We Speak Music
WESPEAKMEDIA: TOP 5 WEEKLY MUSIC ROUND-UP (18.04.25)
Find the latest new music in our ‘Top 5’ weekly music round-up here at We Speak Media. In this weekly feature, we will be bringing you the hottest new acts and music out there.
Stephan Folkes’ ‘It’s All Within Time (Travelling Through the Stars)’
Stephan Folkes’ ‘It’s All Within Time (Travelling Through the Stars)’ is more than a song—it’s a moment. Every lyric, every note feels like it was crafted with care and intention, guiding listeners through the highs and lows of life’s personal journey. His ability to blend vulnerability with groove is unmatched, creating a sound that comforts and empowers all at once. If you’ve ever needed a reminder to trust the timing of your own path, this is it.
Marsha Swanson ‘Like an Angel’
Marsha Swanson’s “Like an Angel” is the kind of music video that gently grabs your heart and doesn’t let go—in the best way. With her dreamy vocals floating over a gorgeous live arrangement and paired with Sam Chegini’s stunning, otherworldly animation, the video feels like a quiet, cinematic tribute to love and memory. It’s the perfect mix of emotion and artistry, and honestly, it’s hard not to watch it on repeat.
Suki Summer ‘Summer Crush’
Light, lush, and emotionally rich, Suki Summer’s “Summer Crush” earns its place as this season’s dreamy anthem. The track floats between indie and dream pop, anchored by lyrics that feel pulled from the pages of a journal. It’s a song that understands the tension between self-doubt and desire, wrapped in breezy production that makes it feel like golden hour in audio form. The added touch of real-life banter at the end brings a whole new level of intimacy, grounding the fantasy in real, relatable moments. It’s playful. It’s honest. And it’s pure Suki Summer.
Brandes ‘Please Don’t Call’
Lifted from Brandes brand new album, The Distance Between Dreams, “Please Don’t Call” is a deeply poignant meditation on the agonizing end of an affair. With its alternating plaintive verses and cascading chorus, the song evokes a powerful emotional landscape, enhanced by lush strings and a soulful Hammond organ. The track effortlessly channels the melancholy of Leonard Cohen and the emotional vulnerability of Joni Mitchell, capturing the raw, aching honesty of a relationship falling apart. The lyrical depth and emotional weight are impossible to ignore, as Brandes lays bare the painful realities of love’s end with heartbreaking clarity. This hauntingly beautiful song sets the tone for the album, offering a glimpse into the profound introspection and intimate storytelling that defines, The Distance Between Dreams.
Ren Martinez ‘The First & Last of the Perfect Parties’
Indie pop artist Ren Martinez is making waves with her new single, “The First & Last of the Perfect Parties,” a sync-ready anthem packed with nostalgic energy and diaristic detail. Backed by a recent deal with Aperture Music (known for Girls, Trainwreck, Swarm), the track showcases Martinez’s signature blend of emotional candor and melodic indie rock, offering a powerful preview of her fall debut album Fingers Crossed. With past placements in series like New Girl and Friends From College, Martinez is poised for a breakout year—on screen and on stage.
Some bands are born in basements. Others in backyards or borrowed studios. DAMNAGE was born on the road — in dressing rooms, rehearsal halls, and after-hours hotel bars while touring with some of the biggest artists on the planet. Now, after years of playing behind global icons, the trio steps into the spotlight with a self-titled debut that’s as volatile as it is vulnerable, as thoughtful as it is ferocious.
The band — made up of Tim Stewart (guitar/vocals), Jonny Drummond (bass/vocals), and Tosh Peterson (drums) — represents the convergence of deep friendship, shared history, and a hunger to create something truly their own. Their chemistry is immediate and undeniable. “We’ve known each other for over 10 years,” the band explains. “We toured the world together with different artists. Each of us carries the same passion and desire to be in a band together. So we seized the moment.”
That chemistry powers every track on DAMNAGE. From the blistering opener “Wasteland” to the sardonic stomp of “Important,” the album channels frustration, anger, and confusion into a sound that punches hard but hits smart. It’s a record born from lived experience — not just as musicians, but as human beings grappling with a world that often makes no sense. Tracks like “Try” and “Time” mirror the collective disillusionment of a generation worn thin, but refuse to collapse under the weight.
One of the album’s standout qualities is its ability to balance intensity with nuance. Yes, it rages — but it also thinks. DAMNAGE isn’t here just to blow out your speakers; they want to shake something loose inside you. Whether they’re taking aim at fame’s fragile ego on “Important” or critiquing social performance in “Semisocial,” there’s always something more under the surface. It’s punk with a purpose.
Sonically, DAMNAGE sits at the intersection of several genres without ever sounding derivative. There are echoes of hardcore, post-punk, and grunge, but what ties it all together is the band’s unrelenting energy and unshakable conviction. The guitars are jagged and melodic, the basslines thick with tension, and Peterson’s drums anchor it all with a confidence that belies his age. You can hear the years they’ve spent on stage — and the freedom they’ve found in finally owning their own.
It’s also a deeply personal record. “Never See It,” in particular, feels like a gut-punch — a slow-burning closer that aches with emotional honesty. It’s a reminder that underneath all the noise and bravado, DAMNAGE is built on real emotion, real friendships, and a desire to connect. There’s nothing performative here — just three artists speaking their truth in the loudest way they know how.
DAMNAGE’s debut isn’t just a strong first record — it’s the sound of something long overdue. A project forged in history, heartbreak, and defiance. In a culture where so much feels fake or filtered, DAMNAGE is the real thing: loud, raw, and impossible to ignore. This album isn’t just a listen — it’s an experience. And it’s one you won’t forget anytime soon.
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