By Maddox Lowe, Sophia Sciulli, Piper Turri, and Jonathan Sackett

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:: Third time’s the charm… This time, the charm is the wonderful Music Director team, back again with a Weekly Recap!

:: October 6, 2025

:: Purity Ring — purity ring

Genre: Futurepop, electronic-pop

Release: Album

Recommended Tracks: “place of my own,” “the long night”

Purity Ring’s self-titled album invites you to a world that doesn’t exist. The soundscape emulates the soundtrack to a fictional role-playing game. It’s ambitious, yet grounded: never straying away from its storytelling. Unfortunately, I find that said ambition never reaches any memorable highs. I can appreciate what the album is going for, but ultimately most of the tracks bleed together, but don’t let me deter you. purity ring is still a competent and exceptionally well-produced project, though I would rather listen to an actual videogame soundtrack… 

— Jonathan Sackett 

Peel Dream Magazine — Taurus

Genre: Indie pop

Release: Album

Recommended Tracks: “The Band From Northampton,” “Letters,” “Down From The Trees”

Taurus is calming while simultaneously upbeat. With the use of acoustic guitar, drum machines, and synthesizers, the album emulates a leisurely stroll to a cafe. The album situates itself within the coffeehouse, avant-pop, and psychedelic genres. The lyricism, vocals, and instruments remind me of a mix between Mac DeMarco and Sufjan Stevens. I appreciate the versatility of the album, as one can easily listen to the songs while doing their respective homework, walking amongst nature, or purely existing in a mellow state of mind.

— Sophia Sciulli 

dodie — Not For Lack Of Trying 

Genre: Indie/Alternative 

Release: Album

Recommended Tracks: “Smart Girl,” “Darling, Angel, Baby,” “Now,” “The List”

dodie has over one million monthly listeners, but that number hardly does her justice. I’ve been a casual listener since high school, and I can truthfully say her newest work—filled with devastatingly beautiful lyricism, lush string arrangements, and atmospheric production—is among her best. Each song on this sophomore album feels alive and deeply introspective, revealing a new side of her simultaneously soft and quirky musical personality. Fans of artists like Laufey are sure to swoon over dodie.

— Piper Turri

White Reaper — Only Slightly Empty

Genre: Garage Punk

Release: Album

Recommended Tracks: “Rubber Cement,” “Touch”

This is what I’ve wanted out of contemporary garage punk: harsh, yet genuine. This is an earnest return to form that allows pop elements to cut through when need be. The first half is less interesting than the second half, with the best of the album coming at the very end. For an album that has such cohesion, it’s a shame the best comes after the bland. 

— Jonathan Sackett 

Doja Cat — Vie

Genre: Pop / R&B

Release: Album

Recommended Tracks: “Jealous Type,” “Gorgeous,” “Stranger,” “All Mine,” “Lipstain,” “One More Time”

I was a huge fan of Planet Her. Doja Cat brings the same upbeat, hopeless romantic energy to Vie, but she comes off as a bit more mature, confident, and dissatisfied. Doja Cat seems to be leaning more into an R&B style, and as a result, the album feels a little less poppy than Planet Her. The vibe works, and as always, Doja Cat and SZA go absolutely crazy together. Stranger has a White Lotus reference for all the HBO fans out there. A lot of the songs sound pretty similar on this album, but they’re all good, so for me, this isn’t a problem. If you like Doja Cat and SZA, you’ll definitely like this one. 

— Maddox Lowe 

Snõõper — Worldwide

Genre: Egg Punk

Release: Album

Recommended Tracks: “Star 6 9,” “Come Together,” “Pom Pom,” “Worldwide” 

In an age oversaturated with indie uniformity, Snõõper tears straight through. Worldwide is lo-fi production, DIY-ethos, sarcasm, punky guitars, and what I imagine collaging would sound like all blended together. Here Snõõper flexes their mastery of egg punk. It’s experimental, rowdy, born from the internet age and shows restraint. The band knows where to cut and what to keep, especially when doing a Beatles cover. 

— Jonathan Sackett 

The Head And The Heart — Arrow (Ghost No.2)

Genre: Indie Folk

Release: Single

Recommended Tracks: “Arrow—Ghost No. 2”

The song “Arrow” was initially released in The Head And the Heart’s May album, Aperture. On October 3rd, the band released two additional variations of “Arrow.”  Within the new single, the songs consist of “Arrow” (the original version),  “Arrow– Ghost No. 2” (a slower-paced version), and “Arrow (feat. Mt. Joy).” The songs, “Arrow–Ghost No. 2” and “Arrow (feat. Mt. Joy),” only slightly differ from the original “Arrow.” “Arrow” and “Arrow—Ghost No. 2” are analogous to The Cure’s “Friday I’m in Love” and Phoebe Bridgers’ cover of “Friday I’m in Love.” The original songs are more upbeat, while the variations/covers exist in a melancholic state. “Arrow” seems to be empowering the listener, while “Arrow—Ghost No. 2” invites the listener to be reflective of their current state. In the Mt. Joy version, one can differentiate between the voices of The Head And The Heart singers and Mt. Joy’s lead vocalist, Matt Quinn. However, the band’s feature within the song is brief. Given the variations, listeners can choose whichever version of “Arrow” floats their boat and coincides with their current mood. My recommendation, in all of its bias, would have to be the Mt. Joy version.

— Sophia Sciulli

Alexisonfire — Fully Completely 

Genre: Post-Hardcore

Release: Single

Recommended Tracks: “Fully Completely” 

Long-time post-hardcore titans Alexisonfire released a cover of the Hip’s “Fully Completely” as something of a teaser for their upcoming covers EP. It’s a grittier, harsher version of the original alternative track — nowhere is this more clear than in the vocals. It’s not groundbreaking, but it exists. 

— Jonathan Sackett 

The Brothers Comatose  — Golden Grass

Genre: Bluegrass

Release: Album

Recommended Tracks: “Home Again,” “Huckleberry Wine,” “Runnin’ On Back To You,” “25 Miles”

I’ve never been in love with country, but The Brothers Comatose’s blend of folk, jam, and bluegrass might just convert me. Each track highlights a vibrant mix of string instruments—especially their signature bluegrass banjo and fiddle—woven together with rich, organic vocal harmonies that feel both warm and communal. The result is an album that makes for the perfect soundtrack to an upbeat, singalong-friendly, and joyful roots music experience—ideal for campfires with friends, cross-country road trips, or even a simple nature stroll.

— Piper Turri

Platonic Sex — Face to the Flywire

Genre: Indie alt

Release: Album

Recommended Tracks: “Shark Teeth,” “Not a Country Song,” “Undoes,” “Face to the Flywire”

This album is very indie, and not so much in a good way. The lead’s voice is good, and lyrically, there are some good moments, but the album just isn’t a standout for me. If you enjoy albums with a consistent vibe, you will probably like this one. It just didn’t have enough musical variety for me. With that said, I really like “Undoes,” especially the line, “there’s a pissing contest in my chest.” The lyrics are definitely a strong point; I just wish the album relied more on its instrumentals. I guess Platonic Sex isn’t for everyone.

— Maddox Lowe 

Speed — AIN’T MY GAME 

Genre: Hardcore Punk

Release: Single

Recommended Tracks: “AIN’T MY GAME”

“AIN’T MY GAME,” the second track off of Sydney hardcore band Speed’s upcoming three-song EP, is a fiery blast of hardcore punk straight into your eardrums. You’d better believe that Speed lives up to their name. This single is fast, real fast, and will compel any listener to open up the pit. 

— Jonathan Sackett

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