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Tag: emo

  • The Art of a Fake Laugh by HummusVacuum

    The Art of a Fake Laugh by HummusVacuum

    Artist: HummusVacuum

    Album: The Art of a Fake Laugh 

    Release: May 22, 2026; Self Release 

    You may know HummusVacuum as the guy from that one viral TicTok music video apologizing for all the terrible people Ohio has produced over the years. While this maybe true to some extent, I somewhat disagree with the premise of the song. After all, Ohio has also given us some pretty cool people as well. John Glenn, Neil Armstrong, and my personal favorite honorary Ohioan, William Henry Harrison, reigning presidential speed run champion. Just to name a few. Disagreements aside, the song was a bop and now that band has released a new full length album. So let’s take a look at “The Art of a Fake Laugh” to see if it delivers more viral bops. 

    Hands down the best song on the album in my opinion is “Whoops! (I think I ruined my life)” . It’s a fun, self deprecating look at trying to survive in modern times. It’s full of catchy rifts and up beat vocals. It is also, thanks to a successful instagram marketing campaign, a fantastic call out song aimed at silver spoon fed nepobabies. They always seem to have opinions about how you should live your life, but no relevant life experience. The chorus is in fact perfect for that. I have endless love for this song. It is honestly another viral bop. 

    “Salt & Vinegar” is another great song. It commentates on the struggles of being politically active versus the desire of certain types of people to keep it ‘civil’. The song instead suggests that perhaps we don’t owe people who aren’t starting in a place of civility the benefit of civility in return. Again, this is set to some pretty dope riffs. Seriously, the guitar is amazing on this entire album but it is peak in this song. At about two and half minutes in, Kevin Cappy yells “Its time to take the low road” the songs transitions to a screamy emo bit and starts ripping guitar hard. Every time it hits I’m like—Damn, That’s good stuff. 

    “Lexapor Skater” and “Big Bummin’” take on mental health in a relatable way that leans on humor to keep things from getting a little too heavy. These two songs really show the strength of Kevin Cappy’s writing. Sure, its funny to think of  skateboarding as analogy for the process of fine tuning your mental health meds but it also get you thinking about how normal it is to go through that process. A similar thing can be said for “Big Bummin’” struggling with anxiety and its effect on relationships is really a thing for a lot of people. I think if you struggle with that, this song reminds you others do as well and it does it set to sick emo vocals and power pop guitar riffs. A masterclass if you are asking me. 

    Last, is “G-U-I-L-L-O-T-I-N-E” I don’t really need to explain this song it is what it says it is on the tin. I absolutely love this song. It is a song that makes me feel that perhaps the “fake laugh’ isn’t pretending to laugh at an unfunny joke and is more lol maybe this is a threat or maybe its a joke. Who knows. 

    With “The Art of a Fake Laugh” HummusVacuum plays the part of the jester’ holding a mirror up to not only power but also the troubles of the common folk. This is what I love so much about the album. The songs often, on the surface, are silly little bits. Deep down, though, they’re a mix of inspiration, solid advice and searing truths.The album also looks at life in an incredible real way that makes you feel like you aren’t going through the hard times alone. 

  • Queering The Airwaves

    Queering The Airwaves

    Have you spent Pride Month wishing and hoping for something new and queer to listen to while you’re ironing your flags for marches? Better to come in with a noncomprehensive list of suggestions late than never, right? Besides, you should Hear Queer All Year, so even though it’s almost over, you can take these suggestions into next month, too. No one is going to stop you. I’ve made it a little easier and compiled some of my favorite songs from the artists mentioned into a playlist, which will be added to periodically. 

    For those of you interested in electropop, Die Shiny is a self-described ‘conscious art pop’ group based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Even though they’re just getting started in their career in surreal music made for anti-capitalistic, anti-AI queers, they’ve had a fucking amazing go of it so far. Maybe it’s because I am a human who wants the ruling class to be Embalmed, but the music they create is insanely relatable. All around, it is easy to get absorbed in the music and the message. 

    Speaking of artists with only a handful of incredible songs, cyberpunk duo Chromera is playing during an apocalypse near you! If you’ve ever done something completely normal, like bought groceries, and still felt that the world around you had turned into a dystopian hellscape, you’d probably get a kick out of Save Urself. There’s something so personal about imagining the song you’re listening to playing in some fucked up club scene in a dark dramedy. But hey, that’s just life as a nonbinary emo, I fear. 

    Ska? Ska anyone? Would anyone like some fucking ska??? JeR is here, queer, and ready to tell you to get with the fucking program. They’re not going to let you get away with being complacent. Music has always been a tool for protest and JER took the idea to heart. The thinly veiled threats in Say Gay or Say Goodnight are incredibly enjoyable when paired with that certain flare ska is known for. 

    Tay Jardine. What can I say about Tay Jardine? I’ve been a fan since 2010 when I first heard We Are the In Crowd and had the pleasure of seeing the band at Warped Tour. Tay definitely creates pop punk music for sad as fuck sapphics. I love all her projects, and I’m so excited to see what she comes up with next. If you’re looking for a set place to start, head over and listen to her self titled EP.

    Grunge pop band Gully Boys from Minnesota? A.K.A the hottest boy band in the midwest? If you’re looking to shake ass in a gay way, listen to Big Boobs. All around, Gully Boys proves to be just a fun romp in what feels like nostalgia but is probably just wistful imaginations of all the neopets we wouldn’t severely neglect this time, knowing what we know now. 

    I’m not too much of a genre buff, so forgive me if I’m wrong but Elio Mei is something of an indie folk anomaly. I certainly don’t know What’s Going On either, Elio, but I’m here for it. Their music invokes this sort of whimsical imaginary world while still remaining relatable in a queer clown sort of way. 

    Did someone say Lesbian Punk? A little old school as they’re a band from the 90s, but I’d be remiss not to mention the pioneers of the genre Team Dresch. As disheartening as a 30 year old song like I’m Illegal still being painfully relevant today is, it at least provides comfort that queer people have gotten through it before and we will make it through still. I’d give them a listen if you love girls and are mad at the government. Which I think would totally make an awesome Team Dresch t-shirt. 

    Another throwback and maybe someone you weren’t even aware had come out is David Archuleta. I know recommending someone of American Idol fame isn’t an original idea, but it’s as I said, maybe you didn’t know he was queer. Now you do! And while songs from his Mormon Heartthrob days are still worth a spin, I definitely will be listening to Creme Brulee on repeat even after Pride Month ends. (Sneaky book rec for his new memoir “Devout”).