Molto Ohm

Reality Pills

Soap Library, 2026

8/10

Listen to Reality Pills

The Italian native and American resident Molto Ohm returns with a 2nd album, where his unconventional approach to pop never sits in one place too long.

The soft ambience of “Vantorinex” opens with Jachary’s contributions for the dreamy climate, and “Zorvitol” follows with layered vocals and mesmerizing beat that guides the experimental ideas.

In the middle, “Lunovarine” drones with intrigue via the darker spirit, while “Trivaxon” buzzes with glitchiness amid the melodic versus abstract gestures.

“Nezovyl” arrives late and enlists Aditya Chatterjee and Tanners for the introspective and lush album highlight, and “Velmirine” exits with a cosmic appeal that’s creative and universally enjoyable.

Every song is named after a fictional medicine, as Molto Ohm addresses how digital representations have become more compelling than reality itself, and his artistic and club rooted approach makes for blurry and avant-garde fun.

Travels well with: Babe Report- Did You Get Better; Somni- Gravity

Stephen Becker

Gravity Blanket

One Is Three, 2026

8/10

Listen to Gravity Blanket

The New York songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Stephen Becker returns with a 4th album, where some guests are on hand for the diverse songs that pull from childhood memories.

The cozy and folk friendly climate of “Bad Idea” starts with soft melodies and Jason Burger’s agile drumming, and “Careless” follows with a playful buzzing and Joanna Schubert’s well timed vocals adding much to the harmonic nature.

“Bike” arrives in the middle and offers a scrappy delivery that’s very much in tune with today’s version of indie-rock, while “Sinking” enlists Adam Hirsch’s strategic Lyricon via the waves of graceful ideas and gentle songwriting.

Moving close to the end, “I’ll See You Around” benefits from Hirsch’s clarinet and Michael Coleman’s piano across the rich and atmospheric album highlight, and “Now, But Not Forever” exits with Becker’s eloquent voice and acoustic guitar in a heartfelt and sincere finish.

A thoughtful effort that’s full of reflection, Becker pens an atypical version of indie-folk that reminded me of late period Elliott Smith, which is never a bad thing.

Travels well with: Fugue State- After Nothing Comes; Babe Report- Did You Get Better

Samuel Torres

Trio Libre

Blue Conga, 2026

9/10

Listen to Trio Libre

The percussionist and composer Samuel Torres is joined by Carmen Staaf and Felipe Fournier for these originals that surround our current sociopolitical environment.

The 6 chapters of “We The People” starts the listen with Staaf’s mesmerizing keys and Fournier’s playful vibes amid Torres’ unpredictable percussion that radiates a lush and reflective mood of grace and sophistication.

“Libre” arrives on the back half and blends the keys, vibes and drums with no lack of melodic gestures, while “Tu, Mi Vida Entera” finds a more intimate place to reside via the cautious piano, cozy vibes and cozy drumming that eventually invites harmonic singing.

“J.S. Bach: Duet No. 1 in E minor, (BWV 802)” exits, and it’s a meticulous and dynamic display of strong chemistry between the trio that puts a fresh coat of paint on the Baroque sounds.

Torres already has an exceptional resume with plenty of awards under his belt, and this enlightening effort will gain him even more attention, where chamber music and Afro Latin-American rhythmic ideas meet at a very exciting intersection.

Travels well with: Audrey Ochoa- The Sorceress; Jimmy Farace- Big Shoulders, Big Sounds

Fugue State

After Nothing Comes

Switch Hit, 2026

8/10

Listen to After Nothing Comes

This debut album from Fugue State, which is spearheaded by Dan Langa, recruits plenty of friends along for the indie, alt and experimental 10 tracks.

The ambient and reflective “Warmer” starts the listen with rich sax alongside a backdrop of hazy synth, and “In This Moment” follows with meticulous keys and radiant guitar that unfolds with a cinematic quality.

In the middle, “We Are Lasting” leads soft before the unpredictable voices and jarring bouts enter a cosmic mood, while “Dark” employs voices as an instrument amid the dreaminess.

Getting close to the end, “He Was Always So Precise” finds itself in free jazz territory via the firm keys, sax stabs and frisky guitar, and “Reflections” exits with waves of beauty weaved in between the many voices and lush instrumentation.

An artistic outing that relies much on processing, the collage of sounds present are reharmonized, sampled and distorted in exciting and unclassifiable ways.

Travels well with: Babe Report- Did You Get Better; Somni- Gravity

Daughter Of Swords

Dawnbreaker

Nonesuch, 2019

9/10

Listen to Dawnbreaker

Probably best known as 1/3 of the folk outfit Mountain Man, Alexandra Sauser-Monnig’s solo vehicle, Daughter Of Swords, began in 2017 when the songstress was in the midst of ending a relationship. Though she has been away from music in recent years, instead deciding to work on a farm, Dawnbreaker and a 2018 album from Mountain Man have her back in fine form and as articulate and expressive as ever.

“Fellows” starts the listen with soft acoustic guitar and raw vocals from Sauser-Monnig, and “Gem” follows with a fuller sound where a drum machine and playful guitar work well with the pretty, soaring vocals.

While Sauser-Monnig is certainly the focus of the tunes, on “Fields Of Gold” she gets plenty of help on guitars and percussion for a lush, indie-folk highlight, and the sparse “Grasses” really illustrates the strong vocal work present, and bares the most resemblance to Mountain Man.

The back half of the album is even better, with the soulful, country influenced “Easy Is Hard”, the frisky, summery setting of “Rising Sun”, and the minimalistic “Long Leaf Pine”, where a pair of backing vocals add greatly to the gentle elegance. The title track ends the listen just as it started, with Sauser-Monnig’s intimate vocals and inviting guitar work reeling us into her radiant beauty.

Though she had been on music hiatus for nearly a decade, Dawnbreaker is a stunning return to her art, that, while on the surface may seem like a hushed break up record, offers plenty of hope, change and even liberation amid her thoughtful, meticulous song craft.

Travels well with: Iron & Wine- Our Endless Numbered Days; The Shins- Chutes Too Narrow