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Mega X || From The Outside

Tokyo's Mega X returns with an eclectic indiepunk adventure

By / / Alternative Rock, Indie Rock, Punk / Leave a Comment

Tokyo’s Mega X caught our attention back in 2022 with New Mythtakes, a scrappy collection of indiepunk gems. Their latest release, From The Outside, sticks to that ethos, using indiepunk as a foundation for a sound that freely hops between alternative rock, indie pop, geek rock, and straight-up punk. The result? A wonderfully messy record brimming with standout moments. Dive into some highlights below.

From The Outside is out now on LP and Cassette on KiliKiliVilla.



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New EP: Rude Television || Disconnect

Catchy lo-fi chaos from West Palm Beach

By / / Punk / Leave a Comment

If lo-fi punk in the style of Gee Tee, Cherry Cheeks, and 1-800-Mikey is your thing, then Rude Television (West Palm Beach, Florida) is a name to keep on your radar. Their latest EP, Disconnect, delivers a sharp, extraterrestrial twist on late ’70s punk. It’s raw, it’s rowdy, and it’s ridiculously fun.


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New album: Benzin || Treibjagd

A certified fresh and unique twist on old school punk from Berlin

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Fifteen minutes. Twelve songs. One hell of a punk rock record. Benzin proves that punk isn’t just about how fast you can play, but how smart you can sound. Their new LP Treibjagd (out now on LP at Static Age Musik) manages a neat trick: sounding both decidedly old school and razor-sharp contemporary. The German-language vocals inject an artsy edge into their original instrumentation, transforming what could be standard punk into something that demands your full attention.

For anyone who likes their punk rock fast, sharp, and just a little bit different, Treibjagd should be at the top of your listening pile right now.



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New single: GEM || GEM Demo

College radio-ready crunchy pop songs

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Certain songs make you want to be a curator of a radio station. I haven’t received an offer yet, nor am I expecting one. But if I did, here is a song that I would put in heavy rotation: Got It Right The First Time from GEM’s new two-song demo. It’s a crunchy, concise pop song that is instantly enjoyable and comes with a strong chorus hook. The second track, I Wanna Know, isn’t exactly filler either. All in all, a pretty cool new project that features GEM (Big Baby)!

The demo’s proceeds support Jailbreak, a Pittsburgh mutual aid collective providing bail assistance and commissary support to incarcerated individuals in Western PA, addressing critical needs in a system increasingly shaped by poverty and diminishing social support.

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New EP: Lion Country Ferrari || Beat These Allegations

Talksinging and sweet guitar riff magic by Anthony Rapisardi

By / / Indie Rock, Punk / Leave a Comment

Lion Country Ferrari sounds like something a random band name generator would spit out. And surely, the project of Asheville (North Carolina) based Anthony Rapisardi also has more than a couple of ones and zeros in its sonic direction, almost like Parquet Courts decided to dip their toes in egg punk territory.

On his latest EP, Rapisardi talksings his way over a wealth of cool guitar riffs that play tic-tac-toe with throbbing bass and a tight drum computer. If you think that sounds pretty groovy, you are not wrong, but the energy level of this thing suggests it’s caffeinated grooviness.

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New album: Waterboarding School || The Little Sports Mirror

Sun-soaked sonic goodness from Gothenburg, Sweden

By / / Garage Rock, Indie Pop, Surf Music / Leave a Comment

Waterboarding School is not a secretive CIA plot, but a five-piece from Gothenburg (Sweden) who just dropped their third album The Little Sports Mirror. Comprised of 8 tracks that just touch twenty minutes, Waterboarding School make it almost too easy to enjoy the record.

Their surfy garage pop is sun-kissed and West Coast influenced (think Allah-Las). The band keeps the pace going—bopping your head quickly becomes inevitable, but they make it feel leisurely and relaxed, and that sure is a nice space to reside in.



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New single: Slander Tongue || Let It Snow

Now with an updated line up, Berlin quartet keeps delivering the sleaze and guitar goodness

By / / Garage Rock / Leave a Comment

If you hate holiday-themed music for all of its formulaic stickiness, rest assured. Slander Tongue’s Let It Snow is not a cover. It’s a sleazy guitar-driven rock ‘n’ roll anthem with a contagious chorus—exactly what we would expect from the Berlin band, even though they sport a renewed line-up.

The song is one of two exclusive A-sides for a new 7″ on Alien Snatch Records, with 452 copies available in various color variants. The second track, Rock & Roll Bed, is an airy, laid-back rocker with plenty of swagger and guitar goodness.

In case you were wondering, Slander Tongue still got it!

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New single: LICKS || Out of Time / Too Late

Four minutes of caffeinated punk rock-'n'-roll excellence

By / / Garage Rock, Punk / Leave a Comment

Have you met NYC four-piece LICKS yet? Well, their name comes in all caps, and a couple of exclamation marks would not look out of place. Their latest is a two-song single recorded by Tall Juan. Expect four minutes of caffeinated punk rock-‘n’-roll excellence.

This being the third single by the band, I wonder when they will make the leap to the full-length format. They sure sound ready!


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New: Hanemoon || Easy On The Wildlife

Hanemoon’s follow-up EP is as charming as its chipmunk cover photo

By / / Indie Rock, Jangle Pop, Power Pop / Leave a Comment

If you’re a fan of warm, strummy, and jangly power pop in the style of Teenage Fanclub or Andrew Taylor (The Boys With The Perpetual Nervousness, Dropkick), Rain Or Shine, Hanemoon’s 2024 album, probably hit your radar earlier this year. Now, Hanemoon is back with Easy On The Wildlife, an unexpected 5-track EP featuring a chipmunk eyeing a soda can on its quirky cover.

Easy On The Wildlife serves as a great companion piece to Rain Or Shine. The EP opens with its two most upbeat tracks: Is It Far Enough is a warm, semi-acoustic guitar pop gem, while the title track combines jangly riffs with a solid pop heart. The remaining songs are a breezy mix of folk, pop, slacker, and indie rock, further proof that Hans Forster’s songwriting chops are not to be underestimated.

The EP is now available for pre-order on CD via Subjangle. With its comforting sound and playful charm, Easy On The Wildlife is another lovely addition to Hanemoon’s growing catalog.

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New single: Taxi Girls || Rainy b/w The Lion’s Share

Montreal quartet deliver the goods with sophomore release

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It’s been a minute since we last heard from Taxi Girls, but this all-female power quartet from Montreal (formerly a trio) hasn’t exactly been resting. They’ve been busy sharing stages with acts like NOBRO, NOFX (on their final tour), Lagwagon, The Hives, Pansy Division, and more. For those who missed out on their live shows—or for fans eager to hear what’s next after their strong debut—Taxi Girls have just dropped a fiery new 7″ single, courtesy of Wild Honey and Dirt Cult Records.

Like their debut EP, these two tracks brim with feminist attitude. The title track, Rainy, is a blistering rock anthem that calls out an abusive ex-friend who, frankly, sounds like the worst. With a pointed jab, the band reveals they’re keeping some dirt “for a rainy day.” On the flip side, The Lion’s Share leans into hook-laden garage rock ’n’ roll, showcasing the band’s knack for blending grit with melody.

I can’t help but feel that Taxi Girls are about to pick up a whole carload of new fans with their sophomore release.

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