Underground Sounds with Chad Miller: April 2025
By Chad Miller - Summit FM Music Director
What's everyone been listening to out there? So much new music coming at us, so little time... However, these songs that might fly under the radar to most are what I've been diggin' these past few weeks!
Like what you hear? Please email me at chad@thesummit.fm and let me know what you think!
Chaparelle "Inside The Lines"
Chaparelle is an irreverent and tongue-in-cheek alt-country supergroup comprising indie-pop singer-songwriter Zella Day, rootsy singer-songwriter Jesse Woods, and producer Beau Bedford.
This song exudes pure charm from the second it begins. The best part is the wryly executed sense of delivery and the ironic lyrical play. It describes everything that can make up a full life with a romantic partner, from dumb arguments to the positive little moments that strengthen the bond. It's especially ironic given that Day and Woods quickly became an item three days into a five-day writing retreat.
It'll be exciting to see how this project develops. Western Pleasure, the debut album, will be out on April 18 via Mom+Pop Music. This is one of those songs you'll want to listen to repeatedly!
Haim "Relationships"
The Haim sisters, Alana, Danielle, and Este, are back at long last! Their new single asks an all-important question: Why are you even in a relationship if you're constantly navigating rough spots?
A "must-watch" music video also showcases a sharp aesthetic as the three deal with emotional relationship drama. The song was produced by longtime friend Rostam Batmanglij, a former multi-instrumentalist from Vampire Weekend. "Relationships" is poised to be a potential "#1 summer jam." Hopefully, we'll soon get details of Haim's upcoming fourth album, too!
Matt Berninger "Bonnet of Pins"
Matt Berninger, vocalist of The National, is characterized by many as one of the signature voices of the indie rock genre. On "Bonnet of Pins," he steps out on his own once again with a stunner of a song from his upcoming second solo album, "Get Sunk," which will be available May 30 through Book Records via Concord.
Few singer-songwriters out there today can evoke images of time and place, in addition to the added context present in that world, as effectively as he does. In this song, you're dropped into that moment almost instantly, as it describes suddenly and unexpectedly coming into contact with an old flame from the past. Berninger is able to evoke that flood of emotions in such a visceral manner that you could almost feel an internal dialogue of your own starting to form as if you were dropped into a similar situation.
The female backing vocals and subtle horn section in this one really drive home the ghostly feel of this long-lost love reappearing. That descriptive narrative is why we keep coming back for more of his songwriting prowess.
Momma "I Want You (Fever)"
This has quickly become a song I cannot get enough of! It's ear candy of the highest order! Momma, the young alt-rock band led by Allegra Weingarten and Etta Friedman, returns with another riffy, joyful, and sugary sweet anthem off their forthcoming new album "Welcome to My Blue Sky" arriving April 4 via Polyvinyl Records.
Wearing their '90 alt-rock influences on their sleeve, with a sound reminiscent of Veruca Salt meets Smashing Pumpkins, this band separates themselves from those comparisons with these new songs. With hooks for days and a muscular, confident delivery, Momma is well on their way to the next level of alternative greatness.
Samia "Bovine Excision"
Well, it's an interesting topic for a song, but man...this one has been a slow burn for me. It's quickly and decisively worked into my brain to become one of my recent favorites. Yes, this is a song about cattle mutilation and how strange instances of such occurrences have happened throughout the world. This young woman has turned it into a metaphor for something else: dealing with heavy emotions of self-discovery and self-acceptance. Samia uses her astute songwriting skills and powerful vocal delivery to take her awareness of this phenomenon and turn it on its head.
It really is quite a song. I can't wait to hear more from her soon-to-be-released third album, Bloodless, out April 25 on Grand Jury Records.