Tiberius Comforts Those Struggling With Profound Life Changes on Pastoral Emo Single “Sitting”

Tiberius, photo by Zoe Hopper


The most recent Tiberius album Troubadour was released through Audio Antihero on November 14, 2025. The record represents a benchmark in the development of Brendan Wright (they/them) as an artist and a full expression of the project as a full band. The song “Sitting” in particular showcases a sound on the album that one might describe as a kind of pastoral emo, a countrified shoegaze. The lyrics that truly sketch existential pain and an aching honesty with one’s grappling with the essential meanings and identities in life that once anchored you but which lose coherence when life seems to take you beyond what used to define you and you’re becoming comfortable with the changes even if it can seem scary at first. The guitar slides and impressionistic melodies paired with Wright’s thoughtful and passionate vocals strike the kind of mood that makes it feel okay not to have it all figured out and to have a sense of openness to what’s ahead. Listen to “Sitting” on Bandcamp and follow Tiberius at the links provided.

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The Noisy’s “Ballerino” is a Heartwarming and Affectionate Indie Rock Tribute to a New Romance

The Noisy, photo by Morgan Kelley

Philadelphia’s The Noisy released its new album The Secret Ingredient Is Even More Meat on October 24, 2025 via Audio Antihero. Lead singles “Ballerino” demonstrates an aspect of the band’s songwriting that perfectly displays its knack for a solid pop hook in the vein of 90s indie rock bands like Velocity Girl and The Breeders. The perfect blend of guitar grit and irresistibly melodic vocals and a buoyant spirit courses throughout the song along with a touch of wistful melancholia. But really it seems like a sweet and affectionate song recounting heartwarming memories of a romantic relationship. The music video has a playful, fantastical whimsical quality that thoroughly embodies the sentiments and energy of the song. Watch that video on YouTube and follow The Noisy at the links below.

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Avery Friedman Untangles the Gnarled Places in the Heart on “New Thing”

Avery Friedman, photo courtesy the artist

There’s a fragile sparkle, shimmer and grit in the guitar work in Avery Friedman’s “New Thing.” The song is the title track of her debut album (out April 18, 2025 via Audio Antihero on 12” vinyl, download and streaming) and it is like the signature song of the whole record. It’s melancholic in the way that feels like a letting go of the feelings that have held you back for so long. Before July 2024 Friedman hadn’t played a show but by then had found an impetus and inspiration to put the strong feelings she had been harboring into song and “New Thing” perfectly articulates a sense in oneself of needing to gently but with decisiveness and confidence to unravel the gnarls in one’s psyche that have been limiting one’s growth and healing. The vulnerability heard in the songwriting and Friedman’s vocals are a clear example of how that can be done by approaching the raw side of the psyche with a nurturing spirit and a sense of play. Listen to “New Thing” on Soundcloud and follow Avery Friedman at the links below.

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Avery Friedman’s “Photo Booth” is a Glittery and Entrancing Song About Daring to Coming Into Your Own

Avery Friedman, photo courtesy the artist

Avery Friedman takes us on what feels like a promising journey to wonderful and mysterious places from the beginning of “Photo Booth.” The song was written in the wake of a night out with friends as documented in part on photo booth strips, the kinds of artifacts that remind those in the pictures of that time and in this case one in which everyone involved was on an adventure of personal growth and allowing oneself to be who you are without feeling like you have to hide a part of it. There’s something healthy about being able to do that that’s good for your psyche and development as a complete human. The looped, glimmery, electronic melody that begins the song and latter joined and accented by slightly fuzzy, hazy guitar riffs that are allowed to hang and drop out at the exact right moments while Friedman’s intimate vocals exude a confidence, in both the sense of being self-assured and as quality of intimacy, in describing a night that propels one further into becoming the person you’re always meant to be. Listen to “Photo Booth” on Bandcamp and follow Avery Friedman at the links below. Her debut album New Thing releases April 18, 2025 via Audio Antihero on vinyl, digital download and streaming.

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