The Best Releases from Rising Artists: September 2025 Tiny Empire by Chatterton For fans of… Wilco, Eiafuawn, Big Thief   Genre… #shoegaze #jazz #folk-rock #dream-pop Chatterton’s latest EP, Tiny Empire sonically distills a moment of quiet contemplation and the transformative revelation that follows. This California two-piece band fuses the delicate melodies of a flute, glockenspiel and […]

8.3/10: La Dispute’s No One was Driving the Car  Have you ever read Scary Stories in the Dark? That children’s book of short fiction and horrifying chicken-scratch illustrations? With dense, stream-of-consciousness spoken word, Midwest emo guitar stylings, a heavy droning bass and frontman Jordan Dreyer’s blood-curdling shrieks, Michigan’s La Dispute presents an auditory Scary Stories […]

In 2016, Chancellor Bennet, better known by his stage name Chance the Rapper, seemed guaranteed to become the next big hip-hop star. The twenty-three-year-old Chance had just released the groundbreaking mixtape Coloring Book, captivating audiences with his combination of gospel and hip-hop underlying fresh vocal melodies, story-like verses and signature adlibs. Chance slated artists like […]

In a time when artists feel obligated to put their entire lives on display and release annual albums to maintain relevancy, critically acclaimed rapper and producer Earl Sweatshirt cuts through the noise on his latest body of work, Live Laugh Love (2025). This succinct project, which is just over 24 minutes, challenges listeners’ definitions of […]

On December 25, 2024, a Christmas day, local Spotify artist Graham Blotter dropped a song that instantly became a personal favorite: “Renee’s Song.” Judging from the caption of his Instagram post for the release—“happy late birthday, happy holidays, happy new year” –– it was an end-of-the-year, cozy tune for everybody and one Renee –– me.  […]

The Roster is a series created by Aneesh Batchu. Each week, a tier list of the best, most average, and worst new releases is published alongside blistering hot takes. The best of the best receive a trophy, and the worst of the worst are tossed in the bin. First, Batchu tackles the latest singles. Then, the team comments […]

The Roster is a series created by Aneesh Batchu. Each week, a tier list of the best, most average, and worst new releases is published alongside blistering hot takes. The best of the best receive a trophy, and the worst of the worst are tossed in the bin. First, Batchu tackles the latest singles. Then, the team comments […]

The Roster is a series created by Aneesh Batchu. Each week, a tier list of the best, most average, and worst new releases is published alongside blistering hot takes. The best of the best receive a trophy, and the worst of the worst are tossed in the bin. First, Batchu tackles the latest singles. Then, the team comments […]

Real recession pop is back.  The meat dress. A jump from the top of the stadium during the Super Bowl LI Halftime Show. The iconic “Bad Romance” music video.  Whether listening to a first CD, playing Just Dance on the Wii, or driving home from school with Mom, Lady Gaga was the soundtrack to childhood. […]

The Roster is a series created by Aneesh Batchu. Each week, a tier list of the best, most average, and worst new releases is published alongside blistering hot takes. The best of the best receive a trophy, and the worst of the worst are tossed in the bin. First, Batchu tackles the latest singles. Then, the team comments […]

The Roster is a series created by Aneesh Batchu. Each week, a tier list of the best, most average, and worst new releases is published alongside blistering hot takes. The best of the best receive a trophy, and the worst of the worst are tossed in the bin. First, Batchu tackles the latest singles. Then, the team comments […]

The Roster is a series created by Aneesh Batchu. Each week, a tier list of the best, most average, and worst new releases is published alongside blistering hot takes. The best of the best receive a trophy, and the worst of the worst are tossed in the bin. First, Batchu tackles the latest singles. Then, the team comments […]

The Roster is a series created by Aneesh Batchu. Each week, a tier list of the best, most average, and worst new releases is published alongside blistering hot takes. The best of the best receive a trophy, and the worst of the worst are tossed in the bin. First, Batchu tackles the latest singles. Then, the team comments […]

The Roster is a series created by Aneesh Batchu. Each week, a tier list of the best, most average, and worst new releases is published alongside blistering hot takes. The best of the best receive a trophy, and the worst of the worst are tossed in the bin. First, Batchu tackles the latest singles. Then, the team comments […]

SAYA, Album No. 4 from Saya Gray Saya Gray’s latest record, SAYA, is in its own lane. One look at the cover — a wire coil obscuring one eye, hair coiffed in idiosyncratic chignons and strands, editorial makeup and a legion of chunky earrings — is more than enough to see her commitment to standing […]

Drake’s Refusal to Play the Game That Made Him Drake steps onto the RAC Arena stage in Perth, Australia, riddled with bullet holes that do not bleed. Here, his wounds do not ooze, but huff and puff wisps of smoke as if the shots fired left nothing but residual heat—the embers of a hip-hop beef […]