Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Bedroom Eyes - "Brood"


Boston's own Bedroom Eyes are set to release their first new music in four years, and judging by the first single, it's gonna be epic. "Brood" has this fantastic blend of slacker rock meets shoegaze. It's filled with some of the most distorted guitars of this century swirling and swirling around you. There is also some lovely examples of the whole loud/quiet/loud dynamic, except this might be more soothing/pounding/soothing. "Brood" feels like such a dream, the kind where you're just strapped in and enjoying the ride your subconscious is taking you on. As intense as Bedroom Eyes can get, it's an oddly melancholy song at times.

You can listen to "Brood" below. Turned Away is due out July 18 via a La Carte Records, and is available for pre-order through Bandcamp. For more on Bedroom Eyes, check out the band on Instagram and Facebook.

Grrrl Gang - "Spunky!"

Photo by Tiny Studio

When a band calls themselves Grrrl Gang, you can basically guess what they sound like, and you would not be wrong. The Jakarta based band might add a little more pop into their blend of riot grrrl based punk, but I can't imagine anyone who loves punk isn't going to like "Spunky!" It's a fast paced punk rocker that still has a melodic edge to it that keeps the song surprisingly fun. It sounds more like if The Beths decided to go more punk, and if that doesn't appeal to you, I have no idea what you're even doing here.

The song describes singer Angeeta Sentana's experiences during a manic episode. She explains:

“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."

You can watch the video for "Spunky!" below. The album Spunky! is due out September 22 on Kill Rock Stars (US), Trapped Animal Records (Europe), and Big Romantic Records (Japan and Taiwan). It's available for pre-order here. For more on Grrrl Gang, check out the band on Instagram and Twitter.

The Natvral - "Lucifer's Glory"


The Natvral (aka Kip Berman's post The Pains of Being Pure at Heart musical project) is back with new music. "Lucifer's Glory" continues Berman's dabbling into t6he world of Americana, but this single amps it up a notch. Considering Berman now lives in New Jersey, it's very easy to compare any roots based singer/songwriter to Bruce Springsteen, but in the case of this song it's also very apt. "Lucifer's Glory" isn't quite as anthemic as Springsteen's arena rock hits, but it's also not quite as stripped down as Nebraska. This one is more like early Springsteen when he was still working it out at The Stone Pony and before he was a national sensation. The star quality is still there, but in a bit of a more scrappy, indie rock kind of way.

Kip Berman says of his new single:

"Don’t let the title fool you— It’s not a full throated 'Hail Satan,' but it is full throated. I suppose I could’ve called it 'Paradise Lust.'"When you hit rock bottom, but wish you could fall deeper - when you’re proud to lose, ‘cuz you know the kind of people who win- when only what’s missing remains…"Sure, It’s perverse, crushing, and wrong. But it’s also alright. There were other options, but only one choice. That’s Lucifer’s Glory."

You can listen to "Lucifer's Glory" below. Summer of No Light is due out September 1 on Dirty Bingo Records, and is available for pre-order through Bandcamp. For more on The Natvrl, check out the artist's website.

Kiltro - "Softy"

Photo by Julien Brier

We loved the unique blend of Latin rhythms, folk, and dance music we heard in Kiltro's previous two singles, but their latest seems to have come out of nowhere. "Softy" still has all of those elements, but it's both the most mainstream pop of their previous singles while still being the most left-field. The Denver based band have created a song that almost sounds like something that could easily be played on an Adult Contemporary radio station if it wasn't so odd. It's just soaking in too much reverb to ever to considered mainstream, even though Chris Bowers Castillo just has a voice your mom would adore. 

You can listen to "Softy" below. Underbelly is due out June 2. For more on Kiltro, check out the band's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the song.


June 1 - Denver, CO - Mercury Cafe

June 21 - Detroit, MI - Lager House

June 22 - Columbus, OH - Woodlands

June 24 - Bethlehem, PA - Sabor Festival

June 25 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda’s

June 26 - Cambridge, MA - Club Passim

June 28 - Brooklyn, NY - Baby’s All Right

June 29 - Vienna, VA - Jammin Java

June 30 - Richmond, VA - Richmond Music Hall

July 1 - Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle

July 3 - Nashville, TN - The Basement

July 6 - Madison, WI - The Bur Oak

July 7 - Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry

July 8 - Chicago, IL - Beat Kitchen

August 9 - San Francisco, CA - Cafe Du Nord

August 10 - Los Angeles, CA - Gold-Diggers

August 11 - Pioneertown, CA - Pappy's & Harriets

August 13 - Phoenix, AZ - Valley Bar

August 16 - Austin, TX - Ballroom

August 17 - Houston, TX - WOMH Upstairs

August 18 - Dallas, TX - Club Dada

August 19 - Oklahoma City, OK - Resonant Head

August 25 - Denver CO - VORTEX 2023 at The JunkYard

September 14 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir

September 16 - Vancouver, BC - The Cobalt

September 17 - Seattle, WA - Barboza

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

First Listen: New Releases for 26 May 2023

Artist: Miya Folick
Album: ROACH
Quick Thoughts: Miya Folick has carved a nice little singer-songwritery niche for herself in recent years, and her latest effort feels like a leveling up of sorts. Solid, compelling songwriting and interesting instrumentation make for a really great album that could serve to launch her into the bigger conversation.
Songs of Note: "Bad Thing," "Get Out of My House," "Drugs or People," "Cartoon Clouds," "Shortstop"

Artist: Kassi Valazza
Album: Kassi Valazza Knows Nothing
Quick Thoughts: This album made both of our shortlists this week, and it delivers. It's a gorgeous slice of Americana with enough familiar trappings to offset its own unique voice. I loved, loved, loved this album and would recommend it even in a busy week. Absolutely worth your time.
Songs of Note: "Song for a Season," "Rapture," "Smile"

Artist: Clark
Album: Sus Dog
Quick Thoughts: Clark is a producer/musician who just quietly released one of the better electronic records in recent memory. I tripped up on this because of the Thom Yorke guest spot on "Medicine," but the whole album expertly straddles the line between challenging IDM and more straightforward club bangers. A mandatory listen this week.
Songs of Note: "Town Crank," "Clutch Pearlers," "Medicine"

Artist: Pink Birds
Album: All is Free and Better
Quick Thoughts: Pink Birds is the perfect act for our time. The modern incarnation of Ladies Gun Club bills themselves as "Emmylou Harris meets PJ Harvey" and I cannot agree more. It's got a sort of smoky barroom feel while never being predictable, and for every song like "Wake Me," you get a more aggressive "Jacksmoke" or the absolutely manic Bjork cover. This is my favorite listen this week by far, and you shouldn't miss it.
Songs of Note: "Wake Me," "Howling Wind," "Crawling Down the White Line," "Trophies," "Jacksmoke," "Army of Me"

Artist: Yuksek
Album: Dance'O'Drome
Quick Thoughts: Yuksek continues with the disco revivalist mindset we've come to see in some recent releases. This is a fun and upbeat listen with some serious danceability and hooks for days - "The Night" in particular is a favorite of the week overall. Definitely check this one out.
Songs of Note: "Santas Almas Benditas," "Overly Human," "The Night," "Dance'O'Drome"

Artist: Twin Princess
Album: Blood Moon
Quick Thoughts: A shout-out to Twin Princess, who supply a fun record this week that's filled with all the sort of synthy goodness you come to expect these days. I loved this album in so many ways, and if "Allston" doesn't grab you I don't know what to say. Just a solid album from start to finish.
Songs of Note: "Allston," "Blood Moon"

Of note:

* Sparks - The Girl is Crying in Her Latte (A fairly solid new effort from the legends of art pop.)
* Jam City - Jam City Presents EFM
* Divine Sweater - Down Deep (A Nautical Apocalypse)
* sophie meiers - shine__space
* AJJ - Disposable Everything
* M. Sage - Paradise Crick
* Stuck - Freak Frequency
* Miranda & the Beat - Miranda & the Beat
* Ultramarine - Send and Return
* Kevin Morby - More Photographs (A Continuum)
* Arlo Parks - My Soft Machine
* Water From Your Eyes - Everyone's Crushed
* Radiator Hospital - Can't Make Any Promises

EPs:

* Saya Gray - QWERTY
* The Dandy Warhols - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
* Fishbone - Fishbone
* Dev Lemons - Delusional
* Luxury Deathtrap - This Armor
* Grave Saddles - There You Ain't
* Only Child - Srs One
* Loyal Lobos - Una Freak
* quickly, quickly - Easy Listening
* Daði Freyr - I'm Still Making an Album 2/3
* The Orielles - The Goyt Method
* UgLi - girldick.
* GHOSH - PRISMASSIVE
* Allison de Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves - Hurricane Clarice: Outtakes, Vol. 1

Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:

* Toad the Wet Sprocket - All You Want (Bonus Edition)
* Noisia - The Resonance IV

Also out:

* Panic Pocket - Mad Half Hour

Wobbly featuring Ana Machado - "White Eggs"


Wobbly is the musical project of San Francisco multimedia artist, composer, and improviser Jon Leidecker. He's also a member of Negativland and Thurston Moore Group. His latest single under Wobbly, "White Eggs," is a bizarre electronic song with Ana Machado on vocals. It's experimental electronic music that still has enough of a semblance of song structure to be mostly able to be danced to... kinda. It's a little jerky and has a unique rhythm that doesn't exactly make sense, but this isn't just experimental electronic music to stroke your chin to. It's relatively laid back, but will still inspire movement in the listener, as long as they have an open enough mind.

You can listen to "White Eggs" below. Additional Kids is due out June 9 on Hausu Mountain Records, and is available for pre-order through Bandcamp. For more on Wobbly, check out the artist on Bandcamp.

Joe Gittleman - "Carrie O"


Joe Gittleman, who you might know as the bass player of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, has a new single out that is the most Bosstones sounding song he's released so far. "Carrie O" is a laid back ska song with plenty of horns (provided by members of Big D and The Kids Table) and ska style guitar. This is what a band like the Bosstones should have aged into. It has all of the fun of classic ska-core, just in a much more chilled our form. It's the perfect song for everyone that now puts orthopedic inserts into out checkered Vans. Plus, all of the talk in the song about the South Carolina shore gives "Carrie O" the perfect laid back summer vibe.

You can listen to "Carrie O" below. The song will be included on a split 12" with Bad Operation due out June 16 on Bad Time Records. This is available for pre-order here. For more on Joe Gittleman, check out his Instagram.

Buck Meek - "Haunted Mountain"

Photo by Sherin Lainez

Aside from being the guitarist in Big Thief, Buck Meek has been quite the established solo artist. His 2021 album Two Saviors was a favorite of mine, and now he's back with new music. "Haunted Mountain," co-written with Jolie Holland, is a ramblin' style country song. It has just the slightest hints of indie rock, but other than that this is just a straight up country/Americana track. It's an upbeat song that just has a timeless quality. It feels like it could have been released any time in the last fifty to sixty years. In fact, the occasional indie rock guitar has some roots in Neil Young, which adds more to the timeless quality.

Buck Meek says of his new song:

“It’s about being humbled by the thing you’re drawing power from only at which point an actual, fair relationship begins."

You can watch the video for "Haunted Mountain" below. The album Haunted Mountain is due out August 25 on 4AD, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Buck Meek, check out the artist's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.


Fri. Aug. 18 - Brecon Beacons, UK @ Green Man FestivalSat. Aug. 19 - Oslo, NO @ Langs AkerselvaMon. Aug. 21 - Copenhagen, DK @ StengadeTue. Aug. 22 - Berlin, DE @ Kantine am BerghainWed. Aug. 23 - Groningen, NL @ Noorderzon FestivalSat. Aug. 26 - Edinburgh, UK @ SummerhallSun. Aug. 27 - Glasgow, UK @ StereoMon. Aug. 28 - Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social ClubTue. Aug. 29 - Manchester, UK @ YESWed. Aug. 30 - London, UK @ LafayetteFri. Sept. 1 - Brussels, BE @ BotaniqueSun. Sept. 3 - Vlieland, NL @ Into the Great Wide Open FestivalTue. Sept. 5 - Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso | TolhuistuinWed. Sept. 6 - Paris, FR @ Le Hasard LudiqueTue. Sept. 12 - Milan, IT @ Magnolia Segrate *Wed. Sept. 13 - Turin, IT @ Spazio211 *Thu. Sept. 14 - Nyon, CH @ La Paranthese*Sat. Sept. 16 - Bologna, IT @ Locomotiv Club *Fri. Oct. 27 - New York, NY @ Racket * solo

Friday, May 26, 2023

Middle-Aged Queers - "This Song is Sponsored by Absolut Vodka"

Photo by Jonathan Botkin

With Pride month starting next week, Middle-Aged Queers have made a new-ish song available for streaming for the first time. Previously only available on the vinyl compilation Punk Rock Saves Lives... The Album! Vol. II, "This Song is Sponsored by Absolut Vodka" takes on the commercialization of Pride by corporations. It's a smart, loud, and fast punk rock song that ends with the repeated mantra of "We're the product." This is just pure classic punk rock. It's buzzsaw guitars and growled vocals with just enough melody and pop hooks to make it appealing to semi-mainstream audiences. 

You can listen to "This Song is Sponsored by Absolut Vodka" below. The song is currently available via Bandcamp. For more on Middle-Aged Queers, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram.

Chris Pierce - "Tulsa Town"

Photo by Mathieu Bitton

Released just before the one hundred and second anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre which saw the affluent black neighborhoods of Tulsa bombed and burned by the white population, Chris Pierce has released a new song about the dark historical event. "Tulsa Town" is a haunting waltz that is mostly folk, but also combines elements of jazz. It's an important song that reminds us of one of the darkest and forgotten elements of American history. Pierce hits the perfect tone for a song of this nature. It's respectful and reverent while still being a gorgeous song that can suck you in even if you're not paying attention to the lyrics. Backing vocals and strings are used expertly, giving the song a truly haunting feeling.

You can watch the lyric video for "Tulsa Town" below. Let All Who Will is due out September 1 via Friends at Work/Downtown Distribution. For more on Chris Pierce, check out the artist's website.

Achings - "Need for Love"


Philadelphia's Achings started in one of the most organic ways possible. Singer/songwriter Rebecca Joy had just started maternity leave and overheard one of Justin Myer's guitar tracks. She immediately wrote the accompanying melody and lyrics on the spot, and Achings was formed.

The duo's latest single, "Need for Love," starts off as this gorgeous and lush alt-rock/pop song that is instantly going to appeal to fans of Phoebe Bridgers, Julia Jacklin, and Lucy Dacus. But halfway through, the song gains an unexpected intensity, particularly in the guitar. As intense as the guitar gets, it somehow adds to the beauty of the song. It's an indie rock explosion that increases the depth of the song. "Need for Love" is the kind of song you're going to want to immediately start again once it's over, and it only gets better with repeated listens.

You can watch the video for "Need for Love" below. All These Shapes, All These Days is due out July 14 on LandLand Colportage, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Achings, check out the band's Bandcamp and Instagram.

Only Child - Srs One


It feels like we've been bringing you singles from Only Child forever, and now we finally have an EP from the project of Boston multi-instrumentalist Christopher James Martin. Srs One was produced by Casey Desmond, and features five songs described as "camp-pop." As you can tell by that description, Srs One is an absolute blast. Martin's influences for the project are artists like Pet Shop Boys, Erasure, Tegan and Sara, and Robyn. The songs explore Martin's queer identity, with clever lyrics and a level of drama not typically heard in pop music. As someone who typically recoils from music described as pop, I am completely drawn in by the music of Only Child. I think it's because I do have a nostalgic love of pop music from the late 80's and early 90's, from before I allowed music snobbery to take over. Srs One is definitely inspired by that time period. Plus, Only Child is just fun, both musically and lyrically. Sometimes, especially in the realm of indie rock, it's easy to forget that music can just be fun for the sake of being fun.

Christopher James Martin says of his new EP:

"Something in these songs definitely called out to me and each other. I think because they felt of a kind, while at the same time showcasing different sides of myself as a songwriter. I think because they feel equal parts light and dark, or happy and sad, even if it's in different ways." 

You can listen to Srs One below. The EP is out now via Casey Desmond's Jungle Up Records label. For more on Only Child, check out the artist on Facebook and Instagram.

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Orca Bones - "Island"


Orca Bones have once again surfaced from Boston Harbor with new music for us. According to a Facebook post, "Island" is "... a surfy indie rock song about the battle royale experience." That helps explain why a song with all the groove of a surf rock jam can have such an intensity behind it. From the opening surf lick, the happiness you normally associate with surf rock is shrouded by a darkness and a sense of dread. That builds for the first half until the song just erupts into an indie rock explosion. It's a brilliantly massive explosion of sound that was barely hinted at in anything that came before it. This is one of the most delightfully unexpected songs you've heard in a while.

You can listen to "Island" below. The song is available for the "name your price" option on Bandcamp. For more on Orca Bones, check them out on Facebook and Instagram.

Margaritas Podridas - "Corazón"


Hermosillo, Mexico based quartet Margaritas Podridas are making punk that harkens back to the early 90's. Their latest single, "Corazón," is definitely more grunge or noise rock based than traditional punk, but if you still cherish 1991: The Year Punk Broke, you're going to love this. Carolina Rivera has mastered a Cobain level scream, and instead of a loud/quiet/loud format, it's more loud/noisier/loud. This sounds like a modern day version of 1980's Sonic Youth or Nirvana rallying against their own popularity on In Utero. Seriously, this is a band you're going to want to watch closely.

Carolina Rivera says about her band's new song:

"I made this song when I was angry. It’s about being hurt by the words of someone you love. I wrote it at El Corazon venue in Seattle. It is a very personal song about how my heart was at the time. I felt like nothing made sense anymore; being there wasn’t enough even although it was my dream I wasn’t happy. Probably lack of sun and all my bad choices in life.

You can watch the video for "Corazón" below. For more on Margaritas Podridas, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram.

Kurt Baker - "Anchors Up"

Photo by Gina Brown

Kurt Baker's latest single puts the power in power pop. "Anchors Up" isn't quite punk, but there is too much of an edge to the song to be purely pop. This is sugary sweet power pop that can still be sung by a guy wearing a leather jacket. It has elements of artists like the Ramones, The Kinks, Green Day, and The Beach Boys. As you can probably guess, this is the kind of song that is perfect for the start of the summer, complete with lyrics about sailing and driving with the top down. Sometimes rock can just be fun, and Kurt Baker has that concept down.

Kurt Baker says of his new song:

"‘Anchors Up’ started around an idea I had while living in Spain during the lockdown confinement. Being confined to your house was not a great experience, but I remember I used to take my guitar and play it next to my window, to get some sunlight. I guess the rays of sunshine brought a happy upbeat melody to my mind, definitely with the flavor of something Green Day might have recorded on their ‘Warning’ album, or maybe even the Kinks, which coincidently, I think Green Day was listening to a lot when they recorded ‘Warning’. Anyway, I had this demo, and the lyrics were just kinda silly. When I sent it to Little Steven to listen to he told me straight up that the song was way too 'happy' sounding! I’m very fortunate to have the ability to work with somebody like Steven, who knows his music, and his feedback and critique of my ideas are so extremely valuable. The song took another direction, once I sat down with my best buddy Geoff Palmer to work on the lyrics. Now the track has this sort of ‘Sloop John B’ vibe to it. Almost a bit of a maritime thing going.. Anchors, drunk captains… You know, I’m from Maine so I’ve been on a boat, and I’ve been around a lot of drunk captains and captainesses, or so they say they are! I’m very very excited for ‘Anchors Up’ to be the lead kick-off single for my new album ‘Rock N Roll Club’. Dig it!"

You can watch the video for "Anchors Up" below. A limited edition 7" blue vinyl will be released on June 30 via Wicked Cool Records, and is available for pre-order here. The song will also be available on Rock 'n' Roll Club, which is due out on September 29. For more on Kurt Baker, check him out on Facebook and Instagram.

The Sextones - "Without You"

Photo by Calvin Hobson

If you like classic soul, chances are you're going to like Reno, Nevada's The Sextones. The neo-soul band's latest single, "Without You," has this perfect quality that makes it sound like it's a lost track recorded back in the 60's or 70's. Part of it is the production style that puts that vintage sheen over the song, but The Sextones are clearly going for a classic sound. Everything about "Without You" just sounds classic. (Except for their name, which I can't imagine would have flown with record executives sixty years ago...) This is the kind of feel good song that most people would say they don't make anymore, unless you know where to look.

You can listen to "Without You" below. Love Can't Be Borrowed is due out September 29 on Record Kicks, and is available for pre-order here. For more on The Sextones, check out the artist's website.

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Damon Locks & Rob Mazurek - "Yes!"

Photo by Jamie Kelter Davis

Prepare to have your mind blown by this new single from Damon Locks and Rob Mazurek. The Chicago based duo have crafted this new song that is truly impossible to define. Their upcoming album has been assembled to sound like a listener is switching radio stations, and "Yes!" has that feel. For lack of a better term, "Yes!" will probably get labelled hip hop, but that's not entirely right. It's more spoken word, so you'll get some Gil Scott-Heron vibes, but the music has this odd, almost industrial sound. The song plods along with one of the most intriguing beats you've ever heard. It sounds like you're sitting at a stoplight, and the music from your car mixes with the music from another car and also from a window across the street, but it sounds like this perfect melding of sounds... and then it's gone.

You can watch the video for "Yes!" below. New Future City Radio is due out July 28 on International Anthem, and is available for pre-order through Bandcamp. For more on Damon Locks, check out his website. You can find more on Rob Mazurek here.

Teenage Fanclub - "Foreign Land"

Photo by Donald Milne

Scotland's Teenage Fanclub have been indie darlings since forming in 1989, so they have a ton of credibility, and have had it for decades. Their latest single, "Foreign Land," sees the band mellowing out a bit and going slightly into a more Americana laced territory. The song gives off some serious Wilco vibes, with harmonies more along the lines of The Band. The whole thing is more psychedelic than indie rock, but it keeps the band's power pop roots intact. It's a fun and rambling song that may surprise fans of their 90's albums, but if you're ready to embrace Teenage Fanclub as dad rock (with some killer organ work!), "Foreign Land" will be perfect for you.

Raymond McGinkley says of their upcoming album and new song:

“When we got offered ten days in Rockfield, we weren’t ready in our minds but then we just thought, ‘Fuck it’ and went for it. If you’re sitting around waiting for the stars to align, you can end up never doing anything. We turned up and worked our way through ideas, and came up with some while we were there. The song 'Foreign Land' was born in the studio. If we hadn’t gone there at that point through happenstance, that song wouldn’t exist. We like to let things happen. As people, we find a deadline inspiring. We like to put ourselves on the spot and see what happens. We usually get away with it. This record is the cliche of the blank canvas, which thankfully we managed to fill.”

You can watch the video for "Foreign Land" below. Nothing Lasts Forever is due out September 22 on Merge Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Teenage Fanclub, check out the band's website.

Juliana Hatfield Covers ELO

Photo by David Doobinin

We were huge fans of Juliana Hatfield's albums that saw the Boston alt-rock legend covering The Police and Olivia Newton-John. (I mean, we love covers and we love Juliana Hatfield, so win-win...) Now, she's adding a third to her repertoire and Juliana Hatfield Sings ELO is due out in November. ELO would be my least favorite of the three artists Hatfield has selected to cover, but even I can't resist the first single, "Don't Bring Me Down." Hatfield's version stays surprisingly close to the original, without even the slightest hint of 90's irony. It may be a little more pop than the classic rock original, but this might be one of the most fun cover songs of 2024.

Juliana Hatfield explains her decision to take on an album's worth of ELO classics:

ELO songs were always coming on the radio when I was growing up. They were a reliable source of pleasure and fascination. With this album of covers I wanted to get my hands deep into some of the massive ‘70’s hits but I am also shining a light on some of the later work… My task was to try and break all the things down and reconstruct them subtly until they felt like mine.”

You can listen to Juliana Hatfield's take on "Don't Bring Me Down" below. Juliana Hatfield Sings ELO is due out November 17 on American Laundromat Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Juliana Hatfield, check out the artist's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the song.


JUN 17 / NORTHAMPTON, MA @ One Roof Concert for the Homeless
JUL 28 & 29 / NEW YORK CITY @ City Winery (Nuggets 50th Anniversary)

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

First Listen: New Releases for 19 May 2023

Artist: Hannah Jadagu
Album: Aperture
Quick Thoughts: Hannah Jadagu is likely to become your new favorite. The fact that she's only 19 and has strung together such an awesome collection of indie rock tunes is stunning. It's absolutely informed by the indie music of the last few decades (which means dear god we're old here), but it absolutely feels like it's its own thing, and that's what sets it apart from anything else as of late. You'll love this album if you give it a shot, it's as close to a guarantee as I can give.
Songs of Note: "Say It Now," "Dreaming"

Artist: Lauren Early
Album: Don't Take My Dream Away
Quick Thoughts: Ken sent this over and I didn't know Lauren Early prior to now but I'm glad I do. Her sound is reminiscent of early Colleen Green with a little more drum programming and a little less retro flair. I liked this quite a bit, and it's worth the time.
Songs of Note: "Never Knows Best," "Good Girl Bad Boy"

Artist: The Milk Carton Kids
Album: I Only See the Moon
Quick Thoughts: The Milk Carton Kids keep putting out classic roots albums that are awesome, and what I didn't expect was to see the duo lean more heavily into the grittier bluegrass elements. There's a certain sheen of dirt on this one that is missing from previous efforts, and it makes this album feel a little more special.
Songs of Note: "Will You Remember Me?" "Running on Sweet Smile," "Body & Soul," "One True Love"

Artist: PONY
Album: Velveteen
Quick Thoughts: "Sucker Punch" ended up on some Spotify playlist for me a while back, and I loved it just as much for its brutal earworm of a hook as I did the production value. The rest of the album? It's all killer, with a pop-infused fuzz that carries its own weight. Don't miss this one, it's power pop done right.
Songs of Note: "Peach," "Who's Calling," "Sucker Punch," "Haunted House," "Haircut"

Artist: Alex Lahey
Album: The Answer is Always Yes
Quick Thoughts: Alex Lahey felt like she arrived on the scene as a fully formed musical revelation, and her third album provides more of the consistently great indie rock she's known for. Still anthemic, still angsty, and still deserves to be spoken of in the same breath as the boygenius women. Check it out.
Songs of Note: "Good Time," "Congratulations," "The Sky is Melting," "Makes Me Sick," "Shit Talkin'," They Wouldn't Let Me In"

Artist: Paper Bee
Album: Thaw, Freeze, Thaw
Quick Thoughts: This was a surprise for me this week. Paper Bee offers the sort of stark, lower-fi indie confessional that resonates with everyone even with many of its specific messages and intentions. The Philly-based band is definitely likely to make a splash with this full-length debut, and I am glad I tripped up on it. A true highlight of the week.
Songs of Note: "Body of Water," "To be Mud," "I don't Talk to You"

Artist: Lisasinson
Album: Un Año de Cambios
Quick Thoughts: In a busy busy week, I didn't want to lose track of Lisasinson, which is Spanish-language grunge with a whole lot to love. Don't be dissuaded from any language barrier you might have here, because this is a super fun record and one of the better listens of the week.
Songs of Note: "Se Me Ha Mureto Una Flor," "Mochi," "Turquesa Marquesa," "Ya Me Di Igual"

Of note:

* Whitney Rose - Rosie (Awesome classic-sounding country.)
* Jealous of the Birds - Hinterland (Brutally honest indie rock in all the right ways.)
* Cinema Stare - The Things I Don't Need (Solid emo-adjacent rock.)
* Emma Hewitt - Ghost of the Light
* The Parlor - You Are Love and I Am You
* Cathedral Bells - Everything at Once
* The Cavves - Settle Down in a Guest Bedroom
* Leith Ross - To Learn
* Califone - villagers
* Sir Chloe - I Am the Dog
* Leaving Laurel - when the quiet comes
* Pozi - Smiling Pools
* Allie Crow Buckley - Uptopian Fantasy
* The Murlocs - Calm Ya Farm
* GracieHorse - L.A. Shit
* The Telescopes - Of Tomorrow
* Blue Mena - Multi Adolescence
* Smoke DZA - Worldwide Smoke Session, Vol. 2
* La Femme - Paris-Hawai
* Kicking Bird - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
* Stella Rose - Eyes of Glass
* Daniel Avery - More Truth
* Helvetia - Everybody Come on Man
* Foyer Red - Yarn the Hours Away
* Mandy, Indiana - i've seen a way
* Mega Bog - End of Everything
* bar italia - Tracey Denim

EPs:

* The Downhauls - Scream Into the Void (This is awesome.)
* The Dare - The Sex EP (If LCD Soundsystem were hornier, this might be what it would sound like.)
* Nora En Pure - Wholehearted EP
* psykhi - Forest People
* Ghost - Phantomime
* Karen Took the Kids - Career Pulp
* HotWax - A Thousand Times
* Lucy From the Internet - Lucy From the Internet
* Julez and the Rollerz - Is This Where the Party Is?
* Blawan - Dismantled into Juice
* Brian Eno - Kazakhstan

Also out:

* Tinariwen - Amatssou
* Horse Jumper of Love - Heartbreak Rules
* Estee Nack - Nacksaw Jim Duggan
* Sufjan Stevens, Timo Andres, and Conor Hanick - Reflections