Sword II
The experimental indie rock trio from Atlanta has just released the album Electric Hour.

Each member of Sword II contributes a distinct set of inspirations to the album's eclectic soundscape, from Joanna Newsom to MGMT's playful pop-psych, to The Weekend's electrifying melodies and My Bloody Valentine's guitar-stirring intensity.

The album is about the beauty and horror of living in a surveillance state, loving people under extreme conditions, and finding strength in friendship and creative resistance. Despite the heavy themes, Electric Hour a very welcoming acquaintance.

Sword II set out to write songs that felt personal and powerful, focusing on vocals and melodic arrangements that could stand on their own. They leaned on harmonies and acoustic guitar rather than masking everything in reverb or distortion. The band describes themselves as "survivors, psychic warriors, lovers."

They say about the album title in their press release: "The title was inspired by the idea that we are in the era of surveillance technology, but also we imagined 'electric hour' as something powerful, a time for creativity, potency and revolution - 'the time is now' type situation."

Rocket
Formed in 2021, but rooted in a friendship that goes back to childhood, Rocket consists of Alithea Tuttle (bass, vocals), Baron Rinzler (guitar), Cooper Ladomade (drums), and Desi Scaglione (guitar).

Their bond has been the foundation from the very beginning, and it’s evident in their tight chemistry and uncompromising approach to music. During the 2020 lockdown, the first songs began to take shape in a small apartment, where their ambitions far exceeded the space they had.

Shortly after, the full band came together, and with near-obsessive dedication to rehearsals and live shows, Rocket quickly built momentum.

Their debut concert was an immediate success, leading to support slots for acts such as Bar Italia, Pretty Sick, and Hello Mary.

With their debut EP Versions of You, Rocket delivers an intense and honest portrait of the transition from youth to adulthood. Raw, noisy guitars collide with captivating vocal melodies, creating a sound that feels both nostalgic and strikingly new. The EP is written, recorded, and produced entirely by the band themselves, driven by a desire to stay true to who they are.