The Kellows – Eve
On the Edge of Becoming
With Eve, The Kellows step into 2026 sounding restless, sharpened, and ready to claim more space than ever before. This is a song that doesn’t rush to impress; instead, it builds its power patiently, letting tension simmer before it fully ignites. From the first moments, there’s a sense of movement—like standing on the threshold of something new, unsure whether to look back or leap forward.
The track thrives on contrast. Gritty, driving guitars collide with moments of unexpected restraint, creating a push-and-pull that mirrors the emotional core of the song. There’s a rawness here, but it’s carefully shaped rather than chaotic. Every section feels deliberate, as if the band is learning how to harness their intensity rather than simply unleashing it. That balance gives Eve a maturity that stands out without stripping away the urgency that makes it pulse.
What truly elevates the song is its atmosphere. The production captures an electric, almost live-wire energy, yet leaves enough space for reflection to creep in. It’s bold without being overblown, introspective without turning inward. The result is a track that feels both personal and expansive, grounded in the now while clearly pointing ahead.
Eve doesn’t just signal a new release—it marks a moment of transition. The Kellows sound like a band consciously outgrowing the idea of potential and stepping into something more assured. If this track is a glimpse of what lies ahead, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year.
Thirteen – Demons on the Ceiling
Shadows That Refuse to Sleep
With Demons on the Ceiling, Thirteen proves that time has only sharpened their instinct for atmosphere. The Salzburg-based duo tap into a slow-burning unease that feels deeply human, drawing listeners into a space where thoughts linger too long and the night seems heavier than it should. There’s a strong sense of restraint here—nothing rushes, nothing overreaches—and that patience becomes one of the track’s quiet strengths.
Rooted in an unmistakable 80s sensibility, the song doesn’t lean on nostalgia for comfort. Instead, it uses those familiar textures as a backdrop for something darker and more introspective. The production feels deliberately shadowy, with layers unfolding gradually, as if the song is breathing alongside the listener. Every sound choice appears intentional, reinforcing the feeling of looming presence suggested by the title without spelling anything out.
What stands out most is the mood. Recorded in their own Salzburg studio, the track carries the weight of long, rain-soaked days and introspective isolation. There’s a cinematic quality to it—less about hooks and more about immersion. You don’t just hear this song; you sit with it.
Demons on the Ceiling lingers well after it ends, echoing like a thought you can’t quite shake before sleep. It’s a reminder that Thirteen remain skilled architects of emotion, capable of crafting music that feels both timeless and unsettlingly current. This release doesn’t chase trends—it trusts atmosphere, and that trust pays off.
Adam Wedd – Figure it out
Restless Thoughts, Refined Sound
Adam Wedd’s Figure It Out feels like a snapshot of a mind in motion—urgent, reflective, and quietly confident all at once. There’s a lived-in honesty to this track that makes it resonate immediately, as if it were pulled straight from the middle of a real moment rather than carefully staged. That sense of immediacy becomes one of the song’s greatest strengths.
Musically, Figure It Out balances polish with pulse. The production is sleek without being sterile, allowing emotion to breathe while keeping the energy taut and forward-moving. Subtle shifts in dynamics mirror the push-and-pull of uncertainty that runs through the song, creating a tension that keeps the listener engaged from start to finish. It never overreaches; instead, it trusts restraint, letting small details do the heavy lifting.
Adam Wedd’s vocal delivery anchors everything. There’s vulnerability here, but it’s paired with resolve, giving the track a grounded confidence that feels earned rather than performed. He has a knack for making introspection sound accessible, turning private thoughts into something listeners can easily step into themselves.
What stands out most is how Figure It Out captures a very modern emotional state—the pressure to move forward even when clarity hasn’t fully arrived. It’s thoughtful without being heavy, catchy without feeling disposable. With this release, Adam Wedd continues to prove that everyday moments, when handled with care, can become compelling and memorable music.
A VIOLET IN YOUTH – Desert Roll
Where Concrete Meets Mirage
“Desert Roll” feels like a slow drive through a city just as the sun slips away—when heat lingers on the pavement, and everything looks a little unreal. A Violet In Youth leans fully into the atmosphere here, crafting a track that moves less in straight lines and more in gentle waves. It’s patient, immersive, and quietly confident, the kind of song that invites you to sink in rather than brace for impact.
Built on looping guitars and carefully stacked textures, the track unfolds with an almost hypnotic restraint. There’s a sense of motion without urgency, as if the song is rolling forward on its own internal logic. The band’s love for contrast shows up in subtle ways: moments of density bloom and recede, leaving behind pockets of space that feel intentional rather than empty. Those silences matter—they let the sound breathe and give the listener room to feel.
What makes “Desert Roll” compelling is its balance between experimentation and accessibility. The structure may be unconventional, but it never feels cold or distant. Instead, there’s warmth in the way the layers interact, in how the rhythm nudges the song forward without ever forcing it. The result is music that feels lived-in, shaped by trust and shared instinct rather than showy precision.
There’s also a strong sense of place running through the track. You can almost picture the environment it comes from—urban, hazy, and quietly beautiful in its contradictions. “Desert Roll” doesn’t chase a climax; it creates a mood and lets it linger. In doing so, A Violet In Youth offers a track that rewards close listening and proves that tension, when handled with care, can be deeply soothing.
Token Mouse – L’Appel Du Vide
A Quiet Leap Into the Unknown
Token Mouse’s L’Appel Du Vide feels like a song that gently dares you to lean closer. It opens with a sense of intimacy, the kind that suggests its origins in a simple piano idea, before slowly unfolding into something far more expansive. The track is immediate, but also patience—an understanding that emotional weight doesn’t need to be rushed.
What makes this release particularly striking is how fluidly it moves through contrasting moods. The arrangement ebbs and flows, shifting priorities as it goes, allowing different elements to step forward and recede again. At times, the electronic textures feel playful and curious; at others, they turn inward, creating a reflective atmosphere that lingers. The synth work is especially engaging, popping in unexpected moments and then settling back into the mix, giving the track a living, breathing quality.
Vocally, the performance adds warmth and clarity, grounding the electronic framework in something deeply human. There’s a strong sense of storytelling here—not in a literal, linear way, but through emotional progression. The song feels less like a single moment and more like a journey through overlapping states of mind.
Recorded in a modest, almost unlikely setting, L’Appel Du Vide carries an authenticity that’s hard to fake. It sounds unpolished in the best way—honest, heartfelt, and confident in its own space. With this release, Token Mouse proves that compelling electronic music doesn’t need grand studios or excess. Sometimes, all it takes is a strong idea, the courage to follow it, and the willingness to let it evolve naturally.
Night Wolf + Lois Powell – Lost My Way Home
Finding Solace in Shadows
Night Wolf and Lois Powell’s collaboration, Lost My Way Home, is a compelling journey through introspection, resilience, and emotional rawness. From the opening moments, Night Wolf’s cinematic production sets a moody, immersive soundscape—an intricate weave of trip-hop beats and atmospheric textures that feels both intimate and expansive. Into this world, Lois Powell’s ethereal voice floats effortlessly, bringing a haunting beauty that perfectly complements the track’s brooding instrumentation.
What makes this release particularly striking is the sense of genuine collaboration. There’s a conversational energy between the production and vocals, as if Night Wolf’s layered, immersive arrangements are gently guided by Powell’s expressive performance. The result is a track that balances darkness with hope, tension with release—each element serving the song’s narrative of acceptance and perseverance.
Technically, the production is crisp yet emotive, leaving space for Powell’s voice to soar without overpowering the instrumental depth. Subtle shifts in tone and texture throughout the track create moments of reflection, making the listening experience dynamic rather than static. It’s a song that encourages repeated plays, revealing new nuances with each listen.
Lost My Way Home stands out as a debut collaboration that not only introduces a powerful artistic synergy but also marks a meaningful step in Night Wolf’s journey with EscaVolt Records. It’s a song that resonates long after it ends—a quiet reminder that even when one feels lost, there’s a path forward, illuminated by honesty and artistry.
