PUNCHBAG "I Am Obsessed"
Offering further proof of their status as one of London’s most compelling emerging pop acts, Punchbag’s new EP I Am Obsessed is a volatile, hyper-saturated expansion of their self-described “aggressive hopecore” world – where everyday life is pushed to breaking point.
Driven by pounding percussion, snarling guitars and soaring synths, singer Clara’s instantly recognizable vocal cuts through the chaos; moving between sugar-rush pop hooks and moments of defiant release, she zooms in on the smallest details until they become grotesque and impossible to ignore.
From the glitching, overstimulated clutter of ‘What’s In My Bag‘ and the tongue-in-cheek anxiety-ridden ‘Pile Of Clothes‘, to live favorite ‘Playing God‘, which began as a missed Hinge reply and spiraled into something far wider, absorbing the noise of the world around them. Elsewhere, ‘I Love This!’ plays like an anti-depression anthem – a high-speed collision of euphoria and exhaustion – while the cathartic EP-closing title track captures obsession not as romance, but as something invasive and all-consuming.
gobbinjr "crystal rabbit moon"
From Post-Trash…
Crystal Rabbit Moon is the fourth full length from gobbinjr. With their latest, Emma Witmer and company continue to expand upon their introspective bedroom pop and intriguingly quirky melodies. One of Witmer’s biggest artistic strengths is how unafraid she is to delve deep into her inner world and turn insecurities into moments of beauty and humor in a creative and engrossing manner. Witmer has a way with wobbling song structures that seem like they are ready to fall apart at any moment, yet they persevere with heart and a sense of purpose. The songwriter has an almost unflinching ability to turn the most crushing insecurity into a highly relatable lesson or humorous moment.
It’s been eight years between gobbinjr’s last release Ocala Wick, and Crystal Rabbit Moon finds Witmer adding so many additional colors that are a joy to wrap your head around. These tracks are subversively poppy as Witmer’s musical world is one that is full of cracks and pot holes, creating a playful and adventurous record that is hard to predict. With Crystal Rabbit Moon, Whitmer and gobbinjr encourage listeners to let go of themselves and join their bewildering psych dreamscape full of humor, heart and unease. It’s easy to lose yourself in gobbinjr’s world and drift away into an untethered and colorful place of beauty.
John Andrews and the Yawns "Streeetsweeper"
John Andrews has spent the past few years tucked away in Red Hook, Brooklyn—a neighborhood that sits just beyond the natural drift of the city. Once shaped by maritime industry and later a haven for artists in search of vast warehouse space, its history and isolation give it a quiet magnetism. Streetsweeper, the fifth album by John Andrews & The Yawns, reflects that vantage point: tranquil, self-contained, and curious about the movements most people overlook.
Just a few cobblestone blocks from the freight-ship-lined harbor, Andrews wrote dozens of new songs at his electric piano. Nine of them found their way to Los Angeles to be recorded with Luke Temple, who played guitar and some bass. Drummer Noah Bond and bassist Keven Louis Lareau, both longtime members of The Yawns and Cut Worms, formed the rhythm section. Will Henriksen of Florry played fiddle on “Something To Be Said,” while Emily Moales of Star Moles sang harmonies recorded remotely by Kevin Basko at Historic New Jersey.
On Streetsweeper, Andrews leans into guitar like he hasn’t in years, still letting his relaxed, unhurried touch guide the music. The whole album was tracked using the personal guitar pick of late troubadour songwriter Jerry Jeff Walker, a gift Lareau received from a family friend. Each lyrical vignette offers a bit of gentle empathy from someone who might’ve seen you playing fetch, kissing on a park bench, or crying on a lunch break.
Avery Cochrane "Male Validation and Other Drugs"
Avery Cochrane’s long awaited second EP “Male Validation and Other Drugs” has finally arrived, via S-Curve records. Despite her likeness to Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter, Cochrane still marks her own path as a new sensation in the pop industry with her infectious melodies, going viral on TikTok and performing at various festivals. Featuring themes of self-image, validation and desire with hard hitting lyrics, Avery Cochrane expands beyond her last EP to deepen her narrative as an artist. Stream “Male Validation and Other Drugs” here.