Weekly Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1SnBeEI951FW0pNxiygH0o 

Jacob’s picks

1. Blood Incantation – “Hidden Species (Vitrification of Blood, Pt. 2)” 
2. Young Nudy – “The Rustlers” 
3. Thom Yorke – “Impossible Knots”
4. Mystifier – “The Death Of An Immortal” 

Cosmic death metal mastermind, Blood Incantation, made some of the atmospheric death metal within today’s landscape of bands. The cover art of its catalog perfectly aligns with the hellish, otherworldly nature within this niche of death metal. “Hidden Species (Vitrification of Blood, Pt. 2)” drives home all of those notions in one epic death metal conquest. 

Young Nudy’s consistent catalog of hard rap bangers hasn’t let up on Nudy’s newest album “DR. EV4L.” “The Rustlers” may not be the loudest production-wise, but the song is still in the listener’s face for three plus minutes rapping about hardcore gang activity. 

Thom Yorke of Radiohead is a genius through-and-through. Every time Yorke drops a new piece of music under the Radiohead group or his own solo efforts, the listener is automatically in for a delightful treat of music creation. “Impossible Knots” has an insanely infectious bass and drum line; it’s hard to not move along to the track. And on top of that, Yorke’s vocals are superb as always. 

Formed in the late 80s, black metal band Mystifier has carved a unique spot within the black metal genre. With the use of synth keys and occasional death metal influences, its music is something out of a vampire film. “The Death Of An Immortal” has eerie riffs, excellent drum work, dark castle-esque synth keys and vocals with proper range to execute the song’s goal at every corner. 

Brandon’s picks

1. Teenage Wrist – “New Emotion- Live At Kingsize Soundlabs”
2. Fiddlehead – “Loverman”
3. Edwin Rosen – “Leichter//Kälter” 
4. Motion City Soundtrack – “Hold Me Down”

A sleeper from the band’s 2021 album, “Earth Is A Black Hole,” “New Emotion” originally could not manage to shine as bright as the singles from the project. However, the track has had new life breathed into it coming off the back of Teenage Wrist’s trippy live performance at Kingsize Soundlabs. The new performance captures the live sound, providing the track with even more of a punch while also keeping its initial dreamy quality.  

“Loverman” is an upbeat melodic post-hardcore track by Boston supergroup Fiddlehead. The song was released on its latest album, “Between the Richness,” and has quickly climbed to its top spot on Spotify. 

German indie artist, Edwin Rosen, quickly shot to stardom after releasing “Liechter//Kälter”— an 80’s new wave-inspired track that is drowned in reverb and synth. Rosen only began releasing music in 2020 and the vibrant track already has over three million streams on Spotify. The song is a perfect example of the power of music because, although it’s sung in a different language, it’s still incredibly infectious and enjoyable with its instrumentation and melodies. 

Returning late last year after hanging up their instruments, Minneapolis alternative rock band Motion City Soundtrack announced it will be a part of Chicago’s Riot Fest line-up this coming year. Ahead of that announcement, a great way to get acquainted with the band is to check out its hit album “Commit This to Memory.” Although this record is full of classics, it’s the somber finale “Hold Me Down” that acts as a lyrical and emotional send off. 

Madelaine’s picks

1. Alvvays – “Ones Who Love You”
2. My Bloody Valentine – “Sometimes”
3. Car Seat Headrest – “Something Soon”
4. Cocteau Twins – “Cherry-coloured Funk”

Canadian indie pop band Alvvays provides some food for thought in “Ones Who Love You.” The lyrical message can be interpreted in various ways, leaving it up to the listener to decide. The vocals quickly switch between a way that sounds monotone to belting, accompanied by a steady and catchy guitar riff. 

“Sometimes” by My Bloody Valentine, featured in the film “Lost in Translation,” is arguably its best song. While the vocals stay light and almost sound as if they are being whispered, the heavy distortion and grungelike guitar throughout the song make for a captivating contrast. Instead of clashing, both elements work in unison to create something truly unique.

Car Seat Headrest lead singer, Will Toledo, expresses his anxiety on “Something Soon,” a song that comes from the band’s ninth studio album. The indie rock band delivers angst and anxiety-filled lyrics and Toledo switches between vocal ranges with ease, creating the perfect blend of emotion and frustration.

Dream pop band Cocteau Twins’ early 90s hit “Cherry-coloured Funk” lyrics may be nonsense, but the melody definitely makes up for it. The vocal layering as well as lead singer Elizabeth Fraser’s dreamlike voice takes this masterpiece to another level.