Holy macaroni—essential tape alert! Inscrutable Records, self-proclaimed purveyors of “pop and other flavors,” have released Star Charms, a compilation showcasing three standout acts from the U.S. Midwest. Each band contributes three songs firmly rooted in the outsider pop universe, making for a must-hear release.

Answering Machines (Chicago) serve up three scrappy lo-fi punk gems, their raw energy filtered through what feels like warped tape and an old-school beatbox. Good Flying Birds (Indianapolis) channel an underground pop vibe deeply influenced by the ’80s UK indie label scene. Meanwhile, Soup Activists (St. Louis) sound like they’ve been marinating in the sweet jangly essence of Dunedin records during an extended quarantine.

With not a single dud in the mix, Star Charms sets the 2025 bar high for compilation albums.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp