Linnea's Garden - "No Vision"

Boston's Linnea's Garden have always landed in the spectrum of punk, but "No Vision" might just be the trio's most punk song yet. The song is still dance friendly, which is required for any Linnea's Garden song, but "No Vision" has an unexpected edge to it. The song has an extra layer of fuzz and crunch to the guitar, which adds a certain angst to the song. Plus, the guitar solo is absolutely killer and will inspire some serious headbanging at live shows. All that said, this is still a Linnea's Garden jam, so it's a seriously fun song. This is the type of song that makes me long for local rock radio stations, because this is on of those tracks that should end up being a local hit.

You can watch the video for "No Vision" below. Looking forward to the moment is due out November 14, and is available for pre-order through Bandcamp. For more on Linnea's Garden, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram.

Eight Foot Manchild - "Tanas Root"

When a band comes up with a new genre like doombrass, you accept that they're music is going to be unique and a little strange. With their latest single, Eight Foot Manchild have pushed the boundaries of their own genre even further. "Tanas Root" is an absolute epic packed into three and a half minutes. The song sounds like Frank Zappa meets Alice Cooper while playing around with prog rock... but also with a horn section. It's gloriously dark and still metal as hell, with an added burst of theatricality. Eight Foot Machild's music has always had a dark streak, but in a truly fun way. It's not sit around and mope dark, but party dark. It might not make sense to everyone, and that's ok. Not everyone needs to get the doombrass sound of Eight Foot Manchild, but your life will be even better once you do.

You can listen to "Tanas Root" below. Do Spirits Return? is due out October 4. For more on Eight Foot Manchild, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram.

Black End - "Black's Lullaby"

Black End are a black and queer fronted band out of Seattle described as both grunge and gunk pop. They've opened for bands as diverse as Shannon & The Clams, Mamalarky, Margaritas Podridas, Momma, Skating Polly, and Otoboke Beaver. Now they're getting set to release their debut album next month, and by the sounds of their latest single, it's going to end up on a lot of best of 2024 lists. While a lot of music described as grunge these days just means that it sounds like 90's alt-rock, "Black's Lullaby" is actually grunge. It's more on the Nirvana side of grunge, and more like their oddball b-sides than the radio hits. There's also some Beat Happening going on in the song. "Black's End" is a noisy and instantly compelling new single that is one of the most thrilling singles of the year.

You can listen to "Black's Lulaby" below. Psychotic Spew is due out October 11 on Youth Riot Records, and is available for pre-order through Bandcamp. For more on Black End, check out the band on Instagram.

Live Shows: Sweeping Promises and Zowy, Myrtle, East Providence, RI 9/7/24

The music world can be strange. Friday night, Sweeping Promises were opening a sold out show for Bikini Kill in front of over two thousand people, where Kathleen Hanna said they were the best band in the world. Saturday night, they were playing a free show at Myrtle in East Providence, RI in front of around one hundred fifty people. And they may have proven Kathleen Hanna right.

I've seen Sweeping Promises twice in the past three years, and really enjoyed them. They've always had an indie/DIY take on post punk, and their live show reflected that. But something changed since I saw them in August 2023: They went from a really good live band to a great live band. It's always thrilling to see a band make that transformation, and Saturday night Sweeping Promises showed a packed Myrtle exactly how solid of a band they've become

It doesn't hurt that they have more beloved songs than I realized they have. I felt a little unexpected thrill as the band started most of their songs. "Eraser," "Cross Me Out," and "Pain without a Touch?" All amazing songs. And the rest of the crowd had the same excitement I had. It was the same response an audience has at a reunion show when they're hearing songs live they never expected to see live, and not for a band that regularly tours in the area. But that is the power of Sweeping Promises.

Plus, they're just fun to watch. Lira Mondel is an unassuming but captivating singer. You just want to lock on her and everything she's doing with every song, but on the other side is Caulfield Scnug playing his guitar like a hybrid of Thurston Moore and Elvis Costello. What more could you want in a band?

Opening the show was a solid set by Zowy (promounced Zoe), the musical project of Zoe Wyner. Playing as a duo for most of the set, it was an ethereal yet poppy selection of songs. They kind of landed somewhere between electronic music and indie rock with their moody sound. At times it was kind of like if an electronic noise musician decided to try to make a Top 40, and I mean that in a great way. Looking forward to seeing where Zowy goes next.

Trap Girl - "Death Dress"

Photo by Nani Gross

According to their bio, Death Dress is a mix of hardcore punk and riot grrrl, and while that's true, their latest single is so much more. "Death Dress" starts out as a lighter, fairly fun punk-ish song. It's the kind of song you'd expect from a band fronted by Drew Arriola-Sands, who is described as "beehive hair, short dress and high heel-donned frontwoman." And then the hardcore kicks in, and "Death Dress" takes an unexpected turn. The song goes from more of a retro fun sound into just pure rage. Even when the song transitions back to its original sound, there is a stronger sense of anger than there was at first. Trap Girl capture this amazing mixture of fun and rage, and we're here for it.

You can listen to "Death Dress" below. The Savage Goddess is due out September 27, and is available for pre-order through Bandcamp. For more on Trap Girl, check out the band on Instagram and Facebook.

Linying - "Donovan"

The latest from Los Angeles-via-Singapore artist Linying is fairly hard to tie down to single genre. "Donovan" might be a rock song with electronic elements, or it could be an electronic song with rock elements. It's also both a dance and pop song, but it still rocks? There's just too strong of a chugging guitar to not be a rock song, although it has too strong of a pop and dance element to truly not be a pop song.. or a rock song. What we all really need to do is ignore genres and just enjoy a great song, which "Donovan" unquestionably is. Linying is a fascinating artist making some of the most fun music out there.

Linying says of her latest single:

“The person I allow myself to be is finally coaxed to the surface in this fertile and lonely world. These once seemingly threatening entities were really my guardians all along, keepers of my peace and steadfast, rock-solid admirers of my most uninhibited self."

You can watch the video for "Donovan" below. The single is out now via Nettwerk. For more on Linying, check out the artist on Instagram and Bandcamp.

Hilken Mancini Band - "Weight"

Photo by Kathy Chapman

I've been a huge fan of Hilken Mancini's since I first discovered Fuzzy way back in the 90's. Since then, she's also been in Shepherdess, Andy California, and The Monsieurs, released an album with Chris Colbourn of Buffalo Tom, co-founded Punk Rock Aerobics (which led to her appearance in the video for Green Day's "Here Comes the Shock"), and co-founded Girls Rock Camp Boston. Now, she's back with a new musical project, Hilken Mancini Band.

If you're familiar with any of Mancini's musical work, you're going to love her new single, "Weight." The song is reminiscent of her work from the 90's with Fuzzy, but a little less bubble grunge and more punk. The song is filled with fuzzed out guitars and a harder edge, but still with all of the melody and pop hooks that are a trademark of Mancini's songs. "Weight" is a killer alt-rock song that sounds like it's straight from the 90's, but with just enough of an updated sound to make it modern. We can't wait to hear what Hilken Mancini Band has coming up next!

You can listen to "Weight" below. Hilken Mancini Band's self-titled debut album is due out October 25 on Girlsville Records. For more on Hilken Mancini Band, check out the band on Instagram.

Travels With Brindle Covers Sparks

Photo by Krzystina Calderone for Vintage Girl Studios

Travels With Brindle, the lo-fi ukulele-pop project from Massachusetts' Chelsea Spear, is no stranger to covers. Back in 2018, Spear covered Alex Lahey's debut album. Now she's back with a reimagining of Sparks' 1979 disco album No. 1 in Heaven. The first single from that project, "Tryouts for the Human Race," is about as different from the original as you can get. Sparks' version is a weirdo, space age sounding disco track, and Travels With Brindle's version is... well... lo-fi ukulele-pop. It's just Spear and her ukulele, and is about as stripped down as you can possibly get. As someone who really needs to spend some more time with Sparks' catalog, this is still a great listen. Spears is a compelling performer no matter what she's doing, and her version of "Tryouts for the Human Race" is more than the curiosity that a ukulele cover of a Sparks disco song could have been.

Chelsea Spear says of the music of Sparks:

“One of the things that hit me about Sparks is how effective they are at pastiche and at making genres their own. It feels like they learn the rules of a genre just so they can subvert them. The fact that Sparks inspire such strong feelings among their fanbase also lends itself well to cover songs – you can hear the joy in the recording.”

You can listen to Travels With Brindle's version of "Tryouts for the Human Race" below. For more on Travels With Brindle, check out the artist's website. If you're in the Boston area, you can see Spear at Gilman Park in Somerville tonight (September 6), and at the JP Music Fest tomorrow (Saturday).

Doing Anything This Weekend?: September 6-8

Doing Anything this Weekend? is a feature here at If It's Too Loud... where we feature some live shows in and on the far outskirts of the Boston area. Our main rules are that they have to be reasonably priced shows that you can attend last minute. They'll feature If It's Too Loud... approved bands, and we'll provide event links when possible. And since we're in outdoor music season, these events are weather permitting. If you're looking for last minute plans this weekend, we recommend:

September 6

Lady Lamb, Hannah Mohan, and Naomi Westwater at Arts at the Armory, Somerville, MA

Travels with Brindle at Gilman Park, Somerville, MA

Linnea's Garden, TIFFY, Lipsmear, and Lover of Eve at The Middle East, Cambridge, MA

Haley Heynderickx and LePond at The Word Barn, Exeter, NH

September 7

Sweeping Promises and Zowy at Myrtle, East Providence, RI

JP Music Fest featuring Merrie Amsterberg, The Ghouls, Prateek, TELL, Travels with Brindle, and more at Pinebank Field, Jamaica Plain, MA

Evolution of Hip Hop Festival featuring Oompa and more at Union Square, Somerville, MA

Little Billy Lost and Jennifer Tefft at The Burren, Somerville, MA

GAYC/DC and Stars Like Ours at Deep Cuts, Medford, MA

Eight Foot Manchild, we broke the weather, Komodo Rojo, and Pangs at The Midway Cafe, Jamaica Plain, MA

Megan From Work - "Girl Suit"

Photo by Brittany Rose Queen

Straight out of Manchester, NH comes Megan From Work who just released their debut single. According to their Bandcamp bio, their music is "somewhere between punk and indie rock," but once you hear "Girl Suit," you're going to add pop into that description. The song is an impossibly catchy song that's filled with fuzzy guitars and gang vocals. I'm personally getting some serious late 90's Letters to Cleo vibes from this one, but with a little more pop and a little more punk added to it. "Girl Suit" is one of those songs that is both polished and gritty at the same time. There's more than a little bit of grunge goes pop here, and that dichotomy is what has us excited to hear where Megan From Work goes with their sound.

You can listen to "Girl Suit" below. For more on Megan From Work, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram.

Ezra Collective featuring M.anifest and Moonchild Sanelly - "Streets Is Calling"

Photo by Aliyah Otchere

We've been covering more and more jazz lately, especially if it's mixed with hip hop. Mercury-Award winning group Ezra Collective have joined forces with MCs M.anifest and Moonchild Sanelly on their latest single. "Streets Is Calling" has a perfectly laid back jazz vibe, and M.anifest and Moonchild Sanelly may become two of our favorite rappers. The track is expertly put together, and would be compelling enough as an instrumental. The verses laid down over "Streets Is Watching" just add to how great of a song this is. It's no secret that jazz and hip hop are a perfect match, and Ezra Collective may just be the best to do it.

Ezra Collective say of their latest single:

"‘Streets Is Calling’ is about the feeling when people call you up and message you and say, yo, there's this party happening tonight and that’s all you need. The Streets have called. We're gonna go straight to this dance floor to make it our own."

You can watch the video for "Streets Is Calling" below. Dance, No One's Watching is due out September 27 on Partisan Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Ezra Collective, check out the artist's website.

The Eggmen Whoooooo! - "Rwy'n Dy Garu Di"

The Eggmen Whoooooo! are a Welsh supergroup made up of members of El Goodo, Los Blancos, and Trecco Beis. Their latest single, "Rwy'n Dy Garu Di," is an impossible infectious garage psych punk jam. It has that perfect timeless quality that the best garage rock has. It's rooted squarely in the vintage garage rock you would normally get from the Nuggets compilation, but with some very obvious Ramones influences. This has all of the fun of 60's garage rock with a modern edge to it. Not many artists can pull off psych and punk in the same song, but most artists aren't The Eggmen Whoooooo! This song is so undeniably catchy that even though it's not in English, you'll still end up singing along.

You can listen to "Rwy'n Dy Garu Di" below. Fuzzy Eggs, Please is due out October 25 on Strangetown Records. For more on The Eggmen Whoooooo!, check out the band on Instagram and Facebook.

Phoebe Rings - "Daisy"

Photo by Amanda Cheng

If you enjoy the sounds of dream pop, you're going to love Phoebe Rings. The New Zealand band has released a new single that is a shimmering auditory delight. "Daisy" is a hazy slice of sunshine, with a lighthearted feel and stunning harmonies throughout. It has a bit of a Stereolab meets Belly sound. The song is also surprisingly dense, with wave after wave of changes coming at the listener. Despite all the sonic twists, "Daisy" sounds like a truly cohesive composition. Unlike most songs that land in a genre labelled "pop," Phoebe Rings have layered the song so much that it takes multiple listens to uncover all of the little joys hidden in the track.

Songwriter Crystal Choi says of her band's sound:

“I got very sick of jazz. I just didn’t want that sound anymore. Dream-pop was my favourite thing to listen to. It fits the vibe and visuals of where I wanted to go.”

You can watch the video for "Daisy" below. Phoebe Rings' self-titled debut EP is due out October 18 on Carpark Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Phoebe Rings, check out the band's website.

Sleepyhead - "Hoping That You're Lonely"

Photo by Finn O'Rourke

Sleepyhead formed all the way back in 1989 at NYU, and relocated to Boston. They took some time off after 1996's Communist Love Songs before returning in 2014 with Wild Sometimes. They're now back with a new single that is exactly what we want from Sleepyhead. "Hoping That You're Lonely" is a laid back and upbeat indie rock jam, although these days many would call it indie pop. It's a little bit bluesy, and might be a little more cheery than anyone would have tolerated thirty years ago, but it's 2024 and people are allowed to experience joy nowadays. "Hoping That You're Lonely" is a fun little ditty that's a perfect current jumping on point for new fans of Sleepyhead, and even better if you already know and love them.

Drummer/vocalist Rachael McNally says of the band's latest single:

“‘Hope That You're Lonely’ is more of a realization song than one of regret. The lyrics reflect on the futility of investing time in emotionally unavailable partners. It’s about recognizing the value of a meaningful relationship and rejecting non-relationships. The song captures the hope for a real connection with someone who has potential, and it playfully suggests that longing can sometimes lead to something as simple as a memorable kiss during a movie.”

You can watch the video for "Hoping That You're Lonely" below. The single is out now via Dromedary Records. For more on Sleepyhead, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram.

John Davis - "Indifferent Stars"

Photo by George Middlebrooks

It's obvious that the upcoming solo album from John Davis was originally meant to be a Superdrag comeback album, and I mean that in the best possible way. The latest single, "Indifferent Stars," is the most laid back of the singles we've heard so far, but it's still a killer rock song. It's a slightly faster than midtempo rocker that is more along the lines of Superdrag's early 00's releases than their 90's albums. "Indifferent Stars" sounds more introspective, but the "Destination Ursa Major" sounding guitar will still insure the ability to rock out to this one.

John Davis says of his latest single:

"This song went through several arrangements on its way to the album, but there were parts of it that I always liked. 'I guess it's time to let it go, the hate that weighed me down, then disappeared.' I like that line because it refers to a specific thing, this root of bitterness that wrapped around my heart for 20 years. But when I let it go, it disappeared. That was a big day."

You can listen to "Indifferent Stars" below. JINX is due out September 27 on Lost in Ohio, and is available to pre-order here. For more on John Davis, check out the artist on Facebook and Instagram.

Live Shows: The Roots, Arrested Development, and Digable Planets, MGM Music Hall at Fenway, Boston, MA 9/1/24

I've been actively trying to see bands that I've never seen before or haven't seen in a decade or two. Even though I've been a fan of The Roots since the late 90's, and despite the fact that they have been playing shows consistently in that time, I've never actually seen them. I've loved Digable Planets since 1993, and I've also never seen them. The only artist of the three that played MGM Music Hall at Fenway on Sunday night was Arrested Development, and that was at my second ever concert (Peter Gabriel's WOMAD festival which also included Midnight Oil and Live). Obviously, the Hip Hop is the Love of My Life tour could not be missed.

Sunday night's show completely ignored the usual concert format of Band #1, break, Band #2, break, Band #3, break. The Roots took the stage at roughly 8:15 pm and did not leave until just before 11:00 pm. It was a nearly three hour marathon performance that included the Philly hip hop legends acting as the backing band for both Arrested Development and Digable Planets. Each guest artist played four songs each, and then came back for two more each towards the end of the show. 

The Roots have never really been a singles band for me, but more of an album band or an entire discography band. That being said, The Roots have some amazing songs out there. They included "You Got Me" and "The Seed (2.0)" with guitarist "Captain" Kirk Douglas taking over vocals for Erykah Badu and Cody Chesnutt respectively. He did a phenomenal job, and even turned "You Got Me" into an extended guitar solo showcase.

Speaking of solos, just about every member of The Roots had a moment to solo and showcase their own talents. There was even an extended keytar solo that brought the hip hop collective into jam band territory. Just about every member also got to take at least a little break from the stage at different points. That is... except for Questlove, who is apparently not human and played drums for nearly three hours straight.

The band also kept the Hip Hop is the Love of My Life theme going throughout their set, dropping musical references to De La Soul's "Ego Trippin', Part Two," Geto Boys' "Mind Playing Tricks On Me," The Pharcyde's "Otha Fish," and probably more I missed throughout their set.

Arrested Development and Digable Planets kept it to the hits. "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)" was a thrill to hear live for the first time after thirty one years. Arrested Development have more hits than you remember, and "Mr. Wendell" and "Everyday People" kept the ridiculous crowd energy alive.

How great could a three hour nonstop concert be? It might have been the greatest live music experience of my life. The truly all ages crowd (there were elementary school children right up to people that appeared to be in their seventies in attendance) kept dancing and bopping along throughout, with the only chill out points being during some of the solos. Even at the end, when the band was bowing and taking photos from stage, virtually the entire crowd stayed and kept applauding. Barely anyone took that time to head out to the bathroom or the T early. That's practically unheard of.

First Listen: New Releases for 23 and 30 August 2024

Artist: Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
Album: Woodland
Quick Thoughts: Gillian Welch continues to be the standard-bearer for mainstream rootsy folk music, and this latest collaboration with David Rowlings does not have the hollow, stark feel of All the Good Times (Are Past & Gone), but still feels pure and true regardless of what her early or persistent critics may think. If anything, Welch is too good at this, and we should simply be glad we're still getting new music from her on a regular basis again.
Songs of Note: "Empty Trainload of Sky," "What We Had," "North Country," "The Day the Mississippi Died," "Howdy Howdy"

Artist: Little Hag
Album: Now That's What I Call Little Hag
Quick Thoughts: The debut release from Little Hag, with "Tetris" and "Facebook," won us over immediately. The debut, Leash, was a favorite in these parts as well. Then comes Now That's What I Call Little Hag, which really distills the experience to near-perfection. My favorite thing about Little Hag isthat there are certain songs like "1000 Birds" and "Hell Yes" that literally could not be delivered or written but anyone but her, and that sort of unique perspective becomes more and more rare over time. Loved this album.
Songs of Note: "The Machine," "Oops!" "1000 Birds," "You Blew It!" "HHSTTHN," "Hell Yes"

Artist: Sabrina Carpenter
Album: Short n' Sweet
Quick Thoughts: We're at Peak Pop Star right now, and Disney alum Sabrina Carpenter has perhaps her best effort yet that keeps her in the conversation. While Chappell Roan plays around with drag, Billie Eilish with sexual identity, Olivia Rodrigo with brutal honesty, Charli XCX with even more brutal vulnerability, Taylor Swift with world domination, Short n' Sweet decides to Make Music Horny Again. One TikTok I saw described Carpenter as "aggressively heterosexual," and there's something to be said about that - Where "Juno" is a little veiled, "Taste" is more overt and "Bed Chem" isn't leaving you any remaining questions. Considering how hyper-sexualized everything is these days, it's weird to call this refreshing, but there's something about this that sets it apart not only from her previous efforts, but from the pop stars she's competing against. While it may not be the best of the batch, it's absolutely the most compelling.
Songs of Note: "Taste," "Please Please Please," "Good Graces," "Espresso," "Juno"

Artist: Falcon Jane
Album: Legacy
Quick Thoughts: A solid roots record for the summer months, Falcon Jane continually surprised me with Legacy, a record I went back to a few times over the last week. Between Welch, Caleb Caudle, and this, roots fans are eating well this week. Check it out.
Songs of Note: "Man of Action," "I Get Myself," "Oh My God," "Bad Boy," "How Dare You"

Artist: Magdalena Bay
Album: Imaginal Disk
Quick Thoughts: I've been a fan of Magdalena Bay for some time now, and their brand of synthpop scratches a particular itch that few other acts do. It's almost a shame that so much of the oxygen is being sucked up by Sabrina Carpenter, because Magdalena Bay should really be a lot bigger than they are. This particular album, their third full-length, is a glossy retro throwback that deserves to be heard. Give this a chance and you'll probably fall in love.
Songs of Note: "Killing Time," "Watching T.V.," "That's My Floor," "Cry for Me"

Artist: The Bug Club
Album: On the Intricate Inner Workings of the System
Quick Thoughts: Welsh rockers The Bug Club don't take too much too seriously, and the fun is in going along the ride with them. Their first with an American label and their latest after a 47-track concept album, you'll know very quick why Sub Pop is high on them as well as understand whether they're the right band for you. For my money, though, this album is solid enough to make me want to dive into their back catalog. Hope they'll let me join.
Songs of Note: "War Movies," "A Bit Like James Bond," "Cold. Hard. Love." "The Intricate Inner Workings of the System"

Artist: Enumclaw
Album: Home in Another Life
Quick Thoughts: An unexpected delight. Enumclaw's fuzzy indie-alt strikes that right chord for me perfectly, and while Enumclaw isn't really doing anything new or different, they are doing something really great and memorable. Don't be scared off by "I Still Feel Bad About Masturbation," just enjoy the whole album.
Songs of Note: "Spots," "I'm Scared I'll End Up All Alone," "I Still Feel Bad About Masturbation," "Grocery Store," "This Light of Mine"

Artist: Molly Payton
Album: YOYOTTA
Quick Thoughts: My favorite listen this week, the 20-something Molly Payton's debut full-length fulfills the promise from her early EPs and shows an artist already fully formed out the gate. There are so, so many memorable tunes here, and it's just the right mix of hooky and noisy to get the sort of broad appeal that could make this indie New Zealander become a household name. Make time for this, it's one of the better listens of the summer.
Songs of Note: "Benchwarmer," "A Hand Held Strong," "Accelerate," "Devotion," "Doing Our Worst"

Artist: Shady Cove
Album: Part II
Quick Thoughts: I wanted to highlight Shady Cove, who has a great folk-adjacent record out in the second half of August that would otherwise be overshadowed by higher-profile releases. Part II deserves to be heard, because there are some really amazing songs in here.
Songs of Note: "Beach," "Mirrors," "Midwest," "Passenger"

Artist: Oceanator
Album: Everything is Love and Death
Quick Thoughts: I hate that Oceanator's latest came out at the same time as so many of these records, because she is absolutely solidifying herself as one of the top indie acts out there. Her debut was one of the best of 2020, and there are so many amazing tracks on Love and Death that I could probably gush about them all day. "Get Out" in particular has been in heavy rotation since it dropped. Do not miss this.
Songs of Note: "First Time," "Happy New Year," "Get Out," "Be Here"

Artist: Caleb Caudle
Album: Sweet Critters
Quick Thoughts: I don't recall knowing Caleb Caudle before this week, but I'm paying attention now. This album starts out with two truly killer tracks and then doesn't let up for the rest of the runtime. Yeah, there's a lot of great music out this week, but in terms of pure sounding roots music, you're not going to find too much that surpasses this. A great listen.
Songs of Note: "Great High Mountain," "The Devil's Voice," "Knee Deep Blues"

Artist: Cakeswagg
Album: Michelin Star
Quick Thoughts: Independent rap can be hit-or-miss, even with the improvements in production that open up the opportunity beyond large studio efforts. Cakeswagg, a Boston-area rapper, kicked my ass this week, and had me wondering how she's been kept secret all this time. "Move Bitch" is awesome, "Flutes" will get stuck in your head for days. Such a great album and such a lovely surprise this week. Check it out.
Songs of Note: "Move Bitch," "Bad Bitch Link Up," "Flutes," "Shots Fired," "Kamikaze"

Artist: Sonny Falls
Album: Sonny Falls
Quick Thoughts: One more shoutout to a late addition from way back in March. Sonny Falls is alt-indie done right, with catchy as hell songs from top to bottom. I didn't want this one to be over, and I just kept getting impressed over and over. Looking forward to spending more time with this one.
Songs of Note: "Going Nowhere," "Dystopian Dracula," "Night Scene," "Kids on Mars," "Had a Thought," "Apocalypse-Lite"

Of note:

* Scrunchies - Colossal (A solid, angsty listen.)
* illuminati hotties - POWER (A welcome, overdue return.)
* Girly Girl Productions - DEMURE (Proof that not everything AI is awful.)
* Fontaines D.C. - Romance (Fontaines D.C. continues to put out unexpectedly compelling rock albums.)
* Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds - Wild God (Not a return to form, but lots of solid moments.)
* Sean Henry - HEAD (Fuzzy indie goodness.)
* Ellen Reid - Big Majestic (Great modern classical/ambient.)
* Nicole Miglis - Myopia
* Jonsi - First Light
* YACHT - New Release
* Sun Kin - painting whales
* Ben Katzman's DeGreaser - Tears On the Beach
* Shehehe - Namedroppers
* India Ramey - Baptized by the Blaze
* Coco and Clair Clair - Girl
* Amy Rigby - Hang in There With Me
* Delta Heavy - Midnight Forever
* Laurie Anderson - Amelia
* Jon Hopkins - RITUAL
* Mikayla Geier - here we go again...
* Steve Wynn - Make It Right
* Tycho - Infinite Health
* Why Bonnie - Wish on the Bone
* Bent Knee - Twenty Pills Without Water
* Gift - Illuminator
* Smoke DZA - THC3 (Kushedgod Bitch)
* Tobe Nwigme - HOOD HYMNS
* Stand Atlantic - Was Here
* Los Bitchos - Talkie Talkie
* Easyhead - Personal Echo Chamber
* Sofi Tukker - BREAD
* MEER - Wheels Within Wheels
* Fake Fruit - Mucho Mistrust
* The Cactus Blossoms - Every Time I Think About You
* MOTHICA - Kissing Death
* Phantom Handshakes - Sirens at Golden Hour
* Melt-Banana - 3+5
* Chime School - The Boy Who Ran the Paisley Hotel
* The Softies - The Bed I Made
* Madge - ravepack2
* Luna Li - When a Thought Grows Wings
* Mura Masa - Curve 1
* Starflyer 59 - Lust for Gold
* Z Berg - Strange Darling - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
* Sycco - Zorb
* Snakeskin - Summoning Suit (LSF-002)
* Boy Band - If I Had What I Wanted Would I Still Want More?
* Heems - VEENA
* Tristwch Y Fenywod - Tristwch Y Fenywod
* Rosie Lowe - Lover, Other
* Frail Talk - Microspirit
* Kishi Bashi - Kantos
* Geneva Jacuzzi - Triple Fire
* Ysr Gramz - Thx U Jxlan
* Ingrid Michaelson - For the Dreamers
* Giant Day - Glass Narcissus
* Ex Pilots - Motel Cable
* Spirit of the Beehive - You'll Have to Lose Something

EPs:

* Pet Shop Boys - Feel
* Sex Week - Sex Week
* Evil - obedience
* gyrofield - These Heavens
* Sulene - Jouska
* Donatachi - Ascension
* Girly Girl Productions - GIRLY SECRET
* Philanthrope - Video Days
* wilt - wilt
* Meg Smith - you fake your british accent
* Pronoun - and it's been raining ever since
* Laura Fell - At Least I Tried
* MALINDA - Look At You Now
* Public Service Broadcasting - The Fun of It
* English Teacher - Live from BBC Maida Vale
* Chelsea Wolfe - Undone EP

Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:

* Lydia Loveless - Sopmething Else (Piano reimaginings of her 2014 album.)
* Sunny Sweeney - Still Provoked (Rootsier reimaginnings of her 2014 album.)
* Oasis - Definitely Maybe - 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition
* Live at Greenfield Lake

Also out:

* lsuuvi - #sameone2
* Nervous Eaters - Rock n Roll Your Heart Away

Lady Pills - "BN2B"

Lady Pills is the musical project of Boston's Ella Boissonnault, and have just released a brand new single. "BN2B," stands for Be Nice to Boys, and it's that slice of alt-rock that has completely merged with alt-pop to the point that you can't quite tell which it is. The guitar in "BN2B" is far too rock to be pop, but it's far too poppy to truly be rock... at least by traditional standards. If you're open minded and don't get overly hung up on genres, you're going to love this one. This one is reminding me of Wholesale Meats and Fish era Letters to Cleo mixed with modern alt-pop, which simply can't be a negative thing.

You can listen to "BN2B" below. Renowned in the Roaring Twenties is due out April 4, 2025, and is available for pre-order through Bandcamp. For more on Lady Pills, check out the artist on Facebook and Instagram.

Live Shows: Haasan Barclay, Tysk Tysk Task, and Regals, BareWolf Brewing, Amesbury, MA 8/31/24

As much as I love curated shows, I also love shows that ignore all genres and throw three completely unrelated bands on a bill together. An all ska band show can get boring, same as four or more punk bands. Saturday night was one of the most wildly diverse three band shows I've ever seen, featuring Haasan Barclay, Tysk Tysk Task, and Regals. 

According to their Facebook profile, Regals are "New England's finest Country Rock band." Even if they are not the very finest, they are certainly up there. They land smack dab right in the middle of country and rock, which makes them one of the better examples of alt-country in the region. Their sound is between The Deslondes and early Deer Tick. They seem to specialize in mid-tempo ballads that are just a showcase for their sound. It's a great combination of gruff vocals, pedal steel guitar, and rock guitar solos. Seriously, check out their song "Fresh Pack," and you won't be disappointed.

Coming up next was the indie grunge of Lowell's Tysk Tysk Task. A strong contender for band I've seen the most, their live shows just never seem to get old. It's probably because they always seem to let their songs grow and evolve. I've been watching them play a song like "Colors" for over two years now, and it's gone from a heavier, more bombastic song, to a more quiet, almost introspective version. The band also played two new songs I had yet to hear. The first was "Toadstool," which was the most punk and garage rock song of theirs to date. It featured slick guitars, but still kept Tysk Tysk Task's edge. The second was "Harmless," which kept the punk theme going, but with a much darker vibe. That one reminded me a lot of Vancouver's lié. 

Closing out the evening was Haasan Barclay, who himself is a wild mix of genres. Taking the stage with a laptop and microphone, Barclay occasionally added live guitar to his prerecorded tracks. He's a mixture of soul, R&B, and hip hop, but also played a fairly faithful cover of Nine Inch Nail's "March of the Pigs." He's an engaging live performer that can't be simply pigeonholed into one genre... or two... or even three. A personal highlight was a song Barclay performed that was inspired by seeing the film Furiosa: A Mad Max Story. I didn't catch the name, but it had a much harder edge while keeping Barclay's laid back vibe intact.

7xvethegenius featuring Jae Skeese - "Psalm"

Photo via Facebook

7xvethegenius was born in Buffalo, NY, moved to Atlanta, GA and joined the hip hop scene in that city, and relocated to Buffalo in 2018. You might remember her from Conway the Machine's "Crack in the Nineties," and now she's back with an upcoming album. "Psalm" showcases how much of an important and unique talent 7vxethegenius is. Her flow is somewhere between R&B vocals and rapping. She has this natural melody to her voice, even when she's straight up rapping. The only artists I can compare her to are Queen Latifah and Lauren Hill with how they effortlessly switch between hip hop and R&B while still sounding fully hip hop. Plus, any song that includes a verse from Jae Skeese is going to be pretty great.

You can listen to "Psalm" below. Death of Deuce is due out October 11. For more on 7xvethegenius, check out the artist on Twitter and Instagram.

Qlowski - "Surrender"

London based Qlowski may have the most genre descriptions I've ever come across for a single band. I've seen them described as "concrete-punks," "dream-punk," and "kiwi-pop," among others. Their latest single, "Surrender," sounds like dark version of early punk and New Wave. The most obvious comparison I'm hearing is Joy Division, but the song has a bit of a harder edge to it, while still having some pop sheen. Also, despite having more in common with music from forty years ago, "Surrender" doesn't quite sound like a throwback. Qlowski are dark yet poppy, laid back yet heavy. They're making some wonderfully interesting music that is perfect for brooding and dancing.

You can watch the video for "Surrender" below. The Wound is due out November 1 on Maple Death Records and Feel It Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Qlowski, check out the band on Bandcamp.