REVIEWS

With Cheap Japanese Bass, Steve Lieberman, also known as The Gangsta Rabbi, continues to push boundaries with the same wild intensity that has carried him through a staggering 85-album career. Labeling his style “militia punk,” Lieberman blends raw sound energy with an unapologetically DIY spirit. This album, which also serves as the project’s first single, doesn’t hold back — it hits hard and fast, propelled by sheer creative force.

Listeners can expect a sound that is both chaotic and captivating. According to early impressions, the track impresses through its simplicity and natural feel. The bass stands out as the track’s gritty anchor — not just present, but commanding, giving the music a rough, almost abrasive edge that fits the punk ethos perfectly. Rather than cluttering the space, the low-end pulls the listener into a heady mix of fluid textures and dense sound layers.

What separates Cheap Japanese Bass is its unrelenting energy. Lieberman’s long experience as a bassist and singer — dating back to the early ’70s — comes through in how instinctively the track moves. It’s not polished or over-produced, but that’s the point. It’s meant to overwhelm and drag the listener into something bigger, even psychedelic at moments.Lieberman’s use of 25 instruments promises range, and while this single doesn’t parade every element, it lays the groundwork for an album that could veer in many unexpected directions. Cheap Japanese Bass doesn’t ask for your attention — it grabs it.

• Facebook

Anti Lag’s latest single, “Michael Bichael”, is a slick, charged-up dive into the more seductive end of the electronic music spectrum. From the opening moments, the track establishes an atmosphere of tension and intrigue, starting with a near-whisper and gradually building into a throbbing, dancefloor-commanding crescendo. It’s a deliberate, calculated escalation — one that mirrors the moment in a night out when a casual glance becomes something electric.

Rooted in club-ready beats, “Michael Bichael” fuses synth-driven tension with a playful sense of rhythm. The production is tight but not overly polished, letting each pulsing element breathe while still maintaining momentum. Anti Lag, known for their roots in chiptune and gaming-inspired music, leans into a more fleshed-out electronic palette here, signaling growth without abandoning their high-energy origins.

The track “sears dancefloors with fizzing oil, a knowing smirk, and hips that won’t quit.” That may sound hyperbolic, but the track genuinely does carry an undercurrent of playful menace, as if it’s in on the joke but still dead serious about moving the room. The synths climb steadily, creating a mounting pressure that breaks in a payoff designed to hit hard in a live set.

There’s a distinctly visual feel to the production — like a slow camera pan in a dimly lit club, where colors blur and attention locks on a single figure across the room. Anti-Lag taps into that cinematic energy and translates it into sound with impressive control.

“Michael Bichael” is another step forward for an artist who’s steadily scaling from underground oddity to national name. It’s sleek, sultry, and unmistakably built for the night

• Facebook

Goddamn Wolves’ “So Long,” the closing track of their DOOM EP, offers a poignant blend of indie rock infused with emotional depth. Emerging from the solitude of the COVID quarantine, the song captures a sense of wistful melancholy, reflecting on themes of departure and longing.

The track opens with jangly guitar strums that set a reflective tone, complemented by the harmonious interplay between Chris Weilding and Laura McCullough. Their alternating vocals create a conversational dynamic, weaving a narrative that feels both personal and universally relatable. The inclusion of live drums by Drew Foglia adds a fresh energy to the song, distinguishing it from earlier demos and providing a rhythmic backbone that propels the track forward.

A standout moment in “So Long” is its outro, where all three band members converge in a three-part harmony. This culmination evokes a sense of unity and closure, resonating with listeners as a heartfelt farewell. The song’s lyrics, while not explicitly detailed here, are noted for their introspective quality, inviting listeners to reflect on their own experiences of change and letting go.

Critics have highlighted the song’s ability to balance melancholy with melodic charm. Obscure Sound describes it as swelling from “folk-touched intrigue into a sweltering dual-vocal farewell,” emphasizing its dynamic progression. Similarly, You Hear Us praises the track for turning “a shared global melancholy into something deeply personal and undeniably catchy.” Hot Dog Music Blog notes the song’s “tight rhythm section, jangly guitars, and dual vocals,” which together create a “punchy yet melodic ride.

In “So Long,” Goddamn Wolves encapsulate a moment of collective introspection, delivering a track that is both sonically engaging and emotionally resonant. It’s a fitting conclusion to the DOOM EP, leaving listeners with a sense of closure and contemplation

• Instagram
• Facebook

“Gone,” the opening track of I, Captain’s latest EP, EP 1 (One for the Money), showcases the band’s adeptness at fusing diverse musical influences into a cohesive alternative rock sound. Drawing inspiration from artists like Nomeansno, Primus, and Pink Floyd, I, Captain delivers a track that is both nostalgic and refreshingly innovative.

The song begins with a compelling rhythm section, where the bass lays down a groove that is both steady and dynamic, setting the stage for the intricate interplay of instruments that follows. The drum patterns are tight and purposeful, providing a solid backbone that drives the song forward without overpowering the other elements.

Guitar work in “Gone” is particularly noteworthy. The riffs are sharp and angular, reminiscent of the punk energy of the Minutemen, yet they also exhibit a melodic sensibility that adds depth to the composition. The layering of guitar lines creates a rich tapestry of sound that keeps the listener engaged throughout.

Vocally, the track maintains a balance between raw emotion and polished delivery. The lyrics delve into themes of loss and introspection, resonating with listeners on a personal level. The vocal performance complements the instrumental arrangement, enhancing the song’s overall impact.

“Gone” stands out as a testament to I, Captain’s ability to blend various genres seamlessly. The track encapsulates the essence of alternative rock while incorporating elements of funk, punk, and progressive rock. It serves as a compelling introduction to the EP, inviting listeners to embark on a musical journey that is both familiar and uncharted.

• Instagram
• Facebook

With El hombre que soñó el fin, Alma Lunar crafts an immersive and chilling soundscape that blurs the line between reality and the abstract. This isn’t a conventional song—it’s an auditory experience. From the very first unsettling textures to the final echo of a gunshot, the track unfolds like a psychological thriller trapped inside a dream.

The composition is built through layers of digital synthesizers, field recordings, and advanced sound processing, all orchestrated by Esteban Mauricio Soria. The result is a sonic labyrinth—low, rumbling basses set a tense foundation, while eerie ambient sounds drift in and out like distant memories. Sparse percussion emerges in unpredictable pulses, further destabilizing the listener’s sense of rhythm and place.

Processed vocals are used more as atmospheric elements than traditional lyrics, distorted to the point of becoming ghostly whispers. The inclusion of non-musical sounds—like footsteps and a gun cocking—adds a cinematic realism that heightens the piece’s narrative tension. These elements suggest a story unfolding in real-time, or perhaps in a dream on the verge of collapse.

What makes this track deeply effective is its emotional duality: it invites both fear and fascination. There’s beauty in the way dissonant elements are layered, and an artful control in how each sonic texture ebbs and flows. It’s hypnotic, dark, and introspective.El hombre que soñó el fin doesn’t just ask what happens at the end—it dares you to feel it. Alma Lunar delivers a daring experimental work that resonates long after the final sound fades.

• Instagram
• Facebook

Houston Fire Support’s debut single, “Taco Tuesday,” is a fizzy blast of indie pop-rock that feels like flipping through a scrapbook of late-night hangs and first crushes. With clear nods to The Smashing Pumpkins and The Killers, the track delivers a rich, textured sound that is both polished and emotionally raw.

The instrumentation is where “Taco Tuesday” really shines. Bright, crunchy guitars take the lead, driving the song with a sense of urgency and youthful rebellion. Underneath that, the rhythm section locks in with tight, energetic drums and a steady, melodic bassline that keeps everything grounded. Layered keyboard melodies add a warm, almost cinematic glow, subtle enough not to overpower, but essential to the nostalgic vibe.

Lyrically, the song is refreshingly sincere. Lines like “We used to order tacos at midnight / Eat ‘em at the parking lot and go for a ride” perfectly capture the spirit of youthful freedom—those spontaneous, golden moments that somehow feel infinite. The chorus bursts open with sing-along crowd vocals, giving the track a communal feel, like a song shared among friends who’ve all lived the same story in different places.

“Taco Tuesday” doesn’t overthink itself, and that’s its magic. It’s upbeat without being shallow, sentimental without being saccharine. With this debut, Houston Fire Support doesn’t just introduce themselves—they invite us to remember the best nights of our youth, and maybe even dance a little while we do.

• Instagram

“The News” by I, Captain presents a slow-paced rock track featuring atmospheric guitars and steady drums. The song evokes a sense of a dusty, reflective journey, enhanced by its bluesy feel and deliberate pacing. It offers a fresh exploration into the realms of rock, funk, blues, and punk. This four-track collection features songs that were previously left off earlier albums or lacked a home, now brought together to form a cohesive and engaging listening experience.

The EP opens with a raw, energetic track that sets the tone for the rest of the album. Each song showcases the band’s versatility, blending elements from various genres to create a sound that’s both familiar and innovative. The lo-fi production adds a layer of authenticity, giving the tracks a gritty, unpolished feel that complements the band’s style.

Lyrically, the EP delves into themes of love, loss, and personal reflection, with each song telling its own unique story. The band’s passion for music is evident in every note, making The News a testament to their dedication and creativity.Available on platforms like Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, Bandcamp, and icaptainmusic.com, The News is a must-listen for fans of rock and its subgenres. It’s a short yet impactful journey into the evolving sound of I, Captain.

• Instagram
• Facebook

CKH, the London-based electronic artist, has just released Superposition on March 23, 2025, and it’s already making waves. Inspired by the concept of superposition from quantum physics, where multiple possibilities can exist at once, this track brings that idea to life with an energetic and immersive electronic sound.

From the very first beat, Superposition grabs your attention with a fast, driving rhythm that sets the pace for the entire track. The production is clean and sharp, with a combination of futuristic sounds and grounded, atmospheric textures. It feels like being pulled into a whirlwind of sound, moving between high-energy moments and softer, more ethereal passages. These shifts in energy mirror the idea of superposition itself—multiple things happening at once, creating a sense of space and movement in the track.

CKH has built a reputation for delivering hit after hit, and Superposition is no exception. This is the 14th consecutive success for the artist, who has quickly become a major figure in the global electronic music scene. The song’s layered sounds are sophisticated, yet accessible, striking a balance between danceable beats and introspective atmosphere. It’s the kind of track that can fill a dancefloor, but also take you on a journey, letting you get lost in its evolving soundscape.With Superposition, CKH continues to prove its talent for blending energy and thoughtfulness. The track shows their commitment to creating music that moves people, with no compromises on quality. If you’re looking for something that’s both exciting and thought-provoking, Superposition is a must-listen.

• Instagram
• Facebook

Harry Bertora’s Dreamland EP, released on March 28, 2025, stands as a vivid homage to the nostalgic ’80s, fusing the atmospheric sounds of synthwave with soaring rock guitar. The track “I’ll See You in My Dreams” is a standout moment from the EP, encapsulating Bertora’s ability to blend retro and modern elements into a seamless sonic experience.

The song opens with shimmering synths, immediately evoking memories of ’80s soundtracks, yet Bertora’s electric guitar brings a fresh, human warmth to the sound. The track evolves gradually, layering textures and providing space for each instrument to breathe. The atmospheric synths set a reflective tone, and Bertora’s guitar work adds both emotional intensity and a sense of cinematic grandeur.

The production of Dreamland is impeccable—every element serves to enhance the track’s nostalgic, dreamlike quality. “I’ll See You in My Dreams” not only captures the essence of ’80s sound but also adds a personal, introspective layer that makes it feel timeless. The track is rich with emotion, evoking feelings of longing and contemplation, while maintaining a smooth, immersive flow.

This song highlights Bertora’s skill as both a composer and a guitarist. The balance of synthwave and rock elements, coupled with his distinct personal touch, makes “I’ll See You in My Dreams” a standout piece for fans of both genres. If you’re seeking a track that resonates deeply while paying tribute to the past, this song is a must-listen.

• Instagram
• Facebook

The Red Lite District’s new track “You Were Never in Love” bursts onto the scene with a raw and unrelenting energy that’s hard to ignore. Produced by Andy Miller at Gargleblast Studios, this track channels the gritty essence of punk and grunge with a modern, youthful edge. The song is a punchy anthem of heartbreak and disillusionment, combining the rebellious spirit of classic punk with the brooding atmosphere of grunge.

From the moment the distorted guitars kick in, it’s clear this isn’t just another love song. The track is fueled by emotional urgency, with a riff-driven sound that recalls the intensity of bands like Nirvana and The Stooges. The vocals—delivered with ferocity and raw emotion—perfectly match the song’s theme of unrequited love and bitter realization. The lead singer’s performance is filled with pain and defiance, giving the track a visceral feeling that resonates deeply.

The driving rhythm section, tight and energetic, gives the song a sense of propulsion, as if it’s hurtling toward an inevitable conclusion. The pounding drums and bass lock in perfectly with the snarling guitars, creating a chaotic yet cohesive sound. “You Were Never in Love” stands out not just for its hard-hitting music but for its sincerity—it’s not about polished production, but about capturing raw emotion and the catharsis of moving on from a toxic relationship.

In just over three minutes, The Red Lite District proves that punk is still alive and well, and they’ve certainly set the stage for a powerful EP release. “You Were Never in Love” is an unfiltered, cathartic release, offering an authentic and modern take on punk rock.

• Instagram
• Facebook