Boston’s underground scene just got a dose of dream-drenched clarity: MK Naomi has officially dropped their debut EP, ‘Dream Hiss,’ out now via Sweet Cheetah Records. And honestly? It rips.
If you’ve never heard of MK Naomi, here’s your chance to correct that immediately. Self-described as an “emo-pop hallucination,” the band’s name nods to a covert CIA bioweapons program, but their sound is far more emotionally disarming than militaristic. Think glowing-in-the-dark guitar hooks, ’90s-flavoured fuzz, and just the right amount of existential ache. They proudly claim to be fans of the Ten Things I Hate About You soundtrack, which is about as accurate a sonic compass as you could ask for.
Dream Hiss isn’t just a debut EP—it’s a cathartic release valve. Written in the fallout of years riddled with personal loss, mental health struggles, and the pandemic-era soul scramble, these four tracks live in the grey space between unraveling and healing. It’s music for the in-between moments—the parts where you’re moving forward, but still shadowboxing with what came before.
“This EP is centered around vulnerability,” says bassist/vocalist Andrea Neuenfeldt. “Some of these songs were born out of deep isolation during Covid, but really, they’re about the emotional aftershocks of earlier life upheaval—trying to process everything once the dust starts to settle.”
The title ‘Dream Hiss’ came from a moment of feline reverie—drummer Ally Bull watching her cat twitch through a particularly vivid sleep. But to Andrea, it hit deeper: “To me, it reflects the heavy experiences that seem ‘done’ but linger beyond our conscious reach.”
The band itself is a bit of a Boston all-star reincarnation, rising from the ashes of two beloved local acts—Birdwatching and Elephants—both of which met an untimely end. MK Naomi keeps the torch burning for that special brand of artistically assertive, women-led rock the city’s always done well (think The Breeders, Throwing Muses, Salem 66), with a fresh spin that lands them comfortably next to Remember Sports, Tigers Jaw, and Soccer Mommy.
At the core are co-vocalists/songwriters Andrea Neuenfeldt and Lauren Garant (also of Daphne Blue Underworld), whose intertwined vocals glide between confessional softness and full-throated catharsis. Guitarist Tom Ciesluk (No Trigger, Save Ends) lays down steady rhythm work while Ally Bull (Radio Compass, Green Piece) holds it all down with pounding, purposeful percussion.
Soft verses? Loud choruses? Check. Songs for crying, driving, or crying while driving? Also check. ‘Dream Hiss’ is tailor-made for anyone finding beauty in the mess, heartbreak in the hooks, and hope in the haze.
Grab a copy or stream it here:
https://mknaomima.bandcamp.com/album/dream-hiss
Boston’s emo-pop revival just got a new patron saint. Don’t sleep on MK Naomi. Or do, and see if you dream in hiss.
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