HYPERSPACE: Best Discoveries of the Week – Episode One Hundred Twenty
Hey Space Travelers,
This week, we’re diving headfirst into a fresh wave of sonic discovery. From late-night introspections and glitchy dreamscapes to fiery anthems and genre-blurring gems, Episode 120 brings together some of the most exciting underground artists making noise across the globe.
We’re spotlighting new music that stirs, surprises, and breaks the mold—artists unafraid to blend raw vulnerability with bold experimentation. Whether it’s a return from a familiar face or a debut that demands your attention, this episode is packed with tracks that deserve a space in your rotation.
Plug in, turn up, and get lost—this is HYPERSPACE.
MARY KNOBLOCK – “Spiritus”
We’ll start with the freshest project from Mary Knoblock called “Spiritus” released today! This incredible album is a masterful tapestry of sound and soul. With her signature blend of ethereal neoclassical textures, avant-garde electronics, and dream pop atmospheres, Mary crafts an immersive listening experience that feels like walking through the corridors of memory itself. Each track of he album serves as a vignette: haunting, intimate, and expansive, exploring themes of love, loss, nostalgia, and transcendence.
Drawing from vivid dreams, historical reflections, and emotional turning points, “Spiritus” is not just an album, it’s a sonic memoir. Mary’s cinematic piano and lush synthscapes are layered with haunting harmonies, navigating the delicate space between the physical and the spiritual.
At once fragile and fierce, “Spiritus” confirms Mary Knoblock as a visionary composer whose work resonates far beyond genre, into the realm of feeling itself.
MEGAPENNY MUSIC – “Grains of Sand”
Megapenny Music’s debut single “Grains of Sand” marks a triumphant return for electronic music visionary Al Young. After a 40-year hiatus, Al Young rekindles his passion for Euro pop with a vibrant, uplifting track that captures the spirit of discovery and wanderlust! Teaming up with French vocalist Delphine Savatte, “Grains of Sand” tells the story of a girl leaving home to explore the world: each experiences a metaphorical grain of sand on the beach of life.
Drawing influence from Eurovision and decades of travel across Europe, Al Young channels his lifelong love of dynamic, melodic pop into this addictive synth-driven soundscape. The production is lush and nostalgic, blending analogue warmth with modern pop finesse. The vocals are flawless, guiding the listener through shimmering melodies and heartfelt lyrics.
This song is more than just a feel-good electro pop anthem, it’s a celebration of possibility, crafted with care and conviction. A strong and promising re-entry into the music industry from an artist whose passion still shines brightly.
SOUL LION FEAT SANGA TOTO – “SOUL LION”
“Soul Lion” the radiant new single by Paris-based artist Soul Lion featuring Sanga Toto, is more than just a song; it’s a spiritual journey set to music. Born from the serene energy of Bali and finalized in France, this track is filled with acoustic warmth, meditative intention, and heartfelt improvisation. Guided by influences like Bob Marley, IAM, and Blacko, Soul Lion fuses reggae, conscious hip-hop, and soulful melodies into a transcendent sonic message of love, healing, and vision.
Sanga Toto’s incredible vocals blend seamlessly with Soul Lion’s introspective delivery, creating a harmonious balance that uplifts and empowers. The production is very intimate, yet polished, capturing both the rawness of its acoustic roots and the clarity of its global ambition.
“Soul Lion” is a heartfelt hymn to inner strength and spiritual awakening: poetic lyrics, soothing guitar work, and a deeply conscious energy invite listeners to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and move through life with compassion and purpose. A beautiful dream made real.
FIKO LAFAFA – “+39 (shock selector)”
FIKO LAFAFA’s latest release “+39 (shock selector)” is a raw, unfiltered burst of speed garage energy straight from the frosty veins of Ida-Virumaa, Estonia. Forged in long winter nights and industrial surroundings, this track captures the chaotic thrill of underground raving with unapologetic grit. It thumps, kicks, and pulses with a manic energy, drenched in metallic textures and distorted vocal stabs that feel more like instruments than lyrics!
Crafted entirely without a sober moment, the production oozes instinctual creativity: dirty in all the right ways. Sirens, glitchy synths, and body-rattling basslines build a soundscape that’s equal parts UKG and Eastern Bloc rave. It’s both lawless and hypnotic, like stumbling into a foggy warehouse party and never wanting to leave.
“+39 (shock selector)” isn’t just a track, it’s a shockwave! FIKO LAFAFA is redefining speed garage with a uniquely Estonian twist, and this release marks just the beginning of a 2025 evolution that refuses to follow rules.
RICE – “Starz”
RICE’s “Starz” is an emotionally charged anthem of self-worth, resilience, and inner light. Written during a period of personal darkness, the track reflects the hip hop artist’s journey through self-discovery, ultimately arriving at a place of acceptance and empowerment. Fusing hip hop with elements of worldbeat and blues—thanks to producer Oliver Sean—“Starz” transcends genre boundaries, echoing the universal message that there’s a star in all of us.
Already featured on multiple chart-topping compilation albums, and performed at major events like the Doug Flutie Foundation’s 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop at Fenway Park, “Starz” is more than a song—it’s a statement. RICE’s blend of lyrical vulnerability and genre-hopping production makes this track stand out, while his commitment to using music as a platform for advocacy continues to cement his growing legacy. With “Love Shouldn’t Cost a Thing” set to drop this summer, “Starz” is a shining preview of what’s to come.
TORRANCE – “Galaxy of Punks”
TORRANCE’s debut album Galaxy of Punks is a flamboyant, genre-bending journey through glitter-soaked galaxies of pop, rock, dance, and indie energy. With an aesthetic as bold as his influences—think Elton John meets Lady Gaga in an interstellar bar—TORRANCE delivers anthems of defiance, self-expression, and cosmic swagger. The album flaunts his massive vocal range and fearless personality, with tongue-in-cheek lyrics that strut confidently across starry soundscapes.
A true showman from Boston with a theatrical soul, TORRANCE doesn’t just sing—he performs. Galaxy of Punks is a full-bodied experience, orbiting around ’90s-inspired nostalgia with a futuristic twist. As he gears up for a nationwide tour and continues crafting the next chapter of his saga “from the dark side of the moon,” TORRANCE is a rising pop comet destined to leave a dazzling trail in his wake.
AVA VALIANTI – “Laugh Track”
Ava Valianti’s Laugh Track is a bold, emotionally raw single that peels back the curtain on performance, perception, and self-doubt. Framing her internal monologue through the lens of a sitcom, Ava blends indie pop hooks with biting honesty, asking whether the world is laughing with her—or at her. The lyrics are laced with sharp cultural references—from The Truman Show to Ted Mosby—capturing the surreal weight of constant self-awareness in a world that often feels scripted.
Sonically, Laugh Track blends dark humor and vulnerability with hypnotic melodies, echoing the cinematic atmosphere of Lana Del Rey and the cutting lyrical clarity of Olivia Rodrigo. It’s introspective but not self-indulgent, deeply personal yet achingly relatable.
With her distinctive voice and growing accolades—including IAMA recognition and New England Music Award nods—Ava Valianti is shaping up to be one of indie pop’s most authentic new voices. Laugh Track isn’t just a song—it’s a reckoning.
VVVVVVV – “I’m ready”
Toronto-based rapper and songwriter vvvvvvv makes a bold statement with I’m Ready—a high-energy track that fuses confident rap flows with a catchy, pop-laced instrumental. The song feels like an anthem for personal evolution, delivered with sharp clarity and a pulsing beat that mirrors its theme of self-empowerment.
Born in Nigeria and now carving his path in Canada, V’s backstory adds depth to the track. What started as a YouTube instrumental has come full circle, transformed into a fully realized single through collaboration with longtime friend and producer V3nice. That personal connection shines through, giving I’m Ready both polish and heart.
It’s a track about stepping into your power and facing whatever life throws your way—and V’s delivery makes it feel authentic. As he continues to build momentum, I’m Ready is proof that vvvvvvv is one to watch in the rap-pop crossover space.
