Everything (Not Really)

(EverythingNR)

Deardon’s Number by Rocket Rules sits right in a musical sweet spot for me. It blends tweepop, shoegaze textures, and female-led indie rock in a way that feels both dreamy and energetic. The guitars often sound like they’re channeling the jangly spirit of The Smiths, but buried under a hazy layer of fuzz that gives the whole album that warm shoegaze glow.
What makes the record work so well is how it balances two musical impulses at once. On one level, there’s a bright indie ... read more

This one feels like it could have drifted in from the early 90s in-between Ride and The CocteauTwins. It sits comfortably in that dreamy space that straddles shoegaze and indie rock. FUzzy guitars, driving rhythms, and ethereal vocals that hover just above the noise but also sound layered underneath. There are also some very strong pop melodies tucked inside the distortion.

Despite the hazy sound, the songs themselves are sharp and memorable. “Maze” was a highlight for me. It has ... read more

I mostly knew this band for their big hit and never gave them much deeper thought before this. Listening front to back, it’s a solid mix of alt-rock anthems, danceable grooves, and moments that lean into 60s pop influence filtered through early 90s British club energy. There’s a kind of communal, arms-in-the-air vibe running through parts of it — almost hooligan dance music at times — but it also knows when to pull back into something more reflective.

“Come ... read more

This was a new one for me, and it hits like a house fire. Grimy, loud, noisy rock that feels dark and slightly unhinged. The production almost sounds bootleg — vocals half-buried beneath walls of guitar and pounding drums. It doesn’t smooth anything out or offer clarity. It just burns.

“There Is No Floor” grinds forward relentlessly. “The Perfect Needle” is thick and sludgy. “Threadbare” explodes without warning. “Violence” feels like ... read more