Hey friends, ever catch yourself staring into the microwave at 2 a.m., waiting for leftovers while your brain spirals through every tiny frustration of the day? That exact vibe hits different when Tory Silver turns it into a jangly, hook-filled indie rock banger. Her new single “Microwave” is the kind of track that makes the mundane feel strangely poetic—and it’s got me hitting repeat already.
Dropping this Wednesday alongside the announcement of her upcoming album In Through the Front with Lasers (out May 29th via Pittsburgh’s own Michi Tapes), “Microwave” perfectly captures what Tory does best: blending heavy guitars and catchy choruses with a wink at life’s everyday routines and deeper uncertainties. Over bright, jangly electric guitars and a production that feels both fuzzy and inviting, the song coaxes a little wistfulness out of the grind without ever getting too heavy-handed. It’s like the soundtrack to those quiet morning moments before you head off to whatever “crapitalism” throws at you next—introspective, a bit gritty, and instantly memorable.
Tory Silver is a Pittsburgh-based queer songwriter and indie-rock musician (she/they) who weaves garage rock and indie pop elements together to explore the small joys and inevitable uncertainties of just... existing in a body. Originally from Ohio and with roots in Boston’s scene, she’s been releasing music and touring since around 2017. She’s shared stages opening for indie favorites like Bartees Strange, Katy Kirby, Jay Som, Remember Sports, Ezra Furman, and more—proving she knows how to bring that raw, live energy to the room. Her band (with Christian Anderson on bass and Kyle Murphy on drums) keeps things tight and heartfelt.
This new album was produced and engineered by Melina Cortez Duterte (aka Jay Som herself), which already has me excited. The whole project sounds like it layers bright, shiny surfaces over raw nerves—those heavy guitars and earworm choruses sitting right next to lyrics that sit comfortably with discomfort. Some things don’t get neatly resolved; they just persist. And Tory’s music seems to ask: how do we meet that pain instead of running from it? The title track’s origin story (a bandmate’s kidney stone procedure—“in through the front with lasers”) only adds to the album’s honest, bodily-real vibe.
Michi Tapes, the cassette label run by Eric Stevens, continues to champion Pittsburgh’s vibrant indie and DIY scene, and putting Tory’s record out on cassette (and vinyl) feels like the perfect fit for this raw-yet-polished sound.
In 2026, with so many exciting indie rock and indie pop releases on the horizon—from established acts pushing boundaries to fresh voices carving out space—this kind of thoughtful, hook-driven songwriting stands out. It reminds us why we fell in love with the genre in the first place: music that feels like a friend who gets the little struggles and still finds a way to make you nod along and smile.
If you’re digging the jangly guitars, the effortless melodies, and that perfect mix of garage edge with pop sensibility, do yourself a favor and check out “Microwave” when it drops. Tory Silver is quietly building something special, and this single feels like the perfect entry point into her world.
What do you think—does “Microwave” nail that late-night routine feeling for you too? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and make sure to share this post if you’re as excited about the new album as I am!
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