Hi! Hello! Here we are with some bite sized goodies and a taste of a some new things that we dug that came out in the last week (ish), quick fire responses to some great new music we think you should check out. This week we have Chantal [CW], Emily [EA], Kate B [KB], Kate H [KH] and Ray [RR] weighing in on a big list of killer songs and have the scoop on plenty of new tunes, give ’em a listen!
Be Your Own Pet–Worship The Whip. These Nashville punkers are back after 15 years, and while they sound polished they also still sound as frantic and vital as ever. This song may seem sexy at first (“lick it up baby, lick it clean / you eat it up baby / you worship the whip“) but frontwoman Jamina Pearl Abegg reveals the underlying meaning is “about the right-wing authoritarian personality.” Mommy will be out August 25th on Third Man Records; the band will be touring this fall and appearing at Elsewhere on October 21st. [CW]
Blonde Redhead– Snowman. The beloved NYC-based rock trio of Kazu Makino and twin brothers Amadeo and Simone Pace have created a floaty dream-pop track that feels like spinning in the first soft snow of winter. Sparse rhythm guitar echoes, as the drums hold a steady beat underneath, building in intensity and rhythmic complexity as the song goes on. The gorgeous layered vocals are front and center, with Amadeo Pace taking the lead. “I got inspired to write a song that only had two chords and a melody that would live and float between them,” Pace writes. “‘Snowman’ is about how it can be a blessing or a curse to be invisible and undetectable, and how it’s something we all feel and desire at times.” The track is the first lead single off of Sit Down for Dinner, Blonde Redhead’s first album in nine years, due for release on September 29 via Section 1. [KB]
Claud–Wet / Crumbs. Claud’s new single “Wet” is a dreamy, energetic, synthy pop tune, refreshingly polished but still very much “bedroom”. The lyrics are catchy, and the chorus in particular is achingly relatable for anyone who’s been forced to accept an insincere “I’m sorry” to preserve a relationship. “That’s not an apology,” Claud sings, “But I’ll take what I can get.” Meanwhile, B-side Crumbs is a subtler, more delicate piece that barely exceeds two minutes (perhaps fitting, a little song about “the little things”). Some more great, simple lyrics here, with clever juxtapositions between the cute and the dangerous: “The little wings on the little bugs / I’d kill for you.” You can catch Claud live at the Bowery Ballroom September 12th, and their new album, Supermodel releases July 14th on Saddest Factory Records. [EA]
The Clientele–Dying in May. The second track released off The Clientele’s upcoming album I Am Not There Anymore, “Dying in May” is an exhilarating, anxious dream. Listening to it, you feel like something is always about to happen: there’s a tension behind that cello, some inexplicable pressure, unease in that quick drum beat juxtaposed with a droning mellotron that just keeps building and building but never quite relieves you. Featuring repetitive vocals and no guitar, it’s something experimental for the 32-year indie pop veterans. Songwriter and vocalist Alasdair MacLean explains:
“There was no way in hell I could play guitar along with these rhythms, so I scored out a simple melody which would leave space for the drums, and be something the bass could latch on to. By the end, the words go over and over, like someone beside themselves with grief. Hence the title. It’s a harrowing subject, but I think it’s presented with love — the song hopefully opens it out and lets some air in. It feels like an exorcism for me.”
He also notes that the drums and instruments are in different time signatures, “I almost feel I could dance to this, but not quite.” This song falls into the uncanny valley of music, which seems to be exactly the point. Almost familiar, but something’s off: “The memory of childhood but at the same time the impossibility of truly remembering childhood…” MacLean says the album explores, “…or even knowing who or what you are.” I Am Not There Anymore is out July 28th on Merge Records, and The Clientele will be playing the Bowery Ballroom on August 10th. [EA]
Cut Worms– Ballad Of The Texas King.Brooklyn based singer songwriter Max Clarke goes by the name Cut Worms and his latest song, “Ballad Of The Texas King,” is the first single from his forthcoming eponymous release out in July. Recorded at Onlyness Analog in the Hudson Valley with the help of Rick Spataro (Florist), “Texas King” harkens back to quieter, more peaceful days both sonically as well as lyrically. Upon hearing the tune initially, my first thought was how much the tune reminded me of “Life In A Northern Town,” the 1983 hit that put Dream Acadamy on the map. As for the lyrical content, the song itself seems to be a letter of advice from grown up Max Clarke to a young Max. The combination of light breezy folk rock with the story Clarke tells works quite nicely.
Cut Worms will be playing a Friday night residency at Union Pool in July and if “Texas King” is any indication, these sets ought to be quite special. [RR]
Grrrl Gang– Spunky. If—like me—you’re a fan of Bratmobile, LeTigre and the seminal riot grrrl sound of the 90s, then this one is going to tick a lot of boxes for you. The title track from the Indonesian groups upcoming full length (due out this fall via Green Island Music and licensed to Kill Rock Stars in the US) is indeed spunky, living up to its name and packing a snarky (and inspiring) punch with lyrics like “I was born in the pit / I gave birth in the pit / I never shave my pits / let me swallow your spit.” The song relates the experience lead singer Angeeta Sentana had during a manic episode.
She shares:
“I feel like I’m on top of the world, untouchable. I do things without thinking, always chasing after that feeling of instant gratification. I feel extra confident in myself—to a point of grandiose thinking—and that I could do anything,”
The song comes paired with a fun video that sees Sentana inspiring the protagonist of the video. This first taste of Spunky was bratty and tart, I can’t wait for more. [KH]
Jess Kallen–Exotherm. The title track from Jess Kallen’s new album is both laid back and catchy, while Kallen spins a tale of their pet turtle (“my pet turtle likes the space between the flower pot and wall / feels like a hug without really being held at all).” By the end it’s clear the song is really a metaphor for closeness (“we’re all the same / just digging holes and trying to run / and nobody knows / but you understand / all the exothermic / parts I am.“) The fun music video features a cameo from the turtle as well. Exotherm will be out June 21st on New Professor Music. [CW]
Kristin Hersh– Dandelion. On this brand new track, Hersh’s one-of-a-kind vulnerable voice sparkles over lush cello lines, sparkly glockenspiel chimes, and thoughtful acoustic guitar strums. The slow and reflective “Dandelion” pulses sultry like a summer daydream, and is the first single off of Hersh’s new solo album Clear Pond Road (her first full-length solo release since 2018’s Possible Dust Clouds). She described the inspiration for the song: “Dandelion’s main image is climbing a fire escape up to my dressing room in an alley outside a club I was playing (I’ve never needed to invent metaphors; they’re everywhere)…Anybody in love is always climbing to those eyes, you know? We’re voyeurs because we can’t ever know the beloved as completely as we want to.” Clear Pond Road releases on September 8 via Fire Records. [KB]
The Mary Onettes– Forever Before Love / Future Grief. Two brand new singles from the Swedish quartet, the former starts off with a twinkly, gothic jangle straight out of a 70s horror movie (it reminds of Suspiria, for some reason). And I suppose it makes a lot of sense that the track combines elements of yesteryear with today’s indie pop staples, since songwriter Philip Ekström says the song “is about finding the way back to yourself after a very long relationship. The process of trying to connect with the person you were before that.” The second track, “Future Grief” features guest vocals by Agnes Aldén, who also wrote the song’s verses while Ekström wrote the choruses. It doesn’t sound disjointed at all, though, and in fact their voices and words work together in a wonderful medley of airy guitars and entrancing harmonies. [EA]
Middle Aged Queers– This Song is Sponsored By Absolute Vodka. This California punk band is known for their sarcastic and cheeky takes on many things and here, they pull no punches as they let you know exactly how they feel about the corporatization of Pride month and “multinational corporations…clean[ing] eleven months’ worth of dust off of their rainbow logos” A true Bay Area classic pop punk ripper, it’s rough around the edges in all the right ways and the snark oozes out in sardonic glory with lyrics like You’ve got a gay boss man / at your startup so you’ll be marching /At this years pride parade / they’ll put a rainbow on your logo / You’ll walk your city blocks / Marking the anniversary of / When a fearless leader named Tim Cook / Threw the first brick at Stonewall.
The song certainly may be funny, but it addresses a subject that is no laughing matter. Queers are having our rights stripped away on a daily basis, where are these corporations the rest of the year when they aren’t trying to shake us down for our money? Yeah, I don’t know either. Fortunately there are bands like MAQ to help us through when shit seems the bleakest and I don’t know about you, but I need that levity to keep on surviving in a world that wants me dead. And I need a good soundtrack to keep me laughing while I point my very gay middle aged middle fingers at the hollow Pride pandering. [KH]
Oceanator– Part Time. Brooklyn’s Oceanator just hit the road with Gladie and AJJ— after coming also just off the road for a brief run with Laura Stevenson. I mention this because, with all of the touring Oceanator does (and they seem to be on the road forever), it’s hard to imagine when they find the time to get to the studio to record new music. Yet this week we were blessed with a new single from Elise Okusami titled “Part Time” and much like my favorite track, “The Last Summer” from last year’s remarkable Nothing’s Ever Fine LP,“Part Time” is already sounding like a front runner for THAT song that’s just perfect for hanging with friends, chilling out and enjoying summer fun.
Opening with a bouncy bass and drum beat the song immediately makes you want to dance. The rhythm section is soon joined by a synthy keyboard riff which brings to mind a rollicking yet subtle farfisa feel. And when Elise’s distorted guitar takes over during the chorus, I dare anyone, be they standing or sitting not to be rocking back and forth to this one. Cowritten by Okusami and Cheekface’s Greg Katz, “Part Time” sure sounds and feels like a great summer of ’23 hit. [RR]
Onesie– What You Kill. A thoughtful mid-tempo pop song about trying to survive the hellscape of late-stage capitalism, “What You Kill” is the first single from Brooklyn-based band Onesie’s third LP Liminal Hiss, due out August 18. The track shows off songwriter/guitarist/singer Ben Haberland’s jangly guitar hooks, including a very cool 80s-esque outro that gets more expansive and dancey. Haberland teamed forces with the Turkish artist Ertugrul Yaka to create the song’s video. Haberland says, “I loved the animated video he did for Julia Shapiro a few years back. When it came time to bring this darker Onesie song to life, I DM-ed Ertugrual and we started corresponding on the concept over a couple months. It’s ironic how our language and distance barrier was transcended by the very technology that can make us so miserable. His work really captures what I was feeling when I wrote the song.” [KB]
Palehound– My Evil.Queer artist El Kempner aka Palehound recently announced a brand new album, Eye On The Bat (July 14, Polyvinyl) and shared the rocking first single “The Clutch,” (read our thoughts). Now they have released the second song, which incorporates a video that uses the interesting framework of The Sopranos to come to terms with, as Kempner tells it, “the extremely humbling experience of realizing that yes, you are the asshole.”
They continued:
“I found myself acting in ways I was ashamed of, and realizing how capable I was of hurting somebody when I was trying so hard not to. Sometimes when you try so hard to be a “good person” you’re actually swinging so far and recklessly that you make a full circle back to being a shithead. It can be very hard to forgive yourself, and this song is a portrait of that struggle for me.”
On the video:
“When I got the idea to make a video based on the intro credits of Tony driving through Jersey, I knew I had to do it with my friend Richard Orofino. He’s possibly even a bigger Sopranos fan than I am and he did an incredible job mapping out a lot of the original locations from the show, including Tony’s house that we see at the end of the video. This whole thing was super DIY, just me and Richard (and his camcorder) having the time of our lives and being embarrassing superfans. It’s not exactly shot for shot of the original but, to brag for a sec, I’m truly amazed at how close we were able to get it.”
They will also hit the road this fall in support of the album and play NYC on 10/19 at Bowery Ballroom. [KH]
Protomartyr–Polacrilex Kid. As an appetizer for their new album, Protomartyr have released a live performance of one of its tracks (and part of The Marty Singer Telethon), with the band surrounded by a chaotic complement of clownish characters. “Polacrilex Kid” features a rolling, unrelenting drumbeat punctuated by spiky guitar and singer Joe Casey’s half-yell as he states “I’m back” and asks “can you hate yourself and still deserve love?” Casey says the song was inspired by “the quit smoking/start smoking again tilt-a-whirl—the song title is a reference to the chemical name for nicotine gum. Formal Growth In The Desert will be out June 2nd on Domino, and Protomartyr will play two shows at the Bowery Ballroom on June 15th and 16th. [CW]
Hi! Hello! Here we are with some bite sized goodies and a taste of a some new things that we dug that came out in the last week (ish), quick fire responses to some great new music we think you should check out. This week Chantal, Kate and Mike weighed in on some killer songs— give ’em a listen!
Bodywash– Massif Central. The first single from the Montreal post punk duo’s just announced second album, I Held the Shape While I Could due out 4/14 via Light Organ. Chris Steward shares the inspiration behind the heavy subject matter addressed in the poignant and ethereal track:
“After eight years living in Canada, in the Spring of 2021, a government clerical error caused me to lose my legal status here,” Steward explains. “As a UK national, I lost my right to work. My savings trickled away during months where I could do little but pace the corners of my apartment. I was prepared to pack my bags and leave as the life I’d hoped to construct for myself seemed to vanish into a bureaucratic abyss.”
“‘Massif’ is the sound of wailing into a cliff and not knowing if you’ll hear an echo,” continued Steward. “The spoken word is inspired by a squirrel that was trapped in the wall behind my bed, clawing its way to salvation. With the help of friends, family, music, and a few immigration lawyers (and the rest of my savings), I’m now a permanent resident here. But this song remains as testament to my experience with an exploitative institution.” [KH]
Cameron Castan– Two Point Oh. Cammy is back with another synth driver, “Two Point Oh.” On the first release following their beautifully executed 2022 LP Show Me, Castan has indeed come back with the upgrade installed. Chunkier keys command attention over airier melodies, so the beat feels heavier this time around. Castan somehow once again manages to perfectly capture the feeling of being young in Bushwick. “Kissed me in the bathroom. Could never keep a secret… All I do is fuck off. Go and take my shirt off. See somebody I don’t like, and I’m about to mouth off. Told me that I’m too raw. Caught me with a new broad…” Whether you’re dancing all night in the club, stumbling through the bars, or awkwardly alone in the corner at the back of the show, it’s the same limitless freedom mixed with a crushing vulnerability that makes this track so damn authentic and relatable. [MB]
Cat Clyde– Papa Took My Totems. Coming in strong with the third single from her upcoming album, Down Rounder, this one is a bouncy and catchy offering with killer drums, hot guitar licks, and sexy organ accentuating the focal instruments. The previous two singles, the piano driven “I Feel It,” and the folky, country indie “Mystic Light,” each have a different feel and these three songs nicely show the range of Clyde’s songwriting skills. But don’t let the peppier nature of this song fool you to think it’s not about a serious subject as it explores the “ravaging effects of colonialism, the state of the environment, and masculine-dominated society at large.”
Clyde says she was inspired in part by her Indigenous Métis heritage and elaborates: “There’s a lot of sacredness that’s being destroyed in the world, and that’s difficult to deal with sometimes. Totems, to me, feel like places and things that are important and real, to witness the destruction of things like that is devastating.” Down Rounder will be out 2/17 via her own label, Second Prize Records. [KH]
Coffee Nap– Pet Sounds! The Song!/Future Project. A departure from previous releases that tended toward acoustic storytelling and instrumentals, the new single from Coffee Nap (Greenpoint-based musician Mike Nowotarski) is a synthy, narrative song that does indeed namecheck the Beach Boys, with a speak-singy intro that gives way to a bop about watching a friend move to California. (“You’re a New York girl at heart I know, but for now I’ll let things be.”) The second track is a slice of experimental pop, just over a minute and a half in length but lovely. Nowotarski notes he was inspired by Terror Pigeon, and that the guitar sounds were mostly created “using household objects like a spoon or matches.” [CW]
Deep Wimp– Too Much. Too much is never enough when it comes to Deep Wimp. Bringing me back to all my late 90s indie feels, it’s just dirty enough to be cool, but clean enough to play for your mom. The Brooklyn quartet has been knocking it outta the park the past couple years consistently dropping fun guitar hook driven singles at a time when we can all use some fun. Check out our thoughts on their previous single, “Plume” another catchy slice of awesome. [MB]
Deary– Fairground. The debut single from this UK band is a quirky slice of dream-pop that looks backward but also remains quite present. The production feels nostalgic, particularly the breakbeat drums, while Dottie’s Cocteau Twins-esque vocals swirl around like a carousel. “As a kid,” Dottie says, “I found fairgrounds incredibly overwhelming, an entanglement of anxiety and perplexity. This is how London feels to me now.” Stateside, they’ll be in Chicago on Jan 28th, and if you happen to be in London, catch them Feb. 2nd at The Waiting Room. [CW]
Fake Names– Expendables. This post-hardcore supergroup is back with another single, this time the title track from their upcoming second album, and they are just as fun and catchy as ever. We covered their last EP here and Fake Names have kept what works from their previous music, presenting here a punchy, drum driven track with a chantable chorus. A band whose members have Minor Threat, Bad Religion, Refused, Fugazi, Girls Against Boys, Rites of Spring, The (International) Noise Conspiracy, and more on their resumes obviously know what they are doing! Producer Adam “Atom” Greenspan has brought the pop influences forward but there is more than enough punk in this track to satisfy. Expendables is out on Epitaph March 3rd. [CW]
Fat Heaven– Quarter Life Crisis. The Brooklyn trio who’s better at being unapologetically pop-punk than almost anyone in the business is back with a new catchy as hell song and accompanying music video off their new Pete Steinkopf (Bouncing Souls) produced record,Trash Life, coming out Feb 24 via Sell the Heart Records. Stacked with so many friends who’ve come up with band over the years, the video plays out like a Fat Heaven basement show, which if you’ve ever been, you know is one helluva party! Hopefully all the partying doesn’t catch up with them too hard, as we indeed hope they all live to the ripe old age of 120 years old. [MB]
Jess Kallen– The Knife. A country twinged, laid back folk rocker that addresses Kallen’s “competing desires for freedom and stability,” and I don’t know about anyone else, but that feels reeeeally relatable. The chorus packs an emotional gut punch as they declare “the knife in my back is coming out clean.” This is the second single from their upcoming debut album which is due out this spring and we are anxiously awaiting more details on that. [KH]
Junior Bill– Boys From Jungle. The Cardiff based band are known for their slick dub grooves in the vein of UK legends The Clash, and while that is the case here too, they have cleverly combined it with a with a bit of a grittier and punkier sound for an infectious and angular post punk jam. Big beats announce the onslaught of catchy guitar and this one will having you rocking in your chair like I was typing this up or better yet, bouncing around the dance floor.
The long running group led by frontman Rob Nichols have released many singles and EPs over the years which have garnered the band praise—and opening tour slots for Supergrass in 2019—and now they are ready to release their proper debut full length, Youth Club!, later this year. I’m certainly ready to hear more and look forward to catching them at a show either here in the US, or in one of my annual UK journeys because I already know this band is going to be a load of fun live. [KH]
King Bug– Lights. The debut track of the newest live incarnation of Brooklyn shoegaze project (former solo bedroom pop) straight from the mind of multi instrumentalist/composer Eddie Kuspiel, the king bug himself, is quite the infectious earworm. The guitar hook will have you bopping and humming for days while the bassline/kick drum sucks you into the vocal and before you know it, you’ve been hooked. It’s like TVOD, Cult of Chunk, and Color Tongue got together and wrote a party anthem…and that’s actually not too far from what actually happened since members of all those groups (and more) make up the newly assembled live band. A release show will happen tomorrow Sat 1/28 at Brooklyn Made with The Silk War, Sharkswimmer and Real Burn. [MB]
Pearla– Unglow The. The final single from Pearla’s upcoming debut album is a lilting folk country romp with poetic lyrics exploring anxiety over mortality, until it gives way to a massive crescendo, all swirling guitars and riotous drumming. It occupies a space between the more traditional composition of “About Hunger, About Love” and the somewhat unstructured “The Place With No Weather” (which we covered here and here); if these and the other singles encompass what to expect from the album, it should prove to be a gorgeous debut. Oh Glistening Onion, The Nighttime Is Coming will be out Feb 10 on Spacebomb Records. [CW]
Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs– Ultimate Hammer. Are you ready to headbang? I’m ready to headbang. Good thing the stoner/psych/doom noise kings have us covered here with the second single from their upcoming new album, Land of Sleeper. The riffs are heavy, the vibes are highhhhh and I for one can’t wait to feel the full force of them playing this live at their upcoming show at Saint Vitus on 3/11. [KH]
Sally Hatchet– Habitat. Katie Glasgow’s alter-ego has finally taken its form in the physical world by way of Sally Hatchet. Furthermore breaking into digital realm as well with their debut release “Habitat,” an ethereal dark indie track that rocks just as hard as it does float through the air. Falling somewhere near the intersection of Tracy Bonham and The Breeders this is a proper introduction to Glasgow’s cool new project and nods hopefully to more vulnerable and nostalgic feels to follow. [MB]
Semaphore– Smother. Semaphore may take inspiration from the classic shoegaze sound, but there’s a lot more emoting in these songs than you might expect. Singer Siddhu Anandalingam says “there’s a disaffectedness to a lot of shoegaze… We want to actually reach our audience.” This single off the upcoming I Need A Reason To Stay certainly cuts like a knife, buzzing guitars underpinned by a hard-hitting rhythm section, with Anandalingam’s voice ranging from soft to an almost scream, as he pleads “quit claiming it’s temporary.” The album is out March 24th. [CW]
Hi! Hello! Here we are with some bite sized goodies and a taste of a some new things that we dug that came out in the last week(ish), quick fire responses to some great new music we think you should check out. This week Chantal, Kate and Mike weighed in on some killer songs— give ’em a listen!
And though we can’t possibly cover all the music that is released each week (we wish!), we do get to as many songs as we can. As always, if you’re in a band or from a label, don’t hesitate to reach out and let us know about you! If we dig ya, you’ll get a nod in the column. Read on to find out what we dug the last week or so and check back every Friday for more:
Atsuko Chiba– Link. The latest track from this Montreal band is pounding, psychy (and a bit mathy in some of the guitar work) and bass driven. The accompanying video is trippy and fascinating, but best avoided if you have an insect phobia. Their new album Water, It Feels Like It’s Growing is out on Jan 20 via Mothland. [CW]
Bad Bad Hats– Super America. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of their debut EP, It Hurts, the indie greats are re-issuing the EP in full (and remastered) along with demo versions of all five songs. It will also be the first time these songs are available on vinyl. Check out the brand new animated video for “Super America” for a fix of some sweet indie pop gold. [KH]
Bass Drum of Death– Head Change. The third single from Say I Won’t, the upcoming album from the long running garage trio and this one is a mid tempo rocker, dialed back from some of their early fervent work but keeping in line with the refinement in production and style we’ve heard from the first two singles “Say Your Prayers,” and “Find It.” I’ve loved getting to know a newer side of the band and the growth as much as I love their early work, so I’m very ready to find out what the rest of the record has in store. The full album drops 1/27/23 via Fat Possum. [KH]
Brian Jonestown Massacre– Fudge. The psych greats have just announced their 20h album The Future Is Your Past (2/10/23 A Recordings), and so far have released two singles, the title track and the latest, “Fudge,” which sees the band in familiar swirly psych territory, layers of guitars weaving together. [KH]
Jess Kallen– A Garden Bed of Thistle Weeds. This country-tinged indie rock song uses layers of guitars to carry Kallen’s voice along with ease, and then opens up into a louder mode—just briefly, before hitting a lovely subdued end. Their debut album isn’t planned until 2023 (via New Professor), but this is a great preview. [CW]
Jigsaw Youth– Skin. With walls of fuzz and a full distortion onslaught, the Staten Island trio pulls the heaviest of right hooks on that pay-off southpaw chorus. Ducking between belly growls and guttural screams, at one point Nastacha Beck’s guitar goes full on crunch-metal while Maria Alvarez (bass/vocals) and Alex Dmytrow (drums) bring down the thunder on rhythm. I’ve been a huge fan of this band since first catching them play a Brooklyn basement back in 2017—this is the hugest they’ve ever sounded, and I’m here for it. Catch them opening for Sasami on 12/12 at Baby’s All Right. [MB]
Los Bitchos– Los Chrismos. This cheeky UK based foursome recently released a holiday themed single and now have added a ridiculous 80s themed music video to enhance the holiday cheer. Read more about it here. [KH]
Mui Zyu– Rotten Bun. Hong Kong British artist Eva Liu aka mui zyu has announced her debut album Rotten Bun for an Eggless Century (2/24 Father/Daughter) and released the beautiful piano driven title track. Via her Bandcamp:
“As mui zyu, Hong Kong British artist Eva Liu navigates the tricky territory of ever-changing identity, merging fantasy and folklore to create a stage for self-acceptance and deliverance. On her debut full-length Rotten Bun for an Eggless Century, Liu utilizes chopped-up soundscapes, delicate industrial ambience and sweet pop melodies to introduce a character––a guide––who can be stretched across worlds to offer the catharsis of patience, perseverance and understanding. This isn’t a character formed from a desire to escape or flee the real world, but rather a way to submerge even deeper into ourselves. Rotten Bun for an Eggless Century is a reflection of everyone, and everything, that made us who we are.” [KH]
The Natural Lines– Monotony. The latest from Matt Pond (fka Matt Pond PA) this sees him evolving and building upon his existing body of work. Read more here. [KH]
Nicole Dollanganger– Runnin’ Free. This single is in fact a reworking of a demo from the Heart Shaped Bed era. The newest version features more layers of Dollanganger’s ethereal voice while piano takes the lead from the guitars. At once more delicate and with a harder pulse, it’s an interesting reworking. Her still untitled album will be out January 6th. [CW]
Omer Leibovitz– Wide Open Feeling. Another beautifully executed track by the Brooklyn songwriter. It’s that masterful understanding of melody and sound that we’ve come to expect from Leibovitz, only this time leveled up in intensity with a blend of distorted guitars overdriven just to the point where you can hear its broken bits. And lyrically, he once again again make no qualms about exposing his broken bits. [MB]
Sad 13– Wrapped. Sadie DuPuis’ annual holiday song is here and this one takes a critical poke at year end lists with a sharply worded look at the culture that has arisen around this now deeply ingrained aspect of the music industry. There are no words minced with the line “If it’s not the list, why’d you bother with listening?” the sarcasm dripping off of each word. And I’m inclined to agree with the sentiment because so much that never makes a major list still matters, very deeply, but gets lost in the shuffle of the popularity contest. It all begs the question, why not just listen to what you love and forget the lists?!
(That being said, FTA does participate in the tradition because it can be fun and I like to check out stuff from smaller outlets because you can find some real gems that way, but we don’t rank our list nor do we present one as an entity or “Best of.” Rather we list ours as a “favorites” with each individual contributor sending their own as a snapshot of what they loved over the year. My personal one will be alphabetical this year to avoid a hierarchy like structure. What can I say? It’s the punk rock in me.) [KH]
Slow Fiction– Top 10 Movie Scenes. Take 1, take 2. The arty Brooklyn indie rockers drop the first single marked for their upcoming 2023 self-titled EP. This track is pure sweet melancholy to the point you can feel the emotion dripping from every instrument. The bass weeps over the somber heartbeat, giving way for the guitars and vocals to ebb and then soar. Just allow yourself to be swept up, because they’ve got a hold on you anyway. [MB]
Tropical Fuck Storm– The Golden Ratio. The art punks from Down Under have just announced a new 12″ and amazingly started beef with Zayn Malik in the process (maybe). Grab your popcorn and read more here. [KH]
Weird Nightmare– Our Love Will Still Be There (Troggs cover). Alex Edkins’ (Metz) side project, Weird Nightmare, has released a fuzzy power pop version of the 1966 song by The Troggs. The original appears on The Troggs debut album, From Nowhere, the same album that brought us the cool classic “Wild Thing.” Listen to both versions below. [KH]
Zulu– Fakin’ Tha Funk (You Get Did). The epic LA based powerviolence band has announced their first full length, A New Tomorrow, and released the first single which follows their two previous EPs. At just over a minute long, the song is a heavy crusher and will vibrate your skull through your headphones (in all the best ways). The album arrives 3/3/23 via Flatspot and will feature guest spots from Pierce Jordan (Soul Glo), Paris Roberts (Truth Cult), and Obioma Ugonna (Playtime). They will head out on tour in support of the record with Show Me The Body, the tour hits Brooklyn Steel on 3/24/23. [KH]
