If It's Too Loud...

"For Andy Bernard" was originally written back in 2017, inspired by the character's quote in The Office finale about wishing you knew when you were in the good old days. Puppy Pile went on hiatus in 2021, and returned in 2025. They finally recorded a version of the song, and it's out now. The Philadelphia band have crafted a song that's a modern take on classic Midwest emo. (It even includes a sample of the dialogue from the show, just to add an extra Midwest emo feel.) It's a slow to midtempo track that is still anthemic in its scope. It's sure to induce nostalgia, either by its sound, subject matter, or reference to a beloved TV show. You can listen to "For Andy Bernard" below. The single is out now on We're Trying Records. For more on Puppy Pile, check out the band on Instagram .

2026 marks the twentieth anniversary of Free Dirt Records, one of my personal favorite roots/Americana labels. To celebrate, they're releasing The Long Memory: 20 Years of Free Dirt Records , featuring unreleased songs from the label's vault. The first single from that release comes from Viv & Riley and Rachel Baiman, who cover Western Centuries' 2016 song "The Long Game." Knowing the artists involved, it's a safe assumption that the cover will be a little more folky than the original. Western Centuries' original is a little more rock and roll and more upbeat, while the cover is more subdued and more downtempo. It's one of those covers that sees Viv & Riley and Rachel Baiman stay completely true to the original while adding their own unique spin on the song. We're always sure to check out any release from Free Dirt Records, so we're looking forward to checking out the compilation in November. Viv & Riley say of their new cover: “‘Th...

Photo by Saeka Shimada Mei Semones continues to have one of the most unique musical sounds out there today. If you loved her previous releases, you're going to love "Howl." The song, inspired by dogs howling at fireworks on the 4th of July, keeps her trademark sound of jazz and bossa nova meet indie rock intact. The song feels like a dream as it flows seamlessly between styles and tempos, bringing the listener on quite the sonic trip. At times "Howl" sounds like the most complicated and layered pop song you've ever heard, and listening to anything from Semones is a true delight. This is the kind of song that makes me wish The Flaming Lips would revive their Music Against Brain Degeneration Tour, because Semones would fit right in. Mei Semones says of her latest single: "sometimes making music feels like howling into the universe. I make music because I like it, because it feels instinctual — but it also connects me to people close and far. I like to thi...

Chicago's NO MEN are back with a new single, and buckle up for this one. "BADDIE" is a noise punk that borders on mainstream alt-rock. To me it's sounding like if Local H or Death from Above 1979 decided to fully cut loose. This is raw and chaotic rock and roll that's going to hit you in a primal way. However, NO MEN do something interesting with "BADDIE," in that as chaotic and loud as the song is, it's also pretty accessible to a mainstream audience. The guitar seems to hold the same power as The Stooges, but in a kind of pop leaning way. It's been a while since we've brought you new music from these folks, and we're thrilled to have them back! You can watch the video for "BADDIE" below. The single is available now via Bandcamp . For more on NO MEN, check out the band's website . They'll be opening for heavens to betsy on November 15 at The Empty Bottle in Chicago, IL.

Photo by Hank Wilson Brooklyn's smush are an indie rock that have a new drum and bass influenced single. "milkweed butterfly" is one of the most unique and intriguing songs we've brought you in a while. It's primarily a shoegaze meets indie rock track, except for the fast drum and bass electronic beats. Plus, bassist/vocalist Emily Borrowman's vocals would be at home on a pop track, so smush has a lot going on with this one. "milkweed butterfly" could easily have been a mess with so many disparate musical elements, but the band crafted something unique and fantastic with their sound.  You can watch the video for "milkweed butterfly" below. i'll always wish is due out January 22. For more on smush, check out the band on Instagram . Upcoming tour dates are below the video and include October 6 at The Rockwell in Somerville, MA with she's green. 09/30 - Indianapolis, IN - The HiFi % 10/01 - Detroit, MI - Crypt at Sanctuary % 10/02 - Wi...

Photo by Sonia Balzak Pauli the PSM is Pauli Lovejoy, the musical director for Harry Styles, Florence & The Machine, and Saturday Night Live UK. The artist has a new single out that takes British hip hop and adds a little pop into it. "girl with a nose ring" is a smooth song that meshes hip hop and modern R&B. Sure, that has been happening for well over thirty years now, but Lovejoy adds just a little something unique to the style. There's an edge to "girl with the nose ring" despite how smooth it is. Musically, the song has a lot in common with late 90's alt-rock when dance started edging its way in. This one is a lot of fun, and you'll want to join us in following Pauli the PSM after hearing it. Pauli the PSM says of his latest single: "At its heart, 'girl with the nose ring' is about letting go of being cool enough to actually feel something. There’s a tension between pretending love is a joke and realising I might be caught in i...

The upcoming album from Willi Carlisle is highly anticipated, and his latest single only has us more excited for it. Co-written by the album's producer Tyler Childers, "Gas Station" is an upbeat track about life on the road and eating meals at a gas station. This is a prime example of Carlisle's unique classic meets modern Americana sound, with roots in the past but still sounding completely contemporary. This one is pure fun, and it's going to happily embed itself in your skull, and possibly your soul. Carlisle has such an engaging quality with his music, and "Gas Station" could end up going down as one of his finest. Willi Carlisle says of his latest single: "Coming into the recording session, this song felt like a strong draft, like something left in the fridge to proof or set like a dough. I liked it though: my whole life summarized. All this work, hauling, beating up the highway, singing for hours, just to eat dinner at the gas station. It was ...

Photo by Kate Spansel It feels like it's been forever since we had new music from Odie Leigh, but the singer-songwriter is back with a new single. "Miss Leave Me Alone" is simply a killer alt-rock song. It's high energy with fuzzy guitars and catchy lyrics. It leans towards punk but is more punk adjacent (even though it's only two minutes long). It's an absurdly fun song that is geared towards bouncing around at a live show, and we're in luck since Leigh has live dates next month. "Miss Leave Me Alone" is very 90's influenced without sounding like a throwback. This is modern bubblegrunge at its finest. Odie Leigh says of her latest single: “ I’ve been having a horrible time. Forced into a hiatus, I found myself constantly face to face with every mistake I’ve ever made. ‘Miss Leave Me Alone’ is a reflection on the ego nursery that is the music industry, and how the qualities we praise can turn into problems we resent.” You can watch the video ...

According to the press release, "Girl Board makes music by trans people, for trans people, exploring mental health, the desire to feel loved, and the search for community." It's the musical project of Philadelphia's Bridget Filiatrault, and the band's new single is absolutely killer. "Sodom" is a noisy and disjointed indie rock song that dives into the world of punk. It's bouncy and joyous, with fuzzy guitars that are somehow even catchier than most songs' choruses. The song comes in at less than two minutes, but that feels like the perfect length for this one. "Sodom" is also the kind of rock song that is perfect to either dance or pogo, whichever you're feeling.  Bridget Filiatrault says of the band's latest single: "This song is about finally having good sex for the first time in your life at the age of 22." You can watch the video for "Sodom" below. Ward is due out October 10 on We're Trying Records. ...

Earlier this month, Who's Watching was released. It's a psychological stalker thriller directed by Tim Kasher of Cursive. For music fans, that means there's a new Cursive song on the soundtrack. "Wounded Animal" fits right into Cursive's emo/post-hardcore sound, perhaps with a bit more intensity that their normal song to fit the film's vibe. It certainly doesn't sound like a film score, but it carries a feeling of creepiness and a sense of discomfort throughout. Plus, it just straight up rocks and includes Cursive's use of cello like only they seem to do. "Wounded Animal" is going to be adored by both old and new fans of the band. You can watch the video for "Wounded Animal" below. Who's Watching (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is due out October 30 on 15 Passenger Records, and is available for pre-order here . For more on the film Who's Watching , check out the project on Dark Sky Film's website .

Photo by Chloe Fuller This is new territory for us. Lost Grrrl Found  isn't a band, but a musical. It was written by Penelope Gould and Holly Nance while freshmen at NYU for their Dramatic Writing program. It's a "queer, riot-grrrl-inspired coming of age musical" that became known as "the only play with a mosh pit." Now, they're releasing the songs from the play as an EP (well, four of the twenty-two songs), and the first single is "Time to Grow Up." It's a killer ninety-five second song that doesn't sound or feel like it's from a musical, except maybe that it's a little more smooth than you typically get with riot grrrl. It has the melody of that dog. and the attitude of every one of your favorite 90's bands. If Lost Grrrl Found was a band, they'd become your next favorite band, and "Time to Grow Up" will have you checking your local theater listings. Director/musician/writer Marina Carlstroem says of "Ti...