Top New Tracks

5) Braxton Cook – Not Everyone Can Go (2025)

Here with his sixth LP, Braxton Cook’s unique take on a jazz and soul fusion creates a good-natured sonic ecosystem. Spanning across more modern R&B style beats and pulling from earlier smooth soul artists. Cook has been releasing music since 2014, originally learning how to play the alto saxophone while growing up in Washington D.C. He attended Juilliard in 2011 and studied jazz saxophone, eventually touring and releasing his own compositions. Cook worked on the soundtrack for “Soul”, Pixar Studio’s 2019 release, for which he won an Academy Award.

This week’s selected track, “Zodiac” is peaceful yet dissonant at times, utilizing soft keyboard textures and a dancing guitar line.

4) Wisp – If Not Winter (2025)

San Francisco based shoegaze artist Wisp is back with her debut album. In 2023 her single “Your Face” gained immense popularity on Tiktok which got the artist a large fan base from the start of her career. She began touring and playing at festivals where her light and breathy vocals contrasting with her guitar’s wall of sound captivated audiences.

This week’s selected track, “Get back to me” features Wisp’s signature airy vocals amidst a transcendent and heavy guitar backdrop.

3) Geese – Getting Killed (2025)

This Brooklyn based rock band formed in 2016 and consists of Cameron Winter, Emily Green, Dominic DiGesu, and Max Bassin. The band’s 2023 release, “3D Country”, gained a lot of love from fans of the band and indie fans in general. After this album they released some live versions and unreleased tracks while fans eagerly awaited a new batch of tracks. This project features vivid and sentimental story telling, hypnotic drums, and beautiful lush production.

This week’s highlighted track, “Cobra” is sweetly textured and nostalgic, featuring harmonious and danceable chord progressions.

2) Wednesday – Bleeds (2025)

Forming in 2017 in North Carolina, Wednesday has since been carefully honing their craft with a blend of country, alternative rock, and punk. The group began with guitarist Karly Hartzman’s solo project of the same name, adding both Daniel Gorham and MJ Lenderman and releasing their first EP “How Do You Let the Love Into the Heart That Isn’t Split Wide Open”. Wednesday pulls inspiration from bands like The Sundays and Hartzman’s own Southern upbringing. The current lineup now consists of Alan Miller, Xandy Chelmis, and Ethan Baechtold, with MJ Lenderman no longer touring but remaining a creative member behind the scenes

This week’s highlighted track, “Elderberry Wine” is as sweet as the title with southern-style slide guitars and vocals about comfort and resolution.

1) TOPS – Bury The Key (2025)

Hailing from Montreal, Quebec, indie rock group TOPS was brought together in 2011. The band consists of Jane Penny on vocals, David Carriere on guitar, Marta Cikojevic on keys, and Riley Fleck manning the drums. They have released five studio albums and a small collection of EPs all exploring the softer side of indie rock and delving into the realms of groove. In 2024, TOPS lent their skills to covering Margo Guryan’s “Sunday Morning” on the homage compilation album “Like Someone I Know: A Celebration of Margo Guryan”. Their most recent album, “Bury The Key” leans into darker themes, setting this release apart from their historically cheery track record.

This week’s chosen track, “Annihalation” is so groovy it’s infectious with sparse lyricism, allowing the boogie to take the forefront.

Top Tracks of the Week

5) Oklou – Choke Enough (2025)

After multiple EPs and collaborations, French pop artist Marylou Vanina Mayniel, or Oklou as she is known musically, released her first debut album “Choke Enough” in February. Her career began with her 2014 EP “Avril”, released under the name Loumar. From 2015-2018, Mayniel was a member of the female DJ group TGAF, also releasing her very first EP under the name Oklou. The 2020s found Oklou releasing remixes of trending tracks from artists such as Caroline Polachek and releasing a mixtape with numerous other DJs and producers like shygirl, A.G. Cook, and Sega Bodega. Her style moves from synth-pop, art-pop, electronic, R&B, and ethereal underground pop.

This week’s selected track, “family and friends” begins with a gentle xylophone melody with Mayniel’s vocals and backing strings that swell as the song unravels.

4) Beastie Boys – Check Your Head (1992)

Though they need no introduction, prepare to be introduced to the Beastie Boys. An American hip-hop group that formed in 1981, the Beastie Boys are made up of Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz, Adam “MCA” Yauch, and Michael “Mike D” Diamond. Their 1986 debut album “License to Ill” made it onto the Billboard Top 200 chart, making history as the first rap album to make the list. They’ve collaborated with and opened for a plethora of big musical names, including opening for Madonna on her 1985 tour, as well as performing alongside Public Image Ltd., The Smashing Pumpkins, and Run-DMC. In their 30-year career, they’ve jumped between labels like RCA, Def Jam, and Columbia and have released 8 albums, two of which won Grammy awards.

This week’s highlighted track, “Pass The Mic” is an iconic example of the Beastie Boys style with a downtempo beat and laid-back rapping.

3) Destroyer – Dan’s Boogie (2025)

Founded by frontman and vocalist Dan Bejar, rock group Destroyer formed in Vancouver in 1995. Bejar’s debut album under the Destroyer name “We’ll Build Them a Golden Bridge” is a lo-fi collection of tracks, serving as a precursor to the band’s sound. His following 14 albums were released with steady pacing, each one produced about two years apart. The group’s most acclaimed album, 2011’s “Kaputt” was reminiscent of yacht rock stylings while retaining the independent rock sound. The album made it to multiple music outlet’s album of the year, including Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, and NME. Destroyer’s most recent album, “Dan’s Boogie” was released in April and is an expansive, jazz-influenced album with an immense piano presence.

This week’s chosen track, “Hydroplaning Off The Edge Of The World” uplifting and vibrant with breathy backing vocals and constantly upshifting synths.

2) Michael Kiwanuka – Small Changes (2024)

British singer/songwriter Michael Kiwanuka has spent his creative career crafting harmonious soul melodies. Since his first album in 2012, his signature vocals have shaped his style of rock- and early soul- influenced sound. His music has been featured in many TV soundtracks, his single “Cold Little Heart” being notably used as the theme for HBO’s Big Little Lies. Citing influences from Bill Withers, Otis Redding, The Band, and Joni Mitchell, Kiwanuka’s inspiration can be recognized through his genre-bending sound.

This week’s selected track, “Floating Parade” is soulful and euphoric with a bassline that drops the listener in and strings that lift the heart.

1) Turnstile – Never Enough (2025)

Hardcore punk band Turnstile hails from the East Coast, bringing Baltimore, Maryland sensibilities to their rock since 2010. The group has been nominated for three Grammy awards for their singles “Blackout” and “Holiday”. Turnstile was formed by vocalist Brendan Yates, lead guitarist Brady Ebert, bassist Franz Lyons, guitarist Sean Cullen, and drummer Daniel Fang. Their musical style has evolved through their fifteen-year career, maintaining their hardcore roots while sprinkling in some pop-punk and Baltimore club music.

Our Weekly Gem pick is “SEEIN STARS” utilizes mesmerizing echoey guitar tones and creates a tranquil atmosphere with the interactions of the bassline.