Flavor Wave’s single, “The Optimist,” arrived less like a declaration and more like someone tentatively drawing back a dusty curtain on a grey afternoon. From West Chester, PA, these five lifelong friends – Kyle Loedel (vocals, lyrics), Matthew Stretch (lead guitar), Patrick Blair (rhythm guitar), Noah Montgomery (bass), and Joshua Speaker (performer/drums) – typically tread alternative rock paths nodding to influences like The Strokes....

Outside Pedestrian have spent a quarter of a century dismantling expectations, and their new instrumental single "Drawbridge" proves they still enjoy pulling the rug out from under us. The eclectic trio thrives on tossing familiar setups into the void just to see how they spin. https://open.spotify.com/track/5elBwrs5fHV9ajK4mbQMxJ?si=e95203d6ff6f41a9 Here, they intentionally subvert the physics of jazz-rock and modern metal. Heavy, distorted aggression suddenly fractures, clearing the floor for...