As established music purveyors, we here at KZUU 90.7FM get quite a few promotional emails and CDs sent our way. The highs are very high, and the lows are incredulously low, but we appreciate everything that is sent our way. ‘ZUU Exhibits is a way for us to show our favorite releases from the the current year and years passed.

No Obligation — The Linda Lindas

Released October 11, 2024

This all-female punk outfit of LA released their second album this year. An impressive feat, as they had to contend with school (2 members are in high school and another is in middle school) and a lengthy touring schedule. The title track opens the album with a punch-to-the-face driving punk sound, and the rest of the album keeps the same tight delivery with some amazing pop punk and catchy choruses. Lose Yourself and Once Upon a Time are two of my personal favorites. The former for its tight percussion and catchy chorus and the latter for its showcase of the entire bands talents. The breakdown sections in the verses of Once Upon a Time make it addicting to the ear. Yo Me Estreso features an appearance from “Weird Al” Yankovic on the accordion, certainly not a name you hear everyday in the pop punk world. The Linda Lindas have a long and bright future ahead of them, and if their sophomore album is any indication of their work-ethic, I’m sure they’ll have a much larger following very soon.

I Run — DICI

Released August 2, 2024

This single from Italian/Miami/Tokyo transnational Dici has been one of our favorites that was sent by our promoters. If you’re a fan of uplifiting acoustic guitar-driven pop, you’ll enjoy this track. Dici has been busy this year, releasing a plethora of singles that will hopefully make it into a full-length project later this year or early next year.

Spectacle: Daisy the Great vs. Tony Visconti — Daisy the Great

Released September 27, 2024

Daisy the Great collaborated on this quintet of amazing songs with composer Tony Visconti. While I can’t say I’ve listened to Visconti’s work before, if this EP is any indication of his solo work then I have a new favorite composer (eh, maybe it’s still Shostakovich). Daisy the Great has been consistently pumping out great work ever since I first saw them live at The Neptune Theatre in Seattle in the fall of ’22. If you haven’t had the chance to see them live yet, let this new release be your indication to get on the goddamn bandwagon and look for your nearest tour date. Check out All the People and Fireman!, or just listen to the other three songs on the EP if you’re feeling extra cool.

Second Dinner — Slimdan

Released July 19, 2024

The debut album of this LA based artist is one that I found on TikTok. The video was a live performance of the song Problem Solver filmed in the office of his mother (an OBGYN in California). Immediately, the simple instrumentation and laid back vibe of the music struck a chord with me and pushed me to listen to the rest of the album. I quickly found a comforting brand of music akin to artists like Remi Wolf or the softer cuts of Peter McPoland. Slimdan is currently on tour with Remi Wolf so look out for tour dates if you happen to like this album as much as I did. Check out Problem Solver, Celebrity Lookalikes, or Nosebleeds if you want a good introduction to this fast-rising artist.

Vintage Release of the Week: The Big 3 — 60 Ft. Dolls

Released January 1, 1996

This record was hiding in a box in our storage closet for the last few years. We unearthed it once we began cataloging our inventory of CDs and noting their genres. This Welsh band enjoyed mild success in the late ’90s and released two albums before breaking up in 1999. This album, their debut, is reminiscent of the pop rock of the time, with earworm hooks and a consitent rhythm section. This trio reminds me a little bit of bands like Gin Blossoms. Read the tag on the front of the copy we have of the CD to see what DJs were saying upon release.