🎙️ Songs That Don’t Suck – Episode 6 : From Broadway Bangers to UK Rock and Prog Metal Shredders

Welcome, friends, to Episode 6 of Songs That Don’t Suck! You’ve landed on the Cliff Notes version—aka the music-free podcast recap designed for everyone not listening on Spotify.

If you’re wondering:

💭 “Why two versions, Mark?”
Because everyone deserves access to great music recommendations—even if your platform doesn’t support embedded tunes. So here I am, re-recording and retyping my thoughts, just for you.

Let’s dive into what might be the most musically diverse episode yet.

📚 Quick Reminder: How I Find These Songs

Every week, I scan through 300–500 new tracks from Spotify’s latest genre playlists:

• 🎧 New Music Friday
• 🔥 Fresh Finds
• 🧨 New Indie / New Alt / New Rock

I give each song a 30-second shot. If it sucks, it’s out. If it catches my ear, it goes on a review list. From there, I pick the best of the best for the podcast and post extras on Twitter.

Let’s get into this week’s standouts…

🎧 1. Lizzy McAlpine – “Hold On”

📺 Featured on Apple TV+’s Dear Edward
🎙️ Dreamy, delicate vocals (Billie Eilish fans will feel right at home)
🔊 Harmonies so tight, they might be digitally enhanced—but who’s judging?

Lizzy’s ethereal delivery floats perfectly above cinematic production. If you’re into emotional ballads with polish and grace, don’t skip this one. Also… soundtrack songs are sleeper hits, and this is a prime example.

🎭 Broadway Shoutout: Hades, Beetlejuice, and Pure Talent

Got to see Hadestown last weekend and… wow. 🔥 If you’re a theater kid or musical lover, this show is an absolute must. The cast, the set, the band—flawless.

🎟️ Also recently saw:

• Beetlejuice (campy and chaotic—in a good way)
• Hamilton (again… because yes)
• Coming soon: Six, Tina, Come From Away, Dear Evan Hansen

And honestly, after hearing auto-tuned mediocrity in new music every week, Broadway feels like a soul cleanse. If you’re a musical fan, hit me up—I love talking theater.

🎤 2. Tobe Nwigwe – “That Thing” (Lauryn Hill Cover)

🎧 Jazz-rap fusion, reinvented
🔥 Smooth, minimalist production with purpose
🙌 Part of his personal mission: “make purpose popular”

You don’t cover a classic like Lauryn Hill’s “That Thing” unless you have something fresh to say—and Tobe delivers. This version keeps the soul but brings a raw, stripped-back swagger that’s totally his own. He’ll be at Coachella, and honestly, he’s one of the real ones to watch.

🎸 3. Fritz Hager – “Caroline”

🎉 Fun, flirty, and instantly hummable
🎶 If you’ve ever woken up from a wild night wondering, “What did I say to Caroline?”—this one’s for you.

There’s a Weezer-ish delivery to his vocals that feels nostalgic but modern. I’ve been humming it around the house, so that tells you something. Another indie-pop sleeper hit. Go give it a listen.

🎓 Gen Z + Gen X Agree: Music Is Mid?

Had the chance to visit Bowling Green State University and speak with students about data analytics (my day job), but the real gold came from our side convo on music.

Turns out… Gen Z is just as frustrated with the state of mainstream music as I am. 🙃
So it’s not a “get off my lawn” moment—it’s a shared generational crisis.

Hope a few BGSU students are tuning in this week—welcome to the family. 🎧

🇬🇧 4. The Sherlocks – “Sirens”

📍 UK-based alt-rock done right
🎸 Punchy basslines, big hooks, clean production
🎤 Built for singalongs and sweaty venues

It’s becoming clear that some of the best rock bands right now are coming from the UK. This one jumped out thanks to a bass-and-drum combo that cooks in the chorus. One of those tracks that makes you want to jump into a crowd and belt the words with strangers.

🥁 Feature Track: Black Orchid Empire – “Deny the Sun”

🎸 Prog-rock alert!
🧠 For fans of: Dream Theater, Incubus, Tool
🤯 Shockingly: they’re a trio?!

As a self-confessed prog nerd (see: Episode 0), this one stopped me cold. Tight instrumentation, smart structure, and vocals that could pass for Brandon Boyd. And seriously—this much sound from three people?

🎧 This is what prog metal should sound like in 2024.

Their upcoming album is now on my radar. Don’t sleep on this band if you like your rock heavy, smart, and epically produced.

📝 Final Notes

🎧 share the podcast with someone who loves finding new music.

🎙️ “Until next week… keep searching for and listening to songs that don’t suck.”

– Mark