Music Mailbag January 2025 

• Courtesy photo
• Tomper

It's crazy that it's now 2025. We're halfway through the decade, even though most of us swear 2020 was just a year ago. As we move into the new year, there's plenty of new music to enjoy, so here are some releases you'll want to add to your libraries to carry you through and start 2025 off right.

Tomper, Fresh Air: Even though the air outside isn't fresh, you can listen to Tomper's new EP Fresh Air and get the same feeling. Who needs to breathe clean air, anyway? Indie duo Tomper have popped in here and there to share a single or two, and now those tracks—in addition to a couple of new jams—have been compiled into the duo's first EP. Their debut single "Cruise Control" perfectly opens it up before moving into one of the brand-new songs, "Without You." Tomper's music exudes charm, joy and addicting sound effects, and there's plenty of all of that in "Without You." "Call In" is in the middle of the EP, acting as an anchor as one of Tomper's most fun tracks. The sound of this one swirls around you while listening, and it's easy to play on a loop. Another new track, "Magnet," follows and its cheerful atmosphere will have you feeling like you're skipping through a field of flowers. Rounding out the EP is "Baby Come On." Originally released in February 2023, the song is the perfect bookend for this body of work. If you love low-key yet beautifully crafted bedroom pop sounds, Fresh Air is definitely for you. If you aren't usually into that sort of thing, give it a listen anyway—it's hard to believe anyone could dislike Tomper's sound.
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Muskies, Muskies: The loveable and entertaining "pike psych" masters are at it again, and this time they have a full album of adventurous tracks that you'll be excited to dive into. The LP opens with their single "Out on the Water!" which is a perfect start to the album. The track acted as the band's introduction in February 2023, so it's fitting to open their first album with it. From there you get another previously-released single, "Atomic Avenue," and then to one of the first brand new tracks, "BIG BOY." Muskies effortlessly blend elements of rock, psych and delightfully tongue-in-cheek lyrics that will have you coming back for more. "BIG BOY" is on the heavier side, featuring loud vocals with chugging guitar and bass. Their single "Nancy Reagan" follows, before another fresh track, "Kool Rudy." This one is super-exciting and impossible not to bob your head to. After "Kool Rudy" there are five more brand-new songs that I won't spoil here, so be sure to check them out. Muskies and their music are weird, fun, silly, interesting ... and it's dang near impossible not to have a good time while listening to them.
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Gag City, "Terminator": Gag City describe themselves as "a five-piece femme garage grunge band hailing from Salt Lake City. Influenced by the sounds of '90s grunge and psych-punk, Gag City mixes punchy lyrics with harmonic, intimately familiar licks. Described as 'immensely relatable to all genres' by [guitarist] Ashley's mom and 'wow that song was really good' by someone at a show, Gag City is here to provide a fresh new sound along with some added theatrics." The grunge group is hitting us with their debut single "Terminator," an immensely entertaining, satisfying and crunchy song that's easy to get lost in. Fans of the grunge sounds of yesteryear will feel instantly at home here, as "Terminator" feels like coming home with its chugging guitar, floaty yet punchy vocals and the general "fuck you" attitude that you want in this type of music. It's a perfect song for when you want to rock out and rage at the world—definitey crank this one up to 10 when you press play.
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Mopsy, "I Call My Homies Baby Girl": SLC trio Mopsy are well-known for their garage-rock shenanigans. With titles like "Making Out at Butt Rock" and their latest, "I Call My Homies Baby Girl," you know you're in for a fun time with Mopsy's music before you even hit play. Then, as you listen on, you become enveloped in wall-to-wall sound that's inescapable—not that you'd want to get away from it. The distortion is cranked up to 11, and the screaming vocals hit you like a gut-punch. The ideal way to listen to Mopsy is live at a show, but throwing this in your ears is almost just as good.
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OrcaMind, Focus: OrcaMind's gift to listeners last year was their new EP Focus, released on Christmas Eve. Dreamy as ever, the EP takes listeners on a journey that feels like gently drifting down a peaceful river. Between the angelic vocals and whimsical effects, you'll easily get swept up in this EP. OrcaMind is also heavily influenced/inspired by video-game music, so taking a dive into their catalog for more of those sounds is always a treat if you're into that sort of thing.
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There you have it: Some songs to start your year off right. Here's to celebrating more local tunes in 2025!