motel void

beholding – HWY5

The opening notes of HWY5 by beholding immediately caught my attention – a deliberately rough, distorted acoustic guitar paired with an energetic rhythm set the tone. The vocals lean toward emo, but the rawness and grit complement the instrumentation beautifully. Midway through, the track begins to unravel slightly, with glitches and sonic detours that are genuinely exciting from a production standpoint. The instrumental work is excellent, the melody catchy and emotionally resonant.

Beholding is the project of Lukas (?) from British Columbia, Canada – and I’m really excited to hear more from him!

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linoleumville – to see you and talk

Another standout in terms of production is to see you and talk by the new UK-based project linoleumville. This slowcore track with folk elements floats in a melancholic, almost meditative atmosphere. Halfway through, a brilliant female vocal (by Prima Hera) enters, lifting the song into a gorgeous and emotional finale. The production includes subtle chimes, irregular rhythms over a well-crafted beat, and a warm acoustic guitar riff. Don’t sleep on this one.

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Harmless – Future Music

My third pick is future music by Harmless, a slacker-rock project of Nacho Cano, born in Mexico City and now based in Los Angeles. The intro may slightly recall an unnamed Weezer hit, but once the vocals kick in, the song finds its own voice – the vocals are effortlessly cool and pleasant. Overall, the track radiates a sunny, playful energy, like a more upbeat take on Salad Days by Mac DeMarco.

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a boy named fox – turadh

It’s rare that I recommend tracks longer than 10 minutes, but turadh by a boy named fox clocks in at over 15 – and it’s worth every second. That kind of runtime can feel intimidating at first glance, but what unfolds is a beautifully constructed piece of music. It opens as a slowcore track, subtly drawing from the late ’90s -anchored by a standout, gripping guitar riff.

Soon, the vocals emerge – clean and slightly emo-tinged, a style that doesn’t always land for me, but here it works very well. The track builds gradually, bathed in echo, leading to a stunning climax that closes out the first part.

Around the six-minute mark, the mood shifts. This section brings to mind the haunting minimalism of Mount Eerie – slow, hypnotic, and meditative. As the sparse drums guide us into the final third, the song blossoms again with a raw, catchy melody and an emotional finale. The lo-fi production is gritty and evocative, enhancing the song’s intimate feel.

This is a deeply affecting piece that rewards patience with something very special.