I’ve compiled our top 70 tracks of 2016, including both unsigned/independent acts and the more well-known from the year. It’s a great combination of highlights from the year’s greatest albums and single
New Tracks
New Dakotas by New Dakotas Based in the Boston Area, New Dakotas is a catchy power-pop act with members attending Tufts and Harvard. Their first release – a four-track self-titled EP –
Seattle-based group Echo Texture have a very apt name — as their sound adds textural depths to a vein of alternative-rock that values trickling post-punk verses and emotive blasts of emotion in
This past December, Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Christina Rubino’s “Godspeed and Guns” showed an artist capable of eclectic stylistic appeal and contemplative, philosophical themes. The track explored the concept of Jung’s “shadow self”, over
Obscure Sound is pleased to premiere a new track from the collaboration between friends/neighbors Mikael Ögren and Johan Agebjörn, previously featured here for his solo works as well as his dazzling work
POKAL is the DIY-project of Sweden-based Norwegian Arne Barlindhaug Ellingsen, who shows off hook-y melodic pulsations and soundscape that merges past/future on new track “Great Expectations”. There’s an ’80s vibe, especially reminiscent
Pekoe Cat is a new act bursting at the seams with creative energy, on new track “Test” reminding strongly of early Ariel Pink with the creative lo-fi vocal production and melodic development,
Verena von Horsten is an emotionally powerful Swiss singer/songwriter whose second solo album Alien Angel Super Death blends infectiously eclectic music with heartfelt lyrical content. Heavy synth-rock combines with a passionate vocal
New Albums
An enthralling album spanning from dreamy, hypnotic introspection to synth-laden theatrics and rousing, spirited rock, Ins is the latest from Jared Fullerman.
MoreDaughters is a standout rock record from Southern Maryland-based act Mattock. Led by the songwriting of Casey Brandt and Jason Fletcher, the
MoreRun With The Stars is an immersive electro-pop EP from Parisian brothers Myoon. Blending vibe-y analog synths with organic textures, the collection
MoreA thrilling debut album from Naarm-based band Snailgun, Glass Walls masterfully balances melodic post-punk with chaotic noise rock. The album navigates diverse
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