discovering and sharing the music that moves us

Author: Ambur Masen

Ambur Masen is a freelance writer whose "Breaking Waves" column aims to document wave music history as it unfolds. She is also a Hudson Valley local who loves nothing more than driving up and down the Thruway with her windows down, blasting the latest & greatest from the electronic underground. She is currently publishing with MendoWerks, Lightwood, The Electric Hawk, and others.
Retrograde is Over, but You’re Still Feeling Emo? Redhook & First and Forever Got You Covered.
26Oct By Ambur MasenNo Comments
Music

Retrograde is Over, but You’re Still Feeling Emo? Redhook & First and Forever Got You Covered.

Welcome to Ambur's Release Radar's Greatest Hits: Vol 1! Today, I would like to thank Spotify's "Release Radar" for bringing two singles to my attention: "Sentimental Surgery" by Redhook & "Sick Little Games" by First and Forever. It always warms my inner emo kid's heart when Spotify introduces me to new music that's reminiscent of the tunes I listened to when I was growing up. Since I was a teenager in the 2000's-2010's, that means bands like My Chemical Romance, Green Day, Mayday Parade, Paramore, Fall Out Boy, The Used, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus... You get the idea. If you're like me, and emo really wasn't "a phase, Mom!", then you're going to want keep reading--and to check out these new singles from Redhook & First and Forever. Redhook & "Sentim...
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ICYMI: We Now Have Two Epic New Singles from the Upcoming STARSET Album, HORIZONS.
26Sep By Ambur MasenNo Comments
Music

ICYMI: We Now Have Two Epic New Singles from the Upcoming STARSET Album, HORIZONS.

STARSET, the cinematic rock band known for their expansive worldbuilding, intricate spacesuits and immersive concert experiences, is set to release their fourth studio album, HORIZONS, on October 22 via Fearless Records. Friday, September 24th, marked the release of their 3rd single from the album, "LEAVING THIS WORLD BEHIND". It was most recently preceded by "THE BREACH", which was released on September 10th. Check out both September releases below on Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Od_dO3ENJo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWkbUMQ4-88&feature=emb_title FOURTH STUDIO ALBUM HORIZONS ARRIVES OCTOBER 22 A continued voyage through a captivating narrative, HORIZONS delivers a cinematic soundscape that accompanies the listener throu...
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Mark Your Calendars: vibe.digital’s 100th Episode is Here.
10Sep By Ambur MasenNo Comments
Interviews, Music

Mark Your Calendars: vibe.digital’s 100th Episode is Here.

Clear your schedule, because we have plans this weekend. We finally know who is going to be playing for us live on Twitch this Sunday, September 12th, for vibe.digital's 100th Episode: Into The Vibe. Fans of wave music have been waiting for weeks, speculating. vibe.digital themselves kept the hype going from day one. But now we know. Our 100th episode of the livestream / podcast is September 12th, and it will be special.Details, lineup, giveaways, and other goodies to be revealed in the coming days and weeks.Keep it Vibe. Keep it locked. pic.twitter.com/tL31JdeV39— vibe.digital (@vibedigitalUSA) August 14, 2021 There is a correct guess or two. We announce tomorrow. https://t.co/V1Fny5xdQr— vibe.digital (@vibedigitalUSA) September 6, 2021 While I was person...
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The Great New York State Fair Presents: Grandson!
9Sep By Ambur MasenNo Comments
Music

The Great New York State Fair Presents: Grandson!

The crowd gathered in front of the Chevy Park stage at the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse, NY was brought to life last Monday night, thanks to Grandson, a Canadian-American alt rocker-slash-activist, whose socially-conscious music is equal parts empowering and electrifying. (c) J_Kaye15 on twitter grandson talking to the crowd during ‘In Over My Head’ today at the New York State Fair in Syracuse, NY ©️ 95xsyracuse pic.twitter.com/uOp6utzVKe— ✖️grandson news✖️ (@grandsonnews) August 31, 2021 It seems like Grandson, also known as Jordan Benjamin, is everywhere lately. Not only has he collaborated with countless artists like Mike Shinoda, Kennyhoopla, K.Flay, and Vic Mensa, but he also has two tracks featured in the latest Suicide Squad film. Grandson is a...
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Saint Slumber Released an Off-Beat, Alt Pop New Single, “freak!” ft. 100+ of Their Fans
8Sep By Ambur MasenNo Comments
Music, Reviews

Saint Slumber Released an Off-Beat, Alt Pop New Single, “freak!” ft. 100+ of Their Fans

Saint Slumber has always been in a category of their own. They have a special blend of alternative rock and dark, electronic pop that I have never heard anywhere else. They're always doing something new that surprises me and this new single, "freak!", is no different. Blending over 100 fan voices into a choir for the track, Saint Slumber's latest release is more than a song: it's a force to be reckoned with. Check it out on Spotify below-- https://open.spotify.com/track/5oAnYRa5iZUjKG9wK0QIE5?si=Dppo0HlvSDaVufB36agPlw&utm_source=copy-link&dl_branch=1 In short, "freak!" is an offbeat anthem of total self-acceptance and is a welcome sight to see in my Spotify library. It came two long months after "never / nowhere", the last Saint Slumber single. "I don't know wh...
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ICYMI: Alt Rock Band THE HARA Dropped a Cinematic New Single, “Fool & The Thief”
2Sep By Ambur MasenNo Comments
Music, Reviews

ICYMI: Alt Rock Band THE HARA Dropped a Cinematic New Single, “Fool & The Thief”

THE HARA has a new single out and it is definitely one of my favorite August rock releases.... Emotionally-charged, high energy, and perfect for screaming along to--"Fool & The Thief" is everything I love about rock music. Check it out on Youtube below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-zOCetYwUk Released on August 20th through Scruff of the Neck Records, "Fool & The Thief" by THE HARA is somehow both contemplative and a call to action. It is perfectly cinematic in that way. The song builds on itself organically, layering in beautifully-blended instrumentals and powerfully-delivered vocals throughout. By the end of my first listen, I was awed by the sheer power and beauty of it. Clearly, I had to listen again... and again... and then send it to everyone I know. Befo...
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A Bandcamp Friday Exclusive: Just Connor’s “Platinum Angels” Pre-Release Was A Gift.
23Aug By Ambur MasenNo Comments
Interviews, Music, Reviews

A Bandcamp Friday Exclusive: Just Connor’s “Platinum Angels” Pre-Release Was A Gift.

Barely a month after his last single, the genre-defining wave producer Just Connor is at it again with his latest single, “Platinum Angels”, an upbeat, atmospheric track that’ll make your heart race. Trust me when I say this song is something you need to listen to right now. Check it out: Platinum Angels by Just Connor "Platinum Angels" was first made available as a special pre-release for August’s Bandcamp Friday. It will be available on streaming platforms later this summer. This track will get you up and out of your seat with its electrifying synths, addictive melodies and classic JC beats—all perfectly layered together at a pace that will make you MOVE. It is four minutes of pure bliss. Hearing it is a transformative experience. Defining a Genre & ...
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Are You Ready to Catch ‘The Feels’? KID BRUNSWICK’s Newest Music Video is Here.
20Aug By Ambur MasenNo Comments
Music, Reviews

Are You Ready to Catch ‘The Feels’? KID BRUNSWICK’s Newest Music Video is Here.

After weeks of coyly teasing fans with behind-the-scenes sneak peeks on social media, KID BRUNSWICK released the music video for “The Feel” today. Quirky and fun, the video is pure satire and provides commentary on modern dating culture without taking itself too seriously. Check it out– https://youtu.be/u7i4LLA6agc Over the course of the video, you see the rise and fall of a relationship in four minutes – all based on unspoken impressions and impulses. It ends just as quickly as it starts.  While it’s a direct reference to reality shows like The Bachelorette and Love Island, the chaos depicted can be directly applied to the “regular” dating scene as well. “Ever since I was young, I was intrinsically unhappy with who I was. I didn't understand why I felt that wa...
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