Voice in Headphones

Another great discovery of this year. Atlanta-based “bootgaze / shoecore” band GREBE released a strong five-track EP If You Squint It’s All Soup this spring, but my personal favorite from their 2025 catalog ended up being the November single Warbler. The track opens quietly, built around a beautiful interplay of two vocals and a brilliant guitar riff, soon enriched by a variety of playful noises and textural details. Then it suddenly breaks into a surprisingly intense yet perfectly fitting shoegaze frenzy – something that I’m convinced must work even better in a live setting. Even on record, though, it feels wild, exhilarating, and genuinely fun. For me, bands like this can never be in too short supply, and there’s even a hint of Gish-era Smashing Pumpkins in the mix. Toward the end, that initial riff resurfaces from the chaos, everything gradually calms down, and the song finds a beautifully satisfying conclusion. I’m really looking forward to whatever comes next!

O.