Coming off a sold-out headline tour across Asia, elijah woods is stepping into his next chapter with “Slicked Back Hair,” a vibrant, feel-good single that shows why he’s quickly become one of pop’s most compelling independent voices. The track follows his recent release “Ghost on the Radio” and teases his much-anticipated debut album “Can We Talk?,” arriving October 14.
Equal parts playful and heartfelt, “Slicked Back Hair” is built on Woods’ signature mix of clever hooks, cinematic storytelling, and pure pop shine.
“This song is about meeting someone who changes everything — the kind of person who turns you from a caterpillar into a butterfly,” elijah said.
For Woods, “Can We Talk?” represents more than a debut — it’s a defining moment. Over the past five years, he’s amassed more than a billion streams, cultivated a fanbase of over 5 million, and sold out tours across continents, all while remaining fully independent. Along the way, he’s stacked up 4x JUNO nominations, multiple gold and platinum certifications, and five EPs released at a breakneck pace. His momentum is nothing short of remarkable.
Originally from Ottawa and now based in Los Angeles, Woods has grown into a multi-hyphenate force: a singer, songwriter, producer, and performer with a vision that extends beyond music into fashion and culture. He’s graced the cover of Esquire Singapore, been profiled by The Greatest Magazine and VMAN SEA, and opened for Niall Horan in Jakarta, all while developing a bold, individual style that makes him stand out in a crowded pop landscape.
With “Can We Talk?” on the horizon, elijah woods is proving that independent artists can not only survive but thrive on a global stage — and 2025 might be his biggest year yet.
Stream “Slicked Back Hair”: https://elijahwoods.lnk.to/slickedbackhair
Pre-save “Can We Talk?”: https://elijahwoods.lnk.to/pre-save
Los Angeles-based indie rock artist Alex Bloom has always written music like a diary, but his new album “Across the Country” feels like his most personal chapter yet. As the third studio album in his steadily growing catalog, it’s his longest and most involved project to date — performed and recorded almost entirely on his own. The result is a sweeping autobiographical statement that captures both the intimacy of Bloom’s life story and the universality of leaving, longing, and holding onto what matters most.
The album’s title track, which arrives with a bittersweet video, serves as the centerpiece. First premiered via Magnet Magazine, “Across the Country” unfolds like a meditation on distance and change, pairing wistful melodies with snapshots of memory and movement. In the video, Bloom and his wife — the very person the song was written about — document their own process of packing, relocating, and building a new home together. It’s a quietly powerful moment of art imitating life, one that mirrors the themes of transformation running throughout the record.
“Musically, the song feels in limbo to me, giving a feeling of being in two places at once and ending up feeling you’re nowhere at all as a result,” Bloom said. “In the video, we wanted to capture some of the song’s themes of packing up and moving, traveling, and nostalgia for all the memories made in a place you may never return to.”
“Across the Country” was self-produced and largely self-performed, the album balances ornate chamber-pop arrangements with the immediacy of ‘90s alternative and the polish of ‘70s studio rock. Longtime collaborators Brendan McCusker (drums) and Alex Pachino (mixing) helped bring the record to life, but Bloom’s fingerprints are everywhere — each arrangement, each turn of phrase, each atmosphere crafted to serve the song.
This album makes clear, whatever comes next, Bloom will be there to capture it with the same honesty and detail that has defined his career so far.
Stream “Across the Country”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5JFPHYDabU
Jamie James has lived his life deep inside rock & roll. From his early days fronting the cult rockabilly trio The Kingbees to trading riffs with Dennis Quaid & The Sharks and even sharing the stage with Harry Dean Stanton. This fall marks a new milestone: the first-ever vinyl pressing of his 2025 solo album “Straight Up,” out September 12 via Oglio Records.
![Jamie James - Septuagenarian Blues [Official Lyric Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xdYOr-IvTf4/hqdefault.jpg)
On “Straight Up,” James strips things back to the essentials — ten songs of rootsy rock, blues, and Americana, delivered without filters or frills. Now pressed on translucent red vinyl (with a handful of signed copies for collectors), the album feels right at home in the analog format.
“There’s just something about hearing these songs on vinyl,” James said. “The sound is warmer, the stories hit a little deeper, and it feels like the record is exactly where it belongs — on a turntable.”
Recorded alongside longtime Sharks bandmates Tom Walsh (drums), Ken Stange (organ), and Tom Mancillas (bass), the record carries the raw, unshakable energy that first defined James more than four decades ago. But there’s also the perspective of a life lived fully through music — stories that cut deeper with time. Tracks like “Show Biz Boogie,” “Let the Praying Begin,” and the title cut showcase James’ gift for storytelling, while the standout “Septuagenarian Blues” has already been paired with a new lyric video to mark the release.
Critics have called the album “old-fashioned rock ’n’ roll done right” (Backseat Mafia) and “a record that pours a whiskey and lets the groove do the talking” (P&L Music). It’s both a look back and a leap forward: proof that James’ passion for authentic, soulful rock & roll still burns as brightly today as it did 45 years ago.
Stream: “Straight Up”
Sydney/Gadigal-based trio Valley Onda are back with “Reebok Fantasy”, out September 12 via Valley Onda Records. Following their moody single “Minacious” — and a CLASH Magazine–premiered video — the new track finds the band refining their introspective, cinematic sound into something both brooding and uplifting.
Built on shimmering textures, acoustic layers, and frontman Jordan Wilson’s striking vocals, “Reebok Fantasy” is an atmospheric journey that captures the dissonance between isolation and connection. It’s a song about finding small, unexpected escapes in the middle of the everyday.
“Do you know that feeling when you’re walking down the street feeling isolated and everyone else is looking cool in their designer clothing?” The band shares. “So you pull into a Nepalese Restaurant and order a tea to hide out for a minute. Maybe open a paperback or meet someone interesting. That’s the vibe of Reebok Fantasy.”
Valley Onda’s story began in a Sydney restaurant, where Wilson (formerly of Georgia Fair) crossed paths with producer/drummer Galen Sultmann. They soon invited in Sultmann’s longtime friend Michiya Nagai, a classically trained pianist and versatile producer, and the chemistry was undeniable. Since then, the band has built a reputation through immersive warehouse shows, national tours with The Money War and Brightness, and cross-disciplinary collaborations that expand their creative world.
Collectively, the trio’s resume is as impressive as their music: Wilson has opened for Paul Kelly, Laurel, and John Mayer; Nagai has performed to festival crowds of 15,000+ with electronic outfit Lamalo and even soundtracked a TEDx Melbourne event; and together with Sultmann they’ve created a sound that pulls influence from Radiohead, Bon Iver, Muse, and Gorillaz — while carving out something distinctly their own.
With over 350,000 streams already and support from tastemakers like triple j, The AU Review, Happy Mag, and Where The Music Meets, Valley Onda are poised to expand their reach even further. “Reebok Fantasy” is both a continuation and a breakthrough — proof that their mix of tension, texture, and release is the kind of sound listeners will keep coming back to.
Stream “Reebok Fantasy”: https://ditto.fm/reebok-fantasy
Boston-based singer-songwriter and guitarist Emma Harner is quickly proving herself to be one of the most exciting new artists to watch. With intricate, virtuosic guitar work paired with emotionally direct songwriting, she’s already made her mark with her debut EP “Taking My Side.” Now she returns with her most ambitious release yet: “The Lake (ft. Henry Jamison)”.
Written about mourning a relationship before it’s truly gone, the song takes its name from a lake near Harner’s hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska.
“Some of my best memories took place there, so it felt like the right setting for this song,” she said.
Produced by Doug Schadt (Maggie Rogers, Claud, Ashe), the track expands Harner’s sonic world while keeping her guitar-driven foundation front and center.
Harner’s path to this moment has been fast-moving. Originally from Lincoln and now based in Boston, she first gained traction through viral performance clips on Instagram and TikTok, where her harmonic sophistication and raw vulnerability set her apart. Tastemakers like Zane Lowe, Rick Beato, and Guitar.com have praised her as not only a compelling songwriter, but also one of America’s most impressive new guitarists.
With “The Lake”, Harner offers her clearest statement yet — one that balances technical brilliance with heartfelt honesty. And with her first U.S. and European headline tour kicking off this fall (with London and Manchester dates already sold out), Emma Harner’s story is only just beginning.
Stream “The Lake”: https://sndo.ffm.to/gzbypn4
Buy Tickets: https://emmaharner.com/shows
Bath-based alt-Americana quartet Young Martyrs unveil the music video for “Never Gave You The Blues”, released September 12. The track, originally part of their 2023 album “Time Is Not On Our Side,” blends delicate rhythms, soaring country-style guitar lines, and lush harmonies to explore the breakdown of a meaningful relationship.
“If he’d known it was going to hurt them both he would never have started it,” Vocalist Tom Corneill said. “But we know that’s not really true. It’s a classic he said / she said story; Not everyone can be telling the truth.”
Guest vocals from Natalie Brice add an extra layer of emotional resonance, while production from Sebastian Brice at Real World Studios brings clarity and warmth to the song’s heartfelt narrative.
Formed in 2020, Young Martyrs quickly made their mark with a self-titled debut album and a headline UK tour that sold out across the country. They went on to share stages with Badly Drawn Boy, The Hooziers, and McFly, while performing at festivals including Glastonbury and Rock Oyster. Their second album expanded their reach internationally, bringing shows to New York City and growing their devoted fanbase.
The band has been busy in the studio throughout 2025, with new material expected in 2026, while Furball Films has helped bring previous singles to life visually.
With its introspective lyrics, sweeping melodies, and honest storytelling, “Never Gave You The Blues” showcases Young Martyrs’ ability to combine emotional depth with Americana-infused alt-rock—a sound that continues to resonate with audiences at home and abroad.
Stream “Never Gave You The Blues”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1IgGMc1b4c
Chicago-based veteran punk trio Horace Pinker returned with “Now and the Future,” their first full-length album in over a decade, out now on People of Punk Rock Records. The record channels more than 30 years of experience into ten songs that are sharp, melodic, and unflinchingly honest, proving the band’s energy and urgency have only intensified with time.
“Driven by punchy rhythms, sharp melodies, and our signature energy, the record reflects how we continue to evolve while staying true to our punk roots,” the band shared.
Tracks like “Three Against Me” and “Call It a Day” balance relentless drive with melodic hooks, pairing urgent guitars and pounding rhythms with lyrics about resilience, resistance, and growth. Recorded at Bombshelter Recording Studio in Chicago with Dan Precision (Rise Against, 88 Fingers Louie), the album nods to Horace Pinker’s roots while pushing boldly forward.
Formed in Tempe, Arizona, and now based in Chicago, Horace Pinker carved out a distinctive place in punk history. With tours spanning more than 20 countries and stages shared with NOFX, Green Day, Fugazi, Bad Religion, Jawbreaker, and Jimmy Eat World, they’ve earned a reputation for fiercely independent longevity. Festival appearances at Groezrock, Pouzza Fest, and multiple editions of The Fest have cemented their global influence.
Purchase “Now And The Future”: https://popr-records.myshopify.com/collections/horace-pinker
Stream “Now And The Future”: https://popr-records.myshopify.com/collections/horace-pinker
