50 Minutes: "I saw the world burn, but I smile - this is freak joy"
Required listening with The Story So Far, Genesis Owusu, Mini Trees, New Forms, Jacques Greene, B. Hamilton, and more for August 24th, 2025
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Mini Trees “Hollow”
Whatever Lexi Vega is building as a follow-up to 2024's Burn Out EP is bound to be in my top five records of 2025. “Hollow” tells a heart-wrenching story of supposedly moving on, inexperience, and pain through the familiar Mini Trees filter: a beautiful mixture of guitars, keyboards, perfect drums, and harmonized vocals. Some of the lyrics in this song really hit home because I’m sure all of us have had the experience of trying so hard, not knowing what to do, letting go, and feeling “Hollow” after all of that effort. I can’t wait to hear what’s next.
4.1/5 ☺︎
The Story So Far “You’re Still In My Way”
As I get older, this band grows with me. Their last record is (controversially, I’m sure) my favorite iteration of TSSF - mature and emotive; less of the angsty in-your-face sound that defined their earlier albums. “You’re Still In My Way” picks up the pace of the record after a few somber, contemplative moments but keeps the lyrical theme intact. Somehow, they’ve had an entire arena of people singing along about the loss of Cannon’s father - a transformative experience for everyone involved.
4/5 ☺︎
Torre Di Fine “Gentle”
Torre Di Fine channel Whirr, My Bloody Valentine, and Mogwai on their new satisfying and sonically drenched single “Gentle”. The new EP shows their commitment to having a well-crafted sound. They don’t miss a beat throughout the whole recording, keeping everyone hooked on their intertwining guitar compositions that are complemented by vocals that seem to drift in right when you want them to.
3.9/5 ☺︎ ⟡
B. Hamilton “Release The Hounds”
B. Hamilton presents a gloom-filled, rhythmically driven catalyst on “Release the Hounds” in support of their latest full-length release. “I was scattershot by blue eyes/Conquering the sand/I could be happy here” opens the track as the drums and bass sit in tandem with electric piano phrases floating between the carrying vocal. We reach the bridge with something you’d hear on an early Modest Mouse demo. Sweltering cymbal hits with tight pocketed drum fills close the tune, leaving me ready to grab my keys and hit the road with this record on repeat.
3.9/5 Bo McDowell
wens “Rich and Famous”
wens is no longer an active music project, but just before calling it, she put out a major label debut EP on Warner Records in 2022 called Lemoncholy. Poignantly, the single “Rich and Famous” asks the question: “Would you rather be rich and famous? Or fit into the crowd, be nameless?” - the latter of which, happened. wens had expertly honed in on my favorite brand of pop music - a person singing in their own unique voice exceptionally well, with so much heart. She recently resurfaced (exciting) with a project that will surely come up on this blog, but not before mentioning her first beautiful creation.
3.9/5 ☺︎
….. Read all this playlist’s song reviews in about ten minutes at fiftymins.com
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