BY: DIGITAL WAX MEDIA STAFF

 

The FRESH WAX RECAP is back and is absolutely packed to the brim this week. With well over a dozen new (and new to us) music submissions and releases from creators on the cutting-edge of modern artistic expression, your new favorite artist/track could very well be waiting in the midst of this week’s feature.

Without further ado, we present the FRESH WAX RECAP for February 21, 2025!

 

JOHN SPLITHOFF – “PLATEU” “SAME PAGE”

 

 

Virgin Records recording artist, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist John Splithoff has released a pair of highly listenable new singles in the form of “Plateu” and “Same Page.” The tracks are the latest taste of the accomplished songwriter’s upcoming album, Far From Here.

 

M ROSS PERKINS – “I DON’T WANNA BE SO HIGH”

 

Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist M Ross Perkins released his newest single this week, “I Don’t Wanna Be So High.” The tune is the first to be heard from the artist’s highly anticipated upcoming LP, What’s the Matter, M Ross? set to be released through Colemine Records.

 

 

RADIO VISION – “AIN’T IT FUNNY”

 

 

Michigan-based modern psychedelic rock act, Radio Vision pulls from an array of influences to create a “uniquely explosive kaleidoscope of sound.” The band is made up of drummer Stirling Larson, bassist/keyboardist Dan Johnson, guitarist Haji Habiju, and vocalist/guitarist Ben Stephenson.

 

THE SURE FIRE SOUL ENSEMBLE – “FREDDIE”

 

 

Colemine Records’ The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble continue the rollout to the band’s upcoming LP, Gemini with the expressive new single, “Freddie.” The tune hits all the familiar marks that only TSFSE can, and provides an exceptionally crisp and swinging performance from drummer Jacob Najor.

 

ORBIT – SPACEFUNKTRONICA

 

 

 

SpaceFunkTronica sounds exactly how one might expect it to sound. Expansive, funk-embellished instrumental cuts go glacial for Orbit in what surely must be the music of the future. SpaceFunkTronica is made up of Sean Lucero and Chris Nixon.

THE BOMBILLAS – “HATIF” “

 

 

F-Spot Records band, The Bombillas released their latest on Friday. “Hatif” is backed by “Kidi Bloom,” making for a pair of tracks that bring the listener on an instrumental, metaphysical journey for sonic explorations of loss, death, God, and more. The single is available for purchase now on 7” vinyl.

 

 

ROCKETT MAFIA – “I THINK I LOVE YOU”

 

 

Poison drummer Rikki Rockett has teamed up with guitarist Mick Swede, bassist Bryan Kimes, and guitarist Brandon Gibbs for his latest project, The Rockett Mafia. The band’s very first release, a re-imagining of the 1970 tune “I Think I Love You” hit airwaves this week and applies a bold new arrangement to a song primarily known for its association with the classic television series, The Partridge Family.

 

BRENNA MENZ – “FADING”

 

 

Self-described “professional overthinker and oversharer,” Brenna Menz also happens to be one heck of a singer-songwriter. Known for wearing her heart on her sleeve, Menz weaves her own experiences through captivating melodies to establish a distinct musical world for listeners.

 

M. TODARO – BELLS: SELECTED WORKS

 

 

An expressive songwriter spanning the realms of indie pop, folk, rock, and more, M. Todaro’s bring a modern pop sensibility to a rock-based aesthetic filtered through the lens of a bare-bones, DIY creative. M. Todaro’s work is available on major streaming platforms.

 

 

WILL HESSEY – “MAXIMUM HYPERDRIVE”

 

 

Songwriter and musician Will Hessey packs an inordinate amount of content into just under four-and-a-half minutes with his latest single, “Maximum Hyperdrive.” From electronic to blues, experimental, boom-bad balladry, and speed rock, “Maximum Hyperdrive” sounds like a Frank Zappa fever dream come to life in the modern day, in the best possible way.

 

THE MOLEMEN OF PHILADELPHIA – THE MOLEMEN OF PHILADELPHIA 2: LIVIN’ LA VIDA MOLEMAN

 

 

The peculiarly named Molemen of Philadelphia can be fairly difficult to define. A decidedly quirky, indie-rock/folk duo made up of musicians Joseph Michael Nippert and Nate Makes Noise, The Molemen of Philadelphia are pretty tongue-in-cheek in all that they do, and as such, it can be difficult to discern how much of it is meant to be taken seriously. The effort put into the work itself is undeniable, however. If you’re after something a little left field in a sea of sameness, the Molemen might just be for you.

 

DONNER AND THE DEVIL – “LAID TO WASTE”

 

 

The brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Dan Walsh, Donner & the Devil embraces darker sonic elements in an amalgam of prog-rock, blues, jazz, symphony music, and various other stylistic grey areas to create an intense and distinctive musical experience. Donner & the Devil’s work can be heard on all major streaming platforms.

 

SABIN – “THE LIFTED WEIGHT

 

 

A versatile artist who works in an array of styles, Sabin encapsulates his own personal experiences in an arena of sound. The results are raw and fluid, with seemingly disparate instrumentation coalescing to create seldom before seen musical colors which serve as a vehicle for the artist’s songwriting. Sabin’s work is available on major streaming platforms.

 

 

RUSS GLENN – “HALF-LIFE”

 

 

A Texas-based Americana/indie/folk artist, Russ Glenn’s work is a sort of energized roots music that has hints of early Vampire Weekend and power pop pioneer. These elements often combine to bring about exuberant pop rock that sticks with listeners.

 

 

WESTERN JAGUAR – “MELANCHOLIA” 

 

 

Western Jaguar’s work offers a particular expressiveness conveyed by way of rich, orchestral synths, with a modern indie/pop rock vocal approach. Equal parts symphonic, enrapturing, and palatable/engaging, Western Jaguar’s own characterization of the music as, “joyfully sad, yet joylessly happy” essentially hits the nail on the head.

 

ELECTRIC CRICKET – FOR RECREATIONAL USE ONLY

 

 

Dirty indie rock with a pop aesthetic could in-part describe the musical aesthetic of Electric Cricket, a project comprised of musicians Kevin John’s Knapp and Brett T Fiero. The group’s latest release, For Recreational Use Only provides a healthy dose of the group’s guitar-heavy sound, and is available to stream now.

 

THE NEW MADRID FAULT LINE – TERRORIZER

 

 

Aggressive, intense noise rock with elements of prog and industrial metal comprise what can only be described as the attack of The New Madrid Fault Line’s Terrorizer. The denser sections are offset by acoustic-based breaks, which endow the denser sections with and even greater sense of gravity.

 

KURT FORTMEYER – “FIRST NAME BASIS (WITH THE BLUES)”

 

Singer-songwriter Kurt Fortmeyer brings the spirit of Randy Newman to his tunes, which are endeared by the singer’s distinctive drawl and notable humorist sensibility. These characteristics are on full display throughout Fortmeyer’s latest album Still Not Out of the Woods, which features the swaying 6/8 semi-ballad “First Name Basis (With the Blues.)”

 

 

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