MINNESOTA SOUND REVIEWS - 10/29/2025
Reviews by: Alexandra Haynes, Writer @xalexonlinex
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner/Editor @melodicnoisemedia
If you like what we are doing please consider supporting us on Patreon, PayPal, or Venmo.
Ber "Who's This?"
Hometown blues, Midwestern weather, and that new relationship glow all feature notably in “Who’s This?” the b-side to Ber’s “Good, Real” single release in October 2025. This folksy pop song with indie predilections sees Ber viewing herself in the third person, observing her presence in her environment (“Who’s this bitch?”) after things in her personal life shifted in the direction of love. The music video is a meme punctuated PowerPoint presentation of the song’s lyrics, adding a touch of web-core kitsch to the release. “Who’s This?” has clean, bright production and a feel good vibe.
Student1 "HM07 over there"
“HM07 over there” released in June 2025 as track two of four on Student1’s HM07 EP. Student1’s vocals are relaxed over a bippy, bass boosted 808-accented beat that encourages on-tempo head bopping from the listener. His rap keeps a freestyle flow throughout, with wordplay that invokes The Simpsons, BlueSky Healthcare, and humble bragging (“I got an igloo, it got a pulse / It’s on my sleeve.”)
Neon Arrival "Burn the Ships"
Neon Arrival’s debut single “Burn the Ships” released in July 2025. The chorus comes in with the title itself, “Burn the ships / Burn the bridges down / I been hearing your name all over town / You’ve been talking in your sleep again.” Slowly, the vocalist reveals the story to us, with evident affection for its main character who turns out to be saying his name. This song is an appeal to take risks for love, set atop 90s rock-inspired instrumentals that are romantic and bright. About the song, the band writes: “It tells the story of growing up, searching for love, and putting yourself out there. Taking a chance.”
I Have No Love For Men Like You “The Bell Kept Ringing"
“The Bell Kept Ringing” is the calm before the storm, an interlude which gives the listener a moment of poignant reflection between tracks on the Sidewinder LP. Released in August 2025, this instrumental piece is an intentional save point, building energy between us and the work. It guides us gently towards the second half of the album with its invitation to take a breath, although it ramps up in volume and intensity by the track’s end to preview a full return to form. While the band’s traditional hardcore vocals are absent here, there’s a muffled transmission sitting in the back of the mix, adding texture and intrigue. I Have No Love For Men Like You are no strangers to melodic give and take, but this complete, somber moment is a beautiful touch, increasingly tinged with emotional unease.
Jeff Narlock, America Ortiz "Kids On Our Own"
A folk duet, “Kids On Our Own” surrounds the listener in sentimentality. Jeff Narlock and America Ortiz’ vocal harmonies are paired with folksy harmonica riffs atop banjo playing that keep the sound organic. The chorus has an bittersweet rise, lyrics reflecting on when they were “just kids on [their] own … felt as if nothing could shake [them.]” The bridge elaborates on their struggle, a heartfelt wrestling with their adult loneliness: “We’re out here in the world now / And I don’t really get much sleep / Holding onto my dreams ‘til my hands start to bleed. / We’re all in this together / Sometimes I feel like it’s just me / So tell me where I went wrong.” This released as a single in June 2025.
The Draco Volans "Big Tornado"
The Draco Volans released “Big Tornado” in October 2025 on the EP Fever Dreams. It’s an incredibly playful piece with a build up that is befitting of the subject matter, an oncoming tornado: “It’s about to touch down!” The active bassline does heavy lifting laying down the catchy melody, and the vocals, which come in with multiple voices, express cheeky awareness of their imminent danger. This is so quintessentially Midwestern — we all know that the first thing we’ll do when tornado sirens activate is step outside to take a look at the sky, and this is what “Big Tornado” makes me think about.
