Every month or so, Seven Days amps up its review section to take on six recently released albums by Vermont artists. From ambient music to indie rock to jazz and beyond, here are some of the freshest sounds from the Green Mountains.
Coppermind and St. Silva, Loading Screen Music 2
(Self-released, cassette, digital)
With the recent success of the A24 film Backrooms, the concept of liminal spaces seems to be in vogue. The combination of placidity and anxiety that can come from a state of stasis, or being locked into a transitional mode, is all over Loading Screen Music 2, the new release from Vermont ambient artists Coppermind and St. Silva.
Ian Steinberg (Coppermind) and Ben Dexter Cooley (St. Silva) have once again teamed up to craft an ode to the art of the loading screen. Inspired by the DVD menus and video game soundtracks of their youth, the pair’s latest installment in the series is “for the in-between times, the holding zone between starting and truly beginning,” according to Steinberg.
Tranquil but with a strange, muted sense of anticipation, like an inhaled breath kept in the lungs for too long, the music perfectly encapsulates a limbo-like existence.
Key Track: “It’s Dangerous to Go Alone”
Why: Over a warm yet strangely remote piano figure, Coppermind and St. Silva do what they do best: establish a powerful mood.
Where: stsilva.bandcamp.com
Connor Young, From Me to You, Vol. 2
(Self-released, digital)
Burlington musician Connor Young just can’t seem to make up his mind — and that’s a good thing. The composer, trumpet badass and multi-instrumentalist has been vacillating in recent years between embracing his jazz superpowers, as on 2023’s excellent jazz-classical fusion Here’s to Now, and indulging his inner folkie, as on the first installment of From Me to You, a sprawling 2024 explosion of songwriting talent.
Now he’s back with a new volume of From Me to You, and it’s massive. The 20 tracks of folk-infused indie jazz showcase Young the singer-songwriter. By now, it’s clear the artist has no difficulty switching lanes and even dwelling between them, as he does for most of this new LP. The warmth and musical curiosity brimming from the songs is equal to the instrumental prowess, which is saying something.
Key Track: “North Carolina”
Why: Connor edges into bluegrass territory with a sunny acoustic guitar on a song that will make you dream of beaches.
Where: connoryoung.bandcamp.com
Pandajakey, SELF TITLED
(Self-released, digital)
On his debut full-length record, Burlington indie-pop artist Pandajakey delivers a high-energy, melodically powerful collection of bangers that, despite being released in the winter, is ready-made for a hot summer. From the heavy bop of “SOMETHING ELSE” to the slow-burn explosion of “TOO MUCH,” Pandajakey — real name Jake Dwyer — fuses glossy pop, club-ready EDM and highly introspective lyrics into a massively catchy sound.
Dwyer is a senior at Champlain College and a multimedia master who shoots videos and photography as well as produces his records. As is common in highly creative individuals, Dwyer said he struggled with perfectionism for years, scrapping multiple versions of his LP before making peace with “making messy art,” as he wrote on the album’s Bandcamp page. Yet SELF TITLED doesn’t come across as some rough draft; it’s a full-color debut from a promising songwriter and producer.
Key Track: “TALLY”
Why: With a driving beat, bubbling synths and playful melodies, this track is ready for the club.
Where: pandajakey.bandcamp.com
All Night Boogie Band, Shut Your Eyes and See
(Self-released, digital)
When Burlington blues rockers All Night Boogie Band announced last year that several of their members, including vocalist Jess Leone and guitarist Brendan Casey, were moving to New York City, there was a feeling that Vermont was once again losing a promising young band to a bigger market. And while the band has graduated in a sense, the musicians have kept their roots in Vermont, performing recently at Higher Ground and Zenbarn.
And it’s hard to envision a group more suited to the sounds of Burlington than All Night Boogie Band. The band is committed to crafting soulful R&B and swingin’ blues-streaked rock with just a hint of jam, making music that’s borderline irresistible to the average Vermonter.
Shut Your Eyes and See, out on July 3, is easily the band’s strongest effort to date. Coproduced by Dwight & Nicole drummer Ezra Oklan at VT Music Lab, the album fits right into the sonic palette of its influences while still sounding fresh and relevant. Overflowing with soul and peppered with songs of longing and love, as well as topical political lyrics, the band has stretched out geographically but never sounded more united.
Key Track: “Spirits High (feat. Ali McGuirk)”
Why: The band detours into folk balladry with fellow Vermont roots artist Ali McGuirk, who harmonizes gorgeously with Leone’s soaring vocals.
Where: allnightboogieband.bandcamp.com
Dari Bay, Surprise Wish
(Double Double Whammy, CD, digital, vinyl)
Remember when America lost its shit over Heady Topper beer, and people from out of state were clamoring for cans? Well, now they want our drummers, too.
Vermont drummers are going for a premium these days — just look at Rough Francis’ Urian Hackney, who plays with Iggy Pop, Interpol and the Armed; and Cotter Ellis, whom Connecticut jam band Goose tapped to man the skins. Robber Robber’s Zack James joined Portland, Ore., indie rockers Unknown Mortal Orchestra, but that’s just one of the highlights on the prolific Brattleboro native’s CV. After releasing one of the best albums of 2024 with Robber Robber’s Wild Guess, James is back with his not-so-side side project, Dari Bay. Initially an experimental outfit, the mostly one-man band has morphed into a full-spectrum indie-rock project showcasing James’ songwriting and production skills.
Surprise Wish excels at every turn, from James’ dreamy, melodic vocals to his multi-instrumentalist prowess — the guitars sound epic, distorted to the point of resembling synths. The album easily stands beside his work with Robber Robber, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and the Dead Shakers, while sounding nothing like them.
Key Track: “On Your Side”
Why: Somewhere between Pavement and Pete Yorn, James layers a ghostly melody over a churning groove.
Where: daribay.bandcamp.com
Vermont Jazz Ensemble, Just Friends for Life
(Self-released, CD, digital)
For half a century, the 17 members of Vermont Jazz Ensemble have been getting together every two weeks to rehearse and jam. Several founding members, including saxophonist and flutist Rich Davidian, still lead the charge and help bring true big-band jazz energy to the Green Mountains.
To celebrate five decades of stacked horns, thick harmonies and orchestral power, the group headed to Ben Collette’s Tank Recording Studio in Burlington, one of the only local spots big enough to accommodate the sprawling ensemble and its mountain of instruments and gear. Vermont Jazz Ensemble cut nine tracks, featuring compositions by the likes of Duke Ellington (“Sophisticated Lady”) and Sammy Nestico (“Dimensions in Blue”).
Just Friends for Life, easily the most adorable album title of the year, is a fitting tribute to one of Vermont’s longest-running and most dedicated acts. It bops, it swings, and most of all, it shines a light on some of the scene’s most talented players. Here’s to another 50 years of big-band energy and best friends in jazz.
Key Track: “Let’s Keep Things Simple”
Why: In the great tradition of tongue-in-cheek jazz song titles, the ensemble shows off here. Drummer Andy Gagnon’s composition serves as a tribute to the late original Vermont Jazz Ensemble drummer Peter Kriff.
Where: Spotify
This article appears in July 1 • 2026.
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