Katie Bejsiuk – The Woman on the Moon
"taffeta sky tears in your eyes it's the least romantic night of your life if you leapt would you land
The Counter Elites – Abort the Court
"The verdict is clear, the villains are here, destroy supremacy, end judicial tyranny." This song is why I love The
Baby Jesus Paper Boy – Fifer in the Aviary
I've been listening to Baby Jesus Paper Boy since I heard them do a Pizza Underground tribute, about a year
Leonora – Wrong Car
"Kerouac-ac-ac panic attack on highway sixty-six-six(ck) as the story clicks" Geez Louize, what a first song from Leonora! This is the
Axons / Shannon Candy / Deep Fake – The Hideout
What a cathartic and wonderful night of punk adjacent tunes. If you've never been to the Hideout in Chicago, what
Matt Squared – I Think We’re Gonna Win This Time
"I think we’re gonna win this time. Yes even when our hearts been beat down. Yes even when see no
Liam Kazar – Due North
This is one of those rare albums that sound both new and incredibly familiar. Kazar finds the sweet spot between
Katy Needs a Life – With Friends Like Bees
Katy Needs a Life started as a solo project over a decade ago, until Katy needed a band. With Friends
Wipes – Dumpster b​/​w You’re the Boss
Noise. It’s a wonderful thing. Rock…also a wonderful thing. So, noise rock, one can only ascertain, is a truly wonderful
R3id – A is for Ella
" to translate to you! To transfer my meaning, to transport my view" This album is a lot. There are
Naive Joy – Dystopic Present
Naive Joy's debut e.p. is a wonderful and eclectic introduction for this South Bend duo. The opening track Quixotic Burst
Sophia Lucia – Self Titled
This album feels like a conversation, as if Sophia is talking and singing directly to the listener, with a little
Everyday Specials – Half Off Heartbreak
Dang, these vocal melodies are hot. I first heard these songs at Chicago's Phyllis' Musical Inn, one of Everday Specials'
Lung – Come Clean Right Now
What a dang treat, more new Lung music! Their split with SKRT was already a highlight of the year. This
Hannah Sandoz – To Love and Loss!
"Leaves fall on my head rain falls on my head everything above me falls onto my head (howling) my dog
Pinc Louds – La Atómica
When searching for new music, I'm always looking for songwriters who have a uniquely honest songwriting style, and Claudi is
Burr Oak -Late Bloomer
This release has been on our radar since we interviewed the band earlier this year. Many of the songs in
Publicity Stunt – Live On The Super Satan Show
Pop punk. Depending on how old you are, how many pairs of Dickies short you used to/currently own, or how
Belushi Speed Ball – Stella 1 and Stella 2
Belushi Speed Ball. The name says it all. This protothrash quartet hails from Louisville Kentucky and released their sophomore album
Jessica Ever – How’s This for Distance?
This album hits the spot! And not just because I relate to these songs on a personal level (Chicago, breakups,
Figbeats – Circle the Drain
Valparaiso Indiana is mostly known to being the home of Orville Redenbacher…which is a reference I feel may be dated,
Hard Femme – A Layer of Topsoil
"Human life has no meaning, still we find it in each other day," What a lovely lyrical sentiment! Each song
Emily Jane Powers – Isometry
I was already a fan of Emily Jane Powers, and even more so now. The newest release from Emily increases
Liz Phair – Soberish
Alternative/indie/pop-rock trailblazer Liz Phair has returned with her first album of new material since 2010. And it was worth the
Beach Bomb – Cannibals
June is here. Compared to last summer, there seems to be child like wonder attached to this one. The excitement
Serengeti – have a summer
Sunny, funky, good-time rock just in time for the summer. Enjoyable flow both in the sung and spoken verses, with
Lantern – Lantern
There's a warmth, there's a relaxing vibe. The vocals and backing vocals are well constructed, creating a welcoming ambience. Stylistic
Ashlee Alpha Shrimp – Aqua
"Life is about expanding and contracting. Every experience has a lesson, and every breath is a gift." Ashlee Alpha Shrimp
The Godawful Small Affairs – The Preston E.P.
The Godawful Small Affairs are one of my favorite Chicago bands, and this release offers two more great songs. The
Lazer Boogie Suicide – Lazer Boogie Horror Picture Show
There's a lot going on here. Maybe this is an experimental goth-punk album? Maybe it's a weird electro trip that
Kara Jackson – A Song for Every Chamber of the Heart
As the title suggests, this really is an album for the heart. In the space of ten minutes, Kara Jackson
Rosie Tucker – Sucker Supreme
Sometimes I find it difficult to write about music I really like. This is one such case. The songs here
Able Baker – Spiral Bound Songs
This is a dang good downer. The newish release from Able Baker features 5 pleasantly sad songs that mix together
sweetmelk – Living Room
"Were you just trying to figure me out then, a social science? Won't you share your findings with the subject
La Cosa – 7″
Prime punk/psych/noise rock from Chicago’s own La Cosa. Songs have a driving beat, reverb for days, and some pretty gnarly
The Sprawl – Cancelled Future
"I am America, can you tell? I'm more unfair than a concrete cell" I want more music like this to
Safe x Sound – Documentary Trailer
Brian Walker is quite the active and creative person: music with A Day Without Love, the podcast Dreams Not Memes,
Volk – Atlanta Dog
"It’s a holy right of passage, fighting apathy...” Nashville Rock n Roll exactly as one would demand and expect! Volk
Essential Forever – There’s A Lot Still To Say About Essential Forever
The stated aim in the artist bio is for this to sound like a “greatest hits” album of a crooner
Fauvely – Beautiful Places
"Demons like beautiful places. Demons like beautiful places" Sophie Brochu proclaims to the listener, "I never get good news," but
SKRT + Lung – SKRT Side
This split LP is an Ohio treat. Based in Dayton, SKRT have been playing their dense and energetic punk tunes
Lung + SKRT – Side Lung
I’m just going to get right to it: listen to this, now if you can! Stop reading and go put
Cattera – Hunger of the Beast
I am often suspicious of anything on the internet, on or about the first of April, so when I came
Pure Intruders – No Hard Feelings
Pure Intruders formed less than a year ago, and they're off to a wonderful start. They formed during lock-down life
The Stools -Feelin’ Fine
Definitely check this out if you're into dirty punk sounds, it's a 6 minute blast! Distorted and fast everything. This
The Black Tones – My Name’s Not Abraham Lincoln
I first heard The Black Tones on Friday, and this song has been stuck in my head since Friday. The
rincs – Never Wanted it Anyway
Before listening to rincs, I read their Spotify bio, which is also the only information I could find about them:
Turner Cody – Boozing and Losing
The latest from Turner Cody continues his twenty year winning streak of simple, thoughtful songwriting. Turner started in the New
R3id & Honey Cellar – I Think All of Life’s Problems….
This song is full of wit and insight, with references to Calvin & Hobbes and guest vocals from Honey Cellar.
Warren Dunes – Get Well Soon
Warren Dunes can write a very pleasant indie-pop tune. My favorite part of this band is the interaction between the
Diagonal – S/T
Some pretty rad psych/jam/shoegaze styled rock from Chicago’s own Diagonal. Here we have an interesting contradiction of vibes: dreamy and
The Scratch-Offs – S/T
Midwest garage rock at its best! One can hear traces of everything from the MC5 to the Stones to Tom
Blow Pop – Just Friends
Do you remember fun? Do you like fun? Cool! Blow Pop's new single continues their winning streak of making ridiculous
Tigershark Don’t Quit – Is it Tuesday?
This latest release from Tigershark Don’t Quit does what few could or would even want to, which is to capture
Glitter Moneyyy – Peggy Sue
"Strapped and ready to go" Who better than Glitter Moneyyy to be the first act that Middle Music covers for
Regional Classics – L.A. Fastlife
L.A. Fastlife traverses the garage, proto-punk, and rock superhighway both at a most intense rate of speed and at times
Gal Gun – Critical Hit
This is the type of band that you’d be pleased to stumble upon at a basement show anywhere in the
Jen & the Dots – S/T
Chicago’s Jen & The Dots opens their self-titled debut with “Greta Garbo”, a song whose poppy hook ironically refers to
VoirVoir – Happy For You (Track Premiere)
YeeHaw, new VoirVoir, their first new release in four years! Based out of Bethlehem, VoirVoir has an ethereal indie rock
Sketchy McClain – The Magic Man and el Diablo
"You're an asswhole but I am too" These five quick tunes were written and recorded on New Years Day in
The Wild Honey Collective – Volume 1
Wild Honey Collective does exactly what they set out of to do, which is, amass a solid collection of front
Dxtr Spits + Brizzy Danks – Pack of Dank
I dig short songs, Dxtr Spits, and short albums, I like how the artist gets to the point, shares their
City Ghost – Gray
City Ghost is one of those bands that make me miss concerts more than most. Their energy is infectious, their
Baby Jesus Paper Boy – S/T
The label “psychedelic” may be tossed around too often for it to mean much, but this record certainly gives a
Wet Tropics – Everybody Get In
Noisy, rocking, distorted: I like those things. The songs are reminiscent of the more structured aspects of Sonic Youth or
Uno Lady – Grounded
With Grounded, Cleveland’s own Uno Lady has created an engaging and gratifying guide to mediation. The epitome of “headphone music”,
Brady Matteson – Sleeper
The feeling of calmness while getting onto a bus, but not knowing why you got on the bus, and where
Half Gringa – Force to Reckon
Some musical works play like poetry, and Half Gringa’s latest release “Force to Recon” is certainly one of them. With
KNIFETOMEATYOU – Of Green
A wistful set of mainly acoustic guitar/vocal tracks by Kalamazoo’s own Knifetomeatyou. The vocals are multi-layered and evocative, with songs
Lindsey Joy Ward – In Bloom
On April 22nd, during the peak of lockdown isolation and anxiety, multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Lindsey Joy Ward unobtrusively released her
Brbra Bush – Blowie 1+2
Brbra Bush does not sound like the mundane funk bands that you hear at brewery festivals, thank goodness (and sorry).
the soods – Ornaments of Affection
From the venerable Lansing-based GTG Records, we have this gem of basement rock by the Soods. Jason Roy’s songs feature
Beach Boys Club – Vol. 1: Don’t Worry, Baby (Covers from the Pre​-​Pet Sounds Era)
I’ve always thought February was the worst month, and I’m feeling that even harder this year. But I’m prepared to
Lady Queen Paradise – Diary
Lady Queen Paradise’s new release “Diary” could not be more aptly named. These short, naked tracks are tiny windows into
Large Print- Winter/Spring
“Are you a heathen or do you believe in Jesus?” Milwaukee band Large Print’s latest LP, ‘Winter/Spring’, opens  with an immediate,
Blank Tape Tax – Hey Donnie
The sound here is difficult to place, but highly enjoyable nonetheless! An intriguing blend of hip hop, jazz fusion, and
Sam Larson – Dystopian Future
On every listen on this album, I got hung up on how the second track, I Need $$$ sounds like
Cheekface -Emphatically No.
Cheeky indie rock melodies and incredibly sharp and witty lyrics make up Los Angeles based Cheekface’s second full length album,
C.H.E.W. – In Due Time
BLISTERING. What open flame or radiation would do to your skin, C.H.E.W.’s In Due Time 7” does to your ears—and
PDG World – New Ahhm Uhm
Do you lose your keys and mittens all the time? Then walk around singing "Where'd I Put That?" Cool, me
Aric – Carpentry
Kalamazoo’s own Aric has come through with a release that will be sure keep you warm this winter. Conceptualized as
The Burning Hell and BA Johnson – I Want to Drink in a Bar
This comical, Canadian, and insightful split e.p. expresses some of my 2020 feelings better than I have been able to
Impulsive Hearts – Cry All The Time
Who would’ve thought such sunny pop rock could come from a city as distinctly un-sunny as Chicago? Much like a
Nnamdi – Black Plight
On Black Plight, Nnamdi continues to remind us that he’s a powerhouse of genre-jumping and a master song-crafter. The mathy
Sonny Falls – All That Has Come Apart / Once Did Not Exist
A personal journey through one man’s years, Ryan “Hoagie Wesley” Ensley’s third release as Sonny Falls sheds light on memories
Tape Girl – …And You’re Doing Nothing
…And You’re Doing Nothing is the second single out from Tape Girl, a solo project started last year by Beth
Documa – Lo-Fi One Two Seven
   Ephemeral, drifting, and warm: a long drive in an old car, across landscapes both lush and vast, traveling not
Bob Loblaw – Cheers
Cheers starts with 50 seconds of lo-fi punk intensity, recalling aspects of Titus Andronicus and Jeff Rosenstock. The rest of
Córdoba – Specter
Born from a scene where genre has become irrelevant, art rock sextet Cordoba takes a jazzy approach to protest music.
Superkick – Like This/Like That
Superkick’s sophomore record Like This/Like That triggers the nostalgia of a band you wish you discovered in your final years of high
Shannon Candy – So Long
This is an 18 minute rock n roll party that also serves a nice bog off to misogyny in the
Joan of Arc – Tim Melina Theo Bobby
To say Tim Kensella is prolific would be a gross understatement. With Joan of Arc’s 24th studio record, Tim Melina
Blastcap – Angry & Hopeless & Sad
Angry & Hopeless & Sad is a continuation of Blastcap’s politically-driven, cathartic catalog. Blastcap delivers satisfying, ear-melting eclecticism with a
Matt Squared – Salt Girl Christmas
Matt Squared, based out of Kalamazoo, MI, is back with a new “holiday original about salting your sidewalk.” This might
Dave Vessella featuring Mike Harrison – christmas in your living room
I find it refreshing when something just ‘is what it is’. This album purports to have been made in a
Honey Cellar – In Our Time
  Sometimes sticky-sweet, sometimes achingly nostalgic, Honey Cellar’s debut album In Our Time tastes like your grammy’s prize pie recipe
The Cell Phones – Battery Power
Review and Art by: Maggie Denman One of my first instincts when I listen to a band is to picture
Mega Jawn – A Day Without Love
By Tim Bauer On the first listen of this album, I checked twice to make sure that I was still
Josaleigh Pollett- No woman is the Sea
With a title as intriguing as this, there’s no way I wouldn’t like it. And upon listening, it’s as if
Creamboy – Clean Up My Mind
Hooky Indie, folk, and punk influences collide with a distinct and idiosyncratic storytelling style to create this solid debut album
The Counter Elites – Good Company Man
The third album from this Detroit duo, continues their swift, satirical punk stylings. Fuzzy, thick bass, politically absurd lyrics that
Slow Pulp – Moveys
By: Kyle Land Hard to believe that Moveys is Slow Pulp’s debut full-length. It seems the dreamy indie rockers have
Beach Bunny- Honeymoon
By Brad Miller A wicked rad guided tour of young love in 30 minutes or less! One of Chicago’s best