The Trout . . . 8.3
Web: thetroutshow.com
Style: Rock, Soundtrack, Indie, Pop
Rick Troutman, mastermind behind The Trout’s new instrumental album Aurora Dreams, must have an entire orchestra at his disposal as his tracks are indefinably layered and intricate. There is no such thing as genre what it comes to Troutman—he makes his own rules. While “A Thousand Dreams Away” encapsulates the overall immersive feel of the album, “Oasis in the Night” solidifies Troutman’s ability to defy any expectation—the song opens with robotic-like electronic pulses, then slips into a punchy jazz rhythm, then, he combines the two (along with other unique sounds) to form some inventive amalgamation. A rabbit hole worth falling into.
Michael McClure . . . 8.3
Web: michaelmcclure.bandcamp.com
Style: Prog
Michael McClure, a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer “has been playing guitar for 52 years.” This dude has been rocking’ out for over half a century, and it shows! His track “Smokin’ Dirty Sock” lives up to its quirky name, offering a masterclass in complex instrumentation and fearless experimentation, blending rock, funk, electro, and classical in a no fuss manner. McClure’s ability to let each song evolve naturally is admirable, making his work a compelling listen for fans of adventurous, genre-blending music.
Dronehands . . . 8.3
Web: dronehands.net
Style: Experimental Electronic
From the moment we pushed play on the YouTube video for Dronehands’ track “Paper Animals,” we kinda allowed ourselves to disappear into the artist’s world. And it’s not only the joyous, hypnotic, experimental, instrumental jam; the video for that tune is glorious too. The whole thing attaches itself to your brain and never lets up. One could imagine it scoring a TV show or indie movie. That theme carries, although “Skip Tracer” is a little more sedate. Still beautiful, utterly compelling and absolutely fascinating though. It’s great when we think we know what we’re going to get, and an artist can throw curveball after curveball. Kudos, Dronehands!
Robin Young . . . 8.2
Web: robinyoungmusic.com
Style: Folk, Americana
Berklee-trained songwriter Robin Young has been writing songs since she was eight, and that lifelong passion shines through her folk/Americana sound. Drawing lyrical inspiration from Joni Mitchell, she tempers introspection with a soft country warmth that feels timeless and sincere. Songs like “Brooklyn” and “There’s a Part of Me” reveal her gift for crafting quietly stirring, confessional pieces that never tip into indulgence. Young’s music is marked by thoughtful craftsmanship, emotional clarity, and an understated grace—qualities that suggest she’s just beginning to tap into her full potential. She’s the kind of artist you find yourself rooting for right away.
Dalya . . . 8.2
Web: linktr.ee/dollshop4
Style: R&B, Alternative, Jazz
Dalya, a self-proclaimed “R&B/alt singer, songwriter, producer,” leans into jazzy R&B with smooth confidence—she even scats! Her evolution is clear: earlier work like “I Don’t Really Think About It,” recorded five years ago, comes across as a tentative step, while newer tracks like “can you feel it” and “deeply” reflect a polished, soulful direction. She hits great rhythmic pockets, though the lyrics can sometimes lean a bit repetitive or simple. Still, there’s an undeniable vibe running through it all. Dalya’s carving out her lane, and even in its most minimal moments, her music makes for a rich, easy listen.
Dilyara . . . 8.2
Web: voiceofgalaxies.com
Style: Cinematic, World Music
“Dilyara is an extraordinary sonic phenomenon whose vocal range spans an astonishing 5.5 octaves,” reads her bio. “Her innate ability to move effortlessly across frequencies allows her to create sounds that reach deep into the human soul.” Never have truer words been spoken. Dilyara’s cinematic, epic and gloriously huge is instantly compelling, and it only gets better when she starts singing. Her voice is an instrument, and one that she has full command over. The results, on songs such as “Eden” and “The Cosmic Mother,” are quite beautiful. Spiritual and almost unearthly. That’s a rare talent.
Cult Goddess . . . 8.2
Web: cultgoddess.bandcamp.com
Style: Psych-Pop
There are baroque elements to “The Minx,” one of the songs sent to us by trippy alt-pop act Cult Goddess, and those elements hook us in right from the start. Think The Beatles at their most left-field. There are hugely infectious melodies in there, and you don’t really have to dig too deep to find them either. But nothing is obvious, and that’s to the immense benefit of the song.
“The Debutante” is similarly hypnotic and transcendent. This is the sort of band you want to listen to while lying on your bed staring at the ceiling and contemplating all manner of everything.
Rainbow City Park . . . 8.2
Web: YouTube
Style: Pop-Rock
Those with a keen eye may have noticed that we’ve featured Rainbow City Park in our DIY Spotlight column in recent months, and that’s because we caught them live opening up for somebody, and they were superb. Pleasingly, their recorded output is equally wonderful. The most recent is the Fruitless EP, out from February 4.
The opening title track is a revelation, epic swathes of atmospheric guitar and vocals washing over you while the hook latches itself into your frontal cortex before pulling you all over the joint. “Chalk” is a chunky, harmony-heavy beast, proving that Rainbow City Park is no one trick pony.
Embryonic Devourment . . . 8.2
Web: embryonicdevourment.bandcamp.com
Style: Death Metal
Death metal can be a bit of an acquired taste. It’s not the sort of sub-genre that people generally have passing interest in. Rather, the death metal community tends to be a devoted and passionate bunch. The lyrics might be incomprehensible, but it’s not about that. It’s about a healthy outlet for aggression, and dazzling, technical musicianship. Embryonic Devourment understands this. The name is appropriately offensive, the sleeve art is gloriously gore-soaked, and the music is utterly brutal. There’s a total and graphic abhorrence for authority on songs such as “Murder of the Ancients” and “It Began With Lizards,” that should appeal to rebellious metal-heads young and old.
Vignê . . . 8.2
Web: Spotify
Style: Singer-Songwriter, R&B
Vignê describes her sound as “Divignê music,” which is a bit silly, but we can see what she means. Her sound doesn’t necessarily fit into one genre-basket, and that’s to her immense credit. There are elements of R&B and soul, but that doesn’t do it justice. The ethereal, poetic vocals also recall the likes of the Beths (Orton and Gibbons). Trippy and trance-y, she’s capable of coming in hard with hip-hop ‘tude, particularly on “If I Should Know.” Whatever you want to call it, Vignê is a genuine artist with a compelling vision and it’ll be a thrill too follow her career.
Chase the Bear . . . 8.2
Web: chasethebearmusic.com
Style: Rock
It’s nice to hear that rock ‘n’ roll isn’t dead in the 21st century. Canadian rock band Chase the Bear produce hard-hitting beats that gives The Strokes-meets-The Killers vibes. The top three tracks from their debut album Honey (“Underwater,” “Hurtin’,” and “Wildheart”) pull no punches, conveying catchy lyrics matched by the strong percussion and anthemic electric guitar. It seems they are well on their way to balancing nostalgia with modern flair, edgy rock with emotional depth. “We crossed the line” they sing in “Underwater.” Good—now keep going!
YBS Skola . . . 8.2
Web: ybsskola.com
Style: Motivational Rap
Baltimore rapper YBS Skola describes his style as “motivational rap,” which is perfectly appropriate. Besides the fact that the guy can pen rhymes like the rising star that he is, there’s also a driving quality to his music that recalls Eminem’s classic “Lose Yourself.” The word “motivational” can sound so lightweight, in a new-age sort of way. But that’s not the case here; YBS Skola’s music makes you want to get off of your ass and do something. That’s no small thing in a musical world that requires absolute commitment, and songs like “Slow it Down,” “Dirty Soda,” and “My Apologies” are certainly worthy of your attention.
Charlotte Morris . . . 8.2
Web: charlottemorrismusic.com
Style: Folk
Philadelphia folkie Charlotte Morris, according to her bio, “taught herself how to play the guitar, piano (and melodica), ukulele, banjo, acoustic bass guitar, and mandolin, and began taking her songwriting seriously by the age of 12.” Fair enough, that’s really bloody impressive. The fact that she’s also got a gorgeous singing voice and she’s clearly a gifted songwriter is just not fair. The three songs that she submitted to MC are taken from her Both Sides album, and all showcase her authentic, introspective approach to journalistic songs. These are hyper-relatable slices of life, and they simply pop.
