Not Old Memories Only Sound – Crack It Open
Not Old Memories Only Sound deliver a grunge-soaked blast of pure adrenaline on 'Crack It Open', a rock pop banger that hits like a fist wrapped in velvet.
'Crack It Open' wastes no time. The riff lands heavy from the first bar, all wonderful fuzz and forward motion. And the hazy layers of guitar wash blur the edges just enough to keep things dreamlike. Not Old Memories Only Sound sit right in the tension between '90s grunge punch and shoegaze drift, and they make it feel natural. It's definitely a pocket we love to find ourselves in. The verses hang back, moody and restrained, before the chorus crashes through with unrelenting force. There is weight here, real momentum, and I love the drums. The production keeps everything crisp, letting the guitars breathe even when they are roaring. Powerful alternative rock, reflective and immediate all at once.
Not Old Memories Only Sound, or N.O.M.O.S., is the project of Alex and Letícia, a husband-and-wife duo working out of Brasília, Brazil. They pull from Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Garbage and Softcult, channelling visceral '90s energy through a modern lens. 'Crack It Open' serves as the first single from their forthcoming album, File: Unsaved. The chemistry between them fuels a sound that feels both direct and immersive, raw emotion delivered through loud, melodic songwriting. An exciting voice emerging from Brazil's alternative scene, and we are keeping a close eye on what comes next.
Miss Verona – Bad For My Reputation
Miss Verona turns toxic attraction into a dancefloor weapon on 'Bad For My Reputation', a dark pop anthem with bags of attitude
Miss Verona knows exactly what she is doing here. 'Bad For My Reputation' rides a pulsing electronic beat that grooves along in style. It's all sleek synths and a bassline built for movement. The lyrics lean into the mess of wanting someone you know will wreck you, but instead of wallowing, she flips it into something defiant and fun. There's loads of character here, and her vocals cut through with confidence, equal parts playful and sharp, selling every line about chemistry that feels like addiction. The chorus lands hard and sticks harder. Slick dark pop, bold and very, very infectious.
Miss Verona is based in Los Angeles, bringing together pop, electronic rock, and dance influences into something with real cinematic punch. She has spent over a decade performing live across the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East, and that stage experience shows in how she delivers a track. Now she is focused on building her presence stateside through original releases and visual work, including a music video for this single that apparently takes the story somewhere darkly funny. Loads and loads of fun, and exactly the type of dark pop we need this year.