No Expectations 146: Wild World
The No Expectations newsletter’s 146th issue spotlights a curated playlist and five standout 2025 albums spanning indie rock, experimental rap, folk‑pop, and garage‑rock. The author shares a jam‑packed personal calendar of Chicago shows, recaps recent gigs, and promotes the reader‑supported model with a $5‑a‑month subscription tier. By blending music recommendations with local event coverage, the newsletter positions itself as a Midwest‑focused cultural guide. The post also teases upcoming content, including a mid‑year best‑of list.
No Expectations 143: Something Worth Waiting For
The No Expectations newsletter returns with its Taste Profile interview series, featuring Chicago indie rock band Friko’s frontman Niko Kapetan. Friko’s new album “Something Worth Waiting For,” recorded with producer John Congleton and released on ATO Records, is highlighted as...
No Expectations 142: Wants For Everyone
No Expectations 142 marks the return of the newsletter’s Taste Profile interview series and delivers a fresh 15‑song playlist alongside new album, movie, and book picks. The editor announces a brief vacation to Arizona and teases the upcoming issue, while reminding...
No Expectations 141: We're Gonna Be Okay
The No Expectations 141 newsletter blends personal anecdotes with a deep dive into Chicago’s indie music scene. The author recounts taking his 11‑year‑old cousin to his first Cubs game at Wrigley Field and attending a seven‑act showcase for the Red...
No Expectations 139: Pearls
No Expectations issue 139, a Thursday‑morning newsletter, blends a personal essay on physical magazines with a $5‑a‑month reader‑supported subscription pitch. It spotlights four indie‑rock albums—including Ellie O’Neill, i26connector, kitship, and Red PK—and provides a 15‑track playlist. The edition also reviews...
No Expectations 138: Pieces
No Expectations 138 delivers a Midwestern‑centric music newsletter that blends album recommendations, a curated playlist, and cultural commentary. The issue spotlights four indie releases—Dialup Ghost’s *Donkey Howdy*, Resavoir’s *Themes For Dreams*, Spencer Hoffman’s *Cherry Picker*, and vega’s *beacon, how blue*—while also...