New Austin Music - June 26, 2025

Words by Joseph Rocket, Alyssa Quiles and Anna-Kay Reeves.

Howdy y'all. Glad to see everyone alive and hope you and all of yours are safe.

June was a big month in Austin for a lot of different reasons. We hope you can get a little bit of a reprieve here. Read, listen, enjoy.

As always, we have some new music, some a little less than new, but all of it is great.

— Jojoseph

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(Rocket)

Macy Todd - something pretty (single) | LISTEN HERE

Macy Todd made a song for driving in the rain while basking in the rays of sunlight stealing the sky back. She's good at that.

The lyrics contain a melancholy longing for something more worthwhile. When paired with the track’s indie-pop fusion, the listener will fall into a feeling of both hopeless optimism and optimistic hopelessness. It made me feel similar to how I felt the first time I really listened to “Soak Up the Sun” on the radio. Macy Todd’s “something pretty” is equally catchy, so be warned.

Terra Cognita - Dark Ages (single) | LISTEN HERE

“Dark Ages” is a song for modern-day wizards to put on while they have steamy, passionate wizard sex. It has a low-fi feel with soothing vocals, creating an ambience of a dark, stormy affair. Every instrument used adds another layer to a masterfully created track. From the beat that sets the perfect pace to a heavy night in your castle to the strings that will haunt your dreams, you can tell Terra Cognita put their soul into here.

They also released their album “Primum” just last month. It’s fantastic and absolutely worth checking out.

Tomfurd - a song to let go 2 (single) | LISTEN HERE

Tomfurd’s sophomore single is simple, short and catchy. The track immediately takes us by the hand with a cheery bass groove to stroll through downtown with. Then you hear the vocals with a purposeful fuzzy feeling to them, with a blend of baritone voice and an almost conversational delivery reminiscent of Morrissey. This song feels like a daydream in all the right ways.

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(Quiles)

Maru Haru – Dearly Belated (album) | LISTEN HERE

Grunge, shoegaze and gothic fairytales collide in the group’s debut album release. The band mixes brooding rhythms with distorted melodies, evoking both feelings of intimacy and unease. From the twisted lullaby of “The Ballet” to the decaying desire of “Mildew,” Maru Haru's "Dearly Belated" lingers like a dream just on the edge of nightmare and turns the idea of decay into something strangely romantic and haunting.

Bee Blackwell - Nine Lives (EP) | LISTEN HERE

With the release of the Nine Lives EP, Bee Blackwell showcases her growth as an indie alt-rock artist through raw emotion and sharp songwriting. Recorded in just three days, the 4-song album blends gritty guitar riffs with introspective lyrics about survival and self-discovery. Blurring the line between strength and softness, each track offers an emotionally raw yet sharply composed dynamic.

Grackles – There Will Be Time (single) | LISTEN HERE

Grackles deliver a glimpse into the upcoming Grackles Deux: The Grackling with their latest single “There Will Be Time”. As one of the first recorded for their new album, the track captures effortless chemistry and flow within the band. With rich guitars and a steady backbeat, the group creates an immersive atmosphere filled with harmonies. Whether you’re familiar with their earlier work or just discovering them, this single offers a captivating snapshot into the band’s rich, nuanced style.

Almost Heaven – LOVE ON THE RUN (Single) | LISTEN HERE

Almost Heaven’s newest single, “Love On The Run,” offers steady beats and layered instrumentation to create a spacious, immersive backdrop. Weaving shimmering synths with a driving tempo, the duo create a rich, textured soundscape. While the vocals carry a quiet intensity, the track unfolds with a cinematic feel. 

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(Kay-Reeves)

Horsetail - Texas Bisexual Blues (single) | LISTEN HERE

Right out of the gate, Horsetail’s first-ever single “Texas Bisexual Blues” is touchingly unpretentious and well-crafted. With vocals that tend toward speaking and melodic twanging guitar, the song has the air of a conversation between the lyrical and instrumental parts. Both topically and musically, “Texas Bisexual Blues” joins the ranks of the growing “y’allt rock” (alt-rock + y’allternative) genre thriving in Austin.

Stay tuned for an in-depth review of Horestail’s four-song debut EP, Four Horses, and catch them at their release show at Hole in the Wall on July 3.

Pelvis Wrestley - Inside Over (EP) | LISTEN HERE

Nonbinary sweetheart Pelvis Wrestley’s music is like if Bjork had a baby with Broken Bells and then that baby was raised by Bruce Springsteen. Their latest release “Inside Over” takes us around and about prepositions, arguably the most conceptual part of speech. (How do you explain “through” as a concept?)  The song opens with a mashup of angelic choirs, harps, and flutes, embellished later on with steel pedal. “Inside Over” is moody and meditative, and would fit delightfully in on a Baz Luhrmann soundtrack.

Don’t miss queer country angels Pelvis Wrestley and Next of Kin June 26 at the Long Center!

Kathryn Legendre - Here’s Your Honky Tonk (single) | LISTEN HERE

Nasty guitar, a-rockin’-and-a-rollin, a little fiddle – sure enough, here’s your honky tonk. Two-steppers and bar flies alike know, the world is always in dire need of a good time sung by a powerhouse woman. “Here’s Your Honky Tonk” is the title track on honky tonk veteran Kathryn Legendre’s upcoming album to be released June 27. Catch the album release show at the White Horse this Saturday the 28th. Silverada at midnight! 

Matt Tedder – AlGotNoRhythm (Single) | LISTEN HERE

A beautifully executed concept song, “AlGotNoRhythm” delves into authenticity in the age of the algorithm. The song sings the sad tale of Al, who “traded his heart for zeroes and ones and ever since… can’t cut no rug.” Clever without being heavy handed, “AlGotNoRhythm” is enjoyable whether you catch onto the word play or not. The soft, distant quality of Matt Tedder’s vocals on this track gives the song a vintage feeling that makes me want to crack open a cold one and talk shit on the front porch.

Catch Matt Tedder most Sundays at Sagebrush after Double Or Nothing Two Step dance lessons. 

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Alright y'all we're gonna head out. Be safe out there, and be good to each other. See ya soon!