Standing shoulder to shoulder in the sold-out Town Ballroom show Thursday night, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions. I felt the pride of the community coming together to raise money for FeedMore WNY charity, I felt the love that was in the venue, and the weight of the Goo Goo Dolls returning to their roots for an intimate show.

Nearly two decades into their career, The Devil Wears Prada continue to defy expectations. They have never been afraid to evolve, but “Flowers” feels like a full bloom. This album is a reflection on where they’ve been and where they are heading. It’s heavy, heartfelt, dark, beautiful, and a reminder that even the darkest bands can still find light in bloom. 

When Ben Quad released their debut, "I’m Scared That’s All There Is," in 2022, it captured a raw glimpse of uncertainty and youthful anxiety. With “WISHER,” out this Friday through Pure Noise Records, the Oklahoma-based band shifts the lens: the same emotional intensity becomes tempered by reflection, growth, and an underlying optimism. This 10-track album has it all: raw energy, sing-alongs, moments of reflection, angst, and incredible instrumentation.