indie underrated

Singer-songwriter Gnat recently released their debut EP It better be perfect, and the opening song is a powerful introduction to the project. “Romeo Mania” is anchored by a simple-yet-effective guitar riff that’s just dissonant enough to establish tension without sounding awkward, and this pairs well with the lyrical form of the song: a speaker’s compassionate epistle to a self-destructive “you” character. Gnat’s intentionality and craft are noticeable throughout, but perhaps most at the closing line which resolves the song’s message by calling back to an earlier, slightly-different phrase. The vocal doubles remind us of Elliott Smith, and the harmonies of Boygenius. Gnat is clearly creating music within a profound singer-songwriter tradition, and they’re doing it plenty of justice.

Matt Sahadi’s newest single “Now That I’m Gone” has all the makings of a modern folk-rock classic. It’s a story. A story about a place, and a couple’s relationship as it relates to that place. The Rust Belt setting where the couple met and loved for a time appears to be the very force that eventually drove them apart and, therefore, acts as a conflict-causing third character. This lyrical composition makes for a song that is inherently loaded with emotion, and the emotion echoes in the musical performance. The acoustic guitar arrangement is unequivocally Americana and, matched with Sahadi’s wrought vocals, acts as the perfect soundtrack for the story. Along with artists like Zach Bryan, Matt Sahadi’s music is heartily upholding the legacy of Bruce Springsteen.

In high anticipation of their debut album, Nobody Should, But Everybody Does, Austin-based alt-rock trio Burnadine has released their third single “Touch.” This song is hypnotic. It features a consistent lo-fi instrumental arrangement, courtesy of Hayden Denby and JT Bermel, and the cascading pop vocals of one Navi Blue. The song’s repetitive chord progression gives it a Velvet Underground quality, but the tones are undeniably modern. We reviewed a Burnadine song a few weeks ago and it sounded quite different from this one. Suffice to say, this group is impressively versatile. We can’t wait to see what surprises they have in store for us with the full-length album!

Listen to these and more on our playlist now!