First Listen: New Releases for 4 July 2025

Artist: Kae Tempest
Album: Self Titled
Quick Thoughts: I first tripped up on Kae Tempest a few years back, and thought his approach to music felt more like slam poetry than truly rap music. Since then, he's gone through a transition and brings a new album that puts his experience front and center, often dabbling more in the drill direction than even regular rap. It's really a step up for the artist, and this became a fast favorite of the recent few weeks because of how honest and forthright it is. Make some time for this one.
Songs of Note: "I Stand on the Line," "Statue in the Square," "Breathe," "Diagnoses"

Artist: The Sun Kings
Album: Lovers Always Win
Quick Thoughts: I did not know the Sun Kings before this week, and their approach as a sort of calypso-ska hybrid (calypska?) really piqued my interest from the start. It straddles the line between familiar and unique, and it's rare - "Hall of Mirrors" is a fast favorite, and "B Sides and Rarities" is a gorgeous opener, but there's just so much to love here that I'm perhaps more excited to back to this than any other release this week.
Songs of Note: "B Sides and Rarities," "Hall of Mirrors," "7 Uncles," "Heat of the Night," "Hardman," "March of the Giant Weeds"

Artist: Elle Barvara
Album: Word on the Street
Quick Thoughts: Elle Bavara was also a new one for me this week, and it's another act that defies classification in all the best ways. It's got a prog-R&B feel to it in so many ways, and sits left-of-center enough to break through the noise, whether talking about cults or about food. It's a mandatory listen if only because it's unlike anything else this week, but I suspect you'll fall as hard for this as I did.
Songs of Note: "Carmelized Onions (You Bet!)," "Justice Complice," "BBQ All-Dressed," "Hitler, Satan & Associates LLP," "Operating Thetan: Unknown"

Artist: STOMACH BOOK
Album: GOODNIGHT HYPNOPOMP
Quick Thoughts: Yet another new listen, but I would put this more out there as if Penelope Scott was added as a member of 100 Gecs. It's chaotically addictive, with so many fun unexpected twists and turns that I was kind of left surprised by the whole thing. Especially given that it feels like the hyperpop moment has passed (or peaked with brat), this makes me believe there is life yet to be breathed into the genre. Give this a listen.
Songs of Note: "My Diorama," "Paper Dolls," "Fukouna Girl"

Artist: Jonathan Richman
Album: Only Frozen Sky Anyway
Quick Thoughts: Finally, we have new music from a legend, and it feels as essential and pure as anything else he's put out. Richman, who is now in his mid-70s, blew my mind when I saw him play in Worcester 20-odd years ago, and that he's still making new music that sounds so great and fits into everything he's tried to do over the years? I don't know. It just works for me. If you have never listened to Richman before, don't start here - there are countless records and compilations you should catch up on first. But after you do that, you'll realize how well this fits in with all the rest.
Songs of Note: "I Was Just a Piece of Frozen Sky Anyway," "But We May Try Weird Stuff," "That Older Girl," "O Guitar"

Of note:

* JooLs - Violent Delights (Solid post-punk - don't miss "97%.") * Blanco Teta - La debacle de las divas (Great Argentinian punk.)
* Hush - Minor Rebellion * The Reds, Pinks and Purples - The Past is a Garden I Never Fed * Rival Consoles - Landscape from Memory * Rival Consoles - Mindseye * Jesse Welles - Pilgrim * Dropkick Murphys - For the People * Black Balloons - Black Balloons * Client_03 - Testbed Assembly * Attawalpa - Experience * Tucker Zimmernman - Music by River Words by Ear * The Flashbulb - Papillon * BIG SPECIAL - NATIONAL AVERAGE. * Chad Crouch - Oak Island Rain Soundwalk EPs:

* Text Chunk - Trance One / Testmode Entry * Faithless, Nathan Ball, and Amelia Fox - Champion Sound: Side 2 Phone Number * Amy Dabbs - Rhythms * Nilufer Yanya - Dancing Shoes * Q the Trumpet - When I Love * Tanner Adell - Don't Pet (Sampler) Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:

* Cerrone - Disco Symphony * Ben Folds - Ben Folds Live with The National Symphony Orchestra

HONK - "Vine-Glo"

Photo by Ethan Griffin-Mccleary

British country music will always seem like a weird genre to me, but HONK is here to upend everything about it. The Manchester band just released a new single, "Vine-Glo," that takes the twang of country and injects it into a jangly version of post-punk. I know that everything I just wrote makes little to no sense together, but it works, and it works great. HONK calls their sound Trashcan Country, and it's a rambunctious party ready sound that is going to make a lot of us completely obsessed. "Vine-Glo" is going to inspire some people to pogo and others to line dance, with a whole lot more in between. Get ready for the next stage of your life, which is after you discover HONK.

HONK say of their new song:

"Vine-glo was a dissolvable brick of grape juice concentrate sold in the US during prohibition. Sold with the tagline 'legal in your home' the packet warned that the grapes may ferment into alcohol and provided instructions that explained very carefully how to prevent fermentation by also giving hints on exactly what was required to successfully ferment the grapes into wine. Because not all superhero's wear capes."

You can listen to "Vine-Glo" below. Closing Down Sale is due out August 22 on Shooting Tzars, and is available for pre-order here. For more on HONK, check out the band on Instagram.

Mae Powell - "Contact High"

Photo by Mitch LaGrow

Hailing from the Bay area, Mae Powell has this fantastic ability to transcend genres to create these amazing songs that are impossible to assign a label to. "Contact High" is a brilliant and joyous mix of soul, pop, folk, garage rock, and probably a few more we haven't heard since we haven't listened to the song enough times yet. The song is an absolutely delight, with positive and sunny vibes throughout. It somehow also transcends time by sounding like something that could have come out in 1968 and also completely like 2025. "Contact High" is a fun song that is just begging to be a part of all of your summer activities.

Mae Powell says of her latest single:

"The idea for 'Contact High' came when my stoner elderly neighbor Phil suggested I write a song called contact high, but about good vibes instead of about weed. We laughed at this concept together but it stuck in my mind, and when one of my best friends was going through a tough time I used the idea to write her a song that might help her see what it feels like to be around her radiant energy. With her in mind, the song came easily. We referenced old '60s and '70s recordings for this one, specifically channeling the sonic vibes of Chris Montez’s album Watch What Happens. We listened to songs from it between takes to really try to capture the energy. What ensues is the most upbeat song on the album, with the craziest drums ever by Sam Jones (we really told him to just go wild and he understood the assignment), Garrett Barley on a 12-string electric guitar and ace tone organ, David Parry on the piano, Mayya Feygina on bass, and yours truly on vocals and acoustic guitar. This song was probably the most fun to make and we were all dancing around the studio the whole day." 

You can listen to "Contact High" below. Making Room for the Light is due out August 15 on Colemine Records/Karma Chief Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Mae Powell, check out the artist on Instagram.

Weakened Friends - "Tough Luck (Bleed Me Out)"

We've been fans of Weakened Friends for years now, possibly even a decade. The Maine trio have always made this fantastic blend of indie rock and al-rock mixed with some pop stylings, and have been delving into the pop side of that sound for a little while now. Their latest single, "Tough Luck (Bleed Me Out)," is their most pop-laden single yet, but still keeps everything we've always loved about them intact. Many artists we regularly cover have been dabbling more and more into a more pop leaning sound, to various degrees of success (in our opinion, at least). Weakened Friends have completely nailed it with their new single. It adds in the pop focus but keeps all of the alt-rock guitars as it transitions from one sound to another. And, in true Weakened Friends fashion, they've managed to make the line ""Til I'm nothing / Bleed me out" into what is sure to be a shout-a-long chorus.

You can listen to "Tough Luck (Bleed Me Out)" below. Feels Like Hell is due out October 4 on Don Giovanni Records, and is available for pre-order through Bandcamp. For more on Weakened Friends, check out the band's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the song and include November 16 at The Drake in Amherst, MA and November 20 at The Sinclair in Cambridge, MA.

8/2 - Portland, ME - Back Cove Music and Arts Fest 

9/21 - Chicago IL - Riot Fest 

10/16 - Troy, NY - No Fun

10/17 - Rochester, NY - The Bug Jar

10/18 - Toronto, ON - The Sound Garage

10/22 - Cincinnati, OH - Radio Artifact

10/23 - Chattanooga, TN - The Boneyard

10/29 - Charlotte, NC - Snug Harbor

10/30 - Durham, NC - Pinhook

10/31 - Atlanta, GA - Altar

11/1 - Greenville, SC - Swanson’s Warehouse

11/5 - Milwaukee, WI - X-Ray Arcade

11/7 - Detroit, MI - Lager House

11/8 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop

11/9 - Columbus, OH - Ace Of Cups

11/12 - Pittsburgh, PA - Bottlerocket Social Hall

11/13 - Washington, DC - Comet Ping Pong

11/14 - Philadelphia, PA - Nikki Lopez

11/15 - Brooklyn, NY - The Sultan Room

11/16 - Amherst, MA - The Drake

11/20 - Boston, MA - The Sinclair

11/21 - Burlington, VT - Higher Ground (Showcase Room) 

DJ Haram featuring Bbymutha, SHA RAY, & August Fanon - "Fishnets"

Photo by Sultana Garritano

Brooklyn's DJ Haram has a new single out that shows off her trademark boom bap sprinkled with Middle Eastern instrumentation sound. "Fishnets" features verses from Bbymutha, SHA RAY, and August Fanon, and has an intense and almost menacing vibe, despite being an absolute banger of a track. It's hypnotic and immediately grabs your attention, and if you're unfamiliar with the trio of rappers on the song, you're sure to start pulling up their bodies of work. "Fishnets" is one of those songs that just feels cool and makes you need to hear more from all of the artists involved. 

DJ Haram says of her latest single:

"‘Fishnets’ is for the eclectic bad bitches. The people united will never be defeated."

You can listen to "Fishnets" below. Beside Myself is due out July 18 on Hyperdub, and is available for pre-order here. For more on DJ Haram, check out the artist on Instagram and Twitter. Upcoming tour dates are below the song.

Wed. July 23 - Brooklyn, NY @ Public Records (Album Listening Party / Q+A with Kode9)
Sat. Aug. 23 - Brooklyn, NY @ House of Yes ^
Sat. Sept. 13 - Oslo, NO @ by:larm
Fri. Oct. 3 - Dublin, IE @ Opium *
Sat. Oct. 4 - Glasgow, UK @ St Luke’s *
Sun. Oct. 5 - Leeds, UK @ Belgrave Music Hall *
Tue. Oct. 7 - Bristol, UK @  Strange Brew *
Wed. Oct. 8 - Cardiff, UK @ Globe *
Thu. Oct. 9 - London, UK @ Scala *
Fri. Oct. 10 - Bologna, IT @ Robot Festival
Sat. Oct. 11 - Krakow, PL @ Unsound Festival
Fri. Oct. 24 - Berlin, DE @ 90mil
Wed. Oct. 29 - Geneva, CH @ Cave12
Thu. Oct. 30 - Paris, FR @ Badaboum
Fri. Oct. 31 - Lisbon, PT @ ZDB
Sat. Nov. 1 - Barcelona, ES @ Razzmatazz ^
Sat. Nov. 1 - Barcelona, ES @ Casa Montjuïc
Mon. Nov. 3 - Zagreb, HR @ Kset
Fri. Nov. 7 - Utrecht, NL @ Le Guess Who?
Sat. Nov. 8 - Amsterdam, NL @ Murmur ^
 
* = supporting billy woods
^ = DJ set

Marissa Nadler - "Hatchet Man"

Photo by Ebru Yildiz

Marissa Nadler is known for making beautiful but dark music, and her latest single is no exception. "Hatchet Man" is a "cosmic murder ballad" that could be listened to as a pretty song, but once you pay attention to the lyrics, the song has a wildly different meaning. Of course, the music and sound of "Hatchet Man" also exposes the dark side of the song. As moody and ethereal as the song is, its stunning beauty could possibly mask just how dark the song is. Long time fans of Nadler's are going to love "Hatchet Man," and this one will definitely win over some new ones, too.

Marissa Nadler says of her latest single:

"Hatchet Man’ is about a sinister character bringing a woman home—not for romance, but to murder her—while the narrator, his partner, is made to witness it unfold. Ultimately, the storyteller escapes, adrenaline flooding her veins. The sweet, lilting melody of the chorus offers a stark contrast to the verses, where much of the tale is told. I enjoy twisting narratives, subverting tropes, and playing with perspective in my songs. The rest of the details are all in the song.”

You can watch the video for "Hatchet Man" below. New Radiations is due out August 15 on Bella Union/Sacred Bones, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Marissa Nadler, check out the artist's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.

Thu. Oct. 30 - Coventry, UK @ The Tin Music and Arts
Fri. Oct. 31 - London, UK @ St. Matthias Church
Sat. Nov. 1 - Brighton, UK @ Dust
Sun. Nov. 2 - Cardiff, UK @ Clwb Ifor Bach
Mon. Nov. 3 - Southampton, UK @ Papillon
Wed. Nov. 5 - Brugge, BE @ Cactus Club %
Fri. Nov. 7 - Maastricht, NL @ Muziekgieterij
Sat. Nov. 8 - Kortrijk, BE @ Sonic City
Sun. Nov. 9 - Arnhem, NL @ Luxor Live
Tue. Nov. 11 - Utrecht, NL @ TivoliVredenburg @ Ronda #
Wed. Nov. 12 - Groningen, NL @ De Oosterpoort #
Thu. Nov. 13 - Nijmegen, NL @ Doornroosje #
Sat. Nov. 15 - Istanbul, TR @ Zorlu PSM
Mon. Nov. 17 - Copenhagen, DK @ Studie 3 @ Dr Koncerthuset
Tue. Nov. 18 - Stockholm, SE @ Hus 7
Wed. Nov. 19 - Oslo, NO @ Salt
Thu. Nov. 20 - Gothenburg, SE @ Pustervik
Fri. Nov. 21 - Malmö, SE @ Plan B

% w/ Pothamus
# w/ Amenra

Die Job - "Creature of Habit"

Vancouver punks Die Job have a new single out that is pop punk for those that hate pop punk. "Creature of Habit" has all of the melody and harmonies of pop punk, but it also has a certain edge to it that most pop punk lacks. While many other bands want everything to be smooth and clean sounding, Die Job revels in making music that's a little extra rough around the edges. The vocals in particular are going to remind you of very early Green Day and Blink-182, and the song has what sounds like keys or organ that are begging you to put "Creature of Habit" on your Halloween 2025 playlist. (It's certainly going right on ours!)

You can listen to "Creature of Habit" below. Hazards of Occupation is due out August 8 on Kinda Cool Records. For more on Die Job, check out the band on Instagram and Facebook.

Ada Lea - "something in the wind"

Photo by Tess Roby

Ada Lea is the musical name of Montreal based artist Alexandra Levy. Her latest single, "something in the wind," is a wonderfully odd singer-songwriter track. It's one of those songs that could have been a mainstream track in another universe, but Ada Lea has the song going in such interesting and unexpected directions. The guitars are tuned just off, and you can't quite tell the mood of the song. It's a little haunting, a little upbeat, and a little melancholy. It's probably fitting that "something in the wind" is about love, as love involves all of those emotions, quite often at the same time. It's also both fast and slow, all of which creates this lovely dichotomy of a song.

Ada Lea says of her latest single:

"I had a dream about this song and remember nothing. There is a constant in everyone’s life, which is the dream. When we recorded the song, Luke, who produced it, suggested we slow it down so Tasy could improvise a busy drum solo. Then, Jonas, engineer, sped the song up to its regular speed. Like a slowed down wink to Leonard Cohen himself."

You can watch the video for "something in the wind" below. when i paint my masterpiece is due out August 8 on Saddle Creek, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Ada Lea, check out the artist's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video and include September 11 at AS220 in Providence, RI and September 13 at Brick House in Turners Falls, MA.

Fri, Aug 16 - Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club w/ @
Sat, Aug 17 - Bristol, UK @ Rough Trade Bristol w/ Allegra Krieger
Sun, Aug 18 - Edinburgh, UK @ Sneaky Pete's w/ Allegra Krieger
Mon, Aug 19 - Glasgow, UK @ Nice n' Sleazy w/ Allegra Krieger
Tue, Aug 20 - Chester, UK @ St. Mary's Creative Space w/ Allegra Krieger
Wed, Aug 21 - London, UK @ Lexington, Line of Best Fit w/ Allegra Krieger
Wed, Sept 10 - Burlington, VT @ Radio Bean
Thu, Sept 11 - Providence, RI @ AS220
Fri, Sept 12 - Catskill, NY - Avalon
Sat, Sept 13 - Turner Falls, MA @ Brick House
Mon, Sept 15 - New York, NY @ NightClub 101
Tue, Sept 16 - Washington, DC @ Quarry House
Wed, Sept 17 - Durham, NC @ Pinhook
Thu, Sept 18 - Nashville, TN @ East Room
Fri, Sept 19 - Chicago, IL @ Judson & Moore
Sat, Sept 20 - Windsor, ON @ Phog Lounge
Sun, Sept 21 - Toronto, ON @ The Garrison
Tue, Oct 14 - Montreal, QC @ Toscadura
Wed, Oct 15 - Hamilton @ Roony's
Fri, Oct 17 - Kalamazoo, MI @ TV Station
Sat, Oct 18 - Milwaukee, WI @ Sky High
Sun, Oct 19 - Minneapolis, MN @ Cloudland
Mon, Oct 20 - Fargo, ND @ The Aquarium
Wed, Oct 22 - Butte, Montana @ Carpenters Union Hall
Fri, Oct 24 - Seattle, WA @ Ballard Homestead
Sat, Oct 25 - Vancouver, BC @ Kingsway
Mon, Oct 27 - Portland, OR @ Turn Turn Turn
Wed, Oct 29 - SF/Oakland @ TBD
Thu, Oct 30 - Los Angeles, CA @ Scribble
Sat, Nov 1 - Salt Lake City @ The Pearl on Main
Sun, Nov 2 - Denver @ Hi Dive
Tue, Nov 4 - Lincoln, NE @ Reactor Coffee
Thu, Nov 5 - Davenport, IA @ Raccoon Motel

Lauren Lovelle - "Anxiously Attached"

Photo by Deanie Chen

Lauren Lovelle might have done the impossible: The Kansas City based musician may have just made a song that all country music fans can enjoy. "Anxiously Attached" leans into the modern mainstream country sound enough that the masses can enjoy it, but with enough of a twang that fans of a more classic country sound to be satisfied. She also has enough of an edge to the song that will also win over alt-country fans. "Anxiously Attached" is the kind of single that once you hear it, you'll be expecting it to erupt at any time. Lovelle should end up being a huge country star in the next few years, and if this song is any indication, she'll be able to do it without compromising her sound.

Lauren Lovelle says of her new single:

“I was begging for the bare minimum, putting my partner on a pedestal, and repeatedly disappointing myself. I find myself laughing during that 'dammit I gotta work the dinner shift' line, because I am often playing a gig right after a lunch or dinner shift.” 

You can listen to "Anxiously Attached" below. Other Dreams is due out September 9. For more on Lauren Lovelle, check out the artist on Instagram.

Benny the Butcher - "Summer 25"

Last August, Buffalo, NY based rapper Benny the Butcher released Summertime Butch, and this year sees the follow up, Summertime Butch 2. The first single from the upcoming album is "Summer 25," which might be a perfect summer hip hop single for 2025. The song still has the laid back vibe needed in a song about the summer, but with an edge to it that fits this year. It's chill while acknowledging that things could go wrong at any point. Plus, it features a sample from Jonathan Richman's "That Summer Feeling," which is the first time I've ever noticed a Jonathan Richman sample in a hip hop song.

You can watch the video for "Summer 25" below. Summertime Butch 2 is due out July 16 (716 is the area code for Buffalo). For more on Benny the Butcher, check out the artist on Instagram and Twitter.

Live Shows: Battlemode and Double Feature, Capitol Theater, Arlington, MA 7/5/25

As someone who goes to a lot of shows (what many people would regard as a ridiculous number), I'm always looking for something a little different. Sometimes that can be something as simple as a non-traditional venue (boats, churches, a park without a stage, etc.), and sometimes it can completely eschew the traditional concert format of three bands in a bar. Saturday night, Battlemode provided a completely different experience with The Blame Canada! USO Show at Capitol Theater in Arlington.

The first part of the evening was a quick performance by Battlemode. This was my fourth time seeing Battlemode perform since March, and the chiptune band keep me coming back for more. Taking the stage in a vintage movie theater, this was the most restrained performance I've seen of theirs, but that could mostly be because we're all socialized to be quiet in a movie theater. It was still a fun show, as always, and I wish I could be less self conscious and have danced like the few people who moved to the front of the theater to do so. Live video game based music never would have sounded like my thing, but Battlemode have made me a diehard fan after a few performances.

Up next was Double Feature with a special South Park themed set. The electronic duo dropped absolute bangers [do the kids still say bangers?] that were themed to the film South Park: The Movie, and included remixes of "Uncle Fucker" and "I'm Super." Was it pretty ridiculous? Yes. Was it also amazing and ridiculously fun? Also yes. Plus, Double Feature brought out Boston drag superstar Celia Smokinbutts to perform to "I'm Super," which was pretty perfect.

Next was a showing of South Park: The Movie, which held up much better than I could have expected. Obviously there are some words that were much more acceptable to say in 1999, but that's true of virtually every movie from that time period. I was shocked at how many of the songs I remembered despite not seeing the movie for decades, and the entire theater turned into a sing-a-long for most songs, and a clap-a-long for "Kyle's Mom's a Bitch." Somehow this ended up being a perfect way to celebrate Fourth of July weekend for those of us not exactly in a patriotic mood this year.

If this sounds up your alley, they'll be back on September 12 for a thirtieth anniversary screening of Hackers with Renoly Santiago (The Phantom Phreak) and Laurence Mason (Lord Nikon) in attendance. 

Evan Greer featuring Eve 6 - "$5"

The latest single from Boston based artist/activist Evan Greer is a delightfully nostalgic ode to a simpler time. "$5" is a killer alt-rock song about the days of DIY and basement shows that cost five dollars at the door. It's about the magical time when we were all filled with hope and were only there for a true love of music. Even the music has a nostalgic bent, with a guitar solo that sounds straight out of your favorite late 90's/early 00's song. It even features guitar and vocals from members of Eve 6, just to add to the nostalgic factor. This might be the power ballad of the year, and it's sure to remind you of your good old days.

You can watch the video for "$5" below. AMAB/ACAB is due out September 19 on Get Better Records, and is available for pre-order through Bandcamp. For more on Evan Greer, check out the artist's website.

Ok Cool - "Safety Car"

Photo by Tracy Conoboy

If you love cheery 90's indie rock, you're going to love the latest from OK Cool. FLOOD Magazine stated that "Safety Car" has "... an early Built to Spill vibe," and as much as I hate quoting another writer, I kept getting the same feeling from the song. It's reminding me of The Normal Years, when Doug Martsch wrote shorter, more poppy songs with smaller guitar epics inside. "Safety Car" is wonderfully catchy and upbeat, and has that crunchy guitar that helped define the late 90's. As much as OK Cool remind me of my glory days on this one, the more pop focused side of the song helps keep it sounding more modern and not a throwback. 

Haley Blomquist Waller says of her band's latest single:

"This song is about the people in your life that make you feel loved and grounded. I wrote it last year with my husband in mind while we were starting to plan our wedding. There are references in the lyrics to things we do together that I know, in the future, I will look back on as peaceful vignettes. It’s about feeling nostalgic and grateful for things as they’re happening."

You can watch the video for "Safety Car" below. Chit Chat is due out August 1. For more on OK Cool, check out the band on Instagram and Twitter. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.

08/14 - Chicago, IL - Subterranean

08/20 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop

08/21 - New York, NY - Baker Falls

08/22 - Philadelphia, PA - Silk City

Daffo - "Habit"

Photo by Nolan Knight

Daffo is the musical moniker of twenty-one year old Gabi Gamberg. The Los Angeles based artist recently released a new single, "Habit." Knowing that Daffo has opened for artists such as Blondshell, illuminati hotties, and Wednesday will give you an idea of what their new single sounds like. The song blends modern indie rock with alt-pop, but Daffo tends to lean more into the indie rock side of things than many of their contemporaries. "Habit" has swirling guitars that move in and out throughout the song, and while there may not be noise throughout, there are some wonderfully distorted guitar solos. Somehow the pop side of the song and the indie rock side perfectly complement each other.

Daffo says of their latest single:

“I wrote that song at a moment when I was having a hard time with my OCD and cyclical thinking. It’s partly about how I tend to come to conclusions about certain situations before even allowing myself to experience them.”

You can watch the video for "Habit" below. Where the Earth Bends is due out September 26 on Concord Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Daffo, check out the artist's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.

11/1 – Amsterdam, NL @ London Calling

11/7 - Paris, FR @ Pitchfork Festival Paris

11/10 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer ^

11/11 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel ^

11/12 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel ^

11/13 – Montreal, QC @ Club Soda ^

11/15 – Toronto, ON @ Concert Hall ^

11/16 – Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theatre ^

11/17 – Chicago, IL @ The Riviera Theater ^

11/19 – Cleveland, OH @ Globe Iron ^

11/20 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Roxian Theatre ^

11/21 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club ^

^ w/ Wednesday

Muscle - "Carpenter"

Hardcore can be a very repetitive genre, so it's always refreshing to hear something new. Baltimore's Muscle have a refreshing take on the sound. Their latest single, "Carpenter," is an under two minute burst of heavy groove. The band consists of vocalist Madison Coan (who commands almost all attention with both her screaming and singing), bass player Quentin Gibeau, and drummer Adam Farkas. "Carpenter" is a pure industrial sounding racket coated with a heavy layer of fuzz. It sounds like a combination of Girls Against Boys meets The Gits and then amped by by a near infinite limit. At times it even almost borders on dance music. As loud and abrasive as Muscle can be, "Carpenter" is also oddly melodic in its own way.

You can watch the video for "Carpenter" below. Arrest God is due out July 10, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Muscle, check out the band on Instagram.

Bonniesongs - "Strangest Feeling"

Photo by Nick Mckk

The latest from Australia-based Irish artist Bonniesongs is an interesting mix of sounds. "Strangest Feeling" starts off as a fairly standard modern singer-songwriter track that lands somewhere between folk-pop and rock. The song is sprinkled with these little psychedelic flourishes that give the song an unexpected indie rock base. And then, just as you're lulled into a comfortable space, this eruption starts happening... and then fades out. "Strangest Feeling" ends up being a pretty little song on the surface that borders on twee, but somewhat hides a lot more going on inside of the song. It's so close to being a completely mainstream singer-songwriter track but Bonniesongs keeps the entire thing fully engaging.

Bonnie Stewart (aka Bonniesongs) says of her latest single:

“It’s maybe my only classic love song. It’s about the fear of loss with loving someone but it’s a happy song, celebrating love and connection whilst also highlighting the inevitable future heartache.”

You can listen to "Strangest Feeling" below. Strangest Feeling, the album, is due out July 25. For more on Bonniesongs, check out the artist on Instagram and Facebook.

Time and Place - s/t

There are times that I think I'm knowledgeable about the Boston music scene, and then I discover a "new" band that's been around for sixteen years. "Leftist Americana act" Time and Place recently released a self-titled album that I'm thrilled to share with you all. While there are many bands out there labelled folk-punk, a lot of those tend to be more folk than punk, or even fairly mainstream pop rock. That's not the case with Time and Place. They are equal parts folk and punk. They use typical folk instruments like acoustic guitar and stand up bass to make straight up punk rock. All the songs on Time and Place have gruff punk style vocals, with gang vocals taking over most songs. The album also includes guest musicians on mandolin, baritone saxophone, pedal steel, trumpet, and even accordion by Red Sox organ player Josh Kantor. The album is a collection of fourteen songs about what it's like living in the current "Boomer fever dream," and it's basically if Woody Guthrie had lived to see punk. This is a truly great album that's going to be even better if you also happen to be a Leftist that loves Americana.

You can listen to "The Want Machine" below. Time and Place is available now on Bandcamp. For more on Time and Place, check out the band on Instagram and Facebook. They'll be playing August 3 at The Jungle Community Music Club in Somerville with Broken Daisies and The Only Humans.

The Jazztronauts - "Dave's Song"

I can't quite explain why, but the latest single from The Jazztronauts doesn't sound quite like I assumed they would. First of all, "Dave's Song" starts off with a killer guitar riff, which doesn't typically scream "jazz song." After that, the song is propelled by the horn section in the way you typically hear from brass bands, especially the ones that meld hip hop into their style. Once you figure out what "Dave's Song" is, it changes up into a more traditional jazz sound, until the guitar solo kicks in, which is more of a rock and/or Funkadelic style. The Jazztronauts have created a hard rockin' jazz single that you should crank up loud and enjoy.

You can listen to "Dave's Song" below. The single is out now on Nu-Tone. For more on The Jazztronauts, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram.

The Wind-Ups - "A Fine Pink Mist"

Oakland's The Wind-Ups have such a great and unique sound on their latest single. "A Fine Pink Mist" could have been one of the most sugary singles we've ever covered. The song is unbelievably catchy and has all of the melodic components of a great, poppy song. That is, except for the fact that it's coated in a thick layer of lo-fi fuzz and noise. At some points the fuzz is just barely there, and at others it overwhelms the entire song. But it's always there, throughout. I certainly don't mean that as a negative, and if you also love sugary power pop and fuzzed out noise, you're going to love The Wind-Ups.

You can listen to "A Fine Pink Mist" below. Confection is due out July 11 on Dandy Boy Records, and is available for pre-order through Bandcamp. For more on The Wind-Ups, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram.