MINNESOTA SOUND REVIEWS - 9/17/2025
Reviews by: Alexandra Haynes, Writer @xalexonlinex
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner/Editor @melodicnoisemedia
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Grant Vague "Tell Me What to Believe"
The sound pallet here is rather whimsical, with a twinkling, esoteric rise layered atop complex layers of instrumentation. It’s best listened to outdoors staring into the blue sky and observing the rolling clouds or, if you’re a night owl, stare up at the stars as you let it all wash over you. There’s a musical theater quality to the atmosphere of this song, well led by Grant Vague’s clear, smooth vocals and punctuated by jazzy keys. The subtle swirls of multi-instrumental melodies keep the song feeling incredibly full, but never busy; their progressions remind me of vaporwave aesthetics and new age psych rock as they weave together. “Tell Me What To Believe” is track 1 of 4 on Vague’s EP, titled EP (released in June 2025) to capture a meta moment. This song carries a message of self-reflection on one’s own negative thought patterns, with a desire to get rid of them and surrender your psyche to easier beliefs.
Twisted Pigeon "Fabric Soup"
“Fabric Soup,” from EP of the same name released in May 2025, takes you on a deliciously aggro but psychedelically wonky ride through space and time. The melodies dive in and out of buzzy, distorted, metal-inspired riffage and approximately jazzy peel-backs that are damn satisfying, but not any less voracious. Twisted Pigeon have, once again, found a way to orchestrate the woozy oscillations of an altered headspace, while still illustrating their own vibrant world of head-bang worthy sound that is unafraid to be confrontational.
Durry "Start a Band"
“Start a Band” is a cynical yet bombastically reverent reflection on DIY everywhere, describing the indie, self-starter scene with a fuck-it attitude that only comes from the personal experience of doing, or by rubbing shoulders with this kind of party person who finds their feet making music against all the odds. While it certainly reads as critical, there is an unabashed joy in Durry’s punk rock portrayal of frontmanning and tour life - “I can’t play but I’m starting a band / I can’t sing but I’m starting a band / I can’t drive but I’m starting a band / I don’t know why but I’m starting a band!” … “Singer just quit / Guess that’s me now / I can’t hold a tune, I don’t know what to do / So I stepped out and just started screaming.” Of course, Durry are insanely talented, slick and sure in their own indie rock balancing act, and this song - released in June 2025 on album This Movie Sucks - is a banger.
Poor John Candy "La Dee Da"
Full of heart, Poor John Candy’s “La Dee Da,” from the album Negative Space (released in June 2025,) takes an appropriately conspiratorial tone (“They’re gonna kill us all / One way or another,”) by the end. Pay attention, though — the entire song is grounded in conversation about the state of the world and who really has the ability to make sweeping change, but doesn’t: “You’d rather see someone die, than lose a dime.” The infectious “La Dee Da” chorus refrain is a polite but sardonic censorship of what the band thinks those without empathy “deserve to get.” The incredibly meaningful lyrics, a cry for the world to see wealth disparities, are sung sweetly over an alt-rock composition that has folk bones.
Two Weeks Past Never "Just A Crush"
“Just A Crush,” released in June 2025 as a single, is a production-forward pop punk love song, leaning in to boy band vibes with charming vocals relaying cheeky similes and metaphors. 2WPN describe their infatuation with their crush throughout as quirky melodies with that poppy swing burst forward, honeyed and bright. The soundscape pays a contemporary, sincere tribute to the scene days. Put this one in your back pocket for Valentines’ Day, lovers, because this track should be getting a spot on your locally-focused holiday playlist.
Oister Boy "Slip and Slide"
This jangly rock track from Oister Boy is an endearingly unconventional love song, swapping out the usual metaphor of falling for someone - and that phrase’s accompanying puns - for a more comical visual, “[eating] shit on your Slip and Slide.” As the lyrics cover going through the complicated motions and exhausted feelings of romantic interest, and as things seem to be headed in a less healthy direction, beautiful vocal harmonies kick in which help tell the story as a dynamic impacted by both parties. The instrumentation is gorgeous, full-bodied with the band perfectly in the pocket. The melodies, in all their glorious texture, help carry that sense of overwhelming yearning right to the listener’s heart. “Slip and Slide” was released in May, 2025.
