MINNESOTA SOUND REVIEWS - 7/22/26
Reviews by: Alexandra Haynes, Writer @xalexonlinex
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner/Editor @melodicnoisemedia
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Anna Houston “17”
On the LP Catharsis released in April 2025, “17” has a coming-of-age focus, comparing the past to the present, twee in its indie earnestness. A good example of the stomp clap comeback that is bleeding now into the 2020s, in a countering response to the expiring indie sleaze revival, Houston’s brand of quirky pop is familiar, making me feel ever more in step with Lena Dunham as I, ever late to the party, binge watch episodes of Girls and finish my first read-through of Famesick while listening to this song.
sugarcoat “collapse”
sugarcoat’s “collapse,” the band’s latest single released in June 2026, is a Millennial emo protest track. Discussing police and federal agent brutality over a peppy beat, including frank mentions of abuses of power and invoking a parody of the Lord’s Prayer in the voice of authoritarianism (“Give us the right to trespass anyway / As we murder those who speak against us / Lead us to where the devil may care”), they don’t actually sugarcoat anything here. While “we are just fish in a barrel,” the band demands we face discomforting realities and bring them to front of mind.
Jeff Gavin “Heartstop”
Jeff Garvin’s “Heartstop” (July 2026) is a bright and saccharine synth-pop love song, taking inspo from the 80s iterations of the genre while being tricked out in 90s boy-band feels. Utilizing a more contemporary, chipper 8-bit bloop in its breaks, there’s a mixed-era playfulness at work here in the production. Its adolescence tones down some of Gavin’s usual adult clubiness, settling in on an innocence that is well demonstrated by the subtle subversion of a sexual norm with lyrics like, “You’re the kind of lover that I want in my bed / When I sleep at night.” Instantly catchy with its repetitiveness, it’s easy to sing along with the choruses and imagine some well choreographed, gross motor moves taking place on a mirrored floor.
Pullstring “Minnesota Rain”
More Millennial emo/soft rock is coming your way with Pullstring’s “Minnesota Rain.” Poppy and locally referential, the song speaks to the common desire to flee your hometown (“Minnesota rain falling down / Better things are on the horizon / Minnesota rain is falling down / Don’t know how much more that I can take / Give me a break.”) This chorus is catchy and will be repeating in your head long after the song finishes. Their DIY music video for “Minnesota Rain” is quaint and befitting of the fun and optimistic 90s indie feel.
Joan of Profile “Warhorse”
“Warhorse” released first as a single in May 2025 then re-released as track four of five on Joan of Profile’s Mean to Strangers EP in January 2027 (with track five being “Warhorse - Piano version,” a worthy listen, too). Bathed in indie country rock sounds, the vocals atop are powerful, exploring a wide, clean range but dipping in and out of half-yodels, a vocal styling I am incredibly fond of. The instrumentals are scenic and gentle, peppered with elevating guitar riffs and otherwise sandwiched together so harmoniously that I played this on repeat to let my ear pick out its many layers, finding myself appreciating the song more each time.
Lil Shine “All Love”
Syrupy electronic production that sounds like it has flipped a cutesy anime end credits song, layered with plugg trap style with cranked up autotune, defines Lil Shine’s “All Love,” track fifteen of eighteen on the LP Get Rich or Die Sippin’ released in May 2026. The song feels trendy and is very much of its genre, suitable for chopping up to soundtrack a TikTok video or Instagram reel. It’s worth checking out his interview and feature on Fader.
