“F.I.Y.E.” (single)

SOCIAL is a brand new Atlanta, GA-based indie-pop band and “F.I.Y.E.” is their slick debut single that sounds perfectly hand-crafted for summer. Combining 80s synth-pop washes, a pulsating bassline, and a super captivating chorus, “F.I.Y.E.” (short for “Fire In Your Eyes”) feels like an energetic sonic wave that’s just waiting to carry you away for a few short minutes. In fact, even clocking in at just over 4 minutes, the relaxed atmosphere of the track makes me long for another 80s staple - an “extended 12” instrumental dance edition” type of remix that would carry the run-time out into double digits. Make it happen, guys!

“Friend Zone” (single)

Man, Gospel Lee’s “Friend Zone” is hands-down one of the catchiest hip-hop tracks to ever grace our site. Lee’s lyrics quickly vacillate between humor, honesty, and truth, his vocal flow plays off the beats perfectly, and the backing track is super poppy and hook-filled. The first-person narrative allows Lee to put hefty emotion into his delivery and it makes the “word to the wise” advisory lines sprinkled throughout the track to come across authentically. Also included is a “digital b-side” called “Elastic Friends” - a remix of “Friend Zone” chopped up with Sia’s “Elastic Heart” that’s totally worth a listen as well.

Rad Skater Apocalypse (Original Soundtrack)

Oh, the gems lurking within the sonic catacombs of NoiseTrade! If you grew up loving the distinct bleeps and bloops of 8-bit video games and dance-inducing chip-tune music, then the soundtrack to Rad Skater Apocalypse by Analog Sheep has been waiting for you, my friends! Analog Sheep is really just a one-man operation (Istanbul’s Guney Ozsan) and alongside the three transformative tunes from the game is “I Miss My Amiga 500” - Ozsan’s ode to the infamous Commodore gaming console.

Einstein’s Cat (eBook)

Tom Skinner’s playful poetry collection Einstein’s Cat promises “short poems for smart minds” and it delivers on that promise in spades. Skinner subscribes to the Silversteinian school of youthful humor, left-of-center rhyming choices, and absurdist premises, so his poems are both engaging and enjoyable to read. Skinner often takes the opportunity to speak directly to the reader in his humorous “author notes” scattered throughout as well.