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Bad Luck Brigade share expansive, dynamic new album ‘NOTHING’

Bad Luck Brigade have shared a new album, titled NOTHING. Out of Salt Lake City, Bad Luck Brigade has carved out a sound that feels deliberate, soulful, and intense. The six-piece outfit approaches hip-hop as a living, breathing form, built not on backing tracks but on the vitality of a full band. Drums snap and swing, basslines rumble, guitar and keys stretch the harmonic edges, and horns cut through with sharp punctuation. At the center, the vocals arrive urgent and unfiltered- lyrically dense and delivered with conviction.

Founded in 2022 by Kilow and Ikaika Meatoga, Bad Luck Brigade quickly earned a reputation for explosive, exhilarating live shows. The band balances gripping energy with tight arrangements that leave room for improvisation, as well as moments of chaos that resolve into precision. It’s jazz-minded in spirit, hip-hop in backbone, and truly their own.

On their latest album NOTHING, Bad Luck Brigade stretch the boundaries of live hip-hop, shaping a project that moves with intention, range, and a clear sense of identity. “A LITTLE” is an immediate statement of intent driven by tight grooves and incisive verses that put the group’s technical precision front and center. “FREE CIGS” follows with a looser, playful spirit, folding rugged textures into a rhythm that swerves confidently across stylistic lines. Midway through, “SHADED” settles into a mellow, soulful pocket, offering a moment of clarity and quiet optimism that deepens the album’s emotional range. “JACKPOT!” leans into spontaneity, channeling elements of free jazz and funk into a fluid, inviting performance that balances finesse with risk. “LOVER FIGHTER” stands out towards the end of the track-list for its sharp musicianship and unfiltered delivery, for a resonant listen.

Their latest album NOTHING captures a group operating with trust in one another and conviction in their sound, translating the urgency of their live show into a record that feels immediate, cohesive, and built to last.

Listen to NOTHING on all platforms HERE.

Connect with Bad Luck Brigade: Instagram

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Maris O’Tierney finds solace and space on Park Hills Circle debut “Sight of the Moon”

Chicago singer-songwriter Maris O’Tierney has introduced her new solo outfit, Park Hills Circle, with the release of her debut single “Sight of the Moon,” which arrived on Dec. 17.

Formerly a co-leader of the indie-folk outfit Maeve & Quinn, O’Tierney’s move into a solo space finds her expanding her sound rather than retreating inward. On “Sight of the Moon,” she marries Midwest emo–tinged guitar work with Americana-influenced string arrangements, quietly complemented by sparse, deliberate percussion.

O’Tierney weaves the storytelling traditions of her Irish heritage with the vast, mountainous atmosphere of her home state of Alaska, while subtly drawing on her background in classical music. The result is a sound that feels both grounded and expansive, intimate yet windswept.

“‘Sight of the Moon’ is a tender unfolding — a return to myself, and a re-awakening to daily wonders, as my perspective slowly shifted through a disorienting period of change,” O’Tierney said. “I was living alone for the first time, understanding my needs and desires, learning to make a home. The song bridges parts of myself: origins in opera and classical guitar, layered with a loop pedal and nested harmonies. I’ve always centered my spirit through quiet walks in the cold night air, as I did growing up in the Alaska mountains. The song began there.”

Her lyrics are soaked in sorrow and quiet reflection. “I still have the leaf you gave me, the autumn that you left / I still have the grief you gave me, but that’s not all I kept,” she sighs, her crisp, legato vocals stretching effortlessly over the song’s nocturnal instrumentation.

“Sight of the Moon” serves as the lead single from Park Hills Circle’s debut album, All of a Sudden, set for release this spring.

Stream “Sight of the Moon” HERE.

(Photo credit/Maren Celest)

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Review: Sugar Bomb brings the funk on ‘Sweet + Explosive’

For Asheville, North Carolina jazz trio Sugar Bomb, 2025 has been a coming out party of sorts.

In May, the trio released their debut EP Sweet, a four track effort centered around spaced out melodies and slow-burning grooves. In September, they released a companion EP EXPLOSIVE, a funkier, more upbeat effort than its predecessor.

Now, the trio — made up of bassist Eli Kahn, drummer Joe Enright and keyboardist Jacob Bruner — has re-released both EP’s as one project, Sweet + Explosive, a debut album that pairs the somber, lyrical lead writing of the first EP with the head-knocking, improvisational focus of the second.

The intro track, “Rubber,” kicks off with some breathy legato synth chords and steady brushstrokes from Enright. It’s a gentle, eery start to the record, easing the listener in with a pleasant kiss on the eardrums. Let us not forget Kahn’s contributions, whose grumbling, pulsating bass lines lay down the perfect backdrop that ties it all together.

The slow cooking feel continues on the second track, “IDK,” which has a guest feature from saxophonist Dylan Hannan, whose earthy, moaning saxophone lines float perfectly over the relaxed instrumental grooves laid down by the trio.

The next two cuts bring more of the same. “Kerosene,” despite its title, is a moody, mid-paced number driven by Bruner’s dreary synths, while “Lullaby” closes out the first half of the project with some more spacey keyboard work and some rhythmic percussion lines from Enright.

The vibe of the project completely changes in its second half. Track five, “Frenzy,” abandons the slow-paced, melodic focus from the first half, pushing the tempo with its driving, off-beat drum patterns and pressing lead melodies that eventually cascade into utter chaos near the end of the song.

The next two tracks, “Issa Vibe” and “Eli Special” are both funky dance numbers, erected upon nifty staccato bass work and some heavily technical improvisational chops from Bruner.

The project closes with “Dance Tune,” which is perhaps the biggest ear worm on the entire record. Alternating between a moody, stripped back melodic riff and a fast-paced dance riff, the trio slowly builds momentum in the song’s closing moments before a satisfying release of tension that closes out the record.

While Sweet + Explosive is essentially a tale of two halves —one half moody, the other half funky — what brings this project together so nicely are the catchy melodies, airy soundscapes and demonstrably high level of musicianship from everyone involved.

Photo credit: Camilla Calnan

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Blog Roundhouse Features

Lil Derik shares soulful new EP ‘Red Dragon’

Lil Derik has shared a fresh EP, titled Red Dragon. From the South Side of St. Louis, Lil Derik moves between two worlds. By day he’s a substitute teacher and basketball coach. By night he’s one of the city’s sharpest independent hip-hop voices. Raised on the words of Rakim, 2Pac, OutKast, and Wayne, he started rapping in high school and formed the collective “More Than Music” with his closest friends.

After graduating and heading to Mizzou, he created Huey vs. Riley: The Mixtape in 2018, a release that quietly became a local cult classic. In the years since, he’s built an impressive body of work with five solo albums, four collaborations, thirteen EPs, and countless singles, all leading to his 2025 studio album Enter The Dragon, released on his twenty-seventh birthday.

The project opened doors. Festivals, co-headlining shows, a Connect The Dots freestyle, and a spot in the 2025 St. Louis Freshmen Class all followed. Now, with momentum at his back, Lil Derik begins the next chapter, starting with Red Dragon, a three-track EP crafted alongside UK producer Brey10.

Lil Derik weaves together potent, poetic lines filled with hard-earned introspection, resting them gently in Brey10’s warm and textured soundscape. His lyricism feels lived-in and honest, soulful without trying to be and focused without ever feeling forced, with a butter-smooth flow that glides across every beat he touches.

The EP opens with “Buick Lesabre,” carried by laid-back, silky loops that feel like a slow drive through familiar streets. Derik’s verses move with a graceful ease, blending memory, reflection, and calm confidence into something intimate and effortless.

“Fall In Love” follows and widens the world of the project. Expansive sampling and organic grooves create a vibrant backdrop for Derik’s raw and engaging flow. He shifts between vulnerability and swagger with natural rhythm, making it one of the project’s standout moments.

The EP closes with “Til Death Do Us Part,” a cathartic finale built on rising, evocative instrumentation. Here, Derik sharpens his pen, offering pensive lines that linger long after the track fades. It is a closer that reaffirms his voice, his craft, and the emotional clarity he brings to every release.

Together, the three tracks form a vivid and soulful snapshot of where Lil Derik stands today: grounded, expressive, and fully locked into his artistry.

Listen to Red Dragon here now on our platform:

Listen to Red Dragon on all platforms HERE.

Connect with Lil Derik: Instagram | X

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The immersive sonic world of Noah Genesis’ ‘another hornet didn’t make it to spring’

Noah Genesis has shared a new album, another hornet didn’t make it to spring. Genesis is a 20-year-old producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist originally from Seattle, now based in Los Angeles. His music- entirely self-produced- fuses alternative pop, indie rock, and hip-hop into raw, experimental soundscapes. His new album, another hornet didn’t make it to spring, is a showcase of his diverse, emotive style, drawing from alternative pop, indie rock, hip-hop while maintaining deeply personal themes and an abstract approach. It’s the type of record that draws you in further and further across its run-time, immersing you in its introspective atmosphere and raw feel, as Genesis paints a vibrant picture of his inner world across 11 songs.

another hornet didn’t make it to spring is an album that cannot be boxed in to one genre or style. While it maintains a cohesive sound throughout, it pushes the boundaries through a blend of everything from alternative pop to hip-hop. From the indie and folk flourishes of opener “parasite”, with its expansive guitar riffs and bittersweet vocals- to the rich, energetic “northside story”’s hip-hop tones- another hornet didn’t make it to spring is a record that has something for everyone. Elements of folktronica and minimalism appear on tracks like “stinger”, while closer “nicolas sheff” is a hauntingly beautiful ballad.

The album presents a lived-in kind of intimacy for the listener, as many of its songs feels like a special nostalgic item one has re-discovered again after many years, of the kind they believe they might never find again. It’s a heartfelt, powerful record that brings you both potent points of sweeping instrumentation and vocals, as well as quiet, hidden moments that reveal themselves over time. Listen to Noah Genesis’ new album another hornet didn’t make it to spring here now.

Listen on all platforms HERE.

Watch Noah Genesis’ short film ‘where will i land?’ here:

Connect with Noah Genesis: Spotify | Instagram | YouTube

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Blog Roundhouse Features

Kueen releases a revitalizing summer project with ‘Got Juice?’

North Carolina born, New York based artist Kueen has returned with a new mixtape called Got Juice?. A multi-talented musician, entrepreneur and all-around hustler, Kueen has been pursuing music full-time for the better part of the decade, while she is also the CFO of innovative wellness company RAYFM. Receiving attention from some of hip-hop’s biggest names such as Pharaohe Monch, Rapsody, DJ Eclipse, as well as wide-ranging praise for eclectic projects such as Tales of Gotham, and more, Kueen has been steadily carving out a lane as an impactful, versatile voice in independent music.

Kueen’s latest project Got Juice? feels like the perfect soundtrack for a summer in New York, while maintaining a vibrant universality. Blending both influences from her North Carolina roots as well as NYC, is like a refreshing, organic dose of pure hip-hop, R&B, and soul that resonates for its sonic catchiness, spiritual depth, and dynamic versatility.

“Kleopatra’s Return” kicks off the project with a refined charisma interlaced into warm, jazz-laced instrumentation, sturdy grooves and sharply-crafted, intricate rhymes. “Give Thanks”, featuring Vibe Jonez, is a track that brings a feeling of clarity, with a spiritual, self-aware feel that transports the listener to another dimension. “D.H.A.D.” is breezy and heartfelt, featuring atmospheric guitars, rich backing vocals, and lively rhythms that complement Kueen’s smooth vocals cohesively. Tracks like “Pineapple Ginjah” and “Light my Spliff” contain a transcendent sort of beauty in their sound, adding to the overall uplifting feel of the project.

For nearly a decade, Kueen has been carving out a name for herself as a standout artist and songwriter, known for a rich, genre-blending sound that fuses hip-hop, jazz, soul, R&B, and beyond. Her work is marked by a raw authenticity- gritty and powerful, yet emotionally resonant- which has helped her build a strong and diverse following. Kueen proudly represents her Southern roots while channeling the dynamic spirit of NYC into her artistry. Beyond music, she also serves as the CFO of RAYFM Essentials, a lifestyle brand offering daily wellness products, including health juices, skincare, apparel, and more.

Listen to Kueen’s new project Got Juice? HERE on Bandcamp and support the artist directly.

Get the project on even.biz HERE.

Connect with Kueen: Website | Instagram

Visit the RAYFM store HERE.