“The Tyranny of Love” – Anthony Wilson Dugale

This one kicks off with a crackling guitar solo before diving straight into a Paul McCartney-esque ballad. It’s a sharp critique of love songs, and really nails the anguish of catching feelings and dreading it. I would love to see this as a karaoke song!

“Hinterlands (ft. Salissa Thole)” – Blue Nagoon

There’s no proper way to say this, but Hinterlands feels like a musical 80’s synth rock adaptation of The Neverending Story to me. The heavy stadium guitars, the glamorous diamond-like synth melodies twinkling in the background, Solissa Thole’s powerful delivery with vocals.

“Rescue at Nazaré” – 12AX7

This track goes off with a bang, and sounds like a marriage of Joe Satriani’s Surfing With the Alien with the best the surf rock genre has to offer. It’s a really fun sound, rife with shredding and distortion while reminding me of summer.

“27 Fish” – The Maxwell Silverthorn Blues Band

Alright, I’m going to be straight with you: Mike Macgirvin can shred. The guy is a legitimate great guitarist, and this track has all the hallmarks of a classic 60’s psychedelic protest song. It’s an absolute trip.

“Salt and Sand” – Jason Didner

Jason Didner is like a version of Jimmy Buffett that lives in the Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! dimension, and Salt and Sand is this man’s Cheeseburger in Paradise, but with more heart.

There’s something incredibly earnest and about Jason’s music, and this has quickly become one of my favorites of his.

“End of an Age” – Kyle Brondson

Sweet and heartfelt, End of an Age feels like an emotionally mature read of a children’s storybook, with instrumentation evocative of Randy Newman, lyrics reminiscent of Don McClean, and the soft drawl of an old country music singer. Somehow, it all comes together and makes magic.

“Beggars Can’t Be Choosers” – Futzle

This song is about being happy with what you have, and it’s a bop. It has everything: fun melodies on a keyboard synth, dreamy vocal effects, and delightful lyrics. The attitude this song brings is incredible.

“Make believe” – Bandstahl

While this track bills itself as house music, it’s a beautiful amalgam of different eras: club beats that sound like the 90’s, vocals with elements of the early aughts, and melodies that sound like they were sampled from the 60’s and 70’s. The result is amazing.

“Looking for the Light” – Ferocious Designs

Looking for the Light feels like it was ripped straight out of the 80’s, and it’s wonderful. A choir of voices belting out the words, echoing against loop sequences chiming, as stomp drums hammer out the beat. Absolutely fantastic.

“Good to Me” – Shannon Curtis

This track is pure magic: soft digital drums, an angelic chorus, multi-track harmonies, and a zippy synth churning out beautiful hums. The message behind it is empowering, beautiful, and awesome. I could listen to this over and over again.