By: Music Journalism Club
Every Tuesday, our Music Director, Allison, chooses new releases to add to our music library. Here are some recent highlights, presented to you by WSUM's Music Journalism Club.
Black Country, New Road, Forever Howlong
HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Besties,” “For the Cold Country,” “Nancy Tries to Take the Night”
GENRE: Chamber Pop
RIYL: Joanna Newsom, MJ Lenderman
Black Country, New Road continues to be a driving force in the Brixton Windmill scene, with their latest album Forever Howlong providing an upbeat, yet emotional listen. The band remains true to their complex sound; with a variety of instruments featured throughout the album from recorder to lap steel to mandolin. With the vocals being split between May Kershaw, Georgia Ellery and Tyler Hyde, the tracks bleed into a range of different genres while simultaneously creating a cohesive atmosphere. The poppier song such as “Besties” and “Happy Birthday” radiate a more upbeat experience while heavier emotions exude from the grander post-rock adjacent tracks “For the Cold Country,” and “Nancy Tries to Take the Night”. Though a clear departure from their first two releases, Forever Howlong clearly belongs in Black Country, New Road's discography and proves the band's impact in modern art rock.
— Elliot Novak
Jane Remover, Revengeseekerz
HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Dancing with your eyes closed”, “Professional Vengeance”, “Dreamflasher”
GENRE: Digicore, Experimental Hip Hop, Electronic Dance Music
RIYL: 2 Hollis, ericdoa, twikipedia, Brakence
The third studio album from visionary producer and singer-songwriter Jane Remover, Revengeseekerz is not only their most commercially successful work to date, but also one of the most manic, chaotic, and avant-garde records to emerge from the underground. Following the February release of Ghostholding—an indie rock project under their alias Venturing—Jane revisits and refines the experimental sounds introduced through her Leroy alias, specifically the Graverobbing project, and makes a triumphant return to the digicore and hyperpop roots established on Teen Week in 2021. Now four years into their career, Jane showcases a remarkable evolution in production quality—delivering fiery, explosive hip-hop and EDM beats while maintaining lyrics, interpolations, and samples that call back to nearly all of their earlier work. Tracks like “Psychoboost feat danny brown,” “JRJRJR,” and “Dreamflasher” stand out as some of the flashiest on the record, where Jane's braggadocious vocal delivery, over-the-top sample use, and tightly controlled, chaotic electronic production are on full display. Meanwhile, more accessible cuts like “Star People,” “Fadeoutz,” and “Dark Night Castle” preserve the project's dense sonic texture while exploring a cleaner, more sterile sound that may appeal to fans of mainstream rap and hip hop. Revengeseekerz feels like a culmination of everything Jane Remover has explored musically so far—a bold, boundary-pushing statement that can be appreciated by fans of both hip-hop and electronic music alike.
— Ryan Mercer
Momma, Welcome to My Blue Sky
HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “I Want You (Fever)”, “Ohio All The Time”, “Welcome to My Blue Sky”
GENRE: Indie Rock
RIYL: Wishy, Wombo
Brooklyn-based indie rock band Momma offers a fresh fun sound with their fourth studio album, Welcome to My Blue Sky. Written during the band's 2022 summer tour, a formative time for band members Etta Friedman and Allegra Weingarten, and produced by member Aron Kobayashi Ritch, the album supplies you with an emotionally-charged, incredibly fun whirlwind of fuzzy rock. Tracks like “I Want You (Fever)” and “Bottle Blonde” felt absolutely electric with catchy choruses and fun beats. Meanwhile, tracks like “My Old Street” and the title “Welcome to My Blue Sky” offer a kind of nostalgic, almost coming-of-age feel. For those eager for a versatile listen, look no further than the vulnerable lyrics and stellar guitar in Momma's new album.
— Catalina DeSua
Malcolm Todd, Malcolm Todd
HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Lying”, “Bleed”, “I'll Come Back For You”, “Chest Pain (I Love)”
GENRE: Indie, R&B, Alternative, Bedroom Pop
RIYL: Steve Lacy, Omar Apollo, Dominic Fike
Rising star Malcolm Todd releases his first studio album with a vulnerable and relatable exploration into his personal journey, on theme with the rest of his discography. With a creative and incredibly effective marketing strategy, Malcolm is a “TikTok Star” on the surface, releasing addictive and viral snippets on the platform as a form of rollout, but ultimately drawing new fans into his wholesome, comfortable sound and raw, human lyrics. His quality doesn't solely reside in the viral sounds found on social media, with his recent release arguably his most well rounded. Beginning with the vulnerable “Harry Styles”, Malcolm expresses disappointment in his overlooked potential. Delving deeper into the album, favorites like “Chest Pain (I Love)” exude the passionate and emotional motifs of Malcolms style, “Bleed” featuring Omar Apollo displays his range and versatility, and more hopeful and in-your-face “Cheer Me On” followed by soothing “I'll Come Back For You” round out the album by focusing on Malcolm's vocals. Still very early in his career, Malcolm Todd is innovating in the indie R&B space in both sound, quality, and influence.
— Ryan King
The Ophelias, Spring Grove
HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Open Sky,” “Parade”
GENRE: Indie rock
RIYL: boygenius, Jordana, Indigo De Souza
Spring Grove offers a stunning representation of the midwest indie sound. The Cincinnati band, The Ophelias, raised the bar for the indie scene with their new album through their reminiscent lyrics and layered melodious instrumentals. The album that was released April 2025 offers 13 tracks that array emotional tales stemming from inter- and intrapersonal relations. While conveying the homely and bittersweet feels of midwestern indie music, the members of The Ophelias also delve deep into the essence of rock, featuring a heavy driving force in tunes such as “Salome” and “Say to You.” For those wishing there was a new boygenius album, let Spring Grove fill those desires.
— Evelyn Krohn
Glare, Sunset Funeral
HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: Saudade, Nü Burn, Different Hue
GENRE: Shoegaze, Dream Pop, Noise Pop
RIYL: Trauma Ray, Whirr, Narrow Head, Slowdive
Hailing from Texas–the unofficial shoegaze capital of America–Glare comes out swinging with their debut LP Sunset Funeral, staying true to their classic swirling-guitar driven sound while expanding on what they've offered since their breakout 2017 single “Into You” and a string of EPs. Eight years later Glare delivers 38 minutes of ethereal riffs, gritty grunge grooves, and soft-spoken vocals–hallmarks of the shoegaze and grunge-gaze sound. Across its 11 tracks, there isn't a clear weak point, though the record, as is typical for the genre, begins to feel a bit repetitive toward the end. Still, Sunset Funeral stands as a strong first full-length effort—an accessible entry point for new listeners, and a solid, if familiar, experience for seasoned fans.
— Ryan Mercer
Florist, Jellywish
HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Sparkle Song”, “Jellyfish”,
GENRE: Indie Folk, Indie
RIYL: Bon Iver, Leith Ross,
Although Florist's album Jellywish only recently came out in April 2025, the band creates feelings of nostalgia in these melodies. The acoustic guitar is featured in each track, and Emily Sprague's soft vocals are reminiscent of being sung to sleep by a lullaby. This calm and intimate album feels like the end of a summer day, the setting of the sun, the start of a warm night, and a stillness in the air. Each track on this album evoked these feelings for me and transported me to my backyard, and reminded me of watching the sunset from our deck as a kid. I loved how this album was able to feel so nostalgic, even though it is so new and fresh, which is a testament to the band's talent in creating more than just music, but an emotional experience.
— Christine VanDen Heuvel
Wet, Two Lives
HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: Morning Coffee, My Everything, Float
GENRE: Indie Pop, Ambient Pop
RIYL: The Japanese House, PinkPantheress
The band Wet gives its listeners an immersive experience while listening to their newest album, Two Lives, released at the beginning of this month. Similar to the title of one of the tracks on the album, you can “Float” through the album with ease. This is the perfect album to make flashcards to and study for your Anthropology exam. It would also be the perfect album to eat breakfast to. Each song on the album has a consistency throughout the listening experience that reflects the artist's intentions while making this piece of work. If you like the band Men I Trust or the artist Mk.gee, you may also enjoy this newest album from the band Wet.
— Nanette Hunter
