With this list, I have listened to 120 new bands and songs. And I have barely scratched the surface. (Actually, as you read these words, I have TWELVE 30-song lists assembled. Expect to see a LOT more of these in the near future.)

The majority of the bands here came by way of my Instagram page. I encourage you to take a deeper dive into what you like and support these up and coming bands. Please enjoy both my YouTube and Spotify playlists.

DEGRAY, “Every Night.” What seems languid is more deliberate. A synthesizer swirls around a brutal drumbeat while the vocals plod forward with authority. Thing is, it’s much better than that sounds.

ZUDOCKS, “Dirty Shoes.” Feels like something out of the Wilco family. Medium-tempo indie with subtle roots in Americana. Is there a little R.E.M. in there, too? Perhaps.

FRACTURE PLANE, “The Other Side.” Goth-rooted Stoner Rock. Perfect for that motorcycle ride across the desert. The “chugs” don’t let up for an instant. Therein lies the cool.

CHRIS COMET, “Pleiades Calling.” Anthemic guitar and voice wail into the stratosphere. Well executed top to bottom. 

ROBOHANDS, “Object.” Music for skulking through an alley, looking cool as you do so.

MINES, “The Doctrine.” Raw and aggressive alt-rock channeling the spirit of the nineties. All heads shall bang! 

Cersei, “Sick.” What’s that? You miss the heyday of Korn? Well, I’ve got just the thing! Brutal and relentless. 

OUR-FI, “Slow Down.” Pure synth tracks, ideal for the starship’s docking maneuvers, as both it and the space station sync up their rotations for a perfect landing.

LeeSOUNDS, “Heartbeat.” A nice, chill groove with a killer bottom end. No doubt musicians will want to add their own layers to the existing tracks. 

WRECKLESS STRANGERS, “Dirty Soul.” Straight out of Memphis by way of Muscle Shoals. Perfect for that evening at the blues bar that also happens to serve great Cajun food and beer. Crack open that Tabasco sauce and dig into the groove. 

#cirdecsongs

If you enjoy this or any of my other content, please take a second to leave a comment”like.” It really helps my algorithm. Thanks!

If you would like to have your music reviewed or have your band photographed while in Chicago, contact me at cirdecsongs@gmail.com