Episode 1

Blood – "Plowed"
Blood is a Philly band originally hailing from Austin, TX. They dropped their debut album, LOVING YOU BACKWARDS, and trust, it’s fire. They played LFG! Fest in 2023, and if you haven’t seen them live, you’re missing out. They’re on tour, so go check them out!

Optic Sink – "Nowhere Home"
Natalie Hoffmann (of Memphis’s NOTS) teams up with Ben Bauermeister and Keith Cooper for this synth-punk project. “Nowhere Home” feels like cruising down a lonely highway—equal parts whimsy and despair. It's ennui bottled into sound.

Fat Tony & Fatboi Sharif & steel tipped dove – "Medicine Man" 
Houston’s own Fat Tony joins forces with Fatboi Sharif and steel tipped dove on Brain Candy. This is one of two tracks we’re highlighting from the collab. Want the scoop? Check out Stereogum’s article on it.

Clear Channel – "Come Around" 
This soulful duo from DC is straight-up fire. Each track drips with flavor, and “Come Around” is no exception. 

HEX FILES – "Ultrapure"
Carrboro’s HEX FILES are everything that’s magical about North Carolina’s music scene—young, fun, and packed with catchy vibes. You can tell they’re inspired by some cool bands, but we’ll leave the journalistic digging to someone else. 

Big Bill feat. Chucky Blk – "Bad Mood"
Big Bill, an Austin original, drops Bad Mood with a standout feature from Chucky Blk. This late 2023 banger is pure Austin.

Melkbelly – "Kid Kreative"
Chicago's Melkbelly opened for The Breeders back in 2017, and they’ve been ruling ever since. Just press play.

Pyrex – "Muscles" 
When it’s time to rage, Brooklyn’s Pyrex delivers. “Muscles” is pure, unfiltered punk chaos—totally badass.

Show Me The Body feat. B L A C K I E – "CREEP" 
SMTB + B L A C K I E = A sick collab that’s impossible to ignore. Turn it up, bang your head, and thank us later.

CPU Buddha – "Samsara" 
CPU Buddha embodies everything that makes Houston's underground scene a gem—gritty, eclectic, and unapologetically urban. 

KHX05 – "Bring It On"
KHX05 (They/She), aka "Chaos", is an NC-based alternative/punk force. Her shows are a wild fusion of drag, punk, and industrial dance. If you’re in The Triangle, she’s an absolute must-see.

Okumura Music Group feat. ISEKAI GIRL – "Rapper's Interlude"
Discovered this track on TikTok, and it’s been stuck in our heads since. Give this Virginia duo’s Yes, We’re Open a listen.

Fat Tony & Fatboi Sharif & steel tipped dove – "Brainstorming" 
This track? Totally relatable. Another gem from Brain Candy. Don't forget to check that Stereogum article for more details.

H31R – "Backwards" 
We’re always on the lookout for more experimental hip hop, and H31R absolutely nails it. “Backwards” fills a void we didn’t even know we had.

Anno – "77 (here comes the feeling)"
If you don’t remember Olivia Neutron-John, that’s fine. Just listen to Anno. 77 is refreshing, and once you hear it, you’ll be hooked. Their self-titled album drops on vinyl in November, pre-order on Bandcamp!