The Best New Music by Colorado Musicians Released in October

Local artists treated us to a scary amount of sweet new music this month, with everything from disco to dungeon synth — and some brand-new acts even found their way into our goodie bag. Now, that's variety. 

Try not to fill up too fast on these tasty tracks released in October:
Boogie Lights
“RISE UP”
Starting off with a bang, Boogie Lights dropped dance anthem “RISE UP” in October 25 via Boogie Bunch Records, and it is one big party, complete with the vocal honey of local soul queen Dzirae Gold.

“The inspiration for this song is encapsulated in the line ‘No reason it’s not us to be the reason we climb up.’ It’s a realization that we all have the power to make the world a better place, starting by coming together,” Boogie Lights (aka Mark Henrichs) explains. “The track began as a collaboration with Mocha Music, aiming to creatively blend house and bass music. This unique fusion inspired an uplifting message, enhanced by the duet of Dzirae Gold’s soulful vocals and the electrifying flow of Deezy Le Phunk.”

As the lead single off of Boogie Lights' upcoming album, DISCO DANCE THERAPY, you just know “RISE UP” is going to hit live, especially with the help of ten-piece ensemble the Boogie Bunch. So let’s disco!

Buck
“Apollo’s Anthem”
Now for a newcomer: Denver’s Buck, which shared debut track “Apollo’s Anthem” independently on October 4. Matt Taylor (vocals and guitar), Mitchell Manning (guitar), Shane Maness (bass) and Alex Rossman (drums) are focused on playing a refreshing mix of classic blues, funk and rock. And while the quartet is just getting started, Buck has kept busy by playing the local circuit, including two stops this month at Fraco’s Bar and Sean’s Tavern, so keep an eye out for the groovy dudes coming to a bar near you.

Clusterferfux
Defy
And following up with a different kind of bang: Clusterfux, Denver’s OG dispellers of crossover, dropped new album Defy on October 11 via Beer City Records, the Milwaukee label the group recently signed with, and it’s a ripper. The fourteen razor-sharp tracks, including a few re-recorded versions of songs from the 2022 EP Blood, make for a thrash-tastic time. Plus, Clusterfux uses brevity well on Defy, with four songs under two minutes, which makes for some fun crossover.

Vocalist Josh Lent, his brother Justin Lent and Joe Piker on guitars, drummer Joe McCumbee and bassist Van Fischer have something to say, too. Songs such as “Air Raid,” “Bomb Blast, Anthrax, Gas Attack,” “Trained to Kill” and “Lies” feature Lent’s scathing lyricism on the state of things without beating you over the head with it. For Clusterfux, which is now on the same label as peer D.R.I., “DBAD” (aka Don’t Be a Dick) can serve as an unofficial band motto, too. Sometimes it’s that simple.

Co-Stanza
“Bet on Love”
Next up: a pop palate cleanser, courtesy of Fort Collins artist Co-Stanza and song “Bet on Love,” released October 18 via Public Hi-Fi.

Co-produced by Denver-based pop artist Neoma and Grammy-nominated Spoon drummer Jim Eno through Project Traction, the song is an emotional indie-pop track that blends modern 1980s-inspired production with deeply personal lyric, as Co-Stanza main man Jack Costanza went through a temporary breakup that inspired him to write the song.

“It’s a time stamp of a tough moment, but hearing it now, I’m proud of where we’ve come,” he shares.
DNA Picasso and Dominique Christina
LAWLESS: A Love Story
Denver rapper DNA Picasso and his partner, the acclaimed poet Dominique Christina, are celebrating their love with an R&B album, LAWLESS: A Love Story, which dropped on October 25. The power couple recently collaborated with Denver's Museum of Contemporary Art on a series called LAWLESS, which kicked off with a fashion show this fall. From scintillating, soothing tracks such as "Origami" and Christina's spoken word on "First Poem She Wrote" to banger track "Standard Issue," this album is a showcase of true love and where it takes you.


Don Jamal
Duelist
Now to Denver bass producer Don Jamal, who isn’t just doing big things in the local scene, thanks to his debut EP, Duelist, (released October 9 via Wubaholics), but is also creating a movement in his home country of Jordan.

Since he started putting out music in 2022, Jamal is credited with introducing this type of heavy electronica in his native land, spurring an underground scene. That’s pretty dope.

After collaborating with Justin Jay and solidifying his reputation with a back-to-back set alongside Skrillex and Zeds Dead, Jamal is at it again on the three tracks of Duelist. “My Ones” features U.K. rapper Rakjay and has already been a hit on the festival circuit, while Jamal teamed up with New York City dubstep artist skxllflower for trap-happy track “SHOW U (HOW IT’S DONE).”

Then there’s “Wippin,” a solo banger that gives off more of a classic EDM energy.

“Inspired from the sounds of old gen and new gen dubstep, these tracks were aimed to hit hard on the dancefloor and to keep the energy high matching my stage presence,” according to Jamal.

El Dolor
“Pale Blue” and “Broke”
LaSalle’s El Dolor introduced itself this fall with a pair of singles, “Pale Blue” and “Broke,” released independently on October 4 and 18, respectively.

The Americana group of Derek Miller (guitar and vocals), Chris Anderson (bass), Josh Bearor (lead guitar), Julie Kinsey (fiddle) and Toby Sheets (drums) is rooted in traditional folk and Hill Country blues. That’s evident on the somber ballad “Pale Blue,” while “Broke” is more down-on-your-luck cow punk. The band likes to wash that type of country down with “heartache-y moonshine” to give it a little burn, El Dolor explains.

Jake Toth
Wallkill River Blues
Denver songwriter Jake Toth put out his first collection of music in the form of Wallkill River Blues on October 25 via his independent label, Brown Trout Records.

The eleven instrumental tracks, including previously shared singles “In the Smoky Air” and “Recessional, Part 1,” are filled with Toth’s evocative acoustic guitar, as well as sounds of nature, giving the album an intimate feeling of being played next to a campfire.

The title is a reference to the Wallkill River in New York’s Hudson Valley, where Toth is from, and serves as a fitting ode to his home.

Jeremy Dion
Bend in the Middle
Also this month, Boulder singer-songwriter Jeremy Dion is back with new album Bend in the Middle, released independently October 18.

The eleven songs see Dion collaborating with at least a dozen Colorado artists, including engineer and guitarist Kyle Donovan, with whom he worked on the record.

Dion, a licensed therapist, shares some advice in the title track, which he calls “the theme song to my life as a therapist.”

“This song embodies so much of what I talk to clients about on a regular basis — learning how to love the parts of us that don’t seem to fit the mold, that we tried to hide or cut off in our upbringing,” Dion, a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, says. “Healing and integration are one and the same, and getting our eyes off of what others are doing and what they think about what we are doing is vital.”

Then there’s duet “All I See Is You,” a breezy love song that features Denver singer Kate Farmer.

In all, Bend in the Middle is a nice mix of love songs — both self-love and relationships.
LatinSoul, Ash Ruiz, Mary Hellen
"Bautizame"
Song writers LatinSoul, Ash Ruiz and Mary Hellen worked with producer Isaac Herrera on this new single, which released on October 26 at the auspicious time of 11:11 a.m. It debuted on 104.7 FM The Drop, in which it received outstanding recognition. The hypnotic track "speaks about the water element that is within each and every one of us," says Felisa Hernandez, the artist behind LatinSoul. "It speaks on how the water from our tears wash away our pain. It speaks about the water goddess Oshun, and how she helps us wash away our filth from our bodies as we shower."

LVNDR.SOUND
In the Dark
The music of Denver electronic trio LVNDR.SOUND is always infectiously upbeat and makes you want to move. That’s still the case on new album In the Dark, released October 4 via local label Perception Records, but musicians Josh Fairman (SunSquabi), Jay Greens (Perception Records) and Geoffrey Bremer were inspired by struggle while crafting the eleven songs on the record.

“In the Dark is an album intended to share the perspective of what it’s like to pull yourself out of the darkest moments of your life,” Greens shares. “To go through hell and come out the other side stronger, more creative and confident than you were before the trauma. Sometimes our pain is what shapes us; the darkest moments of our lives can lead us to our true greatest potential.”

Okay, it’s still pretty upbeat, when Greens puts it that way. Standout tracks here include “In the Dark,” “You Must Think” and “Make It Look Easy.”

Pedestal for Leviathan
Festering Apparition
And a one-person black-metal project? Yes, please. Pedestal for Leviathan is the new musical focus of Denver musician Kendrick Lemke, who previously played in grindcore trio Empire Demolition.

Lemke independently shared a batch of songs on demo Festering Apparition, released October 25, filled with all the elements of symphonic black metal.

“Siphoning of the Liege” sets the tone with its organ intro before the tremolos and blast beats kick in. Then comes “Beast Rune,” which is the most straightforward black-metal song, cutting to the chase from the get-go and for nearly three unrelenting minutes. Similarly, “Nightshade Familiar” starts fast and furious but evolves into a more epic track with some dungeon synth vibes throughout.

The idea is to put out a more proper release in 2025, according to Lemke, so Festering Apparition is only an appetizer of what’s to come from Pedestal for Leviathan.