6 Things W/Ex Monarch
Miami alternative band Ex Monarch blends 90s grunge with modern rock. Their most recent single “Rotten,” which we featured as one of our faves back in October, the band calls “an honest expression of grief.”
“We want our music to create a sense of empathy, and a space to expand the conversation and destigmatize topics that are hard to talk about,” says vocalist Amanda Pasler.
In our “6 Things W/Ex Monarch” the band touches on sonic influences, creating a balance on social media, guilty pleasures and more.
all under heaven makes magic on ‘What Lies Ahead Of Me’
all under heaven's debut album What Lies Ahead Of Me, highlights the band’s evolution. The New Jersey band is Nick DeFabritus, Michael Cucci, Aaron Brenner, and Jake Rubin. Their new album blends old and new tracks, showcasing themes of loneliness, growth, and introspection through emotive shoegaze music. With contributions from band members and collaborator Wyatt Oberholzer, the album introduces new elements like synths and electronic drums. The spontaneous creation of "Believing," influenced by "Just Like Heaven," adds an energetic touch. The shift towards a more collaborative recording process revitalized their approach, leading to a renewed creative spirit. Read our interview with Nick DeFabritus and Michael Cucci in which we discuss collaboration, X-files, and making magic in the studio.
Jade. reaches for familiarity on Autumn Electric
New York indie Jade. debuted their album Autumn Electric last year. The band, fronted by William States Langham, formed after Langham turned to music for solace. Drawing on influences like Tame Impala and The Smashing Pumpkins, the album melds crunchy distortion with introspective lyrics. Read our Q&A with Langham where we discuss new music, live shows and nostalgia.
daarling dives into the deep within
Chicago-based trio daarling has emerged onto the music scene with their debut album, "The Deep Within." Recorded in the basement of their old practice space with CJ Melton, the album showcases a mix of alt-rock and shoegaze, tinged with elements of noise and grunge. Tracks like "Metamorphosis" and "Out of Greed" offer introspective lyrics and dynamic instrumentation, highlighting daarling's ability to craft emotive and compelling music. As they embark on a spring tour to promote their album, daarling promises to continue pushing creative boundaries while staying true to their evocative sound. Read our Q&A with the band.
NADEZHDA on hope in a time of despair
Salt Lake City band NADEZHDA released their debut EP Battery in January. The release explores the social ramifications of capitalism and the effects of the illusory “American Dream.” Through the darkness, the band remains optimistic. Described as "hardcore's Fleetwood Mac," they merge influences from punk, grunge, and alt-rock. In our Q&A with the 5-piece, we discuss the band’s origin story, their approach to recording, influences, and more.
La Prave - La Demo(s)
Houston’s La Prave is releasing their debut EP. The post-genre band creates music that pulls from various sounds, from new wave, grunge, pop, and electronic. In our Q&A with the duo, we talk about parallels between different creative outlets, the freedom stemming from being self-taught, the double-edged sword that is social media, and more.