Judah and the Lion – “Over My Head”: I heard this song for the first time live at Nashville’s “Music City Midnight” event. My friends weren’t fans of the band, but I liked the energy from the song and thought it worked well as a set opener. Banjo has never sounded so good on a synthpop anthem. Make no mistake, though—these guys rock. And! Here’s a bonus—Darren King (that Darren King) drums on their forthcoming record.

Carried by 6 (Sarob, Joey Aich, Trek Manifest, Dom Deshawn) – “It’s Only Right”: This song is a lot to take in. It’s a who’s who of Ohio hip-hop. It’s a lot of things. Even in its barely three minute length, I find myself struggling to articulate how I feel. I know there’s angst present. I know it’s gnarly. This song is one of those compositions with a “fire beat,” but I have a hard time picturing myself using this as something to work out to. Merely using the song as an adrenaline booster feels like I’m selling it short. Maybe I am. Listen and pay attention.

More Fatter – “Yeah You”: That title might not tell you much about the song, and the band name might confuse you. To borrow some lingo from a decade ago and make a dad joke about this music, this song is PHAT. The band should be called More Phatter, since the song is just that rich with soul, color, and infectious, upbeat vibes. The band is here to single you out—get out of the winter blahs and enjoy life!

Farrah – “Under Pressure”: Want a pure fire pop song with a bit of a twist? Farrah is here to fill that need. She doesn’t shy away from her Iranian heritage, though she was born in Leeds and now resides in London, UK. Farrah writes club bangers, and this song is a mid tempo groover that will fit well in most late night playlists. I need to be better versed in music that comes from her family’s background—but there’s no denying that the character of her heritage comes forth in this tune. The effect is smooth sailing, with bursts of color on the horizon.

Wyland – “Nowhere Now”: I’ve seen this band in so many places over the years running this blog, and yet still no one seems to know who they are. Watching this video, though, it isn’t for want of good songwriting. This is one of those pop rock songs that feels more straightforward than it is. It’s full of little nuggets of instrumental wandering, yet it marches on steadfastly. I could see this band pairing well on a bill with Faintheart from Kansas City. If you don’t know who they are, I’ll concur with those who have said that this band would suit fans of Coldplay and Snow Patrol—old Coldplay, though.