Not Old Memories Only Sound – Crack It Open
Not Old Memories Only Sound deliver a grunge-soaked blast of pure adrenaline on 'Crack It Open', a rock pop banger that hits like a fist wrapped in velvet.
'Crack It Open' wastes no time. The riff lands heavy from the first bar, all wonderful fuzz and forward motion. And the hazy layers of guitar wash blur the edges just enough to keep things dreamlike. Not Old Memories Only Sound sit right in the tension between '90s grunge punch and shoegaze drift, and they make it feel natural. It's definitely a pocket we love to find ourselves in. The verses hang back, moody and restrained, before the chorus crashes through with unrelenting force. There is weight here, real momentum, and I love the drums. The production keeps everything crisp, letting the guitars breathe even when they are roaring. Powerful alternative rock, reflective and immediate all at once.
Not Old Memories Only Sound, or N.O.M.O.S., is the project of Alex and Letícia, a husband-and-wife duo working out of Brasília, Brazil. They pull from Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Garbage and Softcult, channelling visceral '90s energy through a modern lens. 'Crack It Open' serves as the first single from their forthcoming album, File: Unsaved. The chemistry between them fuels a sound that feels both direct and immersive, raw emotion delivered through loud, melodic songwriting. An exciting voice emerging from Brazil's alternative scene, and we are keeping a close eye on what comes next.
Miss Verona – Bad For My Reputation
Miss Verona turns toxic attraction into a dancefloor weapon on 'Bad For My Reputation', a dark pop anthem with bags of attitude
Miss Verona knows exactly what she is doing here. 'Bad For My Reputation' rides a pulsing electronic beat that grooves along in style. It's all sleek synths and a bassline built for movement. The lyrics lean into the mess of wanting someone you know will wreck you, but instead of wallowing, she flips it into something defiant and fun. There's loads of character here, and her vocals cut through with confidence, equal parts playful and sharp, selling every line about chemistry that feels like addiction. The chorus lands hard and sticks harder. Slick dark pop, bold and very, very infectious.
Miss Verona is based in Los Angeles, bringing together pop, electronic rock, and dance influences into something with real cinematic punch. She has spent over a decade performing live across the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East, and that stage experience shows in how she delivers a track. Now she is focused on building her presence stateside through original releases and visual work, including a music video for this single that apparently takes the story somewhere darkly funny. Loads and loads of fun, and exactly the type of dark pop we need this year.
Nicosongs – In My Mind
Nicosongs delivers a stunning slice of Melbourne dream pop with 'In My Mind', a track that captures raw emotion and effortless chemistry in equal measure.
'In My Mind' opens with a lovely atmosphere and doesn't let go. The production from sb90 builds a shimmering, layered soundscape that sits somewhere between dream pop and contemporary commercial pop, synths washing over everything while Nicosongs' vocal cuts through with real emotional weight. I love the vibe here, the softest of synths, but some really compelling rhythmic production too. The whole thing came together in three hours, and you can hear that energy: spontaneous, alive, nothing overthought. And the melody? It's great. Gorgeous dream indie-ish pop.
Nicosongs is back with us again after 'Insane (sb90 Remix)' a few months back, and he's continuing to carve out his own space in Melbourne's indie scene. Heavily influenced by Lady Gaga's fearless approach to songwriting, he's already played The Workers Club and The Evelyn Hotel, and opened for Sam Perry. The collaboration with sb90 and mixing from Will Henderson gives this one a polished edge without losing any of the raw honesty that makes his music connect. We're really glad to have him on the blog, and on the strength of this one, we're excited to see what's next.
Horizon Beyond – Quiet Kind of Lost
Horizon Beyond's 'Quiet Kind of Lost' is a gorgeous slice of atmospheric dream pop, turning disconnection into something that glimmers
Horizon Beyond opens with fog and feeling. 'Quiet Kind of Lost' wraps intimate male vocals in cinematic synths, production that breathes and shimmers without ever crowding the emotional core. The lyrics sit with the weight of feeling untethered from yourself, carrying noise you never asked for, and the track never pretends to have neat answers. I love the idea that one step forward is enough - and how the chorus blooms without overwhelming. This one's stunning dream pop, reflective and emotionally grounded.
Horizon Beyond is an independent project out of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, exploring where emotion and technology meet. The music moves across alternative pop, atmospheric electronic and cinematic styles. There's a transparency here too: the project uses AI-assisted production tools alongside human-written lyrics, concepts and creative direction, and that blend of craft and experimentation gives the whole thing a distinctive edge. We're really glad to have this one on the blog, and excited to hear where Horizon Beyond goes next.