7 Bandcamp Recommendations by Newt Fangs
7 releases from Bandcamp that our writer Newt Fangs is recommending.
Single: Pillowprince - R The Straights Ok
If you’re looking for a new queer anthem that you'll catch yourself singing in the shower for weeks after your first listen, this is your sign to immediately download this latest single from Pillowprince, called R The Straights Ok. Do yourself a favor during your first listen and watch the music video too, it's SO WORTH IT!
This single was released on Valentine's Day of this year, and since then I’ve sent it to all of my close friends and family to listen to. The catchy and honest lyrics about nonconformity breathe life into this tired, queer writer and makes me so excited to hear anything and everything Pillowprince releases.
Humor, killer tunes, and fun seem to be one of the only things getting me through some of the more difficult days, and Pillowprince absolutely delivered.
Album: Photocopy - Shells ((You Can))
An easy contender for my top 10 favorite bands of all time is Photocopy. I first found them on Bandcamp while shuffling some recommended alternative songs. Based out of Oklahoma, they mix shoegaze, post-punk, and grunge together to make this unique and identifiable sound that inspires the musician in me endlessly.
This album, “Shells ((You Can))”, was released in January of 2023 and has one of the coolest album artwork pieces I’ve laid my eyes on, very trippy and matches their sound perfectly. This 7-track album is a 1000/10 in my mind and I wouldn’t just pick one song to listen to if I were you, I would listen to it front to back in one sitting.
If you enjoy unique and catchy instrumental lines paired with thoughtful lyrics, this will be such a treat for you to listen to. Support them by copping a CD and seeing them perform when they tour the US (they play tons of shows in OK if you’re local)!
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Album: My Own Desert Island - Spinning Around the Sun, Though My Feet Still Touch the Ground
Their debut album is everything I wanted and more. My personal favorites on this record are Even Green, Little Simple Dreams, and the title track. Jake Pachasa, the drummer for Equipment, (DIY titans in my opinion) released their first EP in 2024, but February 21st, 2025 was the release date for this gem of a first album.
In my opinion, this album is a damn near perfect representation of MODI’s signature sound. The songs are expertly produced and all of the lyrics really touch my heart in that special way that shoots them in my top 10 favorite groups of all time.
Show them some love and if you really dig the tracks, consider buying their vinyl, as they’re limited to 25 per variant (I personally snagged the green variant on release day). You won’t regret it!
Single: pilothead - Know Me
This single, Know Me, from pilothead has awakened something in me that will never go back to sleep; a newfound love and adoration for shoegaze. Sure, I enjoyed shoegaze before, but this is different. This was borderline life-changing, which may sound dramatic but it’s TRUE!
The longing lyrics and overall message of the track hits so close to home that you can’t help but fit right into their shoes while listening. Pilothead is redefining the genre and carving out their own unique space in the scene with their smooth vocals and melodious riffs…I can’t wait to see what they do next.
You can check out Know Me as part of their recently released EP, “Pageflipper”. Pick up a physical copy if you can to help support!
Single: flipturn - Burnout Days
Released in late January of this year, “Burnout Days” by flipturn first captured my attention with its kickass album art. The title track starts out with an attention-grabbing and addicting guitar intro and flows into catchy melodies that make this song feel timeless. The groovy bass in the background is one of my weaknesses and I imagine myself on a late night drive with all of the windows down, screaming into the open air without a fear in the world.
With the lyrics, “And in the heart of the dying star, through the dark / I saw you / And I loved you baby” and “Well, it was all up to you and me / And we just let it rot constantly”, they paint the picture of a relationship that started out explosively lovely, and through neglect and time passed, they let it grow stale and decay into something unrecognizable.
Throughout the song, we get the bigger picture that he wants to get back to that place of complete infatuation, and he promises to stay throughout the good and the bad. In the second half of the song, there are multiple lines of borderline-screaming that awaken that need to release the frustrations and feelings of let down.
I can’t wait to dive deeper into this album, I know I’ve only scratched the surface of what flipturn has to offer.
EP: Bike Routes - Rush of Energy
I discovered Bike Routes because they were listed as an opener for one of my favorite emo bands, Equipment. A few weeks before the show in Orlando, I took a dive into their discography and was amazed at how much I enjoyed their work. You know that feeling of “Where has this been all my life”? It was 1000% one of those situations, which made seeing them in person a bucket list moment.
It’s hard for me to pick a favorite track on this EP, Rush of Energy, because all of the tracks flow so well with each other that it feels like one long expression of art and emotion. It’s like I can’t bear to separate one from the next.
There’s tons of acoustic guitar, electronic additions, and even music videos for a few of the songs (highly recommend you watch them). I spin this vinyl at least once a week and I know that if you check it out, you’ll find at LEAST one track you can’t live without.
Single: Real Estate - It’s Real
A classic in its own right in the scene, It’s Real, from the album “Days” by Real Estate has just recently entered my life and WOWZA I love this with my entire heart and soul. Whenever I put on this track, no matter the hardships of the day, I am put in a good mood. It gives me the urge to set up a cute picnic at my local park on a sunny day with my wife and just enjoy each other's company.
The pre-chorus (the Oh’s) are probably my favorite part of the song. The chords itch at my brain and it feels like they need to live in my bloodstream. There’s an instant serotonin explosion when I hear this track that feels truly addictive.
This is a gorgeous love song and the lyrics are some of the most relatable I’ve heard in awhile. Even though he doesn’t know how to navigate this world confidently or know who’s in charge of his reality, he wants his love to believe him when he says that this feeling of true love is REAL. I think a lot of people can relate to that; we don’t know MUCH but we DO know that we love our soulmate with everything in us. If you haven’t heard this song yet, I can’t recommend it enough.
Written by Newt Fangs