MINNESOTA SOUND REVIEWS - 8/5/26
Reviews by: Alexandra Haynes, Writer @xalexonlinex
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner/Editor @melodicnoisemedia
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Impossible Prom Kings “In Motion”
“In Motion” begins as it means to go on, with an uplifting, swelling introduction. Bright guitar tones frolic atop a nostalgic and roomy soft metalcore composition. Their message of repeating cycles is delivered in such a way that feels religious, with some worship-friendly sonic optimism as they groove with long held notes. The metalcore elements rear their head fully with a fry scream laden breakdown almost two minutes in. Impossible Prom Kings released this song as a single in May 2026.
Molly Brandt “One Helluva Country”
Molly Brandt sweetly drawls out her vocals, pumping in some breath and power as she amps up a twang. Without any subtlety, Brandt lays down the law on the violent history of the American empire in this frank ~4 minute reflection on what it means to be living in “One Helluva Country,” where “blood spilled since the beginning.” Reclaiming the famous first three words of the Preamble to the Constitution, she has a point to make, clearly enunciating over an almost solemn yet still playful Western feelin’ tune that rings out with all the classic hallmarks of a country song. “One Helluva Country” is track three of twelve on the expansive in genre LP Museum of Being, released in June 2026.
Benjamin Cartel “Spring Cleaning”
From Cartel’s Write at Home LP, “Spring Cleaning” delightfully takes the time to dabble with spacious tones that expand its feel. Later, vocal effects double down on the wide production, making something galactic out of what would otherwise be earthy and rooted with auxiliary percussion and generally indie folk bones. Here, the “Spring Cleaning” is emotional, where a romantic separation triggered physical and mental changes (“You moved out / After I cleaned the place up, changed mailbox names, and I sat down / I was thinkin’ about… How you were always, never home, and / Fallin’ in and out of my life”). Poignant and precious, Cartel has struck a charming balance of sounds that earnestly articulate heartbreak.
seventhirtyatmorning “LOST THE PLOT”
I feel some of seventhirtyatmorning’s influences at delicious work here, namely Playboi Carti (this made me think of “Sky” on Whole Lotta Red, December 2020). Track eight of eleven on the LP One Man Band, released in June 2026, “LOST THE PLOT” notably features a woozy, psychedelic element to its production as parts of the multi-layered and incredibly full picture phase in and out of volume and position, generating a contemporary, acid-tinged electronica that excites my ear. Semi-mumbled, soft voiced rap flows and ad-libs aplenty over the tilted beat.
Nothing But Joy “Red Rover”
Post-punk snarls swirl gently, clamoring together to form a gazey, fuzzy plane on “Red Rover,” Nothing But Joy’s most recent single from May 2025. Airy vocals simmer softly in this mix, contrastingly sweet. That sweetness, combined with noise, serves to generate a nostalgic sensation; the rock beat and distortion tag in to further provoke feelings of bittersweet yearning. Nothing But Joy seem to cradle this song tenderly, delicately putting together pieces that would otherwise be tense and spiny. This combination, where the edges of distortion are rounded out and the piece is made whole, makes for a shoegaze soundscape that seamlessly blends together warmly.
matt proxy, never goodbye “WEIRD”
Glitch hop rides in on the Trojan Horse (suitably, that’s the name of matt proxy’s latest album, although this track was released as a single afterwards in July 2026) of a quirky, whimsical lofi lullaby, bursting forward after the first verse with a fully actualized, crunchy bass boost. Unafraid to be soft, then loud, and soft again, matt proxy and LA’s never goodbye team up to deliver this mixed genre treat that could indeed read as a little “WEIRD.” Melding the more creative side of scenecore with rap, “WEIRD” is crash course in defining sweet chaos with flair.
