Punk rockers Lefty Luci have their debut album out. The trio blaze through fourteen songs laden with imperviously zany attitude, ironic humor, headbanging riffage and shoutable hooks that will summon any punk head up to the front, even incorporating some ska notes on a few. Lefty Luci make it abundantly clear that they write songs to have fun and blow
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Singer-songwriter Sarah Fierek released a new single last month. Co-written with Derek Linzy, the song takes on a twinkling R&B approach as it evokes imagery of luxuriant nature and warm countryside, metaphorically describing Fierek’s enthusiasm for a love interest. She sings of traveling field to field on the wings of a dragonfly with this person, excited for where they will
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Pescatarian at Best released their debut EP a few weeks back. With five songs independent of their previous three singles, the funk-adjacent post-punk act bring a radiant edge to their danceable melodies and fierce-yet-playful delivery that harkens to the band’s 90s-influenced roots. Howling vocals, vociferous riffs and crunchy bass lines channel angst-ridden scenarios about itching to be understood, getting older
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Social Caterpillar’s highly anticipated new album is here. The psych-chamber folk quartet present eight songs of densely layered and texturally lush movements rife with orchestral grandeur, featuring violin, cello and trumpet parts. Venturing into darker, heavier and noisier sonic experimentation, the group blossoms fresh and steadfast ideas sown by the unwavering sense of trust and intentionality between its members, fluttering
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A myriad of stellar acts performed at Riverwest DIY space The Pocket Saturday night for beloved Milwaukee music scene figure Simon Beno’s birthday, drawing in friends and music lovers alike for a delightful time. The bill comprised Standstill, Night Again, Cozy Danger, Doom Goon and Slug Rejector. Happy birthday Simon Beno! Standstill consists of vocalist-keyboardist-guitarist Aliya Moore, guitarist Carter Voras,
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Art-math rockers Bunk Bed dropped a video for “Bum”, the second track off their debut EP “Top Bunk, Bottom Bunk.” The scene is shot and edited by the band’s own Nick and Chris Ouchie, featuring the guys losing their minds together as they lie around, exercise, eat cereal, play video games and jam out in an amusingly claustrophobic scene. There’s
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Hip hop artist Keyba dropped a new single recently. She demonstrates her flex here without being overly brash or aggressive about it, simply letting her opposition know with a fashionably composed hook she’ll make short work of them when the time comes. The title is an acronym for “pop my collar on you hoes” and that’s exactly what she’ll do
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Indie rockers Dramatic Lovers released a new EP a few weeks back. Aptly named as the band is on an extended break from live performances, there’s five songs here that bring the trademark soaring, hummable melodies and arresting harmonies that the Lovers have wonderfully executed time and time again over the years. Vocalist BJ Seidel channels immense conviction around personal
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Peter Gabriel arrived at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee as part of his “I/O” tour Monday evening. It was his first time here since performing with Sting at Summerfest in 2016. Born and raised in Surrey, England, Peter Gabriel first rose to prominence as the original frontman of progressive rock band Genesis, formed in 1967. He was present on the band’s
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Singer-songwriter Laura Bomber released a video accompanying “Livin’ In It’ from her debut EP “Sincerely, Not Yours.” Shot by Clearview Productions in black and white, the scene finds Bomber and her band in the studio performing the song with full string section, backing vocals and all. Putting a visual to Laura Bomber’s tender performance at the mic captivates the raw,
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Rob Knapp’s been on a streak with new singles lately, the most recent of which dropped at the end of summer. “Too Much” finds Knapp in a boisterous mode with autotuned vocals and love on his mind. The singer-rapper’s attention is directed at a woman here and he’s assuring her that he’s better than the rest, whether it’s because he
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Indie rockers Sushi Cowboy released another single on the 1st of last month. This tune is about filling voids with whatever you can. Whether it’s by staying up late playing guitar or buying a bunch of shit you don’t need, finding your sense of self is a constant trial and error, and Sushi Cowboy know that all too well. “White
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Elliott dropped a new EP at the tail end of the summer. He brings six songs merging conscious hip hop with intimate R&B, juxtaposing vulnerable sentiments with fierce confidence at the mic. Elliott is feeling blessed and empowered, having overcome adversity, growing into responsibilities and following where God organically guides him. Richie Buz makes an appearance on the track “Famous”
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Electronic producer BVSMV released a new EP last month that drifts through lucid reverie. The seven tracks here create a hypnagogic landscape of meeting imaginary people, walking on water, painting the sky and watching planets float on by. BVSMV’s signature canvas of vivid synthwave evocations is fully realized with “Dreaming in Slow Motion”, drawing upon blindingly brilliant colors and enchanting
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Hip hop artist LOU BUZZIN$ dropped a new album at the end of August. The rapper brings his A-game with twelve tracks including a few interludes that altogether create a chip-on-his-shoulder yet raw and honest narrative. There are overall themes of spiting the haters, navigating relationships, going after the bag and acting out of survival, untangling the crossover between pleasure
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Clementine are keeping it moving with their fourth single of the year. Bringing their electrifying blend of power pop, emo and pop punk, the band delivers a frantic, explosive hit about anxiety and insecurity. The song captivates the distress of second guessing yourself and repeating patterns over and over. Clementine unleash the nerves with “A Rose is a Rose is
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Singer-songwriter Jay Matthes has a video out accompanying the tune “In A Song” from his wonderful recent album “Loved and Lost and Found.” Shot by Alex Walzak, the scene finds Matthes up at the mic in various venues, including with his full band in the vintage store Dandy. The song is about honest living and Matthes doing what he knows
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Blackened death metal band Illusion of Fate released a new single a couple weeks back. Opening with mysterious, leering guitar and piano, the track erupts into a fearsome quest upon the underworld laden with snarling vocals, hailing blast beats and a menacing breakdown. There’s a real sense of evil taking hold here with a hanging atmosphere of approaching dread. We
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Hip hop artist Eddie Jame$ dropped a myriad of new singles this summer following his April project “Bad Habits”, the most recent of which being “Watch I Slide.” Just under two minutes, this one has Jame$ flexing with a bounce. He raps about being able to slide on a woman when he pleases as he’s got irresistible drip and bottle
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Singer-songwriter Laura Bomber is out with her debut EP. It’s three songs that show off different flavors of Bomber’s creative persona, encompassing elements of bossa nova, folk and pop. With “Ex-Lovers” Bomber reflects on what past relationships have taught her and that they’ll always be a part of who she is. “Sam’s Bossa Nova” touches on heartbreak and lovers leaving,
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Singer-songwriter Josh Trimble released a new single. This one is driven by a gently swaying acoustic guitar melody that complements Trimble’s charmingly sentimental voice, singing to someone about how much he loves them despite how scary love can be. Josh Trimble is stuck in the push and pull between fear and adoration with “Did You Know?”, and the song’s uncompromising
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Lucien Parker is back with his first new music in a while. Right off the bat, the new single kicks off Parker’s next chapter with a radiant blend of singing and rapping. Utilizing slowed, atmospheric production, Parker assures that he and his crew never left and that they’re still taking care of business with the credentials to show for it,
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Shontrail has released his highly anticipated sophomore album. Written last year upon the artist graduating from college, this record carries profound themes of confusion and crisis – fitting for the title. Shontrail brings eight tracks that incorporate post-punk, indie rock and emo as he channels the frustration and insecurity of stagnancy, uncertainty and blocking out your problems, complete with an
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*Aya released a new EP earlier this month. With their brilliant fusion of R&B, neo-soul and pop, *Aya’s second project brings eight songs where they explore themes of leaning into who they really are through increasingly vulnerable songwriting. They touch on letting go of insecurities (“Freeee”), having self-respect in a relationship (“Idfwt”), uncertainty about the future (“Idk”) and finding safety
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Cyrus Chrome has been a rad pop artist to be watching in Milwaukee, and if you’ve seen them perform live then you’ll know that Chrome fully animates their music on stage with exuberance and fervor. Their debut solo album is out now and it takes us for a spin through the stars, containing all the magic, color and zest that
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