There’s no shortage of new music coming out every week, but finding something worth listening to isn’t always as easy as it sounds. In this weekly series, I’ll be sharing some of the music that’s caught my attention, whether it’s a brand-new release or an overlooked album that might’ve flown under the radar.
This week, we look at full-length LPs and EPs from experimental hyperpop and shoegaze to alternative R&B and indie rock.
marroW by Brakence
After four years without a full-length release, Brakence has returned with his newest album, marroW, released on October 23. The 18-track album follows his 2022 project, hypochondriac, which helped establish the musician as one of the more prominent artists at the intersection of hyperpop and hip-hop.
Brakence’s doesn’t fit comfortably in any conventional genre, blending emo, alternative rock, electronic music and hyperpop. His newest project continues this experimentation, with distorted guitars, intricate electronic production and deeply introspective songwriting. The most compelling aspect of the album, though, is its production depth and the silkiness of his voice layered within it.
Popstar by Tinashe
Tinashe has spent much of her career occupying an interesting position within contemporary pop music. Despite gaining mainstream success with her 2014 single “2 On,” the singer has often pushed the boundaries of R&B, electronic and dance music, developing a distinctive sound that doesn’t always fit neatly into the mainstream.
Though released back in September, I’ve only just begun listening, and it’s clear I’ve been missing out. Her success comes following a renewed wave of mainstream attention surrounding her viral 2024 single “Nasty” and a 2025 remix of her song “No Broke Boys.” This is her eighth studio album, and it flows through a range of genres, from the glitchy electronic production of “Melatonin” to the more traditional R&B sound of “Pillow Fight.” The record seems to embrace the contradictions of being a pop star.
Better Than We Are (Sukpatch Remixes) by Sukpatch
Sukpatch is an interesting piece of indie music history, having emerged in the early 1990s with a sound that combined lo-fi indie rock and hip-hop production.
Their newest remix project, Better Than We Are (Sukpatch Remixes), was released on October 23 and features seven reinterpretations of the band’s music. The project includes contributions from artists like Liam Benzvi, Coast Modern, Luifre and Club 8.
Revisiting these songs through contemporary artists creates an interesting relationship between the band’s early experimentation and the sounds that have become increasingly popular within modern indie and alternative music. What might once have seemed like unusual production choices now feels both familiar and nostalgic to a generation of listeners raised on bedroom pop.
KOOL FAITH / LOOSIES II by They Are Gutting a Body of Water
The Philadelphia-based band blends the distorted guitars and hazy vocals of traditional shoegaze with electronic production. This new project is a 29-track mixtape released just a year after their 2025 album LOTTO. The record includes features from artists like Spirit of the Beehive, Horse Jumper of Love and Greg Mendez and has a vast range of noisy tracks like “rodman” and “5dime,” while also allowing for more traditional shoegaze tracks with distorted guitars and vocals like “charter spec.”
The Color After the Spark by Georell Magno
I’ve been following Georell Magno for a while now, listening to his singles since his first release in 2021. The Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter has spent years working as a touring and session drummer, most notably performing with hyperpop artist underscores during her headline tour and 2025 Coachella performance.
Magno’s debut EP, The Color After the Spark, explores a more intimate sound than some of his earlier electronic singles. Rather, the EP is a bright and warm alternative pop album based heavily on Magno’s skills on the acoustic guitar and as a lyricist. I originally started following him due to his connection to James Ivy, particularly his 2023 album, Everything Perfect.
Though Magno seems to be leaning more into the pop aspects of his music, with under 200 monthly listeners on Spotify, I’m excited to see where he goes next.