raw honesty and a storyteller’s edge, his music speaks to perseverance and connection—a reminder that you are not alone and that it’s always worth chasing what you believe in.
Pop/Review AMELINA - Step by Step
AMELINA is a young pop-rock artist weaving real teenage stories into widescreen, cinematic songs. Born in Russia and living in Spain since 2023, she channels the excitement and uncertainty of a new life into music that feels like a movie—bright, brave, and deeply sincere. With a voice full of light and a guitarist’s spark, AMELINA is building a world where big dreams feel possible.
Rock/Review FREE/MAN - Reconnection
Songwriter Charlie Freeman, known as FREE/MAN, is based in London's Portobello and has been writing tunes on his acoustic since he learned at 19, when he used the instrument as a meditative and emotional salve to his dad's illness. Messages of duality, love, spirituality, suffering, overcoming pain, the hero’s journey, truth, freedom, and connection.
Pop/Review Eylsia Nicolas - Hot, Hot, Christmas
Eylsia Nicolas is a first-generation American singer-songwriter of Irish and Filipino heritage whose journey from international tennis courts to the recording studio reflects resilience, innovation, and artistic passion. Once ranked on the world stage in tennis with appearances at Wimbledon and the US Open—and becoming the youngest winner of the Irish Open at just 14—Eylsia pivoted from athletics to the music industry following a career-ending injury.
Folk/Review Steel & Velvet - Orphan's Lament
Steel & Velvet is a folk-rock group born, in 2021, from the friendship of Johann Le Roux (vocals) and Romuald Ballet-Baz (guitar), Breton musicians who both followed a solid classical training. Soon joined by another guitarist friend (also Breton), Jean-Alain Larreur, more rooted in blues-rock, they offer a collection of songs recorded in a spirit similar to that of Johnny Cash’s "American Recordings."
Pop/Review Ava Valianti - Running on Empty
Ava Valianti is a multi-talented musician, captivating audiences as a singer-songwriter. Her journey began at the age of nine when she started writing songs and composing music, eventually blossoming into a rising star in the music industry. Surrounded by a rich tapestry of musical influences at home, ranging from the iconic sounds of the Beatles and Elvis Costello to the soulful rhythms of New Orleans jazz, Ava’s artistry is a fusion of diverse inspirations.
Electronic/Review Sheila Rafferty - Soaring On
Sheila Rafferty, hailing from Leeds, UK, is the talented composer behind the original single "Soaring On." With her expertise in playing the synth, she brings a unique and captivating sound to the music scene. Joining her on this project is her husband, Ian Rafferty, who adds depth and rhythm with his skills on congas and percussion. Together, they create a mesmerizing blend of atmospheric synth and drums that transports listeners to new musical heights.
R&B/Review Anthony Campbell - Oceans
Anthony Campbell, hailing from the Netherlands, is a solo artist who pours his soul into his music. Campbell's introspective approach to songwriting resonates with listeners, drawing them into his world of emotion and authenticity.
Rock/Review Sean MacLeod - Cool Charisma
Sean T MacLeod is a former and founding member of the Dublin-based band Cisco. Having recorded with U2's one-time producer Paul Barrett, the band achieved critical acclaim in their home country as well as serious interest abroad with their album No. 1. Since the split of the band, Sean has been recording and releasing his own solo work.
Country/Review Whippoorwill Hill - Cooler Side Of Hell
Whippoorwill Hill - Cooler Side Of Hell
Hip-Hop/Review !WØB4R - Logo Markup
!WØB4R is a dark club-trap artist blending nightlife energy with cold, cinematic storytelling. His music exposes the emptiness behind modern luxury culture—where logos, ego, and image replace identity. With hypnotic bass, sharp rhythm, and a provocative voice, !WØB4R turns the club into a mirror, forcing listeners to face the world they’re dancing in.
New Age/Review Nikiré - ETERNITY beneath the stars of God
Nikiré is a lyrical and philosophical music project created by Tom A Junge. Each song is a vocal frame around a lived message—shaped by values, love, relationships, and inner truth.
Rock/Review Rusty Reid - Piece of the Action
Rusty Reid is an American indie-folk-pop-country-rock singer-songwriter, originally from Texas, now based in the Pacific Northwest.
Hip-Hop/Review Rafmagn - Neuropatheia
When poetry meets electric thought, a sound is born that demands you to feel. Rafmagn creates music that blends lyricism with introspection. His goal is to electrify—to make listeners question, feel, and reconnect with their thoughts, helping them find themselves through their frequency. With a sound that moves between raw emotion and reflection, and with his poetic writing, Rafmagn stands out as a voice seeking meaning in chaos.
Country/Review Thompson Newkirk - What You Sippin On?
Thompson Newkirk is a nationally touring Southern pop-rock artist whose music pulses with city grit and coastal soul. Based in New York City, Newkirk delivers a relaxed yet magnetic energy through his guitar-driven sound, fusing heartfelt storytelling with commanding vocals, infectious melodies, and undeniable grooves. His lyrics strike a balance between connection and reflection, capturing life’s highs and lows with an easygoing authenticity.
Folk/Review Brandon Frizzell - Distracted
Brandon Frizzell, hailing from Waukesha, United States, emerges as a poignant voice in the music scene with his latest original single, "Distracted."
Rock/Review Blackout Transmission - Twilight & Resonance
Blackout Transmission is a band formed in Los Angeles, CA, now residing in the Mountain West of the United States, that composes and plays neo-psychedelic rock music with UK shoegaze and darkwave influences.
Rock/Review Joseph Schwartz - Ready for Doom
Joseph Schwartz is a Chicago-based artist on a journey to explore new techniques for songwriting and production using synthetic music and vocals. His intention is to create songs that are not bound by a particular sound or genre but are fun to listen to and, even more importantly, spark conversation and emotion.
EP Review: The Co$t of Life – “Destination: Unknown”
Blending 80's nostalgia with modern electronic rock, pop, and synthwave, The Co$t of Life is a solo project from Colorado-based songwriter and musician Jason Irving. Music has always been a journey and sanctuary for Jason, blending influences from the pop tunes of the 80's, the dynamic sounds of Mutemath and The Midnight, ambient beats of electronica, and cinematic scores by composers like Thomas Newman.
Electronic/Review Max Macready - Holding Pattern
Max Macready is a musical transmission from a lost future—where analog tech, neon-lit spaceports, and pulsing synths converge. Hailing from the UK, the duo crafts a sound rooted in synthwave, electronic, and post-punk, pulling deep influence from the progressive ambition of Yes and Rush, the rhythmic energy of The Police, and the cinematic textures of John Carpenter.