Song of the Day

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April 24, 2024

Rett Smith: “Sunsets”

By: Jack Anderson

In terms of musical association, at least outside the world of film soundtracks, U.S. southwestern scenery often gets associated with country. But there’s a certain psychedelic quality to our regional deserts that we just love to see artists embrace.

Folks like Rett Smith, based here in Austin, but bred out of West Texas, so you know he appreciates all kinds of sandy, desolate miscellanea. Historically, Rett’s smithing has involved all things Americana blues. And while that’s certainly still his skillset, for his upcoming album A Weighted Remorse (out September 13th), Smith finds himself trudging through the dunes of shoegaze.

And the result is heavy as hell, almost bordering on sludge thanks to its subterranean six-string tone and massive drums. Alongside its music video, “Sunsets” feels less like hiking the Fort Davis trails and more like watching The Holy Mountain if it was shot on Super 8, ’70s abstract psychedelia and all. We’re getting major Black Angels vibes from this one, and we have a feeling that when Rett returns from his Western European tour, he’s gonna translate his travels into something else equally arid-inspired and aurally exciting.


Episodes

March 19, 2026

Cure for Paranoia: [Live At Scholz Garten]

The story behind Dallas hip-hop trio Cure for Paranoia is a tender one. Born during a “doomsday roadtrip” following a mental health diagnosis by frontman Cameron McCloud that later found more fuel following the death of McCloud’s mother, grief has been turned into motivation, one McCloud used to rap every day and put it on […]

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March 18, 2026

Adult Leisure: “Borderline” [Live At Scholz Garten]

The quick rise of UK alt-indie rockers Adult Leisure have garnered them attention in a myriad of magazines, support from BBC Radio 6, two songs featuring John Waugh of the 1975, and a tour across the UK and Europe, New York, and, finally, more than a half dozen shows at this year’s SXSW. That last […]

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March 16, 2026

Quentin: [Live At Scholz Garten]

Another SXSW, another rousing success at Scholz Garten. And all this week, we’re sharing some of our favorite performances with free downloads just for you! Austin’s Quentin is as much of a visual artist as they are a performer. And we experienced that in a big way on Thursday. I was in the booth at […]

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March 13, 2026

Anastasia Hera: “Ambitions” [Live In Studio 1A]

KUTX’s coverage of SXSW is powered by Rivian and presented by Uber Eats Austin’s Anastasia Hera has been blending her brand of rap and R&B for almost fifteen years. In addition to releasing her own solo work, leading her group Anastasia and the Heroes, and putting her mark on various other projects, she’s also the founder of […]

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March 12, 2026

Deer Fellow: “Fool For You”

Sonic ingenuity with ruffles imbued with love is the thesis of Austin indie duo Deer Fellow. Blending sonic loops and synth-sibilities with violin intimacy, they set a romantic mood that can’t help but creep in from the background. Newly married, Matt Salois and Alyssa Kelly are well into their season of love, beautifully illustrated through […]

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March 11, 2026

Social Dissonance: “This is Hell”

Austin’s Social Dissonance is pushing the boundaries of genre-bending with their new track “This Is Hell.” With the combination of metal, alt-rock, and punk, we are left with a gritty and explosive track that thrives on distortion, raw energy, and an unrelenting pace.“This Is Hell” marks the first release featuring the band’s new frontwoman, Lucy […]

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March 10, 2026

Francene Rouelle: “september bby”

One of the fastest ways to know that you’re changed is how those around you change. Austin-based pop Francene Rouelle, tackles this in her latest single, “september bby,” a brief, punchy dance tune reminiscent of hyperpop phenoms 100 gecs. Speaking to an unnamed character about her upgraded hair and wardrobe, she drives home the most […]

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March 9, 2026

The Sophs: “House”

L.A. six-piece the Sophs are true chameleons. Whether they’re throwing in some twang on a college party bop, going full pop-punk nostalgia, or, in the case, of “House,” painting a Shirley Jackson-like story of a man living in a hovel built from and on bones, surrounded by ethereal remnants of past occupants and adding more […]

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