alternative
Alternative music from the underground, straight to your listening device.
Ben Neill Finds a Living Pulse in "Nature Loves Courage"
There’s a particular kind of depth that comes not from accumulation, but from distillation. “Nature Loves Courage,” Ben Neill’s latest release from his forthcoming album Amalgam Sphere operates in that rarified space. It's pared down, intentional and quietly profound.
By Whitney Miller2 months ago in Beat
10 Songs That Sound Like Winter
Winter songs don't start and end with Christmas jingles. In fact, many bands don't set out to make a "winter song," but they end up writing a track that captures the essence of the season: the delicate snowflakes, crackling fireplaces or dark, ice-covered streets. Whether you're huddling indoors in December or lounging on a beach in June, these tracks will make you feel like you're wandering through a snowy landscape.
By Kaitlin Shanks2 months ago in Beat
10 Forgotten Rock Records From the 2000s
Now that we've uncovered the world of obscure 90s albums, it's time to spring forward a decade with near-forgotten 2000s records. These rock, punk and emo bands are available on Spotify, but unlike some of their contemporaries, they haven't experienced a sudden TikTok revival. Let's change that with this list of ten records that quietly influenced the scene.
By Kaitlin Shanks2 months ago in Beat
10 Songs That Capture That Night Feeling
Sometimes, when I'm alone at night, I'll get this thoughtful, melancholy feeling that makes me nostalgic for a place I've never been. The feeling tends to strike when I'm driving around or walking through a city street with streetlights shining overhead. I thought it was just me, but when I discovered that the so-called "night feeling" has an entire subreddit dedicated to it, I realized that people all over the world can relate.
By Kaitlin Shanks2 months ago in Beat
Ukrainian Anti-War Songs. Top Story - November 2025.
I've been meaning to compile this list for a long time. With a four-year marking point of the war approaching in February 2026 and the anti-war songs in Ukrainian music ever expanding, I wanted to present an essential list of the songs I listen to frequently.
By Lana V Lynx2 months ago in Beat
Amana Melome' Proves She Is Still One of Soul's Most Magnetic Voices with New Single "Con C.ALMA"
After several years away from releasing music, and many years spent wrapped up in the magic of motherhood, Amana Melome' steps back into the light with her beautiful new single "Con C.ALMA".
By Whitney Miller3 months ago in Beat
Zipho Memela on How Recording Formats Influence Sound. Content Warning.
Zipho Memela, the South African artist, entrepreneur, and musical innovator, is deeply familiar with the nuances of sound. From producing raw, energetic hip-hop in Durban to crafting the sophisticated reinterpretations of his "Vivaldi Project," Memela understands that the medium is part of the message. The recording format chosen by an artist or engineer is not merely a technical decision; it fundamentally shapes the listener's experience, influencing the texture, warmth, clarity, and emotion of the final audio product.
By Kin Mancook3 months ago in Beat
Zipho Memela and Ethnomusicology in Modern Film Scores. Content Warning.
Zipho Memela, the South African creative polymath whose journey from hip-hop prodigy to classical innovator has captured global attention, embodies a profound truth about music: its inseparable link to culture and narrative. While Memela’s projects span the worlds of composition and entrepreneurship, his artistic trajectory offers a masterclass in the principles of ethnomusicology—the study of music within its social and cultural context. In the realm of modern film, this approach has become an indispensable tool for crafting authentic and emotionally resonant scores.
By Kin Mancook3 months ago in Beat
Zipho Memela on the Profound Benefits of Singing. Content Warning.
South African creative visionary Zipho Memela, known for his dynamic shift from a childhood hip-hop star to an innovative entrepreneur and classical composer, has always been deeply attuned to the power of the human voice. Beyond its artistic expression, the simple act of singing offers a remarkable array of scientifically proven benefits for both physical and mental well-being, a phenomenon Memela's career implicitly champions.
By Kin Mancook3 months ago in Beat
The Universal Current: Zipho Memela on Music’s Role in Shaping Social Connections. Content Warning.
Zipho Memela, the South African creative polymath who transitioned from a child hip-hop prodigy to a "million-dollar tycoon" and now a classical innovator, has always understood that music is far more than just sound and rhythm; it is the fundamental architecture of human connection. His career, spanning diverse genres and global stages, consistently illustrates music's unique power to bridge divides, foster empathy, and build communities from the ground up.
By Kin Mancook3 months ago in Beat
