motel void

Here are three more great songs to recommend — one of them wasn’t released this year, but the other two are brand new. This time, two come from the U.S. and one from the U.K.

MASTERING SILENCE – 16TH AVE

I don’t always need to know what a song is about or what story it tells — but here, I think it really matters: “I always dreamed of buying my grandparents’ home, but life had other plans. For this song, I used audio from my last day there. This isn’t just a song, it’s a memory,” says Dustin, who records as Mastering Silence.

But to be honest, even if I hadn’t known the story behind it, the song would have got me anyway – with its production and its vibe, which reminds me a lot of my favorite band, American Football. It’s barely a minute long (just one second short), yet it’s packed with emotion – and you don’t even have to focus on the field recording — though it adds an intimate layer to everything. A truly beautiful little piece.

TORIYAMA – DEAD ASTRONAUTS

dead astronauts, the first single from their EP Lola, blends lo-fi and slowcore while exploring physical and emotional isolation — drifting like astronauts between loneliness and fragile connection.

Toriyama are a true slowcore gem. The production feels natural, effortless, and warmly ‘90s — but not in a dated way. It reminds me a lot of Duster, one of my all-time favorites. I usually prefer slowcore with vocals, but here they’re not even necessary; the sound itself is so beautifully crafted and atmospheric that I could listen to it for an hour straight. Toriyama are truly excellent at this — and I really hope they get the attention they deserve. Slowcore is having a moment, and this fits right in.

SINCE TORINO – TRUTH

The Sheffield-based band Since Torino have long been among my personal favorites — and this isn’t the first time we’ve featured them on Motel Void. Their new EP reunion dinner gives us another perfect reason to do so.

I’d especially recommend the opening track truth, which works on two levels for me: it’s got a fantastic guitar tone and a riff that feels fresh, raw, and a little chaotic — but in the best possible way. Then there’s the vocal melody, which softens everything and brings a beautiful tenderness — giving it sort of Fog Lake vibe. Perfect.