By WDCE Music Directors

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:: March 15, 2026

:: Teenage Bottlerocket — The Invisible Man

Genre: Skate Punk

Release: EP

Recommended Tracks: “Invisible Man,” “Pembrey’s Face,” “City at Night”

Who’d expect such Halloween horror come springtime? The Invisible Man is a quant, four-song-long EP wrapped-up with tongue-in-cheek lyricism and skateboard spirit. Despite the ghastly subject matter of “Pembrey’s Face” or the haunting hubris of “Invisible Man,” the EP has a certain “summer is right around the corner” vibe. It’s warm and bright — like a limited run, seriously unserious comic. Teenage Bottlerocket, Wyoming’s premier punk-rockers, blend the seasons and wear their own unique music skin. 

— Jonathan Sackett

War Child Records — HELP(2)

Genre: Contemporary

Release: Album

Recommended Tracks: “Opening Night,” “Let’s Do It Again!,” “Lilac Wine,” “The 343 Loop”

It was only until recently that I realized what exactly War Child Records is. WCR is a charity organization that raises money through music releases for children affected by conflict across the world. HELP(2) marks the 30 year anniversary of HELP, both of which feature some of the most prominent artists of the given generation. This iteration of the project enlists the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Damon Albarn, Beabadoobee, Big Thief, Olivia Rodrigo, and of course, the man of the hour: Cameron Winter. Such big talent produces such high quality music. Everyone stays in their own lane and makes their genre of music, not adapting to a record that’s out of their wheelhouse. On “Warning,” Cameron Winter sings with raw vocals + mono-instrumentals just as in Heavy Metal. King Krule produces a lo-fi, jazz-fusion instrumental track on “The 343 Loop,” very fitting to his style. Big Thief manufactured an emotional masterpiece as always on “Relive, Redie,” following the only weak track on the record: a Beabadoobee cover of “Say Yes” by Elliott Smith. As a big fan of both of these artists, I can say that it’s not Beabadoobee’s fault for trying to replicate perfection — there’s nowhere to go but down. This is an amazing, 23-track album that serves for a good cause. No matter what genre you care about, there will be an artist on this record you’ll like.

— Jacob Bennett

James Blake — Trying Times

Genre: Alt-R&B

Release: Album

Recommended Tracks: “Walk Out Music,” “Trying Times,” “Make Something Up”

James Blake has had a long and consistent career of soundscape sculpting, paying more attention to the collective mood of a song rather than the sum of its parts. Since his self-titled album from 2010, all the way up to this latest release, Blake has found inspiration in the cinematic. Tracks on Trying Times frequently possess the same low-pitch, droning electric bass cords, while glitchy hi-hats and Blake’s own falsetto vocals set the melody of the song. All of his vocals are heavily altered, producing a sci-fi solemn sound, with his lyrics and tone more reminiscent of downbeat blues music, yet with electronic tweaks completely changing the setting that Trying Times would be heard in. The title track, “Trying Times” stands out most to me. The production is comparatively traditional, with relaxed drums and guitars perfectly framing the angelic vocals, which hold no apparent alteration. James Blake does this well, walking the line of experimental and traditionally artistic, allowing each album to have its beautiful hits and its atmospheric accompaniments.

— Jacob Bennett

Solya — Queen of Texas

Genre: Alternative Pop

Release: Album

Recommended Tracks: “Tell Me It’s Over,” “Born Wicked,” “19”

In her debut album, Solya answers the question: “What would Lana sound like if she was from West Texas?”  — Jonathan Sackett

Flying Lotus — BIG MAMA

Genre: IDM

Release: EP

Recommended Tracks: “BIG MAMA,” “CAPTAIN KERNEL,” “BROBOBASHER”

Even though Flying Lotus has been in the production game for 20 years now, I didn’t recognize his skill until looking into who produced Kendrick Lamar’s “Wesley’s Theory” back in 2015. This feat of a funk-jazz rap fusion was a clue into Flying Lotus’ range in production, as well as an introduction to his span of influence on the hip-hop genre. As a frequent collaborator of Thundercat, Flying Lotus’ nu-jazz style beats more frequently back rap lyricists, confining his more experimental compositions to his own, featureless instrumental songs. BIG MAMA supports this claim, since this featureless EP is a cohesively tech-ridden, abstract project. “IN THE FOREST – DAY” could very well be part of an old Nintendo game soundtrack, whereas “BROBOBASHER” quite literally samples the home-run bat sound effect from Super Smash Bros. BIG MAMA is a video game soundtrack, composed of layered glitch tracks and 8-bit melodies, capturing and accompanying the high-energy visuals of a retro video game. The 36-second title track starts off this EP, launching you straight into the high-BMPs you should be expecting as the record continues. 

— Jacob Bennett

The Brook & The Bluff – Werewolf

Genre: Indie Rock

Release: Album 

Recommended Tracks: “Werewolf,” “Baby Blue,” “Change My Mind”

Feeling like a more energetic—and potentially mainstream sounding—version of their earlier albums, The Brook & The Bluff’s Werewolf did not completely suit my fancy. While some tracks stood the test of time, I feel as though the album was attempting to complete a genre fusion mission—by incorporating elements from contemporary country, indie rock, and pop. While I usually am up for an eclectic mix of tunes, the melding of music did not prove to create a symbiotic relationship. Specifically, the song “105” reminds me of a country tune, and not the soft sounds of the songs from First Place or Bluebeard. I understand the need to venture towards the experimental side of the mountain, nonetheless, if I wanted to listen to an indie Chris Stapleton, I am sure the mission would prove successful with another artist—not, The Brook & The Bluff, the band I used to listen to in the Spring time and find complete serenity. Instead of trying to “stick the landing” on a fresh sound, the band should have embraced the art of simplicity.         

— Sophia Sciulli

West 22nd – Time Machine 

Genre: SoCal Rock

Release: Single

Recommended Tracks: “Time Machine”

The song feels like summer, an indescribable moment when the sun is beaming on a seventy-five-degree day and you are swimming or kayaking in a lake with your three best friends. West 22nd’s other releases have felt like spring, an anticipatory and exciting feeling when the weather is consistently nice and you are about to prepare for finals. The songs are upbeat, lively, and quintessentially SoCal/Surf Rock. While the subtle acoustic guitar in “Time Machine,” coincides with the consistent relaxing feeling summer brings. I appreciate this single, because I enjoy a calmer tune on a mild May/June morning.     

—Sophia Sciulli

This is Lorelei, Power Snatch, Hayley Williams – Perfect Hand (Power Snatch Version)

Genre: Alternative

Release: Single 

Recommended Tracks: “Perfect Hand (Power Snatch Version)”

For the entirety of the song, I felt engrossed with the lyrical melody and the melodic drum beat in the background. Unfamiliar with some of the artists, I did not know what to expect, however, I was pleasantly surprised. The lyrics, “I’m not looking thirty, I’m looking one” resonated with me as the prospect of turning twenty feels daunting and abrupt. “Perfect Hand (Power Snatch Version)” explores preserving one’s individuality while simultaneously being part and parcel of a relationship.

— Sophia Sciulli

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