Brock Geiger’s latest single, “Early August Rain,” is an introspective meditation on acceptance in the face of uncertainty. Inspired by both personal upheaval and the devastating Canadian wildfires of recent summers, the track transforms struggle into optimism, creating a literate ballad wrapped in immersive production. With its alternative and indie rock sensibilities, the song blends organic instrumentation with intricate electronic textures, offering a glimpse into Geiger’s forthcoming album, Some Nights, set for release on March 18th, 2025.
Produced at the legendary Sound City Studios in Los Angeles by Geiger and Grammy Award–winning collaborator Will Maclellan (Phoebe Bridgers, Boygenius), “Early August Rain” showcases a unique sonic approach. The song’s foundation was laid with a reverb-soaked drum recording captured in the studio lobby, an unconventional choice that resulted in one of many uniquely captivating tones on the record. Layered with speaker-tearing guitar tones and atmospheric sequenced percussion, the track finds beauty in both its rawness and its refinement.
Keyth Jones has never been afraid to shake things up. Over the years, he has explored everything from the kaleidoscopic harmonies of Fractal Cat to the experimental edges of Plän Pläns, always taking his music somewhere new.
His latest single, “Run To Me” roars in with a different kind of mission, cutting through the noise with a blistering, fuzzed out garage rock rush.
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This track is a raw, high energy homage to the rough and tumble 1960’s garage bands that lit up basement parties and dive bars before vanishing into crates of forgotten vinyl. As soon as the guitars kick in, it’s all speed, sweat, and grit.
There is an urgency; Jones sings like he has something to prove, his voice riding the distortion like a runaway train. The rhythm section is relentless, keeping the pulse pounding from start to finish.
Jones wrote “Run To Me” in the most fitting way possible – jamming with his wife on drums, chasing the thrill of loud, unfiltered rock n’ roll. That energy is baked into every note.
“Run to Me” came from a 2022 jam session with my wife on drums. I had just started playing electric guitar again and wanted to write a rocker that paid homage to the 60s garage bands. My buddy and I used to spend hours combing bargain bins in record stores for those bands. It was like a competition to see who could unearth the most obscure 60s relic. Then we’d go back to his basement and rock out, and we always felt like we were the only people in the world who cared about this stuff.”
But don’t mistake the song’s ragged edges for carelessness. Getting the right balance between loose and electrifyingly tight took serious effort. Jones has said that this was the toughest track to get right in the studio, with producer Miles Gannett helping to fine tune the chaos into something razor sharp.
This is the perfect preview to Jones’s upcoming “Love Yourself” EP, due out in April 2025. While the full project is set to explore themes of self-reflection and romance, “Run To Me” is all adrenaline. Rock and roll at its most immediate and infectious.
Whether you are a fan of The Sonics, The Stooges, or The White Stripes, this one demands to be played out loud!
Los Angeles-based dream pop band Nightjacket unveil their latest single, “My Only Heart,” an intimate and soaring love song that encapsulates the glow of devotion. A shimmering blend of ethereal guitars, lush synths, and heartfelt vocals, the track is a sonic love letter, exuding warmth, nostalgia, and undeniable romance.
Written by guitarist/vocalist Jordan Wiggins for his now-wife, Danielle, “My Only Heart” captures the exhilarating feeling of being completely known and loved by another person. With vocalist Andrea Wasse’s expressive voice at the helm, the song marries a grooving rhythm section with rich, swirling guitar textures, embodying both the brightness and grounding nature of true love.
I was trying to capture a glimpse of how Danielle makes me feel. She’s so bright, which I think “My Only Heart” conjures with its resonant, swirling guitars and grooving rhythm section. At the same time, she’s down to earth and comforting, which Andrea’s vocals really drive home. The song got faster and faster in tempo the more we worked on it. The demo was significantly slower, and I think the version you hear is maybe the third iteration of recording. Louie [Schultz] (multi-instrumentalist) brought some beautiful strings to the track late in the recording process, partially inspired by the Eurythmics’ “Here Comes the Rain Again.” – Jordan Wiggins
I think what makes “My Only Heart” unique is that out of our current batch of songs together, this one was born in Jordan’s brain and doesn’t immediately sound like something that came from mine. This is totally Danielle’s song. Even her friends know it as her song. – Andrea Wasse
Hamilton-based punk trio Takes an Army returns with their electrifying new single, “You and Me.” A high-energy track packed with emotional depth, “You and Me” blends melodic punk and ska influences to create a song that’s as introspective as it is infectious.
Inspired by personal hardship and the power of connection, “You and Me” reflects on unexpected moments in life that bring people together. Originally written in a slower ska style, the band reworked it into a driving, anthemic punk song with a chorus made to be shouted back at live shows.
The beginning line of the chorus, “We’re not perfect, even though it seems,” really resonates with us. People assume everything looks perfect from the outside, but life is about overcoming struggles. That’s what Takes an Army is all about. – Tyler Gelderman (bass/vocals)
With M@GIC W*RDS, Toronto-based rock outfit Jordan Venn and the Slizneys pay tribute to the golden era of 90s alternative rock, crafting an album that’s both nostalgic and refreshingly modern. At the heart of the record is the dynamic and lyrically profound focus track “♡WWI>SPQR♡,” a high-energy, grunge-infused exploration of mortality and the weight of history.
Inspired by the viral discussion of how often men think about the Roman Empire, “♡WWI>SPQR♡” flips the script—Jordan Venn realized he thinks about World War I even more. The song captures the inescapable human tendency to reflect on the past, drawing connections between historical moments and personal mortality.
Driven by shifting dynamics—from clean, melodic passages to gritty, full-throttle rock—“♡WWI>SPQR♡” balances weighty themes with the sheer fun of rock ‘n’ roll.
Michael Gutierrez-May’s“Light Still Shines The Same“ is an album that takes listeners on a rich and multi-layered journey, intertwining personal stories with the universal.
From poignant reflections on loss and love to razor-sharp critiques of historical and societal structures, Gutierrez-May’s latest work proves that he is as much a storyteller as he is a musician.
These 12 tracks span a broad emotional range from the somber to the satirical , and represent a mature step forward in his musical evolution.
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In the opening track “Destiny,” he contrasts the concept of fate with the notion of free will, telling the story of a woman overcoming adversity and forging her own path. The arrangement is lush and layered, bringing a sense of empowerment.
Title track “Light Still Shines The Same” opens the album with an exploration of colonialism’s aftermath. Focusing specifically on the violent conflict between Native Americans and colonizers in 17th-century Massachusetts, Gutierrez-May sets the tone with a haunting acoustic guitar riff and lyrical imagery that calls for reflection on a history of exploitation that still shapes modern life. It’s a chilling and evocative start.
Equally powerful is “Five Twenty Four,” a delicate ballad that captures the raw sorrow of losing a beloved pet. There’s a quiet, almost meditative quality to the song that allows the pain of loss to resonate deeply. What sets Gutierrez-May apart as a songwriter is his ability to take personal experiences – like the passing of a pet – and transform them into universally relatable anthems of grief and healing. The track’s stripped-back arrangement with soft piano and subtle strings, amplifies the emotion, making it one of the album’s standout moments.
The album’s strength lies in its versatility, as Gutierrez-May deftly moves between humor, introspection, and social commentary. “Apology Song,” for instance, is an acoustic confession to a past lover, filled with self-deprecating humor and earnest regret. The simplicity of the song makes the lyrics even more poignant, and his vulnerability shines through as he exposes the imperfections of human relationships.
Meanwhile, the album is not without its lighter moments. “Hello I Must Be Going” is a delightful nod to Groucho Marx’s signature comedic style. The tongue-in-cheek lyrics and upbeat rhythm offer a refreshing contrast to the more introspective tracks on the album.
Similarly, “Marijuana Gummy Bears Picnic” is a warped take on the childhood classic “Teddy Bears Picnic,” showing Gutierrez-May’s sense of playful absurdity. It’s quirky, unexpected, and wholly entertaining.
Gutierrez-May’s storytelling abilities truly come to life on tracks like “When Dawn Comes To The City”, a somber meditation on sleepless nights with his vocals taking on a dreamy, almost resigned quality as he describes the struggle to find peace in the midst of restlessness.
Produced by Stephen B. Martin and engineered by Joe Clapp, “Light Still Shines The Same” is sonically polished with a mix of folk, indie rock and world music influences that give the album a rich, expansive feel.
What’s most striking about this albue is its ability to blend deeply personal reflection with a broader social consciousness. Whether commenting on historical injustices, exploring the nuances of human relationships or just offering a moment of levity, Gutierrez-May’s writing is always thoughtful and engaging. It’s an album that asks big questions while never losing sight of the smaller, intimate moments that make life worth living.
In a musical landscape where artists often veer towards either heavy introspection or broad social commentary, Gutierrez-May finds a way to balance both, creating an album that is at once expansive and deeply personal.
Find out more about Michael Gutierrez-May on his Website
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