The Image – Men in Love
Swedish synth-pop duo Men In Love deserve far for streams than they’ve got. Though not SEO-friendly, Men In Love craft timeless, vintage- and classical-inspired, psychedelic synth pop that makes for perfect commute music. I love the intro violin and the glockenspiel (?) throughout. I made the unfair assumption that all Swedish music leans very Eurovision, or very ABBA, or very Avicii (rip), but Men In Love has expanded my reference point for Swedish pop potential. Would love to see them blow up.
104 Degrees Slaughter Beach, Dog
I adore this song, maybe ironically? In a CAKE-like chant with male-gaze awe, Slaughter Beach, Dog depicts a manic pixie dream girl reading Haruki Murakami, ordering hot coffee in the summertime, and singing along to Wilco’s (admittedly excellent) “Heavy Metal Drummer.” I once read (saw a tweet) that women just want to be described, and I yearn to be dreamt about like this, with these dark shades and polarizing music preferences. Not even because of this song, I have made my way through all of 15 pages of Murakami’s The City and Its Uncertain Walls. Had more unicorns (?) than expected? Needless to say, the muse of “104 degrees” is deeply intriguing to me, too. I want to *intrigue* the way she *intrigues.*
Scared Money – Southall
Oldie but a goodie given their performance at the Austin Rodeo. Giddy up! Named after their lead singer, Southall goes all-in on country-leaning rock. Or rock-leaning country… undecided.
NOTHING ELSE (feat. Thomas Rhett) – Forrest Frank, Thomas Rhett
Not sure how much to talk about my faith on this here platform, but Forrest has completely re-energized the Christian music scene. I tried to find the good, the bad, and the ugly feedback on the music he’s released thus far, assuming I’d find at least some critiques on its secular “sound,” but the reception has been overwhelmingly positive! I mean, it’s some of the first Christian music I’ve heard that doesn’t feel like new age rock (not a compliment) or built for a worship band rather than driving down I-35. Well done, Fo Fo! Also, apparently Thomas Rhett broke his ankle on his way to perform this one, which means he’s either been skipping PT or this one is a real jumper.
Bigger – Medium Build
I’m not sure how deep to go on Medium Build before i go DEEP on Medium Build, ya hear me? But of course “Bigger” makes the cherry-picked list.
American Bitch – between friends
There is something deeply sarcastic about this one that I can’t get enough of. I love BETWEEN FRIENDS, even before their name went from lowercase to uppercase. The duo is a pair of siblings who grew up in Miami and later Laurel Canyon (helloooo music history!). They were destined for musical mastery, and have found “alt-pop’s sweet spot,” or so Alt Press declares.
Cheer Me On – Malcolm Todd
Malcolm returns triumphantly with one of my favorite riffs I’ve heard in a while. It really captures the way love can sour, how need can become dependence, all int he sound of the guitar.
Just in Case – Morgan Wallen
An anthem for the way you hope someone feels about you, and the way you fear the one you’re with feels about someone else. I truly can’t decide if this album will flop, or if it’ll be the perfect pop-country junk food we crave in a double-decker bar with a too-strong ranch water. Releasing mid-May!
Skin & Bones – Kito, Winona Oak
Obligatory inner teen EDM addition to the list with a gentle “wub.” Crispy, creamy, clean, just like I like my EDM.
Sleepyhead 2025 – Passion Pit, Sofi Tukker
The collab of my DREAMS, and it came at the perfect time–I had just learned about how niche and cool the original Sleepyhead sample was, so I was beyond jazzed for ST’s rework.
Through the Static – Blonde George
More to unpack here, but hear me out: there’s a sect of self-produced, self-published electronic music that just captures the beauty of the natural world, and Blonde George is a perfect example. Goth Babe is another–there’s just a feeling that these people spend a lot of time in nature, and their sounds, albeit electronic, are like biomimicry or something. If all we are is a collection of and projection of our influences, BG’s are the mountains, the forests, and the oceans. Or perhaps I’m insane. More to ponder here…
Pop n Olive – Samara Cyn, Sherwyn
Samara Cyn is so next in hip hop/R&B. I love her voice, and honestly, was sold on this one with the pink-and-green cover and titular vintage cartoon reference alone. I couldn’t tell you what the song means beyond that, but I quite like.
POW GIRL – Jo Hill
My POW girl!! Had the amazing opportunity to see Jo at Waterloo Records for SXSW this month–I literally snuck off during my lunch break and walked to see her in my business casual, mules and all. I liked her even more live (standard for me, but) it brought her whole music to life. Cheddar-born, London-based, and Glastonbury-bound, she dazzled the small group of us in her clearly thrifted alien cutoff tee and cow print Wallabees. Can’t wait to watch her grow–I just know she has it.
Hallelujah – Ryan Bingham
A resurfacing classic that I couldn’t turn away from the March mix.
..THUS IS WHY (I DON’T SPRING 4 LOVE) – Saya Gray
Saya, you’re weird, and I like you for that. This whole album kinda bounces off of and drips down the walls–it’s atmospheric, spanning the emotional color wheel and landing on the greys in between. As a multi-talented person, Saya is able to capture nuance in a way I had yet to hear. Excited to dig into this album even further–bonus points for listening in a state of melancholia.
dandelion – Ariana Grande
Holy NOLA trumpet intro — makes me want to open all the French doors on my front patio. The trumpet persists and melts into the Top 40, whistle-y Ariana song we all know and love.
WASH – Jon Bellion
I’ve waited for new Jon since repeatedly listening to All Time Low while reading Kissinger in high school. This one and KID AGAIN make for (hopefully) an excellent album TBR in June (eek!)
Everything is Peaceful Love – Bon Iver
Happy Bon Iver provokes a little bit of cognitive dissonance, but cheers me up nonetheless. So long, lonely-man-in-cabin vibe, welcome, optimism! Capital R Romanticism! Pure, sweet, Bon Iver magic, deftly balancing organic and electronic production with a smirk. Missed you, buddy! Excited for the joy of fABLE (emphasis on… agency? That’s my hunch) to follow the sorrow of SABLE.
Lucy – Claire Rosinkranz
Long-teased via socials, Lucy brings Claire back, front-and-center, in a hallucinogenic, heavily produced but fun and camp-y little ditty. Perfect for the girls who get their words wrong, if out of their mouths at all.
40% – The Army, The Navy
If I were queen, I would hire these two as my personal musicians. Their harmonies would complement my moat just beautifully. Soft, sweet soprano meets grunge guitar with feminine rage. Chef’s kiss.
the prom – glaive
Pop-leaning punky self-sabotage anthem cataloguing the niche tug between teenage fame and midwestern normalcy for those who blow up young. glaive *did* in fact skip his high school prom, which is deeply overrated to those of us who didn’t have our fame (or lack thereof) get in the way. Validly, though, glaive’s gripe comes from the fact that none of his older friends checked in on him. I feel like the prom is microcosmic of so many childhood rites of passage, and evanescence would hold that you can’t get that time back.
Relationships – HAIM
Speaks for itself. Welcome back, HAIM sisters.
Strong Stuff – Carter Faith
Best turned up while driving!
Can’t Kill a Cowboy – The Wisconaut
Woozy dreary dream-set song about heartbreak creeping into even our sleep. But you can’t kill a cowboy, so hang in there, partner.
Did You Get The Feeling? – Georgia Parker
Honestly, this is one is very last but not least. This pick was derived far more from my “the work you do, the person you are” female singer-songwriter catchall, but something about it demands to be played while getting ready, in the shower, while driving, while working, while running, while getting ready to go out, and when you get home a little tipsy wondering where that one person went. So, all the time?
The above picks, all together in one home below. Cover stolen from Instagram (sorry) because it’s when I decided to actually get over my embarrassment publish this sucka
Cherry-Picked 