New Music Friday

Lila Holler writes like she’s slowly unfastening something fragile inside herself. Her sound shifts between indie pop glow and alt-folk vulnerability, shaped by a life spanning coasts, climates, and now continents. That constant motion shows up in her music as shifting light and quiet self-redefinition, the kind that comes from picking yourself up and starting again in new places until you learn what feels like home.

“i don’t like being left behind” opens in swirls and spirals, an ambient wash of synths that feel almost video game–esque. It is dreamy and atmospheric, yet it carries a pulse that instantly catches your attention. Leyla Ebrahimi’s voice enters with a softness that glows against the production. Even in these early moments, the track makes its intentions clear. This is indie alternative at its core, but it welcomes pop influences with open arms.

Sienna Spiro’s “Die on This Hill” begins with a quiet magnetism that feels instantly inviting. A single piano line opens the door and her voice steps in with striking richness. It is warm, resonant, and full of a clarity that draws you in immediately.

Alex Ray’s Messy is a short, sharp burst of pop-alt emotion, five songs, twelve minutes, and zero filler. It’s a snapshot of chaos polished just enough to shine, but not so much that it loses its edge. Every track feels like an intentional contradiction: raw yet refined, vulnerable yet self-possessed.

Photo by °1824 / UMG Review by SoundCheck Mag Photos by °1824 / UMG Madison Cunningham has always felt like a painter who uses chords and vocals instead of brushes. The California-born singer-songwriter has long been celebrated for her blend of technical precision and emotional storytelling, and on Ace, she delivers what feels like her most cinematic and self-reflective work yet. A Grammy winner and master of subtlety, Cunningham has created an album that feels like walking t

Photo credit: Jack Morgan (IG: @jackmorgan07 ) Contributed by Rebecca McDevitt Photos by Jack Morgan Independent pop singer-songwriter...

Ed Sheeran’s Play is the first in his new “media control” series (Play, Pause, Rewind, Fast Forward, Stop), and it’s the most sonically adventurous he’s been in years. Recorded partly in Goa, the album fuses Ed’s classic singer-songwriter core with Indian percussion, Punjabi and Persian influences, and a heavy dose of dance-floor energy.

Hilary Duff has officially signed with Atlantic Records, marking her first major label deal in a decade. The announcement comes with the promise of a docuseries directed by The Eras Tour’s Sam Wrench, which will document her creative rebirth. After nearly ten years of musical silence, she’s stepping back into the spotlight with a rollout designed to surprise rather than over-explain.

SoundCheck Mag kicks off their first fan-fueled event in Brooklyn with an unforgettable night of memories, music, and magic.

Article by Rebecca McDevitt Back to Where It All Began With Greetings From Your Hometown , the Jonas Brothers are asking us to slow...

Magnus Ferrell is stepping out with serious main character energy on his latest single, "Miss Me Vendetta." The 21-year-old singer, who...

t its core, ‘Lasting Effects’—a new release from indie-pop artist Avery Lynch (with production assists from Jordanlilvee and Michael Blum)—is a powerful breakup anthem that flips a familiar narrative on its head, transforming bitter into sweet and repurposing the pain of being “dissed” and discarded by someone you once loved.

Let’s be real—when Flowers dropped in 2023, it felt like a cultural reset. Miley had the breakup anthem of the year, the power strut of the decade, and a global audience chanting “I can love me better.” It was a moment. So what happens when you follow up a worldwide smash that redefined your narrative?

When Joe Jonas released Fastlife  in 2011, it was flashy, fun, and very of its time. Fast forward to 2025, and he’s back with something...

Press Release From InnerCat Music Group Austin, TX — April 25, 2025 — Reggae gets a fresh spark with “Hot Box”, the latest single from...

Joe Jonas is three-for-three with the singles off his upcoming solo album Music for People Who Believe in Love , and the latest track,...

Craving a playlist update? These must-stream songs from the past two weeks are for binging, shuffling and sharing with the group chat.  A...

Some albums feel like a collection of songs. Others feel like a novel—woven together with a thread of emotion, experience, and purpose.

Have you ever heard a song so good that you immediately text your friends, “How have I never heard this before?!”