By: Music Journalism Club

Every week our Music Director, Allison, chooses new releases to add to our music library. Here are some of the recent highlights, presented to you by WSUM’s Music Journalism Club.

Oddrove, Pop Amoeba

HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “The Same,” “Dime Guru” 

GENRE: Dream Pop, Bedroom Pop,

RIYL: Her’s, Duster, Car Seat Headrest

Ground floor alert! Oddrove only has 16 monthly listeners on Spotify at the time of writing this, so your chance to gatekeep is officially here. On Pop Amoeba, cheery, tambourine-laden tracks are swallowed and spit out by heavy reverb and gently shifting synth lines. The result is impressively layered. Most songs could stand alone as catchy, 60s-inspired Pop-rock tunes, but the ambient/effect work brings the Amoeba part of the album title into full view. The album art is also really fun and cements a Beatles’ Revolver influence. The chiller songs on this record, like “Neckst” and “Galaxy,” call to mind more contemporary indie acts with their spacy vocals and muted acoustic guitar. Songs like “Dime Guru” bring the energy way back up with more familiar bass and electric guitar tones, and give Pop Amoeba a truly impressive replay value.

As for the artist, his real name is Liam McNeer, and he describes the project as an exploration of the “homogenizing, sloppy, immortal circuitry of our age.” Dope.

— Adriana Mathiason

Ratboys, Singin’ to an Empty Chair

HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “What’s Right”, “Anywhere”

GENRE: Indie Rock, Indie Folk

RIYL: Wednesday, Wye Oak

Ratboys’ newest album Singin’ to an Empty Chair debuted on Feb. 6 2026 and is a great addition to their discography. It has the band’s classic sound while adding new elements to their music. Julia Steiner’s high and soft voice contrasts the powerful instrumentals perfectly, creating a comforting yet energetic feel in the music. This album is perfect for springtime when everything is coming back to life, with some of the songs having a countryish feel to them with somewhat twangy vocals and a similar sounding guitar. I highly recommend this album to anyone looking for some new music to listen to.

— Christine VanDen Heuvel

Ellur, At Home In My Mind

HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Dream Of Mine”, “The World Is Not An Oyster,” “Lonelier in Heaven”  

GENRE: Indie Pop, Singer-Songwriter

RIYL: Angel Olson, Julia Jacklin

British singer Ellur absolutely dazzled with debut album and 2026 release At Home In My Mind. Throughout the album, Ellur gives listeners a pleasant experience laden with catchy indie beats and smooth vocals. Opening with “God Help Me Now”, At Home In My Mind kicks things off with a classic indie rock/pop feel. Standout tracks like “The World Is Not An Oyster”and “Lonelier In Heaven” show off Ellur’s ability to paint an emotional picture and satisfying melody. The incredibly vulnerable title-track starts with a soft piano melody that builds as the song goes on and breaks out raw lyrics and vocals. The record is brimming with a soft comfort that it’s okay to not have everything figured out; it serves as a reminder of the uncertainty that comes with growing through life. 

— Catalina DeSua

Daphne Tunes, Volume D

HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Get To The Point”, “Year”, “Roadside”

GENRE: Indie Pop

RIYL: Slow Pulp, Whitney, Girls, Sun June, Wallows

Daphne Tunes newest album Volume D quickly became a new favorite of mine. Their soft indie, almost dreamlife feel instilled a sense of nostalgia in me while listening. I was reminded of high school and the album felt like the soundtrack to a coming of age movie, or something I would listen to on a warm summer night. Santiago Dietche’s voice has a softness to it that creates the dreamy and calm feeling that is very prominent in the album. Volume D is a must listen for any indie pop fan.

— Christine VanDen Heuvel