Category: Geekly Tunes

Geekly Tunes October 2026

Published on by KyraLeave a comment

Happy Wednesday, Geekly Gang! Kyra Kyle here. Today, our writers share what they’ve been listening to over the past month. Feel free what you’ve been listening to, because we’re all part of the Geekly Gang. I’ll get the post started with what I’ve been listening to over the past month. It’s time for Geekly Tunes.

Kyra’s Tunes

I watched the Daniel Johnston documentary this past month (The Devil and Daniel Johnston); it’s a great watch. If you’re interested in learning more about Daniel Johnston, you should watch The Devil and Daniel Johnston on YouTube. After watching the documentary, I had to listen to Johnston’s music. His music won’t be for everyone. It’s an acquired taste, but if you get into Johnston’s music, you can really get into it. For most of his career, Johnston would self-record his music. This leads to echoes, odd sounds, and bizarre tones. Johnston’s fragile voice sings over the top of the music. The result is unfettered vulnerability and honesty.

Johnston would also draw the pictures found on his album covers (like the one above). Kurt Cobain made Johnston’s Hi, How Are You: The Unfinished Album (1983) famous by wearing a t-shirt of that album’s cover for a year, during the height of Nirvana Mania. While I enjoy a lot of tracks from Hi, How Are You, specifically “I Am Walking the Cow,” I prefer Don’t Be Scared (1982). Don’t Be Scared’s title track is fantastic, and it also happened to be featured on an episode of Only Murders in the Building, but “The Story of An Artist” remains one of Johnston’s greatest tracks. “The Story of An Artist” hits differently each time you listen to it. One time, it may be haunting. Others, heartbreaking.

Johnston’s honesty lends itself to heartbreak. 1990 is another great Johnston album. It contains a lot of Johnston’s best-known songs: “Devil Town,” “True Love Will Find You in the End,” and “Somethings Last a Long Time.” If “The Story of An Artist” doesn’t strike a chord, “Somethings Last a Long Time” will. Simple, haunting, and honest lyrics. “You’re picture’s still on my wall.” Johnston recounts losing a loved one. Make sure you have tissues at the ready.

Whale’s “Hobo Humpin Slobo Babe” has seen rotation in my music carousel. This Swedish band never took itself too seriously. Slobo rhymes with hobo. You don’t know what “slobo” means? Sad. Ironically, Whale’s first studio album was titled We Care, and “Hobo Humpin Slobo Babe” was the debut single. The album (and song) blend elements of Funk and Trip Hop to create a wall of sound. I dare you to listen to this song and not bob your head or tap your feet. It’s a bop. “Hobo Humpin Slobo Babe” caught fire with its inclusion on the Beavis and Butthead Show in the mid Nineties. Beavis was mesmerized by the lead singer’s facial expressions and braces. Same, Beavis. Same.

I also spent time exploring the late 1990s and early 2000s Butt Rock origin. The original Butt Rock found popularity in the 1970s and 1980s and served as the macho, hyper-sexualized cousin of Glam Rock. 1990s and 2000s Butt Rock was forged in the ashes of Grunge. Some people refer to 90s and 00s Butt Rock as Post-Grunge. It depends on who you ask as to what constitutes 90s and 00s Butt Rock or if they use the Post-Grunge or Butt Rock label. Ahem. Butt Rock is a pejorative term. So, let’s call it Post-Grunge.

There’s nothing wrong with Post-Grunge (or Butt Rock). I like plenty of music that would be considered Post-Grunge. Bush’s Sixteen Stone was loaded with hits. I’ve been jamming out to “Machinehead,” “Glycerine,” “Comedown,” “Little Things,” and “Everything Zen,” as well as deeper cuts like “Testosterone” and “Alien.” “Alien” might just be my favorite. Gavin Rossdale’s baritone flutters above the track’s haunting guitars. So good. Sixteen Stone has plenty of musical influences: Jane’s Addiction, My Bloody Valentine, Soul Asylum, and The Pixies. Having The Pixies as a musical influence may be the biggest reason why Bush received criticism for sounding too much like Nirvana.

The Pixies influenced Nirvana as much as they would Bush, and the fact that Bush, a British band, could write “Grunge-like music” meant that a band didn’t need a Seattle area code to play Grunge-like music. This is where the animosity toward Post-Grunge begins; there is one other major factor, but we’ll discuss that later. Some bands like Everclear escaped criticism because they at least came from the Pacific Northwest (Oregon), while others like Stone Temple Pilots with their debut Core pivoted toward different sounds with future albums. Ah! I need to relisten to Purple (or 12 Gracious Melodies). According to critics, the biggest knock against Post-Grunge is that it lacks the artistic integrity of Grunge and aims to cash in on the Grunge sound. While this is true of some Post-Grunge, I wouldn’t accuse all Post-Grunge of this sin.

I heard some of you groan when you saw the Nickelback album cover above. “How You Remind Me” is the biggest Post-Grunge hit. It isn’t even close. That song was everywhere, and it features a lot of what defines the Post-Grunge sound: distorted guitars, the use of minor keys, and the lead singer trying his best Eddie Vedder from “Jeremy” impersonation.

Despite all the animosity, “How You Remind Me” is a well-constructed song. Maybe too well-constructed. The song’s chorus gets in your head, and Chad Kroeger tells a familiar and relatable tale about a couple arguing. The rest of the album may deserve the moniker of Butt Rock. Remember how the 1970s and 1980s version of Butt Rock was the macho, hyper-sexualized cousin of Glam Rock? Outside of “How You Remind Me,” songs from Silver Side Up explore topics of strippers, sex, prostitutes, drugs, and alcohol consumption. That sounds like 70s/80s flavored Butt Rock.

And those themes fueled the other reason why some people dislike Post-Grunge. In 2000, the United States government loosened restrictions, allowing radio stations to become monopolies. Prior to this shift, most radio stations were mostly independent. Top 40 radio stations didn’t really exist. A national radio station chain like I Heart Radio certainly didn’t exist. This change in policy led to a few radio stations that catered to a specific demographic: CIS, straight, middle-class white men. Post-Grunge became popular because it sounded like Grunge and had themes that appealed to the demographic radio stations wanted to attract. Male, middle-class, and white.

Don’t believe me? Ben Folds made light of this shift in radio with his 2001 hit “Rockin’ the Suburbs.”

“Y’all don’t know what it’s like, being male, middle-class, and white. Y’all don’t know what it’s like, being male, middle-class, and white. It make me real pissed off, and it makes me wanna say. It make me real pissed off, and it makes me wanna say. It make me real pissed off, and it makes me wanna say. F@#%!”

I love how Ben Folds censored himself in the song. And yes, I’ve had Ben Folds and Ben Folds Five on my music carousel. If you haven’t seen the music video for “One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces,” you should. Ah! Another banger.

Anyway, Post-Grunge is due for a resurgence. What was popular twenty to twenty-five years ago gains nostalgia. The Barbie Movie may have helped Post-Grunge’s repopularization with its use of Matchbox 20’s “Push,” which is a Post-Grunge hit. Armed with Post-Grunge’s history, I may need to rewatch The Barbie Movie. “Push” may have been the perfect song choice on multiple levels.

That’s all I have for Geekly Tunes this month, and it looks like I’m on my own this month. Hopefully, Season and Skye are back for next month’s Geekly Tunes. What’ve you been listening to, Geekly Gang? Let us know in the comments. Thank you for reading, and wherever you are, I hope you’re having a great day.

Geekly Tunes: September 2026

Published on by KyraLeave a comment

Happy Wednesday, Geekly Gang! Today, our writers share what they’ve been listening to over the past month. Feel free to share what you’ve been listening to in the comments, because we’re all part of the Geekly Gang. I’ll get this post kicked off with what I’ve been listening to over the past month.

Kyra’s Tunes

I mentioned Weezer some time last year. I still claim their first two albums are all-time greats, but the rest of the band’s catalogue pales in comparison. Bassist Matt Sharpe (pictured second from the right above) was Weezer’s secret weapon. His falsetto and dynamic harmonies with main songwriter Rivers Cuomo was chef’s kiss. But I may need to delve deeper into Weezer. I listened more to the band’s self-titled debut, dubbed The Blue Album (also pictured above). Most of the tracks are great fusions of alternative rock, beach music, and blues with a whisper of Hip-Hop. “Holiday” makes me think of the Beach Boys writing a song in a 90s alternative style. So good. Typically, I skip “No One Else.” This track is a sign of things to come for Weezer. But most of the tracks on Weezer’s debut are one’s I’ll gladly listen.

Weezer Pinkerton Album Cover

Pinkerton is the height of Weezer’s musical creativity. The band stretches their creative muscles in this album. But Pinkerton may also be Incel Rock. Yeah. I’ve been listening to instrumental versions of Pinkerton, because the lyrics are cringe. They’re beyond cringe. Half the album is River Cuomo crooning how he can’t find a lady. The other half is Cuomo blaming every woman for his predicament. The lone standout is “The Good Life.” I have listened to “The Good Life” with vocals. This one track–in the middle of Pinkerton–is the one moment where Cuomo’s lyrics assume personal responsibility. Don’t believe me that Pinkerton is Incel Rock? “El Scorchio” begins with the lyrics “Goddamn you half-Japanese girls. You do it to me every time.” And Cuomo proceeds to sing about how he reads the girl’s diary. Um. Okay. “Pink Triangle” has the lines “I’m dumb she’s a lesbian” and “Everyone’s a little queer. Why can’t she be a little straight?” Yikes!

I dabbled with the rest of Weezer’s catalogue this past month. I do enjoy the band’s overall sound, but The Green Album (the band’s third studio release) proved indicative of the band’s future output. Release two to four songs that differ from the rest on the album. These are your singles. The rest sound exactly the same. I returned to Weezer because they released a new album last month, The Gold Album. This is the first self-titled album the band has released without picturing the band against a flat color background. Unfortunately, “C.E.O.,” the lead single, shows the album’s conceit.

Cranking out another 90’s jam.
Wish I could do something new,
But nobody wants to hear that
They just want the classics
You can’t blame em really
There’s something special about your early shit

“C.E.O.” is a reheated “Undone (The Sweater Song).” Ouch! I enjoyed The Gold Album more than much of Weezer’s recent output, but the album retreads old ground. I wish I could hear something new and exciting from Weezer.

Have I mentioned I’m from the South? Yes? Well, every once and while I get on a Southern Rock kick, and The Black Crowes dominated this past month’s playlist. I liked “She Talks to Angels” when it first released (in 1990), but I was too young to realize The Black Crowes were singing about drug withdrawals and getting sober.

She paints her eyes as black as night now,
she pulls those shades down tight
Oh yeah; gives a smile when the pain comes,
the pain gonna’ make everything alright (alright, yeah yeah)!

“Gives a smile when the pain comes; the pain gonna’ make everything alright.” Ah! After watching a family member detox, “She Talks to Angels” hits on another level. The Black Crowes were one of the 90’s most volatile bands, but I loved them just the same. They had that spark. Perhaps their volatility gave them their spark. From “Hard to Handle” to “Jealous Again” and “Remedy,” The Black Crowes bring me joy. I don’t listen to this local band often (I grew up near where The Black Crowes formed), but I enjoy the ride whenever I do.

We just hit the “Ber” season, the months that end in BER, so I’ve been writing…a ton. That means I’m hitting up Homework Radio (on YouTube). Homework Radio has plenty of great lofi and Chillhop songs that help me reach a flow state. “the forest guard keeps watch” may be my favorite of the channel’s recent offerings, but I’m certain you’ll find a playlist that will help you reach that flow state, too. I love how this channel doesn’t use AI and how they future various musical artists. Seriously, peruse their offerings, and I’m sure you’ll find something you’ll like.

Those are all the tunes I’ve been listening to over the past month. Let’s check in with Season and Skye.

Season’s Tune

Hey, Geekly Gang! It’s been a hot minute since I’ve contributed to this series. This past month has been a bit rough. However, I’ve got more nostalgia tunes to share. I’m back with more early 2000’s pop-punk.

The first song on blink-182’s self-titled album, “Feeling This,” is a song I heard twenty years ago, but I never knew what the song was titled. Yes. I spent two decades trying to find this song, but I struggled to remember the lyrics. I heard a snippet of it in an Instagram reel a few weeks ago and got the title that way. I was like, “Of course it’s a blink-182 song.” I facepalmed. I’ve been listening to “Feeling This” way too much lately to compensate for lost time. Eh-heh.

Yeah, I’ve been feelin’ the classics lately. That and I left Goodbye Yellow-Brick Road on my turntable for over a month while I was recovering. I regret nothing. And why should I? Sometimes I may not be craving the sound of a particular album, but after I hit play, I’m completely hooked. Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow-Brick Road is one of those albums for me. The combo of John’s infectious piano melodies and upbeat/playful vocals make this album difficult to get out of my head. Even now I can’t seem to stop thinking about “Bennie and the Jets.” You’re welcome, it’s in your head now too (B-B-B-Bennie and the Jetsssssss). Maybe this is your sign to listen to Goodbye Yellow-Brick Road again. I promise you won’t regret it.

Those are the tunes our writers have been listening to this past month. What’ve you been listening to, Geekly Gang? Let us know in the comments. Thank you for reading, and wherever you are, I hope you’re having a great day.

Geekly Tunes: August 2026

Published on by KyraLeave a comment

Hey, hey, Geekly Gang! Kyra Kyle here. Today, our writers share what they’ve been listening to over the past month. Feel free to share what you’ve been listening to because we’re all part of the Geekly Gang. I’ll get things started with what I’ve been listening to over the past month.

Kyra’s Tunes

If I were to tell you I’ve been listening to The Stranglers’ “Golden Brown” on repeat, it would be an understatement. Dave Greenleaf’s harpsichord mesmerizes. It scratches the right spot in my brain. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Way ahead of myself. The Stranglers are a punk band, one of the first. Seriously. The Stranglers inspired The Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Damned, and The Buzzcocks. And they did it with a keyboardist. A keyboardist? The Stranglers have a varied musical upbringing. Lead singer/lead guitarist Hugh Cornwell is a classically trained guitarist. Bassist JJ Burnel is a Blues guy. Drummer Jet Black had a long history of Jazz. They all bring something special.

But Greenleaf was The Stranglers’ greatest weapon. Just ask the other members of the band. Most punk bands wouldn’t employ a keyboardist. That doesn’t fit in punk. But it works with The Stranglers, and Greenleaf layers intricate keyboards, forming something exciting. “Genetix” (from the 1979 album The Raven) may be Greenleaf’s masterwork on the keys. I love La Folie, the album that includes “Golden Brown.” Such a great work. If you want to hear the origin of Post Punk, New Wave, Emo (first wave), and Goth, check out some of The Stranglers’ late 70s and early 80s music. They aren’t just a great Punk band. They’re Rock legends.

We go from a trained Punk band in The Stranglers to a self-taught guitarist in Mark Knopfler (pictured on the far left) and Dire Straits. I love Knopfler’s fingerpicking. He’s a virtuoso. I was first introduced to Dire Straits (the name derives from the band’s financial situation at the time) with their final album, Brothers in Arms. I was so enchanted by the opening track, “So Far Away;” it became the first track I ever remember listening to on repeat. There may have been others before then. Ah! Knopfler’s hypnotic guitars still get me. Sure, “Money for Nothing” may be the biggest hit from Brothers in Arms, and I do enjoy Dire Straits’ biggest hit, but I prefer the title track and “Walk of Life,” and of course, “So Far Away.” Brothers in Arms is iconic.

Despite loving the Brothers in Arms album and most of its tracks, “Sultans of Swing” has to be my favorite Dire Straits song. Everything works. The bass, the guitars, and Knopfler’s faint Southern drawl as he tells the story of a down-on-their-luck band. Hey! Knopfler drew from personal experience. I dare you to listen to “Sultans of Swing” and not move, especially when Knopfler makes his guitar sing. You can’t. The song is electric. And speaking of drawing from personal experience, “Romeo and Juliet” may be the best breakup story ever put to vinyl. Knopfler is one of Rock’s greatest storytellers. Many of his songs take listeners on a journey.

Where do I begin with the French power duo, Daft Punk? Ah! I’ll begin with their name’s origin. As part of a previous band (that also featured members of the rock band Phoenix), a music critic called their sound “daft punk.” Guy-Manuel and Thomas embraced the title. Daft Punk is one of the rare bands that don’t have a bad album. From 1997’s Homework to 2013’s Random Access Memories, Daft Punk curated sonic experiences. I’ve listened to all four of Daft Punk’s studio albums this past month. Random Access Memories may be the most ambitious. It combines everything the band has learned. Random Access Memories sparks a discussion about the concept of music. This is another phenomenal final album.

But you can’t go wrong with “Da Funk,” “Around the World,” “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger,” “One More Time,” “Robot Rock” and so many others. I don’t mind listening to any Daft Punk era. While I have my favorites, I’ll listen to pretty much anything this power duo releases. And that includes the experimental stuff on Random Access Memories like “Giorgio by Moroder” where Italian artist Giorgio Moroder monologues about his early career. Yeah, Daft Punk takes huge swings.

I never got into Static-X when they first formed (in the late 90s and early 2000s). Other Nu Metal bands drew my attention, but I’ve grown to like Static-X. “Push It” has become one of my workout tracks. I love Koichi Fukuda’s guitars and keys. Ken Jay’s drums are on point. Tony Campos is one of the genre’s best bassists. And then there’s Wayne Static or Xer0 on rhythm guitar and vocals. Wayne Static will always be synonymous with Static-X. Heck, the band bears his stage name. Xer0 does a great job filling in for the loss of Static-X’s front man. Rest in peace, Wayne Static.

I go back and forth with Xer0’s aesthetic. He dons a zombie mask and a wig that resembles Wayne Static’s hairstyle, which looks like it’s in a perpetual state of shock. Most Static-X fans enjoy Xer0’s nod to Wayne Static, so I guess I’m okay with a zombie Wayne Static as Static-X’s current front man. Regardless, it’s interesting. I’m delving deeper into Static-X’s catalogue. I’ll let you know what I find.

That’s all I have for this month’s Geekly Tunes. Let’s see what Season and Skye have been listening to over the past month.

Season’s Tunes

I’m back with another Denzel Curry album. Strictly 4 the Scythe dropped in March of 2026 with eight songs and has a twenty-nine minute runtime. I listened to it a few times on repeat to get a feel for it. Honestly? I liked “PHONY” and “YOU AINT GOTTA LIE.” The album as a whole wasn’t my favorite of Denzel’s work. Of his newer work, I prefer “King of the Mischievous South” and “Melt My Eyez See Your Future.”

Skye’s Tunes

When it comes to music, sometimes I just get in a loop where I have to listen to the same song over and over again. Lately, “Down in Mexico” has been that song. Ever since I returned to work, I’ve been getting into the habit of playing “Down in Mexico” on loop in the car while I drive home. I was first introduced to “Down in Mexico” in the car when I was young (because I have very cultured parents), I fell in love with it after its unforgettable use in Quentin Tarantino’s Death Proof, and ever since then it’ll randomly get stuck in my head from time to time. This time I’ve just decided to ride it out for as long as possible and can you blame me? “Down in Mexico” has fantastic vocals, a soulful sound, and a beat that gets me in a groovin’ mood every time I hear it. Certainly not the worst song to pop up out of nowhere, especially when compared to modern-day earworms.

Hey, hey! Kyra Kyle here again. Those are the tunes our writers have been listening over the past month. Thank you for reading, and wherever you are, I hope you’re having a great day.

Geekly Tunes: July 2026

Published on by KyraLeave a comment

Happy Wednesday, Geekly Gang! Kyra Kyle here, and today, our writers share what they’ve been listening to over the past month. Feel free to share what you’ve been listening to over the past month, because we’re all part of the Geekly Gang. I’ll get things started with what I’ve been listening to over the past month with today’s Geekly Tunes.

Kyra’s Tunes

I was on a little bit of a punk kick this past month. Social Distortion made the rotation quite a bit. “Ball and Chain” introduced me to this band. While it’s a song about alcoholism, “Ball and Chain” can be used for anything holding a person back, your personal demons, if you will. “Ball and Chain” is up front about its relation to alcoholism. These are its opening lyrics.

Well it’s been ten years and a thousand tears
And look at the mess I’m in
A broken nose and a broken heart,
An empty bottle of gin

But “Ball and Chain’s” chorus gives the song a universal theme.

Take away, take away
Take away this ball and chain
Well I’m lonely and I’m tired
And I can’t take any more pain
Take away, take away
Never to return again
Take away, take away
Take away
Take away this ball and chain

“Ball and Chain” is direct. Its lyrics are stripped down. That makes it a perfect punk diddy. The catchy chorus turns the track into a sing-along. It doesn’t matter what I struggle with (usually self-doubt and self-loathing), belting out “Ball and Chain’s” chorus breaks me out of a bad mood. Usually.

While I typically begin with Social Distortion’s “Ball and Chain” and rarely go beyond that, I dipped my toe into Social Distortion’s catalogue. “Story of My Life” and a superb cover of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire” (and “Ball and Chain”) made for a great trio on Social Distortion’s self-titled album. I even like Social Distortion’s “Another State of Mind” from their debut album, almost a decade prior. Social Distortion balances punk attitude and harmony. They remind me somewhat of Bad Religion, who I discussed at length in a previous Geekly Tunes. So, I guess I have a type.

And while Cash’s “Ring of Fire” may sound like an odd choice for a punk band, Social Distortion also has rockabilly tendencies. “Ring of Fire” is a great choice for a Social Distortion cover. Ramones-style Punk + Rockabilly. What’s not to love?

“Bad Luck” is Social Distortion’s greatest hit. Well, it’s the song that reached the highest on the charts. Of course, it’s a banger. “Bad Luck” is another song with great sing-along lyrics. They may not be the most artistic of lyrics, but you’ve gotta love belting out “You got bad, bad luck. Bad, bad luck” in the shower.

Not gonna lie, after I wrote this entry, I put on more Social Distortion. Typically, I don’t care for a tear in a beer music. Social Distortion finds a way to make it fun.

Honestly, I didn’t get into Faith No More back in the 80s and early 90s. Sure, I knew “Epic,” and that song did get plenty of airplay for me this past month, but Faith No More is more than just one song. I may have listened to “Falling to Pieces” more than “Epic.” Gasp! Faith No More is the original rap-rock band. Its most famous frontperson, Mike Patton (pictured above holding a camcorder), is an amazing vocalist. Patton can sing anything. Literally, anything. Freddie Mercury was rumored to be able to sing in four octaves. Patton is believed to be able to sing in six. Patton has been known to croon, sing in falsetto, death growls, rap, chant, mouth music, beatbox, and scat. Patton was asked what kind of music he would like to sing. He answered yes.

I’ve actually seen Patton perform live on stage with Mr. Bungle. Silly me. I didn’t know Patton was also the Mr. Bungle’s frontman. As the act before Incubus and System of the Down, Patton sang a lovely rendition of “What the World Needs Now Is Love.” Most people in the auditorium booed, while I danced in the green scrubs I kept after my oldest daughter was born. The fans booed Patton and Mr. Bungle off the stage. I wanted an encore. Seriously, the dude can sing. I have first-hand knowledge. I wouldn’t have minded a full performance of music like that from Patton.

Fortunately, Patton did release an album in that tone. Mr. Bungle’s most experimental album was Disco Volante. My favorite review of Disco Volante is AllMusic’s “It’s the music equivalent of a David Lynch movie.” Patton had fallen in love with classical Italian music from the 50s and challenged his vocal range by singing primarily in the soprano range. Ah! It’s weird. It’s beautiful. You should give it a listen.

Getting back to Faith No More, my favorite track may have to be Angel Dust’s lead single, “Midlife Crisis.” This sucker goes from Patton singing in a death growl and him climbing up to a high tenor. I didn’t know Patton had that in him. You should give a listen to Faith No More’s live performance of “Midlife Crisis” on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Show. Faith No More were metal trailblazers. Patton may be the most talented person in most rooms, but typically, he prefers to be the goofiest or silliest.

I may have to give another listen to Faith No More and Mr. Bungle’s back catalogue of tracks. I’m certain their albums will yield plenty of deep cuts. If I had to choose an album for Faith No More, Angel Dust is the one you should give a listen. While I like We Care a Lot (shout out to the original line-up), and The Right Thing is iconic (with “Epic” and “Falling to Pieces”), Angel Dust shows Patton and Faith No More push their limits. This band showed the future of metal.

Fun fact: one of the singers before Mike Patton took the mantle was Courtney Love. Yeah, that Courtney Love. She only lasted about six months right before the release of We Care a Lot. The reason for Love’s departure was she caused animosity in the band. That doesn’t sound like Courtney Love at all. Wink.

That’s all I have for the tunes I’ve been listening to this past month. Let’s see what Season and Skye have been listening to this month.

Season’s Tunes

Do you remember the notgame Loneliness, Geekly Gang? It was a flash game where the player was a cube moving up the screen. As the player progresses through the game, the other cubes it encounters run away from them and disappear. It was created to showcase the lonely teen epidemic in South Korea.

Anyway, the track that plays in Loneliness is called “Blue Paint.” The track isn’t listed in the game, but it was written by Kevin MacLeod and is solely a piano track. I thought the track was beautiful, and I listened to the album it’s on, Atlantean Twilight. Atlantean Twilight is fully instrumental and very calming to listen to. I was reading when I listened to it and it helped me focus. Kevin MacLeod has multiple albums like this. They’re worth checking out if you need something calming to listen to while you work or unwind.

Hey, hey! Kyra Kyle here again. Those are the tunes our writers have been listening to over the past month. What’ve you been listening to? Let us know in the comments. Thank you for reading, and wherever you are, I hope you’re having a great day.

Geekly Tunes June 2026

Geekly Tunes: June 2026

Published on by KyraLeave a comment

Happy Wednesday, Geekly Gang! Kyra Kyle here, and today, our writers share what they’ve been listening to over the past month. Feel free to share what you’ve been listening to, because we’re all part of the Geekly Gang. I’ll get things started with what I’ve been listening to over the past month.

Kyra’s Tunes

I listened to Sarah McLachlan’s Surfacing (1997) from beginning to end for the first time in years, maybe a decade. My spouse and I listened to this album on repeat when it was first released. We happened to get married two months before Surfacing was released, so this album holds a special place. Music is one of those things that can trap a moment. Surfacing captures the early days of my marriage.

And this album is loaded with hits: “Building a Mystery,” “Sweet Surrender,” “Adia,” and “Angel.” There are so many memes with Sarah McLachlan and a dog. That stems from an ASPCA commercial where “Angel” plays and images of suffering dogs play. I can’t hear “Angel” without a Sarah McLachlan meme popping into my head. It was always my least favorite of Surfacing’s hits.

Of the Surfacing hits, my favorite was always “Sweet Surrender” or “Adia.” Those two showcase McLachlan’s vocal range. And I like some of “Building a Mystery’s” lyrics. “You come out at night. That’s when the energy comes. And the dark side’s light. And the vampires roam. You strut your rasta wear and your suicide poem. And a cross from a faith that died before Jesus came.” McLachlan shows the facades people can wear to hide their insecurities. Lovely.

My pick for Surfacing’s best deep cut is “Witness.” This soulful song screams sing-along. “Will we burn in heaven, like we do down here? Will a change come, while we’re waiting? Everyone is waiting.” Ah! I love the guitar solo, make it cry. “Witness” sounds nothing like any of the other Surfacing tracks, and yet, it fits.

I won’t spend as much time on Sarah McLachlan’s Fumbling Towards Ecstasy (1993). The title track is excellent, “Ice Cream” is fun, but “Possession” takes center stage. By the early nineties, McLachlan already had her share of deranged fans/stalkers. Two of them wrote McLachlan, and their letters inspired “Possession.” “And I would be the one to hold you down/kiss you so hard, I’ll take your breath away, and after I wipe away the tears/Just close your eyes, dear.” Haunting.

Knowing that someone wrote these words–or something akin to these words–to McLachlan gives me the ick. “My body aches to breathe your breath/your words keep me alive.” Restraining order. I’d never want to leave the house. If you ever want to feel like you need to sleep with the lights on, listen to “Possession.” But the vocals here are amazing. Love the harmonies.

Butthole Surfers are unapologetically weird. They may be one of the oddest Nineties bands to ever have a Top 40 hit, “Pepper,” and we’ll get to “Pepper” soon enough. I liked most of what Butthole Surfers was willing to produce. Independent Worm Saloon contains some non-traditional bops. “The Annoying Song” is just that, annoying, but I can’t help but bob my head along with the jam. I could Google “The Annoying Song’s” lyrics, but I like to interpret them as best I can. Looking up the lyrics is cheating.

Butthole Surfers’ cover of “The Hurdy Gurdy Man” (two years before Independent Worm Saloon) caught the attention of Capitol Records. I liked Butthole Surfers’ trippy rendition of “The Hurdy Gurdy Man.” They out-Donovaned Donovan. In the early Nineties, everyone was looking for the next Nirvana, so Capital signed Butthole Surfers. Independent Worm Saloon was the first album with all-new tracks under Capital. “Who Was in My Room Last Night?” was the lead single and received some play on MTV. But it wasn’t until the release of “Pepper” that Butthole Surfers exploded.

I always liked “Pepper,” but it sounded nothing like Butthole Surfers’ typical sound. Heck, Butthole Surfers don’t have a “typical sound.” What makes “The Annoying Song” and “Who Was in My Room Last Night?” great is that the tracks don’t sound like anything else. “The Annoying Song” is a chaotic noise-scape. Despite liking Butthole Surfers’ earlier work, “Pepper” is catchy. I love the line “You never know just how you look through other people’s eyes.” Brilliant. Honest. Haunting.

Butthole Surfers would be haunted by the ghost of “Pepper.” Capital wanted another hit single. Butthole Surfers weren’t into that and planned an odd follow-up to their 1996 breakthrough album. The new album was supposed to be After the Astronaut. Capital didn’t hear a single on this new album and refused to release it. Butthole Surfers released a doctored version of the already completed album and called it Weird Revolution. I wish I were lucky enough to have snagged a bootleg copy of the original After the Astronaut. It was a complete album. It never released. Not until later this month.

That’s right. After over three decades, After the Astronaut will be released in its original state. I’ve been listening to “Jet Fighter,” the album’s lead single, on repeat. The song is trippy. The video is equally trippy. Both deal with extremist Christians and how they love to go to war. Singer/songwriter Gibby Haynes worried at the time that the United States would return to war with the Middle East and largely Islamic nations. “Jet Fighter” was originally written in the mid-to-late Nineties. Turns out, Haynes was right to be worried. Led by extremist Christians, the United States has been in a consistent state of war against predominantly Islamic nations for almost as long as After the Astronaut has awaited a proper release.

I can’t wait to listen to the rest of the album. That’s all I have for what I’ve been listening to this month. Looks like Season and Skye don’t have anything for this week. They have both listened to plenty of tunes this past month, but life be lifing. What have you been listening to? Let us know in the comments. Thank you for reading, and wherever you are, I hope you’re having a great day.

Geekly News 31May2026 Dungesons And Dragons Switches To Monthly Service

Geekly News: May 31, 2026; D&D Switches to Subscription Model

Published on by KyraLeave a comment

Happy Sunday, Geekly Gang! Kyra Kyle here with another week of Geek News. We have a few new releases for board games and video games. We’ll get to them soon, but first, let’s discuss this week’s developing news. Dungeons & Dragons abandons its old model for a subscription model. Books may be a thing of the past. That may sound like some Fahrenheit 451-level postapocalyptic nonsense, but Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks has all but said the core D&D books will be nothing but a collector’s item. Most–if not all–future Dungeons & Dragons updates and content will only be available through D&D Beyond and a subscription. Buckle up, tabletop role-playing game players, because we may have entered an era where gamers won’t own anything. They’ll rent it through subscriptions. Because we all love subscriptions, especially CEOs like Chris Cocks.

Dungeons & Dragons Is Now a Subscription Service

That headline goes a little hard, but only a little. As of late April 2026 (last month), Wizards of the Coast Developers (primarily for Magic: Arena) formed a union with demands that must have been met by the beginning of this month, May 1, 2026. The union asked for 1) recognition by management, 2) no further layoffs (like what happened to D&D Sigil), 3) protection against AI-generated products, and 4) fair wages and remote work opportunities. Evidently, Hasbro was forcing its Magic: Arena employees to sleep at their desks; no home for you.

The deadline has passed without management agreeing to anything, so the employees (only for Magic: Arena) have signed a secret ballot through the Communications Workers of America Union (CWA) to unionize. Wizards of the Coast insists it’s progressive, but rejects a workers’ union. Does this make them evil? Not necessarily. They want to make money. Dungeons & Dragons employees are watching this situation carefully because they may be next. Heck, this already happened to them with D&D Sigil. And D&D employees are next. With Sigil gone, Hasbro/Wizards of the Coast (WotC) has pivoted to making D&D Beyond its cash cow. WotC had intended D&D Sigil to be THE way gamers interacted with the game. With enough buy-in from consumers with D&D Beyond, it became an easier sell with customers.

As I said in the opening, Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks expects Dungeons & Dragons core books to be a thing of the past or, at best, coffee table books for collectors. Like the cancelled D&D Sigil, Cocks wants players to play Dungeons & Dragons exclusively on D&D Beyond through a subscription model, which means you don’t own any of the content. You’re renting the content. While the app/website is free to use with limitations, paying $2.99/month for a Hero Tier subscription expands the number of characters you can build and provides early access to digital versions of the books. The $5.99/month Master Tier also “allows” the subscriber to add homebrew content to the system and share their books with players. Paid users will now get access to a Subscriber Content Library that expands every week.

These D&D weekly drops have already begun. These D&D “drops” are only available on D&D Beyond. Let me take a moment and mention the term “drop.” Drop is a live-service video game term. Hasbro/WotC aren’t trying to hide their inspiration. From what I’ve read of this early content, the D&D Beyond drops sound like they could’ve been generated using AI, which brings us back to the proposed Magic: Arena union. This union may need to be extended to all WotC employees. If D&D Beyond expects to have weekly “drops,” larger first-of-the-month “drops,” and themed content every couple of months like the upcoming Ravenloft “drops,” D&D Beyond employees could be overworked (which could also explain less-than-inspired “drops” so far on the platform) or you’ll need to use AI-generated tools.

Coincidentally, there’s a chat option with D&D Beyond that will alter future D&D “drops.” Sounds like it could be a chatbot. I don’t know. I could just be ranting. At this point, I am just ranting. Typically, subscription services better serve companies, not the consumers. Subscriptions breed obligations; I need to use my subscription, or else I’m wasting it. Sometimes, consumers forget when they have subscriptions. That’s why Rocket Money exists. It flags subscriptions you’re not using. And the advent of TTRPG subscriptions will mean fewer TTRPG players will try other games. Again, subscribers will feel the need to play the games they are subscribed to. Fewer TTRPG players will venture beyond D&D to games like Dungeon Crawl Classics or Pathfinder or Draw Steel or even World of Darkness.

TTRPGs with a subscription model are on the rise. The new TTRPG based on the popular Dungeon Crawler Carl series–this will make the DCC acronym confusing because Dungeon Crawl Classics already exists–offers a Season Pass. What? If D&D is successful with its subscription model, other TTRPGs will follow. Again, I don’t blame these companies for doing this. The subscription model works for monthly income. So many players are subscribed; multiply that number by their subscription cost, and you receive a steady income.

But I like owning content. If players cancel their D&D Beyond subscription, they lose everything in their account. All of those characters you could save on the cloud are gone. And unions are a good thing. Perhaps if the D&D Beyond team had more time, benefits, and money, they could’ve come up with better content than what the site has available so far. To be fair, they could be waiting to drop meatier content (that will only be available on D&D Beyond) during next month’s Ravenloft release. There must be a medium where all parties win. The companies, employees, and gamers alike.

Earthborne Trailblazer Launches on KickStarter

Earthborne Trailblazer is an open-world, co-operative board game set in the wilderness of the far future. You and up to 4 friends take on the role of Rangers who have long acted as the sworn protectors of a small mountain valley nestled high in the Rocky Mountains. Now, you are striking out beyond the bounds of your Valley, seeking out new trails and new peoples and bringing the aid of the Rangers far out into the world.

Earthborne Trailblazer looks amazing. That makes sense because publisher Earthborne Games specializes in breathtaking board games. I also like how the company is committed to environmental sustainability. Getting back to Earthborne Trailblazer, each turn begins with an event card. These cards can represent the weather, progress the narrative, or cause crises. Each player then takes a turn, where they 1) Prepare, 2) Explore, and 3) Travel. Pretty standard actions for a cooperative game set in a fantasy-like world. I like how the event cards can evolve the world around you and/or progress the story. Pledges range from $80 to $270. If you’re interested in Earthborne Trailblazer, check out its KickStarter page.

The Last Meow: Kraken’s Vengeance Launches on KickStarter

The final showdown is upon us…The Last Meow. The Kraken has risen once more for vengeance, but this time, the cannons are loaded, and the crew is ready. The Last Meow is a three-lane, round-based strategy game where two players clash in an epic test of power, wits, and survival. Each round, both players draw from their own decks and secretly place three cards onto the board before revealing everything at once and resolving the chaos lane by lane. Can you obliterate your opponent’s nine health before they do the same to you?

I like The Last Meow’s look. The game’s concept sounds interesting. I wonder if this is a take on the Schotten Totten or Battleline three-lane combat system. Those games are well-received. Cards range from defense, action, power, and healing. We don’t have much information on how long The Last Meow will take to play, but two-player games don’t tend to take that long, and the game looks adorable. Pledges range from $45 to $139. If you’re interested in The Last Meow, check out its KickStarter page.

Cryptkins: On the Loose! Launches on KickStarter

Can you corral the chaotic creatures slipping into our world? In Cryptkins: On the Loose!–the first board game set in the world of Cryptkins–each player takes on the role of an everyday kid, each bringing their own unique ability to the team. Will you figure out how to handle each Cryptkin’s unpredictable twist before they wreak havoc?

Cryptkins: On the Loose! sounds like a hoot. Players will research the cryptkins, seeing how each one will behave. They may act unpredictably at first, but over time, you can learn their patterns so you can better capture them. On a turn, players may take two of any of these actions: move, use movement card ability, play an action card, trade cards (with another player, use your character ability, or capture.

I’ve looked a few times and wasn’t able to see if Cryptkins: On the Loose! is a competitive or cooperative game. It’s clearly aimed at kids and families. Most of the page is dedicated to how adorable each Cryptkin is and how you can collect each cryptkin vinyl figure, which serve as game pieces for Cryptkins: On the Loose! I also saw plush figures for sale as well as additional vinyl figures to purchase. Extra bits (not used for playing a game) have become a trend for board game KickStarter campaigns. I’m tempted to pick up the Hippocamp and the Jackalope. Pledges range from $40 to $195. If you’re interested in Cryptkins: On the Loose!, check out its KickStarter page.

Menu del dia Launches on GameFound

Menú del Día is a solo or two-player cooperative game where you must survive the rush of the service and help your restaurant progress day after day. The game features a short campaign where new scenarios and game modes are gradually unlocked. In each round, both problems and customers appear in equal measure, increasing the challenge. During your turn, you can serve customers, collect payments, solve issues, load the dishwasher, make coffee, and retrieve ingredients—all in order to complete the objective of each scenario.

Thank you for the description, Caravan Games. We didn’t have as many board game publishers provide descriptions this week. Anyway, I like Menu del dia’s menu. I’m a sucker for food-themed games. While I don’t know how the game plays exactly, it looks as if it has an easy-to-learn ruleset, adds enough variety to keep gameplay fresh, and may have a descent amount of strategy. With card games like this, what players draw during their turns will affect gameplay. The artwork looks great, and I can’t wait to check out the game after it launches. If you’re interested in Menu del dia, check out its GameFound page.

Dribble ‘n’ Dice Launches on GameFound

Dribble’n’Dice is a tactical football board game for two players. Each coach controls a team of eleven players and tries to outplay the opponent through positioning, timing and smart decisions. Players move across the pitch, pass, tackle and shoot, while dice and action cards create tension and risk. The game focuses on space control, tactical choices and momentum.

I grew up playing soccer–or football–and haven’t played in years. Dribble ‘n’ Dice has me interested in the sport again. I may find a rec league. Right. I was talking about Dribble ‘n’ Dice. The game looks cute. I get a strong Electronic Football (American Rules) meets 1st and Goal with the figurines and action card/dice system. I’m watching this campaign. Dribble ‘n’ Dice looks to merge tactical goodness with a game that can get people into the beautiful game. If you’re interested in Dribble ‘n’ Dice, check out its GameFound page.

Stonemachia Releases

Fight, Zefiro! Arm yourself with the power of chess and explore Medhelan, a land haunted by the Plague of Angels, in a dark action-adventure with soulslike elements. Will you be able to return to Heaven?

Make no mistake. Chess inspired Stonemachia. The image above (of a knight in Chess) is not just for show. Stonemachia combines the gameplay of a Souls-like video game with Chess pieces. The game features beautiful visuals. The idea sounds fun, but according to early reviews, the game has plenty of bugs and technical hiccups. From what I’ve heard, Stonemachia shows plenty of promise. It’ll be one of those games where, if it sounds interesting enough, it may be worth a play. Stonemachia’s world is one worth exploring. This isn’t a generic dark fantasy kingdom. You’ll visit twisted recreations of Italian cathedrals, plazas, bridges, and castles that feel at home in a nightmare.

Stonemachia is one of those titles I’m adding to my various wishlists and waiting for a sale. If you want to try the game for yourself, many platforms offer Stonemachia demos. The game looks amazing. Stonemachia is available on PC.

Yerba Buena Releases

Dive into a surreal 1970s gameworld and save San Francisco from a sinister threat. Play as Barb, and use the Oscillator to capture and reapply the physical traits of objects to solve mind-bending environmental platforming puzzles.

In layperson’s terms, Yerba Buena uses a copy-and-paste game mechanism. Simply copy the desired trait or movement vector of objects around you, and apply them elsewhere to solve mind-bending environmental puzzles. I haven’t been as excited for a quirky puzzle game like Yerba Buena since Katamari Damacy.

Player character Barb lives as an NPC in an abandoned game world. She yearns to become the main character she always wanted to be. I love Yerba Buena’s premise. While I was writing this post, I hadn’t yet tried the Yerba Buena demo. That’s right. We have another video game that offers a demo. I like this trend. Yerba Buena may not be for everyone, but it may scratch a very peculiar itch. And I love it when studios, like Focus Entertainment and Mad About Pandas, take a risk. Yerba Buena is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X.

Mina the Hollower Releases

Take control of Mina, a renowned Hollower hurtled into a desperate mission to rescue a cursed island. Whip foes, burrow through the ground, and explore a pixel-perfect world in Mina the Hollower, a brand new game from the developers who brought you Shovel Knight!

Oh. That’s right. Yacht Club Games (Shovel Knight’s publisher) returns with Mina the Hollower. Even though Mina the Hollower is set in a different world, the game shares Shovel Knight’s sensibilities. Expect to find bizarre NPCs, exotic locales, and a soundtrack that’ll get stuck in your head for hours. Seriously, I clicked on Mina the Hollower’s Steam page, and I had to mute the video that played. No. Not again. But it was too late, I started humming the game’s main theme.

I have yet to play Mina the Hollower, and unlike other video games on this list, it doesn’t offer a free demo. But who are we kidding? If you enjoy Shovel Knight, you owe it to yourself to keep Mina the Hollower on your radar. Mina the Hollower is available on PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and Xbox Series S/X.

That’s all the geek news we have for you this week. Thank you for reading, and wherever you are, I hope you’re having a great day.

Geekly Tunes May 2026

Geekly Tunes: May 2026

Published on by KyraLeave a comment

Happy Wednesday, Geekly Gang! Kyra Kyle here, and today, our writers share what they’ve been listening to over the past month. Feel free to share what you’ve been listening to as well, because we’re all part of the Geekly Gang. I’ll get things started with what I’ve been listening to over the past month.

Kyra’s Tunes

Every once in a while, I slip into an Imogen Heap phase. This past month was one of those months. “Hide and Seek” and “Headlock” (from her best-known album, Speak for Yourself) serve as warm handshakes into Imogen Heap’s boundary-pushing electronic sound. There’s a reason why Imogen Heap is the favorite artist of many people’s favorite artists. Heap may be one of the most influential electronic artists few people know. But many of you may know a segment of Imogen Heap’s “Hide and Seek.” It was sampled in Jason Derulo’s song “Whatcha Say.” Heap is the robotic voice. She has an uncanny way of giving autotune and voice modulators feel.

I love how Imogen Heap explores sound. Fun fact: the “rain” one hears during “Hide and Seek” is actually Heap cooking bacon. I’m a huge fan of artists who use unique musical instruments. I said something similar about Fiona Apple several months ago. And just like Apple, Heap’s lyrics elevate her sonic landscapes. I love the line in “Hide and Seek:” “The dust has only just begun to form crop circles in the carpet. Sinking. Feeling.” I love her imagery. Like I said, there’s a good chance Imogen Heap is your favorite artists’ favorite artist. I’m only discussing “Hide and Seek” because you should discover Heap’s discography. She may not be as prolific as she once was, but Heap continues to explore. You should discover her music.

We lost Jeff Buckley far too soon. While his entire Grace album is worth a listen, his heavenly voice renders what may be the definitive version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” I’ve been listening to Buckley on repeat as much as I’ve been listening to Heap this past month. Both have haunting vocals and brilliant lyrics. Heap plants her flag firmly in music’s future. Buckley has a classic sound. The aforementioned “Hallelujah” has a soul quality. I dare you to hear this song and not have an emotional response. You won’t be able to do it. I love Buckley’s voice.

The Sundays fit with the other two artists I’ve mentioned. I don’t know why. It’s a vibe. I wouldn’t mind creating a playlist with all three of these artists included. Anyway, to give some folks context, The Sundays were The Cranberries before The Cranberries. In fact, when they first hit the UK music scene, The Cranberries were accused of copying The Sundays’ sound. The Sundays’ Reading, Writing and Arithmetic (album art pictured above) is one of the greatest dream pop albums. The Sundays had two follow-up albums, Blind and Static & Silence, and all three were massive hits. And then, The Sundays disappeared.

Principal songwriters Harriet Wheeler and David Gavurin got married, had kids, and retreated from the public. The couple still writes music. They’ve hinted at a return for decades. Sadly, The Sundays may be a victim of their own success. Wheeler and Gavurin seldom view their new work as worthy as their older material. I hope The Sundays return, but even if they don’t, we have three superb albums. Reading, Writing and Arithmetic is perhaps their best album. “Here’s Where the Story Ends” lives rent-free in my head. The band’s cover of The Rolling Stones “Wild Horses” is the definitive version of that song. Seriously, when future artists cover “Wild Horses,” they play The Sundays’ version. And “Summertime” from The Sundays’ third (and currently final) album is their biggest hit.

I don’t accuse The Cranberries of copying The Sundays. But if you like The Cranberries, you owe it to yourself to check out The Sundays.

That’s all the music I’ve been listening to over the past month. Let’s check in with Season.

Season’s Tunes

Whenever I listen to a love song, I like to imagine many scenarios in which the song would be relevant beyond romantic love, such as familial love, friendships, love for pets, etc. “The Rose” can definitely slot into any of those categories. I also frequently forget Bette Midler is a singer before an actress.

I love the imagery in “The Rose.” It describes painful love, such as “Some say love, it is a river/That drowns the tender reed.” I’ve never heard that metaphor before, and Bette Midler sings it beautifully. It discusses people’s longing for love, but they don’t always know how to give and receive love. I’m definitely one of those people. I’ve gotten mixed feedback from people in the past. I’ve yet to watch the musical drama The Rose that features the song. That’s next on my list.

I’m outing myself as an avid watcher of music/dance and cosplay content on Instagram. On the dance side of things, there are a lot of people dancing to BTS’s “SWIM” and “Hooligan.” I came across both songs at nauseam, bit the bullet, and watched the music videos for each.

“SWIM” is pretty straightforward. They’re literally singing about swimming in the ocean with romantic undertones. I’m guessing the romantic undertones are fan service since a lot of women are into BTS. After some research, the consensus is that “SWIM” is about persevering through life, but BTS hasn’t actually confirmed this. If it is about persevering through life, it comes across as a loose meaning in “SWIM.” I’d recommend “Solsbury Hill” by Peter Gabriel if you’re looking for something with a more nuanced take on perseverance to scratch that itch.

“Hooligan” was less thuggish and more middle-aged dudes trying to relive the glory days. If BTS came out with “Hooligan” closer to when they debuted, it would have given their band a rougher persona. The oldest member is thirty-five. The knife-sharpening sounds and the punk-inspired outfits made “Hooligan” gimmicky at best. I giggled the entire time watching the “Hooligan” music video, and I’m not ashamed.

Verdict: Eh. They were songs. Most of BTS’s English songs (that I’ve heard) have surface-level meaning. “Dynamite” doesn’t have much meaning beyond the surface, but it’s cute and fun. “SWIM” and “Hooligan” are trying to be serious, but it doesn’t land. English isn’t their first language, but they’ve been producing songs in English for around five years now. I was hoping to listen to a bit more nuance in this still prolific K-Pop band I get serenaded with every time I open Instagram.

Trigger warning: Explicit content

Speaking of Instagram, I discover lesser-known artists there, too. “DIET” by Mad Tsai is a sex song. However, it’s got interesting visuals with the lyrics, and is about men. Just men. I don’t think I’ve heard a sex song about men that has as colorful imagery as a heterosexual sex song. I need to expand my music repertoire. The music video for “DIET” dropped recently, and it’s goofy, but not in the same way as “Hooligan.” It shows grown men playing spin the bottle and having pillow fights. There’s a makeout session or two, but it isn’t meant to be taken seriously.

Hey, hey! Kyra Kyle again. Looks like Skye is taking off this week. We’ll have to see what she’s been listening to next month. Thank you for reading, and wherever you are, I hope you’re having a great day.

Geekly Tunes April 2026

Geekly Tunes: April 2026

Published on by KyraLeave a comment

Happy Wednesday, Geekly Gang! Kyra Kyle here. Today, our writers share what they’ve been listening to over the past month. Feel free to share what you’ve been listening to as well, because we’re all part of the Geekly Gang. I’ll kick off this post with what I’ve been listening to over the past month. It’s time for Geekly Tunes!

Kyra’s Tunes

Recently, my spouse stated that Bruno Mars seldom releases a bad track. I think she’s on to something. While I may not love every track Bruno Mars releases, most of them are catchy. “Risk It All” is another in a long line of good–maybe not the best–Bruno Mars tunes. I do like the inclusion of horns. And “I Just Might,” from Bruno Mars’s fourth solo studio album The Romantic, is a bop. Sure, I already shared that I’ve been listening to Junior Senior’s “Move Your Feet” and that song inspires “I Just Might,” but Mars has a way of making something retro cool. I change the station a lot with modern radio. I don’t tend to change the station when Bruno Mars plays.

I’ll be going a little faster with my write-ups for this month’s tunes. I have a lot of artists to get through. While one could call me a Bruno Mars fan, I wouldn’t fit the mold of an Olivia Dean fan. “The Man I Need” is the kind of safe British Soul song that has stayed in rotation for decades. Only, Dean’s “The Man I Need” sounds artificial. Maybe I’m spoiled by Adele’s voice. She has dominated British Soul for over a decade and a half; Adele’s a tough act to follow. Computerized background musack doesn’t help. Why does “The Man I Need’s” background music sound like AI Slop? Anyway, I do like Dean’s follow-up, “So Easy (To Fall In Love).” The background music is more interesting. That helps. Dean still gives a staid vocal performance, so the Bossa Nova beat delivers a lot of the track’s personality. When did the Bossa Nova become popular again? This isn’t the only new song to use the Bossa Nova.

Speaking of British Soul, I’ve been listening to Leona Lewis’ “Bleeding Love” a lot, mostly on the radio, but still. “Bleeding Love” proves British Soul’s endurance. This one came out almost two decades ago. Yikes! Lewis’s voice has more texture than Dean’s. And don’t even get me started on Des’ree’s “You Gotta Be” (1994). Ugh! I’m old, but British Soul can have personality. I hope Dean starts testing her range. She has talent.

Season and Skye have both mentioned K-Pop Demon Hunters. I won’t go into too much detail here. Fun fact: I have yet to watch K-Pop Demon Hunters all the way through. It plays constantly in my house, so I’ve seen the movie through all the clips I’ve caught in passing. In short, K-Pop Demon Hunters has catchy music. “Golden” may be my least favorite track. I’m a huge soda drinker, so I give the edge to “Soda Pop.” I may even pull out some “Soda Pop” dance moves.

I’ll spend more time on the Barenaked Ladies. I’ve listened to Maroon, pictured above, several times this past month. It may be my favorite Barenaked Ladies’ album. Sure, “Pinch Me,” “Too Little Too Late,” and “Falling for the First Time” are phenomenal, but I like a lot of the Maroon deep cuts. “Conventioneers,” “Sell, Sell, Sell,” “The Humour of the Situation,” and “Baby Seat” are fantastic tracks in the middle of the album. The next two aren’t quite my style, but Maroon finishes strong with “Tonight Is the Night I Fell Asleep at the Wheel.” I’ll listen to that one on repeat. It almost gives me a Jake Skellington origin story vibe. And the way the line “You’re the Last Thing On My Mind” changes from the track’s beginning and end is fabulous.

I’ve also been listening to the Barenaked Ladies’ Greatest Hits (technically, it’s titled Disc One: All Their Greatest Hits {1991-2001}). Again, the big hits are fantastic. Who doesn’t like “One Week” or “If I Had A Million Dollars?” But I like a lot of the lesser-known tracks on this album, too. “Get In Line” has some genuinely laugh-out-loud moments. “It’s Only Me (The Wizard of Magicland)” may be my favorite. This lost track found a home in the Barenaked Ladies’ Greatest Hits, and thank goodness. If you’re in need of self-love, throw on “It’s Only Me (The Wizard of Magicland).” It puts the “Me” in monogamy. And while you check out this collection, give “Brian Wilson” a listen. The Beach Boys legend said he loved this tribute song. Brian Wilson even sang “Brian Wilson” in concerts. The Barenaked Ladies must’ve done something right.

While we’re on the topic of bands that don’t take themselves too seriously, I’ve been listening to a lot of They Might Be Giants. “Birdhouse In Your Soul” lives rent-free in my head. The lyrics may make little sense, but they may also hold the world’s wisdom. “Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch, who watches over you? Make a little birdhouse in your soul. Not to put too fine a point on it. Say, ‘I’m the only bee in your bonnet.’ Make a little birdhouse in your soul.” And now, I’m singing “Birdhouse In Your Soul” again. At least I’m not doing They Might Be Giants’ bizarre jumping dance. Wait. Don’t look through my window.

The first two Weezer albums are all-time greats. In fact, Weezer is actually two bands. The band with Matt Sharp on bass, and the band after Pinkterton (Weezer’s second album), following Sharp’s exit from the band. Sharp served as the perfect counterbalance to Rivers Cuomo. Cuomo was the tortured artist who mined his personal life for gripping music. Sharp added levity and injected Weezer with its early pop sensibilities. Heck! Matt Sharp was the one who sang harmony on most of Weezer’s greatest tracks: “Say It Ain’t So,” “Buddy Holly,” “Undone (The Sweater Song),” and even “El Scorchio.”

Pinkerton marked Cuomo vanishing from the public eye. He didn’t care to be a rock star, and the second album reflects that. Sharp found less space for his pop stylings or even the occasional harmonizing voice. But he found a way with “El Scorchio.” Sharp’s bass fights against the rest of the song. I can hear the bass wants to add a dance to this otherwise melancholy track. As far as the Blue Album (Weezer’s first release) is concerned, I love the hits, but there are some other great deep cuts. “Surf Wax America” gives 90s alternative music a surfer makeover. Cuomo spills his soul with “The World Has Turned and Left Me Here”; this is a perfect example of Sharp smoothing out some of Cuomo’s darker edges. And “Holiday” is just good fun.

Kyra’s Podcast

I don’t know if this counts as a podcast. The Board Game Design Course (by Joe Slack) functions more like a webinar. But the visuals are mostly PowerPoint slides, so usually, I listen to The Board Game Design Course while I work. I feel like I’ve learned a lot from this course. Specifically, I’ve been taking the “Creation to Publication Program.” Let’s just say that I’m armed with the means to submit my board games to various board game companies. Tee hee!

Well, it looks like I’m on my own again this week. Hopefully, we’ll hear from Season and Skye next week for our personal updates. They should have a lot to share. Thank you for reading, and wherever you are, I hope you’re having a great day.

Geekly Tunes March 2026

Geekly Tunes: March 2026

Published on by KyraLeave a comment

Hey, hey, Geekly Gang! Kyra Kyle here. Today, our writers share what they’ve been listening to over the past month. Feel free to share what you’ve been listening to in the comments. We’re all part of the Geekly Gang. I’ll get things rolling with what I’ve been listening to during the month of March.

Kyra’s Tunes

I’ve been listening to Childish Gambino’s “Lithonia” on repeat. The soulful voice. The vocal harmonies. The fusion between Gospel, Rock, and R&B. Ah! I love it. If you haven’t yet listened to “Lithonia” (named after an Atlanta suburb), do your ears a favor and give the Official Audio Video a play on YouTube. “Lithonia’s” Official Music Video is also great, but you don’t get the full song. I also recommend watching the Music Video after the Audio Video. And after watching “Lithonia’s” Music Video, you’ll learn why there are so many reaction videos to that music video. Yowza!

Bando Stone & the New World (the album in which “Lithonia” originates) is a return to form for Childish Gambino. Some of his more recent albums (Altavista) didn’t hit the same as Awaken, My Love!, which includes the amazing “Redbone.” Brando Stone & the New World shows Childish Gambino (soon to go by Donald Glover as a music artist) at the peak of his powers. And I love how this album serves to set up Glover’s upcoming movie of the same name, Brando Stone & the New World. I can’t wait to watch the film. Until then, I’ll listen to Brando Stone & the New World on repeat.

I’ve also been kicking it old school with Nirvana’s In Utero. This album deserves all the praise it receives. Sure, there are the singles “Heart-Shaped Box,” “All Apologies,” and “Pennyroyal Tea,” but the deep cuts set In Utero apart. It may be blasphemous, but I’d say In Utero is slightly better than Nevermind. “Serve the Servants” opens with a bang. The opening lyrics, “Teenage angst has paid off well, now I’m bored and old” let the audience know this is a different Nirvana. “Serve the Servants” does a great job of melding autobiographical lyrics with working-class anthem ones. The track even sounds vaguely like surf rock.

“Serve the Servants” is an excellent opening track, but “Scentless Apprentice” marks the direction Nirvana may have taken had Cobain stuck around for a few more years. “Scentless Apprentice” was Nirvana’s biggest sonic departure on the album. Not bad for a track with an original name of “Chuck Chuck Fo Fuck.” The nickname is a reference to how the rhythm guitar line sounds.

Frances Bean Cobain (Kurt’s daughter) has cited “Dumb” as her favorite Nirvana song. According to Frances Bean, she sees “Dumb” as her father showing his vulnerability. And “Rape Me” was an attempt by Cobain to speak his mind against violence toward women. His previous work in Nevermind fell on deaf ears. Despite dropping all pretenses, “Rape Me” may be one of Cobain’s most misunderstood songs.

All of this and the singles folks know so well make In Utero a fantastic album.

I went from Nirvana to the other band that dominated the early Nineties, R.E.M.. Ironically, R.E.M. was struggling to finish their eighth studio album, Automatic for the People, so lead singer Michael Stipe, who suffered from writer’s block, reached out to Kurt Cobain. Cobain joked with Stipe that people thought Nirvana used too many yeahs in their songs. And Cobain did have a habit of finishing a line with a yeah. Cobain challenged Stipe to write a song with a lot of yeahs. Stipe accepted the challenge and wrote the classic, “Man on the Moon.”

Mott the Hoople and the Game of Life
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Andy Kaufman and the wrestling match
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Monopoly, Twenty-One, Checkers, and Chess
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Mister Fred Blassie in a breakfast mess
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Let’s play Twister, let’s play Risk
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I’ll see you in heaven if you make the list
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

The number of “yeahs” in “Man on the Moon” dwarfed the ones Cobain sang with Nirvana, and it went on to become Automatic for the People’s second single. I would say something similar for Automatic for the People as I did with In Utero, that obviously the singles were fantastic, but the deep cuts elevate this album to iconic status. But half of Automatic for the People’s tracks would get released as singles. That’s a lot of singles: “Drive,” “Man on the Moon,” “The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite,” “Everybody Hurts,” “Nightswimming,” and “Find the River.” Yes. Any two or three of these singles could anchor an album. Automatic for the People had six. Woah!

Despite half of this album being released as singles, I still have at least a couple of deep cuts. “Try Not to Breathe” is haunting. Honestly, I thought it had been released as a single; it’s that good. “Sweetness Follows” is one of my favorite tracks on Automatic for the People. The strings on this track are arranged by none other than John Paul Jones, Led Zeppelin’s bassist. Throw in the awesome instrumental and “Monty Got a Raw Deal,” and you get one of those few albums that don’t have a single skip track. You’ll want to listen to them all. I need to pick up Automatic for the People on vinyl.

I’ll finish my segment by including the other song I’ve had on repeat this past month, “Move Your Feet.” This infectious 2003 dance-punk song by Danish pop duo Junior Senior will get anyone off their feet. While I like “Move Your Feet’s” official music video (with its pixel art pictured above), I’ve watched/listened more to one of Junior Senior’s live performances of the song. I didn’t think the band could pull off a great live performance of a song like this. It sounded too produced. But Junior Senior proves they don’t need a silly little thing like autotune.

The full band adds an extra layer of authenticity. The backup singers make “Move Your Feet” come alive. And I’m talking about the “Oh Yeah” woman singer, providing a Disco-like melody leading into the chorus, and the “From Downtown” man singer, harmonizing with Junior on the chorus. The drummer is mesmerizing whenever he clashes the cymbals. This live version of “Move Your Feet” is near-perfect. I prefer it to the studio version. With everything happening in the world right now, sometimes you just need to “Move your feet and feel united.”

That’s all I have for what I’ve been listening to this past month. Let’s see what tunes Skye picks.

Skye’s Tunes

I have succumbed to the K-Pop Demon Hunters hype. I did this a long time ago; I listened to the soundtrack on repeat for the past month. What can I say? K-Pop Demon Hunters is a good movie with a fun soundtrack that’s perfect for dancing. Considering how much I love to dance, you can see why the K-Pop Demon Hunters soundtrack would appeal to me. I’ll keep this entry brief since I know Season has previously discussed this soundtrack, but if y’all would like me to do a breakdown of K-Pop Demon Hunters’ story, themes, and characters, let me know in the comments.

Sometimes you need something to keep you going. “and the day goes on” has been providing me with sufficient energy over the past month. For those who’re unfamiliar, “and the day goes on” is a song uploaded to the YouTube channel Bill Wurtz, which is well-known for the viral video “history of the entire world, i guess.” There isn’t much rhyme or reason to Bill Wurtz’s content, yet they still manage to capture an uplifting tone and a hummable melody while making no sense at all in “and the day goes on.” If you need a little pick-me-up, “and the day goes on” is very good for that. However, I must warn you that it’s gonna be stuck in your head forever.

Hey, hey! Kyra Kyle here again. Those are the tunes our writers have been listening to over the past month. Let us know what you’ve been listening to in the comments, Geekly Gang. Thank you for reading, and wherever you are, I hope you’re having a great day.

Geekly Tunes February 2026

Geekly Tunes: February 2026

Published on by Kyra1 Comment

Happy Wednesday, Geekly Gang! Kyra Kyle here, and today, our writers share what they’ve been listening to over the past month. Feel free to share what you’ve been listening to over the past month in the comments, because we’re all all part of the Geekly Gang. I’ll get things started with what I’ve been listening to over the past month.

Kyra’s Tunes

Fiona Apple was never afraid to be herself. Her first album had a placeholder name she thought was funny to switch from Title to Tidal. Get it? But the title–or tidal–fit. From tracks like “Criminal” to “Shadowboxer,” Tidal was a snapshot of someone finding their way in a world never created for them. Decades later, and the groove on “Criminal” still gets me. Many of the tracks are peak RnB. The industry marketed Apple as alternative rock or art pop. But her sound held way more jazz. Apple refused to be categorized. During her acceptance speech for Best Female Rock Performance at the 39th Grammy Awards, some may say she threw away her career. She dared to speak out against the industry and false image it created.

*Sexual Abuse Trigger Warner for the next paragraph*

At the time, what the public didn’t know was that Apple struggled with her self-image, especially after the “Criminal” music video. That’d be the same “Criminal” that earned her first Grammy. In the video, she was young, suggestive, and waif thin. The press wasn’t kind. They equated the character Apple portrayed in the video to her private self. During her acceptance speech, Apple spoke out against the music industry’s false images because she didn’t want someone to think of her as sexy when she suffered from an eating disorder. In interviews, Apple shared that she developed the eating disorder to look as thin as she could so she wouldn’t be attractive. So she wouldn’t be “bait” for the same type of man who raped her outside her Harlem apartment at age twelve.

*End trigger warning*

That subject is unpleasant, but unfortunately, it factors into Apple’s art. How could it not? After the media backlash, Apple remained defiant. She released her second album with a title that’s a literal 444-character poem, often shortened to When the Pawn…. She wasn’t going to be anyone’s pawn. The two singles “Paper Bag” and “Fast as You Can” are two of my favorite tracks. “Fast as You Can” features plenty of key and tempo shifts. It’s so, so good, and a shot of adrenaline. And the images within the lyrics echo what happened to a younger Fiona Apple. “Paper Bag” slows things down with cabaret flare. Seriously, I half expect Sally Bowles to belt the lyrics. And Rolling Stone must agree with me. When the Pawn… was listed as 108 of their 500 Greatest Albums List.

Fiona Apple would release an album every five or six years; her albums never lost their artistry. In fact, her fourth album The Idler Wheel earned Apple yet another Grammy Award and another spot on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums Lists. But I’m skipping to her fifth (and as of writing this post) most recent album, 2020’s Fetch the Bolt Cutters. Bolt Cutters is a hint of what to expect. Expect nothing. Expect anything. Apple brandishes anything that can make music, even if the object is a pair of bolt cutters or her pounding a hand against her living room wall. Most of the songs on Fetch the Bolt Cutters delve deep into experimentation. The first two tracks, “I Want You to Love Me” and “Shameika” function as a great handshake to get into Fetch the Bolt Cutters. If you want something a little more dancy, start with the lead single “Shameika.” Each track proves Apple was never afraid of being herself.

One last thing about Fiona Apple before I turn the post over to Season and Skye: I love Fiona Apple’s cover of The Beatles’ “Across the Universe.” On first listen, you won’t notice too much of a difference between the two artists, but the song’s writer, John Lennon, may have something to say about that. Lennon lamented that The Beatles rushed through their recording(s) of “Across the Universe.” He wanted to rerecord the track, giving it the attention it deserved, but Lennon passed away before he ever did. Apple did the song justice.

I had another artist I wanted to share here, but I went longer with Fiona Apple than I expected. I’ll save my other artist for next month.

Well, it looks as if I’m flying solo this month with Geekly Tunes. Our other writers didn’t share any of their tunes. Hopefully, we’ll hear from them next month, but I’ll turn the conversation over to you, Geekly Gang. What have you been listening to over the past month? Let us know in the comments. Thank you for reading, and wherever you are, I hope you’re having a great day.