The debut full-length studio effort by The Tacet Mode, Not How You Color arrives with the confidence of a band that already understands atmosphere, pacing, and emotional weight. Clocking in at 49 minutes across four expansive tracks, the record feels less like a standard indie rock release and more like a carefully assembled cinematic experience. The Tacet Mode draws deeply from 80s inspired alternative rock sounds while weaving in a restrained but effective hint of electronica, creating an album that constantly shifts between nostalgic grit and futuristic melancholy.

Neon Reveries

From the opening moments, the production reveals its greatest strength. The mix breathes with a carefully crafted stereo field that gives every instrument room to bloom without sacrificing intensity. Layers of vintage sounding guitar overdrives swirl around shimmering synth textures while the percussion lands with a warm analog punch. The band balances density and restraint exceptionally well. Even during louder passages, the album never collapses into chaos. Instead, it moves with purpose and emotional clarity. The vocals deserve equal praise. The vivid vocal range carries the emotional center of the album, transitioning naturally from intimate reflections to soaring declarations. The Tacet Mode leans heavily into bold lyrical narratives that examine isolation, transformation, memory, and emotional survival. The writing avoids empty abstraction and instead paints scenes with striking detail. That emotional honesty gives the project an immediacy that many modern alternative records fail to achieve.

Static Dreams

The album unfolds like a character rebuilding themselves after collapse, making it easy to imagine these songs accompanying training montages or emotional turning points from films like The Karate Kid or Drunken Master. There is a sense of perseverance embedded throughout the LP. Every instrumental swell and tonal shift feels tied to personal growth and confrontation. The reflective short opening track “Prayer” sets the emotional tone with patience and restraint before the record expands into heavier terrain. “Nocturne Reveries” introduces a groovy bassline that anchors the surrounding walls of guitar and synth work, giving the track a hypnotic pulse that lingers long after it ends. That momentum spills naturally into the slow rock jam “Infinity Mirror,” where The Tacet Mode stretches their atmospheric instincts into widescreen territory. Elsewhere, the band experiments confidently with texture and mood. “Turn the Car Around” embraces a more vintage sonic identity, leaning into the dusty emotional weight of classic alternative rock records from the early 2000s. In contrast, “The Cosmic Joke” injects electronic elements through its synth bass foundations, adding tension and motion without abandoning the human warmth that defines the album. Even with these stylistic pivots, the record maintains cohesion through its emotional consistency and layered production style. This willingness to bend genres without losing identity makes Not How You Color feel significant within the modern indie music scene. The Tacet Mode understands that experimental rock works best when experimentation serves emotion rather than novelty.

Colors After Midnight

What ultimately makes Not How You Color such a compelling debut is the sincerity behind its ambition. The Tacet Mode avoids the trap of overindulgence that often weakens lengthy experimental records. Instead, the project feels focused, immersive, and emotionally earned. The album invites repeated listens because new details continue to emerge beneath the surface. Subtle electronic flourishes hide behind distorted guitars while vocal harmonies reveal themselves gradually inside the expansive mix. The band’s background also adds weight to the release. As a fresh independent alternative rock project, The Tacet Mode approaches music with the hunger of artists determined to carve out their own space rather than imitate current trends. Their embrace of analog textures, emotionally driven songwriting, and cinematic arrangement choices suggests musicians deeply influenced by the evolution of rock but equally committed to pushing beyond it. For a debut LP, Not How You Color sounds remarkably assured. It stands as an ode to the revival of experimental rock music while signaling that The Tacet Mode may become one of the more intriguing new acts to emerge from the underground alternative circuit in recent years.

Suzanne Gzranna has us grooving in delight with her latest jazz album, 'Cat's Meow XO'! The multi-award-winning songwriter, saxophonist, vocalist, music publisher and Billboard-charting artist, Suzanne, has us stepping into her smooth, classy, timeless jazz world. Easy on the senses, smoky and chalk full of panache and personality is 'Cat's Meow XO'. A compact, 5-track album that highlights Suzanne's multi-instrumental prowess and jazz compositional excellence. It's the kind of album score you'd love to hear in a noir romance drama flick, preferably one in timeless black and white. We open with 'New York Romance', a silky smooth ode to the magic of the Big Apple. We're treated to a playful, wistful expression of passion, panache and appreciation for the charms of NYC. Suzanne's excellent piano performance and soft, velvety vocals takes us through that old-school charm of New York, a place of endless possibilites and infectious character. It's an easy going track, filled with warmth and class, setting your soul at ease with its richly textured sound. 'Deck the Halls in a Minor Mood' sverves into intoxicating saxophone harmonies and moody keys. The symphony created is pure class and downright sublime. It evokes images of long, lonesome nights and intimate, reflective moments spent in the backdrop of a cold rainy night. Suzanne's performance on the sax is jaw-droppingly honest and expressive, leaving you wanting more and more. 'Moment in Time' picks up the tempo ever so slightly and gracefully. Its one of the more complete tracks on the album, featuring full-bodied jazz arrangements and Suzanne's touching vocals. She croons on the magic of present moment, expressing herself with intoxicating flair. 'Snow City XO' has us dreaming of chill, snowy nights. Of being warm and cozy round a fireplace, a warm drink in hand, cuddled next to your cat. It's effortlessly smooth and features some incredibly delicate, evocative piano arrangements. And ofcourse, Suzanna's leisurely, jazz vocals. Its beautifully balanced and makes you want to just curl up round the fire and jive in peace. The concluding title track, 'Cat's Meow XO' is where Suzanne really shines. The track is built upon a delicate minor keys progression and Suzanne's feline-esque, sensual vocals. And when the saxophone kicks in, its sheer bliss. We can't get enough of her rich, expressive jazz arrangements, be it the horns or the keys. Her jazz flair is truly astounding and has you grooving in happy, slow movements. Overall, 'Cat's Meow XO' is an excellently composed and performed jazz album. It highlights Suzanne's fantastic artistic flair and personality. Put this album on slow, rainy days or quiet evenings where you just need something classy and intimate.

There are some feelings that you cannot keep inside for long. They spill, spark, and begin to consume everything they touch. Heads On Fire by Ava Valianti sits in the crevices of that exact threshold: the moment where overthinking turns into something louder, faster, and impossible to keep up with. The track opens with an immediate sense of movement. Unlike her other works that feature a more restrained emotional pacing, this song jumps teeth-first into urgency. The instrumentation feels fuller. You hear guitars layered with intent, rhythms moving without any pause. There’s a constant sense of propulsion. It is as if the track itself is trying to outrun the feeling it’s built on. With the structure, the song is driven by escalation. The verses feel tightly wound. They hold tension close before the chorus expands into something more forceful. The piece yet maintains control and creates a listening experience, where intensity is sustained. This makes the “fire” in the title feel more continuous, something that really burns. The production reinforces this.  There’s very little space for stillness; even the quieter moments feel transitional. It is like they exist only to lead into the next surge. You can hear the layers build and recede, but never fully clear. The result is a song that feels dense without being overwhelming. With the vocals, the voice cuts through the instrumentation. It gives the performance a sense of effort, of trying to hold something together while it’s unraveling. The song is a good fit for a movie like Eighth Grade (2018). 

Some songs sound like they were discovered on a random playlist you turned on while working a packed day. They make you think like the track got pulled from the middle of a basement show, a damaged cassette, or a moment that was never meant to last this long. Heard It Before by Tabitha Zu carries that exact feeling.  The song tracks back from the unstable space between punk urgency and dreamlike atmosphere. You hear the guitars arrive rough-edged and immediate. There’s haze underneath the layers where the melodies drift before they lock into place. That contradiction becomes something very unique to the track’s identity. It sounds aggressive without losing vulnerability, chaotic without collapsing entirely. According to recent retrospectives on the band, this tension defined Tabitha Zu’s position within the early ’90s UK alternative underground scene.  When it comes to the structure, Heard It Before is a track that most literally thrives on repetition. The title itself suggests exhaustion, emotional déjà vu, the frustration of patterns repeating. The track mirrors this feeling. You hear riffs that cycle back on themselves, rhythms that move and push forward insistently, and the song feels like an emotional impact happening in waves. There’s very little polish separating the listener from the performance, which gives the track its immediacy. With the vocals, the tones carry fragility and a sense of resistance. Melanie Garside’s voice never settles comfortably into one emotional register. At times it feels detached, almost floating above the instrumentation; at others, it cuts directly through the noise. That instability works in the song’s favor. It creates the sense of someone trying to hold composure while surrounded by emotional and sonic disorder. The song is a good fit for a movie like Trainspotting (1996).

Ferdinand Rennie captures a timeless pop sensibility on “This Is Now,” a track that glides confidently between nostalgic elegance and modern polish. The Scottish performer delivers a song that feels deeply rooted in the golden age of melodic pop while still sounding fresh enough for today’s indie music scene. From the opening bars, the production invites listeners into an atmosphere filled with warmth, subtle emotion, and cinematic texture. The arrangement stands out immediately because of its easy-go smooth-sailing rhythm section, which gives the entire song a relaxed pulse without losing momentum. The drums settle gently into the groove while the bass line flows with understated sophistication. Layered synth textures and shimmering guitar accents bring unmistakable 80’s charm to the track, recalling the sophisticated adult pop sound that dominated late night radio decades ago. The producer also deserves praise for building a carefully crafted stereo field that allows every instrument to breathe naturally. The keyboards float delicately across the mix, backing vocals sit perfectly behind the lead, and the percussion never overwhelms the emotional center of the song. Rennie’s performance remains the true highlight. His stellar vocal range carries the melody with remarkable control and sincerity. He never oversings the material. Instead, he leans into the song’s reflective mood with confidence and maturity. His rich tone adds emotional depth to every line, especially during the chorus where the melody opens beautifully into a memorable hook. “This Is Now” would fit seamlessly into emotionally driven dramas such as River's Edge or Twin Peaks. The song shares the same euphoric melancholy and understated tension that made those productions so captivating. Its cinematic quality makes it easy to imagine playing during a reflective closing scene or a quiet character moment. Ferdinand Rennie’s journey as an artist adds another compelling layer to the release. Based in Scotland and known to wider audiences through Britain's Got Talent 2022, Rennie first stepped into the spotlight during the 1980s when he placed fifth in Austria’s Eurovision Song Contest pre-selection. Decades later, he continues to evolve creatively while maintaining the rich, versatile vocal style that has connected with listeners around the world. “This Is Now” proves that authentic songwriting and classic musical craftsmanship never go out of style.

Get your sunglasses out because Milyam is bringing in the summer heat with her cool-as-a-cucumber lyrics in Lost in the Jungle. And her discography is one of a kind, creating a whole new world with each of her songs. She is a fresh voice that explores many genres, and in this one, we hear her venture into the pop and electronic music world. So sit back and lock in because Milyam lets her music do a lot of talking this time!

She doesn’t waste a beat; she has a unique way of playing with rhythm and silence. While the beats follow a set pattern, her play with it is unrestrained. At no point does she allow your senses to settle in and take a backseat. She comes back, pouncing with some punchy lyrics, even though the song is a laid-back groove with a drink at hand in a pool on a summer day kind of song. The spirit of her music is youthful and really carefree, like Maddy and Rue from Euphoria. Even though she is new to the music market, she absolutely knows what she is doing; she’s got a keen eye when it comes to pop and groove. Heck, she has most definitely carved out a personality for her music already. It’s not too far off, the day when she takes over the billboards; the question is, will you get on the listener train then or now? Click on the links attached and help yourself to a wonderful world that Milyam will guide you through.

An album that sounds just the way the title suggests, an arrival of something definitive, explosive, final. Climax by Decadent Heroes is an instrumental album that slightly approaches the idea of a climax differently. There are no words to declare a peak, no lyrics to guide interpretation. Instead, the album builds its meaning entirely through movement, texture, and restraint. The record opens with The Dragon, which has a coiled intensity. The instrumentation feels almost watchful. You can hear guitars and rhythm sit in a very well-controlled build. Nothing ever tries rushing forward. It sets the tone for the album: tension as a condition, not a release. The track is followed by Dawn of Fire, which expands the field. The textures brighten, and the pacing feels more forward-facing. But the structure still resists collapse into full intensity. There's propulsion here, but it's disciplined, energy held in formation.  With Minutes Away, the album sharpens its central idea. The track carries a sort of shyness through repetition and pacing. It ends up creating the sense of something imminent. Without vocals, this is almost carried entirely through rhythm and shifts. It's one of the clearest articulations of anticipation in the album. Next track in line, Before the Hype works as a short but very deliberate pause. Its stripped-down arrangement feels like a reset. The song picks up on awareness of what's to come, reinforcing the album's fixation on buildup. Hype follows and responds with a more direct, energetic structure. The instrumentation feels fuller, more assertive. Even at its most active, the track avoids excess.  Enter the Mist enters with a tonal change. The listening experience becomes more atmospheric. The track features layers that get blurred into each other. It ends up creating a sense of disorientation. Here, the album moves away from physical tension into something more spatial. Pickup War follows and pulls the energy back into focus. The guitars feel more aggressive and the structure more confrontational. It's one of the album's more force-driven songs. Here Comes the Rain softens the record. The textures feel more open, more reflective, but not really lighter. Save Me Tomorrow closes the core sequence with a high-tempo, powerful intensity. Without lyrics, the sense of longing or deferral is carried entirely through pacing and tonal shifts.  All across the album, Decadent Heroes resist the obvious. There is no singular peak, no definitive release where the idea of climax is invoked. There exists a restraint, and that restraint becomes the album's most deliberate choice. The album is a good fit for a movie like Dune (2021) with its slow-paced acceleration. 

Mark Moule revives the weary spirit with an intimate, meaningful blues rock album, 'Only Love'! If you've been feeling the blues, this compact 4-track debut album, 'Only Love' from British singer/songwriter Mark Moule will heal you deeply. Its brilliance lies in its honesty and authenticity. Mark's evocative Bono-esuqe vocals and simple, soothing string-led folk arrangements have won over our hearts. In a time of machine-generated, over-the-top production and effects, Mark's straightforward, soulful compositions remind us of what it really means to be human again. Mark draws his inspiration from legendary vocalists and songwriters like Phil Collins & Cat Stevens, to name a few. It reflects in his debut EP's emotional core, one rooted in reflection, vulnerability, and the universally relatable search for meaning in an increasingly chaotic world. 'Only Love' was created alongside fellow musician Andy McManus in a homely studio setup, exhibiting all signs of a proper grassroots project. The opening track, 'Coming Down' is a delightfully slow-burning blues groove that envelops you like a warm embrace. Mark's soft, evocative vocals plead desperately for some relief, some upliftment from the Lord above. It's the kind of emotional score we could envision in a telling closing scene in a Drama TV series like 'The Wire'. Its simply constructed, moving at a leisurely tempo, yet its piercing in its vulnerability and reflection. At almost 5 mins, it's a considerable composition that is in no hurry. Indented by beautiful bluesy guitar, light crisp drums and Mark's seasoned drawl. If you've been having a hard time at life in general, this feels like THE song to relate to. For a sense of release, relief and surrendering to what is.

The title track, "Only Love" blooms radiantly, lifting us out of the gloom of the previous. It illuminates with glimmering acoustic strums, soft percussions and swelling violin atmospherics.

'These days, life's a video game; God got the controls....', croons Mark encouragingly. His soft, intimate prose seeks to imbue you with hope, resillence and most of all, love. He sings to the exhaustion and spirit-crushing ways of the modern life and prescribes only one way forward. 'Its only love', he affirms, melodically. His words shine with earnestness and motivation, without ever feeling preachy. Instead, he's awakening a long-dormant spirit and faith that were dimmed by the burdens of modern life. We learn that this song came to Mark in a dream, and that gives the track an ethereal, spiritual aura that you can't help but feel close to.

'Only Love' touches the heart and spirit like few other tracks today can. Because it chooses hope and upliftment, expressed in the most caring, human way, through easygoing warmth. One of our favorite tracks of the year so far! One that, indeed, we all needed to hear! 'Where's The Money Gone' shifts up into a wilder, playful tone. Distortion riffs, funky grooves and Mark's vocals intensified. He takes square aim at the capitalistic ways and the extreme means to which people will go to chase those little pieces of paper and coin. We love the range and versatility Mark is exhibiting through this album. From soft ballads to protest blues-rock, Mark is capable of it all. 'Killer' closes out the album with moody strums and Mark's serious vocals. He shines light on the harsher, oft-ignored realities of life. Again, it's the simplicity and authenticity of the composition that shines through. Frank lyrics, raw arrangements and pure soul. It makes for a compelling listen that hits home, deep and true. 'Killer' is a cleverly coded message to the brutal, dog-eat-dog ways of this world and asks you where you fit into this system. Do you Kill or Do you Let Live?

'Only Love' is a gem of an album that evokes emotional depth and passion-packed prose. Its a stunning introduction to Mark Moule's warm human folk/blues rock sound, and we're left captivated by his charm and authenticity.

Sometimes, you hear some songs, and it feels like you are listening to an argument already in progress. War Killer by Reetoxa is a song that gives just that impression of bursting forward with the urgency of something that has been building pressure for too long. The track carries that distinctly garage-punk energy with unpolished anger left rough at the edges, loud enough to feel unstable. You can sense it from the beginning: the production leans heavily into distortion and momentum. The guitars feel abrasive in an intentional way, pushing forward with thick, repetitive riffs that create a sense of confrontation. The drums stay relentless underneath. This locks the track into a pace that rarely loosens. There’s very little breathing room here, and that claustrophobic intensity becomes central to the song’s identity. When it comes to the structure, War Killer avoids complexity in favor of force. The repetition works as musical simplicity and as insistence. Hooks and phrases circle back aggressively. They mirror the cyclical violence that is implied in the title itself. The song does not at all try to build toward any resolution because resolution would undermine the atmosphere it’s creating. Instead, it sustains conflict from beginning to end. With the vocals, the piece sits somewhere between shouted punk phrasing and chaos. There’s a rawness to it that feels immediate, almost live-wire in texture. The voice is trying to sound urgent, and that distinction matters. Every line feels pushed out under pressure, reinforcing the song’s anti-authoritarian energy. The track is a good fit for a movie like Mad Max: Fury Road (2015). 

Strap for a thrilling, alt-rock ballad on the meaning of love, life and beyond with The Plastic Pals' new single, 'Decisions'! The veteran rock-guitar-wielding group from Stockholm, Sweden, blows us away with their high-octane, evocative prose; shimmering electric guitar rhythms; and emotionally enveloping feel. Right off the bat, 'Decisions' hits you driving, swelling pop-rock arrangements, evoking a sense of excitement, reflection and get-go. The kind we feel from listening to bands like REM, Dire Straits and The Beatles. 'I don't know where I'm going, but I sure, do enjoy the ride.....', seasoned, honest vocals croon, then dive back into driving, upbeat guitar progressions. There's an irresistalble charm and chutzpah about The Plastic Pals's performance. They play freely and with enthralling rhythm and groove. Bright, choral vocals build anticipation nicely, leading to the chorus. The pals hit home with pearls of wisdom, 'You don't fall in love, its love that falls on you, from there, its just a matter of decisions....', searing into your mind with ease. The message is this: love is a mystery. There's no telling where, when and how it can happen to you. But once it does, it all comes down to you. How do you respond? Its an open-ended question, poignant and honest. But the pals aren't hanging around too long to ponder. 'Decisions' is a track in constant motion and tempo. Deliciously balanced and cinematic. Its the kind of score we'd envision for a Quientin Tarantino western action flick like 'Django Unchained', a story of relentless pursuit and redemption of love. Twangy, ethereal and assertive, The Plastic Pals captivate with their bluesy chord harmonies and honest melodic restraint. Upping the intensity in the outro, we're treated to one final interplay before concluding with a flourish. Its the kind of track you can listen to repeatedly and enjoy it all the same. Balancing honest lyrics, pop-rock atmospherics, structure and raw instrumental power, 'Decisions' is a memorable listen!