I like listening to music, and I like writing about music. It just so happens that I get sent LOTS of music by publicists and bands in hopes of getting a review. I also enjoy reading reviews written by people I respect and admire. So, I usually have a deep backlog of albums that deserve my attention. With this monthly series, I’ll tell you about the artists that jumped out of my headphones and grabbed my attention.

How was July even wilder than June?

Lemme tell you. Moving across the country is a roller coaster. When people tell you how scientists have proven that moving to a new home is one of the most stressful things you can endure, they are not kidding. Those experts might even be underestimating the physical, emotional, and psychological tumult that you and your family will face. Am I happy to be in my new house? Yes. Am I happy to be in a new city and state? Also yes. Do I think that my family made the right choice for our lives? Again yes. But would I willingly do this again? Not at all – or at least not until I have the financial resources to pay someone else to pack up everything AND handle every possible bit of logistics on my behalf.

Amidst all of the moving-related nonsense, it happened to be a good month for music. It took me a while to whittle down the list of albums I wanted to write about from 10 to 6. Some months, things fall into place quickly, but on months like this, I want to make extra-special sure that I’m digging into music that has worth for me and you, dear reader. As I’ve said before, the point of this monthly column is to unearth the best and brightest artists from my email inbox and share them with people who love good music, especially stuff that might be a bit under the radar.

So, let’s get into it.

Noah Kahan – The Great Divide

Smart and accessible folk-pop. This dude is a bonafide superstar, and I think he just might be the real deal. His Stick Season album from 2022 blew the doors of terrestrial and streaming radio to the point that he’s currently on tour selling out major stadiums. Does he happen to be a cutie-pie? Sure, but he’s also a crafty wordsmith who pens relatable lyrics about his feelings while avoiding treacly metaphors and saccharine stories. Additionally, I like how he finds ways to play subvert familiar chord progressions and strum patterns without betraying his pop instincts. And that goes double or triple for how his delicate use of banjo and similar instrumentation avoids “Stomp-Clap-Hey!” sentiments.

With 2026’s The Great Divide, he takes those elements and sends them into the stratosphere. There’s even something distinctly second-wave emo with the lyrics and vocal delivery: The dude is sad, but he also doesn’t want to give into those feelings completely. I love his vulnerability and relative authenticity, because from all accounts, he’s a good guy with solid artistic sensibilities. Moreover, while most of the tracks sound full in terms of production, they aren’t over-stuffed – as in, the production matches the music, but you can easily hear these songs with just his voice and acoustic guitar. That, to me, is the strongest signal that Kahan knows how to write good songs.

Lisa Molinaro – Blind Trust

Cultured sophisti-pop. This delicious blend of Molinaro’s crooning alto, sumptuous strings, and thick rhythm section makes my heart soar. The textures are rich and carefully rendered, akin to a talented chef crafting tasteful plates in a small, reservation-only restaurant. And that’s before banks of artful synths and refined guitar lines weave their way into the sonic palette. Fans of Aldous Harding, Everything But the Girl, and ‘90s CCM act Out of the Grey will find much to love with this album.

Mallory Hawk – Chinook

Genre-bending indie rock. You could almost be forgiven for thinking that Hawk is a bit too scattershot with reflecting her influences in her music. But I’d recommend that you jump headfirst into this album and embrace her eclectic spirit. I hear robust elements of Conor Oberst, Ratboys, and Lucinda Williams, as folk, country, rock, and slacker indie all find a home in her expansive style. As a debut full-length, it’s far from refined, but that’s also its charm, since I’m a sucker for a young artist exploring the whys and hows of their craft with limited restraint.

mary in the junkyard – Role Model Junkyard

Off-kilter indie rock with edge. This album rules. It’s very Boygenius coded, while also embracing hearty elements of Midwestern emo and Waxahatchee. The breathy soprano provides a keen focal point for your attention, even as the mathy, noodling guitar licks dance around your ears and the rhythm section lock into a meaty groove. This band is getting all sorts of attention, and I would love to see them on tour with Mandy, Indiana or Phoebe Bridgers.

Piu – Milao

Downtempo electro meets New Age aesthetics with flair. Call it Enya singing over chilled-out tunes from Oneohtrix Point Never. It’s absolutely perfect music for dusk or dawn, 7 p.m. or 6 a.m., as the moods encourage you to sit calmly and stare out into the middle distance. It’s about thoughtful relaxation or intentional meditation, as the syncopated bass and snare offer centering energy, while the supporting layers of pads wrap you in a warm hug. I am thoroughly enchanted.

St. Silva – Forager

Atmospheric, ambient electronic. This album floats and flits with dreamy abandon, nearly tempo-less, as naturalistic effects mesh carefully with airy, delicate synths. It is the introverted baby sibling to Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore’s Tragic Magic from earlier this year, while still being influenced by the quieter elements of Kieran Hebden’s ideas. Please join me on a blanket in the forest as we eat snacks and bask in the sunlight of a pleasant fall afternoon.

sundayclub – SUNDAYCLUB

Dream-pop that’s equal parts shiny and shoegaze. This delightful album fits perfectly into my wheelhouse, fusing the Sixpence None the Richer of my youth, Camera Obscura of my late 20s, and Alvvays of the present. The music pulses with emotions of someone exploring love, life, and everything in between. The guitars have a vigorous, delectable buzz that never threatens to overwhelm the strong soprano vocals. You can tell this group loves playing together, as you can feel waves of positive energy bursting from the speakers. Every decade needs a handful of C86-inspired bands getting big-picture attention, and I hope this act becomes one of them.

Other Stuff I Enjoyed Listening to This Month

• Beth Orton – The Ground Above
• Cinder Well – A Blooming Body 
• Hew – Your Version (Spectrum Culture review)
• SML – Spontaneous Music Live
• Taylor Bickett – Nothing I Can’t Undo (BGM review)
• Wendy Eisenberg – Wendy Eisenberg