Emotional Storms

Today’s picks are all about emotional extremes, songs that sit somewhere between pleading vulnerability and full-blown chaos. From Bob Desper’s haunting plea for compassion, to Stevan’s intoxicating portrait of a toxic love, to Wet Leg’s punchy, post-punk reckoning, each track offers a different lens on longing, conflict, and connection. They're raw, they’re real, and they stick with you long after the final note.

I love hot rocker girls. Wet Leg is exactly that. The band was formed in 2019 by best friends Rhian Teasdale (lead vocals/rhythm guitar) and Hester Chambers (lead guitar/vocals) while studying music on the Isle of Wight.

The band name is derived from island slang for 'wet leg' ferry-day visitors which was chosen in part to keep things light and remind themselves not to take life so seriously. Their debut album in 2022 was a smashing success winning a Grammy for Best New Alternative Album among multiple other awards.

‘mangetout’ is one of the standout tracks from their 2nd studio album that just released which features a drumbeat reminiscent of ’90s alt‑rock (think Smashing Pumpkins circa “1979”) and perfectly channels post‑punk and indie‑rock energy. The song is sharp and upbeat yet emotionally textured. moisturizer proves they’re no one‑trick indie breakout; it’s a confident second album that expands their sound, explores queer romance, and cements them as a lasting force in modern indie rock.

Listen on all major streaming platforms here!

This is the fourth single from Stevan’s EP, Arrested Development. It’s my favorite from the project so far on a production and lyrical level.

Clocking in at just over two minutes, the track feels like a late-night spiral wrapped in woozy production and emotionally raw vocals. It’s intimate and intense, capturing that feeling of being caught in a push and pull dynamic with someone who’s no good for you but, who you can’t seem to leave behind.

Written, produced, performed, and mixed entirely by Stevan, “Sand Storm” showcases the Sydney-based artist’s signature blend of soul, indie-pop, and experimental R&B. There’s something beautifully unsettling about the way he lets the beat breathe, using space and silence to mirror the emotional distance and tension in the relationship he’s describing. This one is a must save.

Listen on all major streaming platforms here!

Bob Desper is an obscure folk singer from Portland who made one, quietly beautiful album in 1974. “The World Is Crying Out for Love” stands out as a deeply emotional, piano-led single that emerged later in 2010 during a reissue of his work. It’s a hidden gem, for sure.

Also, I may be stretching it here but, something tells me that the viral TikTok trend, “I almost forgot this is what it’s all about” which features Matt Berry’s song, ‘Take My Hand’ is interpolated from this song. The song comes from an album released in 2011 just one year after Bob’s album was reissued. There are striking similarities in the chord structure…you listen an be the judge.

Listen on all major streaming platforms here!

Tyler, the Creator shows no signs of slowing down when it comes to stunning visuals. His latest video, directed alongside longtime collaborator Luis Perez, the visionary behind much of Tyler’s iconic visual aesthetic. Cameos from LeBron James, Maverick Carter, and Clipse add weight to the cinematic flair. The track comes off Don’t Tap the Glass, Tyler’s surprise ninth studio album, which dropped yesterday.

This is an image of Jimi Hendrix lighting his guitar on fire at Monterey Pop Festival, in Monterey, California, in 1967. I really would love to know the backstory here. Was it the drugs taking over? Did someone tell him to do it? Was it during a song? In between songs? Did anything else catch on fire? If anyone knows let me know!

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