motel void

ATMOS BLOOM – IT’S ENOUGH

We’ve been fans of atmos bloom for several years now, and pretty much every new release feels like another bullseye. They’ve developed such a distinctive identity – the songwriting, production, and overall sound are all incredibly refined. It’s Enough is no exception. The track opens with dreamy synths before the drums kick in (which sound incredible – I love that drum tone) alongside a simple yet effective guitar riff. As more instruments gradually enter, the song starts to evoke the lush indie-pop atmosphere of Alvvays. In fact, within the first thirty seconds – before the vocals have even appeared – you already know you’re listening to something special. When the vocals finally arrive, they simply elevate the track even further: warm, melodic, hazy, and effortlessly beautiful.

YASU CUB – EN

Yasu Cub is a Tokyo-based band led by Atlanta-born songwriter Jacob Oki Ahearn. Following their debut album Highways (2023) and the EPs Elevator (2024) and Room Without a Ceiling (2024), they released their sophomore album, my early years, your spiral arms, on March 25, 2026, via felicity.

En sits somewhere between slowcore, folk, and dream pop, drifting effortlessly between those worlds. Perhaps it’s no coincidence that the album was written between Tokyo, a small town in Georgia, and the Pacific Northwest – the song has an unmistakable sense of place and quietly invites you to travel through those landscapes yourself. Musically, it occasionally recalls Low, particularly in its patient pacing and understated emotional weight. At just three and a half minutes, the track feels surprisingly brief; it’s the kind of song that could easily continue for twice as long without losing its spell.

BONDO – ZUMA

We’ll stay in slowcore territory, although this time with a distinct post-rock edge. Los Angeles quartet Bondo write, perform, and record their music entirely live. Restricting themselves largely to overdrive, distortion, and delay, they build expansive, mostly instrumental compositions that rely on subtle dynamics rather than flashy effects. They’re the kind of band that reminds you what four musicians playing together in a room can achieve.

And the sound is absolutely gorgeous, made even richer by the fact that it was recorded live to tape. Zuma stands out through its simple yet deeply atmospheric guitar motifs and an excellent vocal performance that never pushes itself to the front, instead serving the song with remarkable restraint. I also have to praise the outstanding music video, which takes a compelling turn halfway through and perfectly complements the song’s explosive guitar climax.