Originally Published on June 16, 2026

The music industry have acclimated to the idea that Friday is “New Release Day,” largely in part to Spotify. Artists, labels, etc have adapted and that is when we typically see the release of new music. The internet pushes so much out and moves so fast that it feels like what should serve as recent memory feels distant.

That being said, it wasn’t that long ago that new music released on Tuesdays. Release days were so special because those new releases would carry listeners through the week. Not just music, but films that were being released for distribution via DVD or VHS would also drop on Tuesdays.

Tuesday also happens to be Election Day here in the USA. For the international readers not familiar with our election process, during the year of a presidential election, we have a day that has been nicknamed “Super Tuesday” during primaries because there are 11 states who hold their primary elections on that day. It’s significant because Super Tuesday gives us a clear view of who the next candidates to run for POTUS will be. It just so happens that one of the releases today is entitled Election Day.

So, let’s dig in:

Shapeshifter ~ Menna

We are 45 DAYS OUT from the release of The Minstrel, the highly anticipated debut album of Nashville indie artist, Menna. For those unfamiliar, Menna is an artist who has achieved some sensational milestones as an independent artist. She pulls a big crowd every time she performs, she has opened for mainstream talent like Avril Lavigne, and she is steadily listened to, with monthly listeners ranging from 25 to 75 thousand monthly listeners and several songs having been streamed more than a million times.

Menna has single releases dating back to 2018, but she is gearing up to release her debut album, The Minstrel, on July 31st. In September, Menna debuted her lead single, Wicked Love, and since that time, we have heard 6 new singles that will be featured on this highly anticipated release. Well, today makes release number 7 (fear not, the album will feature 20 songs)

Shapeshifter releases today, June 16th, and runs at around 2:30. It features a vocal performance by Menna who is accompanied by a blend of synths, guitars, and a variety of different programmed percussions.

Shapeshifter has a few really incredible moments. First and foremost, Menna is unquestionably one of the best vocalists I’ve ever heard. There’s not a genre she can’t sing, and she is capable of showing her audience a different look at the snap of a finger. In Shapeshifter, she has these really impressive pre-chorus and chorus performances that are complete with this dynamic delivery of lyrics. She pushes a lot of words out in a very short amount of time and the lyrics are clearly sung in this very cool, rhythmic performance. She gives us two different looks for her verses as well. The first verse feels like a precursor to the vibe of the song, while the second hits this sort of sustained moment where she almost slows it down, really capturing each moment of the song independently.

Shapeshifter, gives us one more peek at what we can expect on July 31st when The Minstrel is finally available for us to hear. This song is dance heavy with influences of R&B and alt pop pulling the sound together. I think it is safe to say this album is going to be incredibly special and I really just can’t wait to hear it.

Pre-Save The Minstrel on Spotify

SHE ~ Jepz

A little more than a month ago, I was writing an article featuring another release of Danish indie artist, Jepz. It was significant then because he is an artist who is very methodical on how he releases his music. He has only ever released singles and he usually lets a little bit of time go between his releases.

Last month, I expressed an interest in hearing a multi-track release like an EP from Jepz. Though he didn’t allude to the release of an EP or album, he did tease that he would have more new music down the pipe coming sooner than I would have thought. It appears he kept his promise.

SHE released today and runs just under 2 minutes long. Jepz performs his traditional vocal style that’s not quite rap, not quite R&B, but also heavily influenced by both of those genres. His sound has a striking similarity to the late Mac Miller, with a flow that feels like it would fit better in a jazz or blues bar, rather than a dance club.

SHE also seems to move in something of a different direction for Jepz, lyrically. In other songs, he often seems to touch on internal feelings; doubts, depressions, insecurities. With SHE, he is honed in onto the object of his affection: his partner, Maria (AiramFM).

Good to his word, Jepz has dropped another new single in a little more than a month. I’m here for it. I’m looking forward to hearing more.

Election Day ~ Lily Seabird

I know it’s going to be a good day when that day consists of new Lily Seabird music to listen to. Fresh off of the heels of another single release, Demon in Me, which has pulled 50,000 streams in just 3 months, she is back with another new release that gives us a completely new look, ahead of a NEW LP slated to release in September/October!!!

Lily Seabird is an artist I believe in. Full stop. Since I stumbled across her music on Spotify last Spring (seriously, fuck Spotify but thank you for that), I’ve watched as she has feverishly toured the US, bouncing from the east coast to the west coast. Not only was she one of my top 5 Spotify artists last year, but I bought both of her albums on vinyl, I bought both of her albums on bandcamp, and I’ve featured her a couple of times here. I believe in this artist.

I’m not the only one either. Shortly after I reviewed her album, Trash Mountain, last year she was featured in an article for the iconic Rolling Stone magazine. She has a steady flow of monthly listeners, usually between 10 and 25 thousand. She is a uniquely talented singer and songwriter. There is much to believe in and I’m not the only one catching on.

Election Day released today and it runs at a little more than 4:40. It features Seabird on vocals and guitars, accompanied by bass and drums. It was released through the indie label, Lame-O Records.

Right from the start, Election Day is different. Momentarily leaning away from the acoustic, folk sound we are so accustomed to, it starts with a fuzzy electric guitar that stirs the ancestral anarchy of alt rock giants. At times it feels like The Bends, then Ten, and then Mellon Collie. Pulling from every direction, Lily Seabird’s authentic core is the gravity holding this sonic solar system together.

Like the NY Times best seller, Dylan Goes Electric! it wouldn’t be too far off to exclaim Seabird’s Gone Grunge! but, honestly, that wouldn’t be entirely true. In 2021, she released an independent EP, Beside Myself, which was a bit more of an alternative project. I also feel that grunge is at the core of a lot of what Seabird does with her songwriting still today. After all, she isn’t just one thing. Her music transcends.

As Election Day builds, Seabird’s voice builds with the music. The twangy soul of her performance is still there, but she begins to sing through her exasperations, leaving it all out on the table by the end of the song. The gentle fragility melts away and all that’s left is angst.

It’s a new depth that confirms that Lily Seabird is just different. It is her, then it is everyone else.

Pre-Order Lightspheres on Their Way on CD, Vinyl, or Limited Edition Vinyl!!!