Some songs are written for the moment. Others wait for the artist to become strong enough to share them. With “Dear Dolly: A Child’s Memo,” Kelly Monrow opens a chapter she’s carried privately for years, choosing to release it now not from grief, but from joy, stability, and a deeper understanding of who she has […]
Dave Harrington Leaves Taper’s Choice
The landscape of the modern jamband scene is shifting as Taper’s Choice—the acclaimed supergroup featuring Dave Harrington (Darkside), Alex Bleeker (Real Estate), Chris Tomson (Vampire Weekend), and Zach Tenorio-Miller (Arc Iris)—announces a significant lineup change. After a productive four-year run that solidified their reputation as a premier improvisational outfit, guitarist Dave Harrington has officially stepped […]
Yawn Mower’s Mike Chick Announces New Solo Album Congarts: Hear “Atom Bomb” & “Teenage FBI” (Guided By Voices Cover)
For over a decade, Mike Chick has been a cornerstone of the Asbury Park music scene, most notably as the driving force behind the indie rock outfit Yawn Mower. Following the 2025 release of their sophomore full-length I Just Can’t Wait To Die, Chick has been maintaining a relentless creative pace, further diversifying his portfolio […]
Lime Garden – “Downtown Lover”
Brighton’s indie-pop quartet Lime Garden are quickly establishing themselves as one of the most exciting prospects in the UK music scene. As they approach the release of their highly anticipated sophomore album, Maybe Not Tonight, the band has gifted fans with yet another infectious, high-energy single: “Downtown Lover.” A Deep Dive into “Downtown Lover” Building […]
Afroman’s Testimony About The Cops Who Are Suing Him Is Something To See
In 2022, a controversial police raid on the Ohio home of musician Afroman—best known for his 2000 chart-topping novelty anthem “Because I Got High”—sparked a protracted legal battle that has now reached a fever pitch in court. Authorities suspected Afroman of drug possession and kidnapping, yet the search yielded zero evidence, and no charges were […]
Monica Is Jack Harlow’s Identity Crisis. It’s Also His Best Album.
About eight years ago, Jack Harlow trolled the fuck out of me. Or, at least, it felt like he did. Visiting XXL’s midtown Manhattan office for a video freestyle, pre-glow-up Jack — glasses, unwieldy curly hair and all — sat down in our video room with his publicist for a listening session. The point was obviously […]
Cola – “Conflagration Mindset”
Last year, Tim Darcy, formerly of Ought and currently of Cola, was one of many musicians whose homes were destroyed in the LA wildfires. On Cola’s new song “Conflagration Mindset,” Darcy sings about robotically marching on while forces far beyond you have thrown your life into chaos: “A decent way to dress it up/ Cold […]
deary – “Alma”
The dreamy, shimmery dream-pop and shoegaze sounds of the early ’90s are awfully popular right now, and London trio deary mess around with those sounds with way more cinematic panache than most of their peers. Their sound isn’t hugely, original, but you can still get lost in it. In a few weeks, they’ll release their […]
Masked Microtonal Math Rock Duo Angine de Poitrine Announce New Album And First US Tour
Maybe you know Angine de Poitrine, the French-Canadian microtonal math rock duo known for donning black-and-white polka dot costumes and masks. They recently went viral for their performance at the Trans Musicales music festival in Rennes, France, which was full of shredding. But they formed back in 2019, and they describe themselves as a “Mantra-Rock […]
My New Band Believe – “Love Story”
Last month, Cameron Picton, formerly of defunct London experimental group Black Midi, announced the self-titled debut album for his new project My New Band Believe. With the news, he shared the single “Numerology,” which technically isn’t on the forthcoming project. Today, he’s shared another song, which is on upcoming album and called “Love Story.” “Love […]