July 1, 2025 — Weekly Bullet Reviews
Wow, we’re more than halfway into the year but the hits keep coming!
As always, some ground rules:
- These songs are listed in no particular order.
- Basically these blurbs are our rough first impressions of these tracks, so our reviews will be a lot more relaxed!
- Anything released from the past 3 weeks/month is eligible for a bullet review.
- Songs with new, recent music video releases will also be considered for a weekly bullet review.
1300 – “Bangalang”
Justin: A grimey, hardcore Korean cypher that wouldn’t be out of place booming out the speakers at an Asian car show. That lil bell is deffo the main character here. Fun percussion overall. Maybe it will end up in the Shang-Chi… when is that coming out again?
Li-Wei: We’ve been long overdue for some hip-hop boy-band activity in the scene, and 1300 are back to satisfy that craving. If you’re a fan of Balming Tiger, you’ll probably be just as enamored by Australian group 1300’s catchy, ‘90s hip-hop referencing, flashpoint “Bangalang.” I’m adding this one next to MIA’s “Galang” for having a similarly catchy, nonsensical chorus namesake that I’ll be singing throughout the day. Summer parties are about to get lit.
KATSEYE – “Gabriela”
Justin: KATSEYE is on a rocket ship to the stars. They have been gradually taking up more of the K-pop pie, and “Gabriela” definitely feels like a confident, unique statement for the group that roots them into the mainstream. Love the Spanish guitar and chorus. This is easily made for karaoke and viral dances up the wazoo. My favorite KATSEYE track so far. For the music video: Wow Jessica Alba, telenovela, dubbing. So much fun!
Brittany: Reminds me of a Camila Cabello song. I liked the song, and I laughed at the video, even though it promotes gurl on gurl crime and is a sorely missed opportunity for queerbaiting.
Li-Wei: This is definitely not what I expected after the Alice Longyu Gao-written freak-banger “Gnarly.” This one has some Latin pop flair à la Camila Cabello and a telenovela sway to boot, but it feels kind of out of place for what KATSEYE are known for. Was this a song that was initially written for some other band? Are KATSEYE attempting a Latin crossover hit? Who knows. BEAUTIFUL CHAOS, indeed.
Shoutout to the meta-reality show music video directed by Andrew Thomas Huang that takes multiple strange detours. It’s messy, gaudy, and definitely brings the drama.
Blush – “X My Heart”
Justin: “X My Heart” is a glimmering indie rock track bursting with crispy, ripping, liberating guitar melodies. Evocative, lovelorn, and well put together. If you love Scott Pilgrim and/or Jay Som, Blush has something for you.
Li-Wei: I’ve come to expect drenched shoegaze from Singaporean band Blush, so “X My Heart” surprised me with its saturated pink indie pop twist. Not in a bad way though! I’m a big fan of Sobs and Phoebe Rings, and “X My Heart” taps into that same sweet spot that made those artists instant favorites in my home. Jared Lim also has a kickass guitar solo here too… is there nothing my man can’t do?
Babebee – “VERTIGO”
Justin: Heavy, sparkling, and tranquil. Babebee’s “VERTIGO” sounds like echoes on a hard drive. A shoegazey guitar guides this song like a firefly through emo tones while Babebee oscillates between English and Korean yearnings to hold onto something or someone. I love how loose and chaotic and lush this all sounds.
Li-Wei: File this one next to Father Koi and Harry Teardrop! Babebee’s one of a few musicians tapping into the sounds of the 2000s internet aether, and “VERTIGO” swirls around your head with its wispy vocals and sweet molasses-like reverb. My head is spinning.. !
Lyle Kam – “hypocritical”
Justin: I dig this. “hypocritical” is a low-key, dreamy, electronic track fronted by Lyle Kam’s confessional, vulnerable vocals. Boppy, addictive, and comfortable, confident vibes all over it. I get a little bit of Conan Gray in this. Would love to see more of this sound come back into the fray. It’s also hopeful and optimistic, which is soooo refreshing right now.
Li-Wei: Kam’s soft pop-rush, “hypocritical,” has a fun, pulsating heartbeat that feels really earnest… that’s sharply contrasted by the song’s self-critical lyrics. I could almost be fooled into throwing this into my summer beach playlist! Also, I have no idea what’s going on with that ominous pink door in the music video. Someone let me know!
meg elsier – “sportscar [scrapped]”
Justin: “sportscar” is a jaunty, responsibility-laden personal ballad with lyrics that are too real for adulting we are all in spin cycle with. “And I could put the top down / But it don’t work now it gets stuck” reminds me too much of my own inherited car. Makes me think about the things we accumulate without the knowledge of how to maintain them. The sawing synth sound reverberating throughout the track adds a nice extra-dimensional spice to the whole thing. I really enjoyed this one.
Li-Wei: I’m maintaining that meg elsier’s spittake was one of last year’s best albums that flew under the radar, so hopefully this upcoming deluxe edition will finally give that record more of a chance to shine. “sportscar [scrapped]” has elsier contemplating getting older via a junked sports car, and its haunted chords mixed with some honest storytelling in its lyrics turns a memory into a ghostly vision. This one reminds me a lot of Samia’s stuff! See you all on July 25, when spittake (deluxe) comes out.
Lionmilk – “all i have”
Justin: Makes an impact instantly. Delightfully soft and dialed into the lounge-y instrumentals that feel like they’re playing from the next room. Lionmilk is thinking on some other plane because the distance from him to the mic, to the other instruments, to the layered vocals is so measured and precise. Such a great, indelible, magnetic tune. Like nothing I’ve heard this year. This is a high value playlist add. “All that I have for you is looooooove.” My track of the week.
Li-Wei: I love how charming this thing is! Lionmilk sings over a chill, lo-fi beat that feels like he’s cooking up a special mixtape just for you.
Andr – “Moon River (221007)”
Justin: Sounds like I’m inside a science experiment. Like a frog being swirled inside some chemical soup while being monitored by wires and screens. The circuitous, synth-powered nature of the song plus Andr’s altering, choral voice swings us into a completely immersive atmosphere. Psychedelic.
Li-Wei: Taiwanese indie pop musician Andr is finally releasing Hidden Card EP on vinyl, and recently she took to celebrating that milestone with a music video for one of the project’s best songs, “Moon River.” An indie pop romp that starts off as a fun joyride before collapsing into a psych-pop dream, “Moon River” takes you to places that feel like they can only be accessed via lucid dreaming. Cool vibes!
Chris Moon – “Swamp Walk”
Justin: A sweaty, funky, galumphing rap track piloted by Chris Moon’s slackery introspections. Also fairly poetic. “Grey hair, wrinkles, fading through the seasons / Death around the corner, all this time spent thinking / Missed chances and regrets will keep you down in the dumps.” The samples of bubbling, glomping, splashing puts you right in Shrek’s neighborhood. Also, the key melody sounds so much like “Tequila” by The Champs? The adlibs are hilarious. Very fun, very thoughtful, and the music video is my sense of humor all the way.
Li-Wei: Helppppppp what is this and why does it make me feel all wavy??? I’ve entered the swamp and I can’t get out!!!
BettySoo – “What Do You Want From Me Now?”
Justin: This sounds straight out of the 90s and 2000s country hits from the vocals, narrative, and production. The identity and intent is strong as hell. Deserves to be played in every dive bar for all the lonely souls. Mind-bogglingly good. Biggest surprise of the week.
Li-Wei: Along with Nat Myers and Nicolette and the Nobodies, BettySoo is one of those artists who are making homegrown country/Americana music that is starting to really make me… like the genre? Can I say that? “What Do You Want From Me Now?” has a gorgeous mix of Southern instruments, country flair, and charm – perfect for a breather on a hot summer day.
Header photo taken from Andr – “Moon River (221007).”
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