Atwood Magazine's Weekly Summary: April 28, 2025

      Every Friday, the Atwood Magazine team shares their musical highlights from the week – whether it's a song, an album, or an artist that has resonated with them.

      This week’s roundup includes tracks from Ray and Paul Holmberg, Evan Honer, Leah Nawy, Ren Martinez, The Stamps, MOSAICS, Adrian Lyles, Levi Robin, Cinema Stereo, Tara Nome Doyle, Zoé Basha, The Moving Stills, August Royals, Sone, SPACE&AGES, Roman Alexander, Virgins, Staci Gruber, Peaceful Faces, San Jose, Glenna Jane, The Pedals, Candice Hoyes, Jefferson Pitcher, and Blue Monkey!

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      Follow WEEKLY ROUNDUP on Spotify

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      :: “Scars” – Ray and Paul Holmberg ::

      by Anthony Kozlowski, Los Angeles

      The newest single from sibling duo Ray and Paul Holmberg from the Bay Area unfolds like a nostalgic postcard, worn at the edges but filled with memories. The layered guitars create a gentle yet persistent melody that resembles tracing old scars – sometimes painful, other times a source of pride – embodying the weight of past experiences and the hope of progress. The music honors both the shadows and the light, depicting the sun disappearing into the ocean only to rise again from the cold and darkness. Beneath the surf and garage rock ambiance, Ray and Paul envelop the listener in a warm embrace. The steady tempo brims with vulnerability, while intricate guitar layers and heartfelt vocals craft a painting of the struggle to move on when the heart still aches from loss. Each note serves as a meticulous stitch in a narrative tapestry, bringing to life the often harsh journey of letting go without losing oneself.

      The story behind “Scars” goes back years to an unfinished concept that finally emerged through producer Jarvis Taveniere, who added warmth and emotional resonance to the song. Ray penned the lyrics during his freshman year of college, reflecting on the intensity of youthful relationships and the challenge of picking up the pieces after they fall apart.

      Despite the heavy nostalgia woven throughout the song, it aligns with the brothers’ knack for creating music that's as easy to listen to as it is to be deeply felt. Much like the image on that old postcard, it can transport us to brighter moments, even if its surface is marked by scars.

      by Julius Robinson, California

      Young love can be tough to move past. The intense feelings often linger. Indie rock duo Ray and Paul delve into the lasting impact of young romance with “Scars.” This serene, melancholic piece is beautifully crafted with sparkling guitars and warm, passionate vocals. Ray wrote the lyrics during his first year of college, making this track one that resonates universally.

      Brothers Ray and Paul launched their band when they were just 17 and 13. Moving to Santa Barbara for college infused their music with surf and garage rock dynamics, creating an ideal environment for their sound development. They honed their skills by performing at venues in Isla Vista and quickly integrated into the local music scene. In October 2023, they released "Pelican," which has become their most popular track on Spotify. “Scars” holds similar allure.

      :: “lead role” – Evan Honer ::

      Mitch Mosk, Beacon, New York

      Evan Honer from Nashville is quickly becoming a personal favorite due to his knack for tender melodies and raw, vulnerable storytelling – not to mention his prolific output! While his sophomore album Fighting For, released last June, was a soul-stirring success for the rising singer/songwriter, it wasn't his sole release for the year: by the end of 2024, Honer had delivered two additional EPs – first, the four confessional songs on Different Life (September 2024), followed by the five heart-wrenching tracks featured on annabelle (December 2024).

      Every track deserves its own spotlight, but today, we shine it on “lead role,” the emotionally stirring second track from annabelle. Brutally honest and poignant, it tells a bittersweet story saturated with regret, missed opportunities, and the unmistakable sting of retrospection as Honer reflects on a past relationship through the lens of a film role he never sought.

      I got the lead role

      to a part I never wanted

      In a movie where the guy

      lets down the girl in the end

      I don’t mean to spoil it

      but the plot isn’t all that significant

      It would matter if he realized

      what he had when he had it

      And the writers don’t seem to favor this character

      because every line feels wrong or a lie

      And the plot keeps shifting,

      making it hard to grasp

      “This song is quite different for me,” he reveals. “It’s an unusual concept with free-flowing rhyme schemes. ‘lead role’ extends the narrative of this girl ‘annabelle’ and presents it like a movie. It opens with