STONEFRUIT – FROM THE SUN
One thing that immediately caught my attention was the fact that Stonefruit come from Bozeman, Montana. Honestly, I know very few bands from that part of the US, which makes them the best Montana-based band I’ve discovered so far.
Their track From the Sun is an excellent introduction to what they do. The vocals are a particular highlight, bringing Angel Olsen to mind, while the songwriting is consistently strong throughout. The production strikes a lovely balance, remaining raw enough to preserve the song’s character without sacrificing its melodic appeal. In that respect, it reminds me of one of my personal favorites, Slothrust. There is a lot to like here, and I’m genuinely curious to hear what Stonefruit come up with next.
AIRHOCKEY – MELT
We’re regular fans of airhockey here at the blog, so naturally, we couldn’t pass up their latest release, melt. I have a real soft spot for this kind of lo-fi bedroom pop: brisk, energetic, and driven by a beat that keeps pouring over you, yet still anchored by a melancholic undercurrent running through the vocals.
Everything falls into place here. The production feels right, the melody is catchy without becoming intrusive, and the guitars sound genuinely interesting, adding plenty of character to the arrangement. It’s a great example of how bedroom pop can be both immediately engaging and emotionally understated. Airhockey once again deliver the kind of track that makes you want to keep coming back for another listen.
CATHOLIC MAGIC – LENORE
Catholic Magic are another band we’ve featured on the blog before. Originally formed in rural Idaho, the project draws inspiration from a wide range of sounds and imagery, from Studio Ghibli films and the experience of growing up in a religious cowboy culture to the journey of discovering one’s identity. Their influences include artists such as Briston Maroney, Fox Academy, and Provoker, all of which feed into their dreamy, melody-driven blend of indie rock and dream pop.
Their new track Lenore immediately stands out thanks to its vocals, which push the song toward emo territory while retaining an almost pop-like sensibility. At nearly seven minutes long, however, it quickly becomes clear that there is much more to come. The first half builds gradually, reaching a particularly effective crescendo around the three-minute mark before the song suddenly drops back. In the second half, the energetic guitars take center stage, giving the track a more forceful edge without ever feeling excessive or out of place. The progression feels natural, and every shift serves a purpose. It’s a long song, certainly, but one that fully justifies its length.
CASHA MOUR – THIRTEEN
An incredible opening riff, fantastic lo-fi production, and beautiful vocals drenched in a variety of effects: Thirteen is one of the most captivating tracks I’ve come across lately. There is something deeply hypnotic about the whole thing. Over its three-plus-minute runtime, the song repeatedly returns to the same motifs and musical ideas, but rather than becoming tiresome, this repetition only deepens its immersive atmosphere. The layered effects give the vocals an almost otherworldly quality, while the lo-fi production makes everything feel intimate and slightly disorienting. It’s a wonderfully effective combination.
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