If It's Too Loud...

Artist : Hater Album : Mosquito Quick Thoughts : In a March where there have been a number of good, but not great, albums, there are three standouts likely to at least make my 2026 longlist, Hater's Mosquito being one of them. We've liked what we've heard up to this point, but Mosquito feels like a polished leveling up for the band. "This Guy?" has an indie sensibility with an accessible entrypoint, and "Landslide" has all the markings of a breakthrough song. A favorite for sure, so check it out. Songs of Note : "This Guy?" "Landslide," "Brighter," "Guts," "Still Thinking of You," "Last Summer I'll Spill" Artist : 2:00AM Wake Up Call Album : Dead City Quick Thoughts : This album very much came out of nowhere for me and feels like that sort of super-underground indie record that you tripped up over in the mid-2000s and were convinced it was kept secret from you for no reason...

Photo by Dennis Larance The connection between punk and rap is evident in the latest single from McKinley Dixon. "Sugar Water" is a two minute burst of hip hop that is a huge and emotional journey for the listener. The track bursts right out of the gate and changes up its sound a few times without losing a step. It includes a chorus that is more gospel choir than R&B, along with some of the coolest hand claps in music. "Sugar Water" is the kind of track that will unite old school hip hop fans along with modern ones, with each side being able to claim an equal stake in the song. And if the song couldn't possibly get better, it also features Quelle Chris and Anjimile. McKinley Dixon says of his new single: "'Sugar Water' is a discussion on how to make fleeting moments last forever, and how to carry those not here with you through time and space. It raises the question 'what’s the price to pay for an eternal life lived through others memories?’...

Photo via Facebook Released as part of their tenth anniversary, STL GLD have a new single out. "Don't Look Back" features folk artist Anjimile and Rasheed Chappell. It's not even close to being your typical hip hop track, but STL GLD aren't exactly your typical hip hop artist. While the song is rooted in hip hop, it also touches on all the genres the Boston based collective has dabbled in over their decade of existence. "Don't Look Back" moves through rap, folk, pop, punk, rock, and other sounds. Even at its most melodic, you get the punk/metal screams in the background. It's a somewhat melancholy and reflective song that looks ahead to STL GLD's future more than focusing on the past, while still honoring where they came from. You can listen to "Don't Look Back" below. For more on STL GLD, check out the artist's website .

I've long believed that Super Bowl Sunday is the best time to do virtually anything else. Grocery stores are empty, if people are at the movies it's because they really want to see a movie, and the same goes for live performances. Sunday night was also the second night of the inaugural We Black Folk Festival. This is going to be a hard night to describe since words can't truly convey how special of a night it was. Curated by Cliff Notez as part of Passim's The Folk Collective, We Black Folk Festival showcased black folk artists and the history of folk music through black culture. Sunday night's edition featured seven artists: Cliff Notez, Anjimile, Kemp Harris, Naomi Westwater, Gabriella Simpkins, Chris Walton, and Grace Givertz. It started off with all the musicians walking to the stage together and singing which gave the evening a true sense of community. After that, Cliff Notez acted as an MC for the night, introducing each artist who then played two to three son...

Artist : Tyler Childers Album : Long Violent History Quick Description : Great raw rootsy folk music. Why You Should Listen : This feels really pure and authentic. Overall Thoughts : I think what impresses me the most with this is that it sounds kind of dirty and dusty? It's kind of what I expect from roots music at its core, and this is just an expert effort. Mostly instrumental, but all great. Recommendation : A solid listen. Artist : Little Hag Album : Whatever Happened to Avery Jane Quick Description : First album under this name from Avery Mandeville. Why You Should Listen : Think Sarah Shook if she grew up on Tumblr. Overall Thoughts : I love love love love love this album. Little Hag is a really fun listen with some irreverent moments, some crazy great musicianship, and songs that make you smile just as much as they keep you bopping your head. This was a true surprise for me this week, and it's one that I'm sure has some real longevity. A really sol...

Photo by Ally Schmaling We keep getting more and more into Boston's own Oompa, and "By You" is sucking us in even more. "By You" might just be the first hip hop song about visiting a therapist. It's the very rare mellow hip hop song that works for me. It could be because it features Anjimile on guitar, giving it a feel kind of like MTV Unplugged 's hip hop edition, which will always be a favorite of mine. You don't get to call too much hip hop groovy, but "By You" edges just barely into that description. Oompa's quick flow is a brilliant counterpoint to this guitar, and makes "By You" such a brilliant song. You can listen to "By You" below. Cleo , the upcoming album from Oompa, will be out August 10. For more on Oompa, check out her website .