If It's Too Loud...

Photo by Robbie Jeffers Some bands make music that is simply magical [pun honestly not intended], and Cuddle Magic are one of those bands. Their latest single, "Rescue Me," lands in the categories of indie folk and chamber pop, and elevates both those genres with their sound. This is a breathtaking song that consists of gentle melodies and harmonies. There's something about the song that's almost hypnotic or meditative. It also exists in a world of indie rock, with waves of acoustic noise softly washing over you. There isn't a lot of music that can be considered uplifting that I truly enjoy, but Cuddle Magic always seem to be an exception to that rule. Cuddle Magic says of their latest single: "'Rescue Me'  is an intimate, soul-baring track about seeking refuge in love. Recorded live with all six members standing in a bathroom—Kristin and Ben in the tub—the song evokes a sense of belonging and healing after the isolation of the COVID pandemic. Beginni...

Photo by Robbie Jeffers I've always struggled with how to describe Cuddle Magic's sound. Much like their latest single, "Hundred Million," the band is most likely predominantly folk. What's unique to the band is that they're both pop and progressive. A song like "Hundred Million" has all of the melody of a folk pop song, but the unique instrumentation of being progressive folk. It would most likely be some kind of hybrid between indie folk and chamber pop, with feet planted firmly in the traditional and experimental. Cuddle Magic are one of the most unique and intriguing bands we cover, but they're also extremely accessible.  You can watch the video for "Hundred Million" below. Underwater is due out September 19 on Egghunt Records. For more on Cuddle Magic, check out the band's website . Current tour dates are below the video and include July 26 at Club Passim in Cambridge, MA. 7/25 - The Falcon - Marlboro, NY 7/26 - Club Passim - C...

Salt Lake City's Wicked Bears are pop punk in the best possible way. Their new single, "Lucky," has that great 90's throwback feel to it. It's aggressive and a little bratty, but it's almost impossibly catchy. At first listen it's a little dumb, but the more you listen the more clever it becomes. It's a funny and silly song while being a truly heartfelt love song in disguise. "Lucky" is the kind of song that you might be a little embarrassed for liking at first, but by the time it's over you're going to end up wholeheartedly loving it. Instead of making you feel old, it's going to remind you of everything you enjoyed about being young. Wicked Bears say of their new song: "If you've ever dedicated $20 to a claw machine and gone home empty-handed, this song is for you. If you've ever felt like, no matter what road you take, there's gonna be a dead end at the end of it, this song is for you. If you've ever been a...

Somehow I completely missed Tea Leigh & Luke Reed's series of singles back in 2012. I'm much more familiar with Reed's work with Bent Shapes (RIP) and Mini Dresses. In the past five years, Leigh opened Welcome Home, an all female tattoo shop in Brooklyn. The duo is back with a new single, "Underwater." The new single is remarkably stunning. It fits right into the dream pop genre and defines the word "lush." What truly sets it apart from the usual music called dream pop is how sparse it is despite having the lush dream pop sound. It's sparse enough to be almost considered folk, but just almost.  You can listen to "Underwater" below. If you like what you hear, you can download a copy for free thanks to The Native Sound. For more on their previous releases from 2012, be sure to check out their Bandcamp .

Photo by Shervin Lainez While reading some of the press materials for the latest single from Elizabeth and the Catapult, I wasn't shocked to learn that Elizabeth Ziman, aka the Elizabeth in Elizabeth and the Catapult, incorporates her dreams into her music. "Underwater" feels like a dream. It's not exactly part of the genre of dream pop, but instead it's just dreamy. "Underwater" is definitely a pop song, but it straddles the world of indie Americana. It's not the more mainstream pop side of Americana, like The Avett Brothers or Houndmouth, but it's really a mash up of pop music and Americana, like if Tristen kept just a bit more of her country side on her last two albums. It's an interesting mix that has me looking forward to her new album. You can watch the video for "Underwater" below. Elizabeth and the Catapult's new album, Keepsake , will be out October 20 on Compass Records. For more on Elizabeth and the Catapult, ch...