MINNESOTA SOUND REVIEWS - 9/3/2025
Reviews by: Alexandra Haynes, Writer @xalexonlinex
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner/Editor @melodicnoisemedia
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Closed City Terror “Teflon Idiot"
“Teflon Idiot” is Closed City Terror’s third release, dropped in August 2025. It’s self-described as “a song about that special someone that's always getting into trouble, but somehow it's NEVER their fault.” Releasing plenty of frustration about said individual, “Teflon Idiot” draws a scathing comparison to the “Idiot’s” misfortune and the toxic forever chemicals we know exist in Teflon coated kitchenware. As we scratch the surface of a Teflon pan when poorly cooking, releasing those unhealthy fumes into our atmosphere, so too does their muse trigger their own catastrophic life events with poisonous consequences. “Guess who’s back in jail?” their vocalist sings repeatedly, sarcastic and clearly fed-up with the antics, as the band kicks up a punky, agitated instrumental.
Meezy<3 "Past Life"
An evocative, beat-rich club song from Meezy<3 is just what the doctor ordered. “Past Life” has an alt, web-core feel, as the whole project does, with a serious composition. Production-infused hip hop vocals are flawlessly laid over the all electronic instrumental. There’s enough “untz untz” and atmosphere here to get techno and house fans up and moving, but it’s thoroughly enmeshed with sounds appropriate for the new era of 2000s-callback aestheticism that the culture is rife with. It’s contemporary, still — effortlessly cool, focused, danceable, with self-reflective lyrics that feel like a journal entry. This song is track six of the artist’s first album, Serenity, released in July 2025.
Eldest Daughter "Cactus Magnet"
Eldest Daughter has a heart-tugging honesty in their warm poetics; “Cactus Magnet,” from the EP of the same name released in January 2025, is no exception, terrifically vulnerable as the lyrics describe summoning the strength to part ways from the person triggering a romantic resentment within. By the end — or, honestly? By the second verse, you’re truly rooting for their breakup as more facts reveal themselves (“You’re the man who needs his dinner right now / You demand it like a kid.”) Gentle pacing from mellow instrumentals let well-controlled vocals shine in front, but don’t shy away from demonstrating their skill either as careful, plucky riffs and breezy sequences ramp up throughout and carry the folksy tune.
Faux Pseudo "Temptress"
From the Chronicles of a Lady Killer LP, Faux Pseudo’s “Temptress” is a modern sea shanty, an alt-rock mini ballad lamenting on the “Temptress” character who did wrong by them and apparently all of her male companions. Jovially recalling the nature of her reputation in the chorus - “The word around town is that she’s a temptress / With the seven inch heels and a little black dress / If you know her, then you know distress” - this song warns both the listener and the Temptress herself of the ill-fate becoming both. They imply her karma will come around with future loneliness, “Don’t she know that she’ll have to pay? / Cause they always wanna come, but they never gonna stay. / But that’s how she's gonna play.”
Fly Over States "40 Stripes Minus One"
Mathy metalcore is a guilty pleasure of mine, and Fly Over States deliver that intersection plentifully in “40 Stripes Minus One,” a post-hardcore banger with deep, painful lyrics. A rapid pace set by talented drumming, beautiful riffs, and powerful vocals come together gorgeously. Fly Over States aren’t fucking around and the result is high-impact authenticity. The philosophy behind repeated lines, “Blame this explosion on the shortened fuse / Never on, No! Never on the demolition crew,” is something I’ll be chewing on for a while.
Tony Ford "Old American Way"
Tony Ford’s style is classic Americana, featuring banjo and harmonica. “Old American Way” (released in May 2025) has a bittersweet swing, in its sound and in message, with the chorus hook being “I can take you for granted / the Old American Way.” Maintaining a solemn longing for familiar, albeit loveless company, Ford evokes loneliness and complicated desire, embodying the “American Way” as a pattern of staying in unhealthy relationships while holding awareness of both party’s faults. A love song in this twisted, messy, realistic fashion is done justice by Ford’s rich, warm timbre and the simple, nostalgic instrumentals stay rooted and acoustic in the fashion of any other serenade.
