MINNESOTA SOUND REVIEWS - 6/24/26
Reviews by: Alexandra Haynes, Writer @xalexonlinex
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner/Editor @melodicnoisemedia
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Imadé “How Dare You”
Track four of six on Imadé’s EP Idle Mind, “How Dare You” (April 2026) saunters in with a slicked back R’n’B beat. While snaps and clicks flavor things earthily, the electronic percussion gets spiced up with muted trap booms on opportune accent beats, inviting you to add a little weight to your step as you hip-sway to the otherwise mellow production. My shoulders wound and unwound themselves in time to the rhythm, a predictable ebb and flow that soothes and shimmers. Imadé’s voice is silken over this, frolicking soulfully as, tongue-in-cheek, she chastises a lover for seeming to be exactly what she was looking for, exploring whether they are genuine and well-intentioned: “You wanna cuddle all night? / And do the things that I like? You’re just too good to be true / And I ain’t fallin’ for you / I must be some kind of fool / To ever let you be through … Who are you? Who sent you? … This perfect you, I see right through.”
Dave’s Manual “Electrical”
“Electrical,” released in May 2026, has a 90’s sitcom feel to its particular brand of laid-back rock — I picture a cast of friends and neighbors gathered around couches in coffee shops on a live set. A little bit jangly and a lotta bit feel good, this latest single from Dave’s Manual has a poppy structure with wide appeal. Discussing the boundaries of self-control while pleasure-seeking (“I needed rock and roll / We’ll worry about it tomorrow”), the main takeaway is “Everything’ll be okay.” This is a reminder to cut back and allow yourself some fun while staying self-aware.
Mouthful “Parasite”
Playful indie vocals hold onto a stunning, undulating twang, dipping frequently into a half-yodel that demonstrates a ton of control and adds uniqueness to Mouthful’s sound. “Parasite,” released on the EP Grieving Ritual in May 2026, has a bittersweet flavor, mixing more delicate, nostalgic chord progressions with grit and slow building intensity. Emotive and thoughtfully constructed, the band’s harmony builds a complete picture of longing and release — the feeling conjured by this song sticks with you after listening, as do its vivid metaphors (“I want to kill all the parts of you that live in me / They eat too quickly”).
Sonic Sea Turtles “In Spite of You”
A lush vocal duet is the star feature of “In Spite of You,” track three of six on Sonic Sea Turtles’ EP glamorous. It’s appropriate for the song’s subject matter, a dark and frank confrontation with mismatched partnership in the hindsight of a relationship that seemingly ended due to cheating (“Was this love? I’m in pain / Saw the flowers bloom / But the roses lead to his bedroom” … “Did his walls like my name?”) The sound pallet here matches the candidness and hurt of its message, solemn and twinkling, haunting with those noteworthy harmonies on top.
88 Diagrams, MZ Zeph “fuck you… i need help…”
“fuck you… i need help…” is characterized by its lofi production with an almost ghostly refrain and full quote samples of expressions of familial discontent and depression. I had trouble sourcing these, likely from a TV show or movie (88 Diagrams, let us know where you pulled these from!) but I was interested in their use as they supported the more autobiographical rap verses in which 88 Diagrams maintains his clean, smooth flow, admitting to a deep pain while he tries to cope with its ongoing, emotional consequences. This single released in February 2026.
Sunken Planes “In Due Time”
Psych-rock adjacent with swirling melodies on jangly, bright guitars and featuring rock vocals that have gentle power behind them, Sunken Planes’ “In Due Time” (June 2026) has a tension-free philosophy as it mingles crashing percussion with more intricate, twanging riffs. Together, these elements never battle for your ear’s attention, instead melding toward that almost kaleidoscopic effect as the band takes you on its late summer evening journey.
