MINNESOTA SOUND REVIEWS - 5/14/2025
Reviews by: Alexandra Haynes, Writer @xalexonlinex
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner/Editor @PlaylistTC
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Dissociate “Aster’s Theme”
“Aster’s Theme” by Dissociate is a synth-soaked sideshow piece, whimsical in its own dark and mischievous way. Its melodies lope towards building sci-fi tones, while never completely surrendering the track’s more vintage, organic sound despite the ever-encroaching volume of oscillating frequencies attempting to smother it out. This building, burgeoning balance, which threatens to destabilize any moment, leaves the listener with a charming sense of unease. It is a fantastic conclusion to the soundtrack written and composed for a play of the same name, Fractured Remembrances (released in March 2025.)
Killed by Kiwis "Cope"
“Cope” is the latest single from Killed by Kiwis, released in January. Vocals from Annie Thoma are glamorously punk rock, laid atop a bed of spunky, lively instrumentation. Sardonic and punchy, “Cope” tells a hell of a story, leaning into the ways in which our hot messes manifest from corrupted coping skills - or a lack thereof. Responding to nihilistic theory with the cheeky refrain, “God’s not dead, he just needs a little space,” Killed by Kiwis lampoon the idea of misanthropy and disavow a culture that tempts us to wallow in our dissatisfactions as they urge the listener, and all the folks who may have inspired this one, to “just cope!” … “It’s the only way to not hate yourself.” Of course, we understand from the beginning that this headspace is something familiar to the band, as they self-insert first person pronouns and, lyrically, are fighting their own urges, making their own mental health the real muse.
Waking Hours "static buzz"
What an absolute indiegaze ballad this is. “static buzz” by Waking Hours, released in February 2025 on their sophomore EP blank stare, totally rocked my world this week. It crescendos beautifully, using an impressively gorgeous sound pallet to illustrate not only static, but waves of insomniac breakthroughs, of both emotional turmoil and release. The buzzy distortion that kicks up from the hazy clouds of rattling riffs makes this song’s title an immediate reality as lead singer Liv Hedley’s crystal clear vocals begin their sweet, steady washing. The band fiercely maintains a hypnotic sway throughout, melodically crashing waves of noisier rock over its dreamy shoreline at just the right moments. When Hedley’s voice reaches its strongest and loudest, I’m left in total awe. Waking Hours have surely mastered musical resolutions that take your breath away.
Kiss the Tiger "Big Booty Scooty"
Kiss the Tiger embrace a slick groove in “Big Booty Scooty,” their latest single which dropped in March 2025. With a joyful, swinging melody that feels totally classic while still having a fresh and powerful rock’n’roll feel, “Big Booty Scooty” dabbles in a particularly theatrical and fun composition, where frontwoman Meghan Kreidler’s vocals are sharply enunciated and poppy over subtly big band instrumentals from the six-piece project. Its accompanying music video, directed by Aaron Straka, drips with vintage inspo, with a quirky, art-pop bent, perfectly capturing the Kiss the Tiger’s vibe. The lyrics are sexy and summery — “Give me your body / Cuz I can’t have your love / I hug and kiss you / And I can’t get enough / I wanna show you that / To me you’re the one / Forget the others / And we’ll play in the sun” — with a tale of bittersweet, unrequited feelings: “I wanna know you more / Than just the heartache / I want to feel you / Not the thorn of a rose.”
snakeworld! "guy i hate the most."
snakeworld!’s “guy i hate the most.” from the welcome to snakeworld! EP, released in January 2025, is narrative indiepunk with a tongue-in-cheek message - on your first listen, you’ll know EXACTLY who the “guy [they] hate the most” is… in fact, I bet you’ve met him. With his Ford F150, a “regular seven-figure earning guy” becomes the snakeworld! antagonist after running over a pedestrian on his way home. He’s a perfectly regular asshole who I find myself also terrifically annoyed at as snakeworld! tell us more about him - you know, he’s the fella with headlights that “have the power of the sun.” This punky tale is a reminder to all of us to watch out for Average Joes on the road who’s egos practically drive their cars for them. It’s cathartic to listen to.
Topiary Blush "Cherished One Of Mind"
“Cherished One of Mind” is a bilingual, lingering slow jam which oozes class and lustiness in equal measure. Topiary Blush mean business, from their silky smooth instrumentation to their lead vocalist’s rich, smoky voice. A truly delightful combination of easy listening and concentrated excellence, this single, which released in July 2024, puts Minnesota back on the map for timeless NeoSoul acts. The band cheekily describes itself on Instagram as “your crunchy alternative soul bards,” appropriately illustrating the eclectic influences guiding their jazzy songwriting.
