The sounds of JOTA ESE continue to get more realized and immersive with each release. The tracks are, mostly, quite short but they create such a distinct atmosphere in that short amount of time. The samples seem to stem from sources ranging from jazz, hip-hop and conversations snatched from the outside world. It’s often a dark journey but always an engaging one.

Matt Bell has a long list of projects under his belt – Silent Friction, Pink Spiders and the Dozen Dimes to name a few. His latest, Broken Bats, comes out of the gate with the kind of rock earnesty you’d expect and hope for. Lots of big riffs, memorable hooks and, for lack of a better word, serious licks. Yea, I said it, there’s licks in here – of the guitar variety. Great way to start your summer.

I’ve been a casual fan of Truth Clipsy since he first appeared (on my radar) with JOTA ESE back in 2012. He’s continued to put out a solid body of work since then and continues to do so with The LION. The style of beats runs through a nice varietal – rock influence, club electronics and maybe even a bit of chiptune here and there. His vocals always take presence front-and-center but that’s clearly not his only skill.

On Faux Ferocious latest, Beautmont, There’s a nice balance of the bombastic rock onslaught you expect (see “Let Me Get In Your Head”) and a more balanced, tension filled release. It’s a short EP but plenty of fist pumping goodness from start to finish.

Love the building tension throughout this dark pop song from Bravemaker. I don’t know much about these guys but if this is any indication of what to expect from them, I’m in.

You may have noticed a demo in the last podcast from a band called Nightblonde. Who are these mysterious folks? Well, they’re a new outfit focused on making a blend of electronic, ambient and pop with an eye towards retro-futuristic themes. Or, at least, that’s what I can gleam from the three demo’s they’ve posted and the tags they used to describe themselves. 

I’m real into “I Belong In Your Arms” – as it has that forelorn 80′s synth-pop slant to it but they’re all quality. Go dive in.

Seeing as how the project V to Z is the undertaking of Joshua Moore, it’s no surprise to hear his brother, and previous cohort in The Katies, Jason singing on a track. This track has less of the manic energy of the previous releases but it compliments Jason’s singing style well.

I’ve been enjoying the dark “desert rock” style of All Them Witches for awhile now but releasing a new EP on 4/20 that contains an 11+ minute jam entitled “Interstate Bleach Party” may be the best move yet.