Not So Pop Music Blog

Empires To Ruins’ “Point Of View” arrives as a concise, confidently crafted single that balances driving energy with thoughtful songwriting. From the opening guitar riff, the song stakes its claim in modern rock while nodding to classic alternative influences. Crisp electric guitar chords set the foundation, their bright tone cutting through the mix without ever…

Steve Lieberman opens “Skinheads in My Yard Oy Vey” with a gritty bass riff that immediately sets a confrontational mood. Over six minutes long, the track fuses raw punk energy with experimental metal touches, anchored by Lieberman’s distinctive electric bass work. The song’s backbone is built on jagged bass lines and sharp, choppy guitar chords…

ReeToxA’s Bobbie unfolds with remarkable subtlety, drawing listeners into a quiet landscape of grief and memory. Written by Jason McKee during a six-month prison sentence following his mother’s passing, the track finds its strength in restraint rather than dramatic gestures, setting a tone of honest reflection from the first note. Gentle piano chords underpin the…

ReeToxA’s latest single, “You,” released on April 28, 2025, taps into the raw aftermath of divorce with unflinching honesty. Drawing on the grit of ’90s alternative rock and modern production techniques, the track transforms personal pain into a universally resonant confession. A simple guitar progression sets the stage, its melancholic melody introducing the song’s intimate…

Marc Soucy’s “Drifter in Paradise” continues his STIR series with a cinematic instrumental that feels borrowed from a modern spaghetti western. Released as the second installment in Soundscapes Evoking Realities Only Imagined, the track follows a lone cowboy whose fate remains intriguingly uncertain, mirroring the music’s own emotional ambiguity. The piece begins with gentle, glistening…

ReeToxA’s “Amber” feels like stumbling upon a hidden gem from a decade past, polished with today’s sensibilities. The track opens with a warm guitar riff that immediately sets a nostalgic mood. Jason McKee’s playing balances grit and clarity, with each chord ringing out cleanly before giving way to subtle overdrive that adds character without overpowering…

TechNoire’s latest single, Alone Again, blends elements of EBM, dark wave, and synth pop into a focused and well-produced track. From the first beat, the song leans into its electronic roots with a steady rhythm and layered synthesizers that echo the spirit of 1980s underground music. It’s clear that the production was crafted with care—each…

From its opening chords, Girlfriend by Soul Meets Body grabs attention with a spirited blend of pop-punk drive and thoughtful lyricism. The song navigates the nuances of queer relationships, using wit and honesty rather than relying on tired clichés. This approach gives the track a fresh perspective, making it feel both personal and broadly relatable….

“Seasick” arrives as Bog Witch’s most recent single, released on April 22, 2025, via Mermade Records. Behind the project is Atlanta-based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Wendy DuMond, who has built a reputation for blending folk, indie, and experimental sounds into engrossing stories. Musically, Seasick unfolds over a minimalist “seascape” of ukulele and autoharp, punctuated by sparse…

There’s a quiet strength to Play Your Melody, a standout track from Phil Lentz Presents… Vol. II. Without rushing or reaching, it unfolds with a sense of purpose and calm, allowing the story it tells to land softly. The vocals by Red Heller are central, clear, expressive, and emotionally tuned without ever feeling exaggerated. Rather…