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ALT FEATURED
Our favorite releases from the ALT RECESS submissions list.


A Fleeting Moment, A Lasting Feeling: “A Space of Clarity”
There is something special about songs that do not try to hold onto a moment too tightly. The ones that let it pass, sit with it, and somehow turn it into something even more meaningful. That is exactly where Hallie Marie’s new single “A Space of Clarity” lives. From the first few seconds, the track feels open. Light. Like stepping outside after a long stretch of cloudy days and realizing the sky has cleared without you noticing. There is a softness to it, but not in a fragil
Apr 7


Leake’s “Sweet” Is the Pop Anthem Your Playlist Needed
Photo: Chloe Subia There is a certain kind of pop song that does not ask for your attention. It takes it. Loud, glossy, a little dramatic in the best way. Leake’s new single “Sweet” lands right in that lane and does not let go. Released on March 13, the track feels like a throwback and a step forward at the same time. If you grew up on big choruses, dramatic vocal runs, and songs that practically beg to be sung at full volume in the car, this one is going to feel very familia
Mar 26


Sean Leon Is Building a World Bigger Than Music With "God’s Algorithm"
Sean Leon has never really moved like everyone else, and that is exactly why people keep paying attention. If you only know him from co-writing “Peaches” or working alongside Ye with co-written tracks on the albums Jesus is King , Donda , Vultures 1 and Donda 2, you are only seeing one piece of the picture. The real story is way bigger, and honestly a little harder to box in. He is not just dropping music. He is building something that feels more like a world you step into.
Mar 20


Mýa Brings That Timeless R&B Feeling Back With “ASAP”
If you have been tapped into R&B for even a little while, you already know the legacy. From her debut in the late 90s to now, Mýa has built a career that stretches across music, film, and culture without ever losing her identity. Over 20 million records sold, a Grammy win, iconic collaborations, and visuals that helped define an era. Still, what stands out most is how she continues to move on her own terms. With “ASAP,” she taps back into that feeling that made people fall in
Mar 20


Inside Breaking Eight’s Gritty New Album '8 Second Strong'
There’s something about rodeo culture that hits different. The dust, the danger, the adrenaline of those eight seconds that can make or break a rider. That same intensity is exactly what Nashville-based rodeo country band Breaking Eight pours into their upcoming album 8 Second Strong , a project that feels as real and rough-edged as the life that inspired it. Led by frontman Beni Paulson, a former professional bull rider turned musician, Breaking Eight isn’t just singing abou
Mar 20


Dead Churches Blend Rock and Americana on "Fear and Faith"
Coming out of Vancouver, the brother led band is building a sound that pulls from rock, americana, and punk without feeling tied to any one lane. There is a rawness to what they do, but also a sense of purpose behind every lyric and guitar line. Their debut project Fear and Faith makes that clear from the first track. The project, produced by Tim Creviston, dropped in late 2025 and wastes no time setting the tone. Across seven songs, the band leans into storytelling that fee
Mar 20


A New Chapter Begins With Kelly Reynolds’ “Live A Little”
Photo By: Waterberry Works Sometimes school assignments come and go without much thought. Every now and then though, one turns into something bigger. That is exactly what happened for singer-songwriter Kelly Reynolds during her first year at Princeton. In a music appreciation class last fall, the assignment was simple. Write a song. Instead of staring at a blank page for hours, Reynolds grabbed her laptop, stepped outside into the September sunshine, and sat with her roommate
Mar 20


Nearly $170K Raised at Jeffrey Steele & Friends Benefit as LeVasseur Family Continues Mission for Youth
Music and community came together once again in Franklin, Tennessee earlier this month as the 19th annual Jeffrey Steele & Friends benefit concert returned to the stage. The long running event brought artists, fans, and supporters together for a cause that continues to make a real difference for young people across Middle Tennessee. Held March 2 at the historic The Franklin Theatre, the evening raised close to $170,000 for programs that support at risk youth. The fundraiser i
Mar 20


James Deacon Explores Life’s Cycles on “Same Old”
Some artists spend years chasing a sound. Others stumble into it when they stop trying so hard to define it. That feels like the moment James Deacon has landed in with his latest single “Same Old.” Known for moving between genres without hesitation, James has never really stayed in one lane for too long. Pop, alternative, acoustic, whatever fits the moment. It has always been about feeling rather than formula. But with this new release, something clicks a little differently.
Mar 19


The Message Behind Valories’ “Hailey”
Some songs feel like a conversation you have been avoiding. The kind where you already know the truth, but hearing it out loud still hits a little harder. That is exactly the lane Valories steps into with her latest release “Hailey.” Coming out of Nashville’s alt pop scene, Valories has been steadily building a name for herself since 2022. What makes her stand out is not just the sound, but the balance she holds. Vulnerable writing on one side, high energy performance on the
Mar 18


Isabelle Gitlin Finds Beauty in the Chaos on “Running Circles”
Coming out of Boston, Isabelle is the kind of artist who lives inside the creative process. Writing, recording, layering vocals, building visuals, she is hands on with every part of it. You can hear that attention to detail in her music. Nothing feels rushed while everything feels considered. “Running Circles” leans into something a lot of people deal with but do not always say out loud. That constant comparison, looking at other people’s lives and wondering why things seem e
Mar 18


PZU Turns Heartbreak Into Quiet Beauty on return to sender
Some albums demand your full attention. Others sit beside you quietly and let you feel whatever you need to feel. The debut project from Atlanta artist PZU falls into the second category. At just 19 years old, the singer, songwriter, and producer has released return to sender , a 25 minute collection of songs that feels like flipping through a stack of love letters that were never meant to be read out loud. Each track carries the weight of emotions that never quite found thei
Mar 14
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