If It's Too Loud...

Photo by Trebmal Photography Boston is a city crawling with garage rock bands, but The Chelsea Curve are consistently one of my favorites. Their latest single, "Never Come Down," keeps their trademark garage rock goes mod sound while adding in some sugary sweet power pop. This is a fun track that combines the power pop and grooviness of the 60's with a more modern sound little bits and pieces of all decades in between. It's a sound that feels both vintage and modern, with killer harmonies between guitarist Tim Gillis (who takes lead vocals on "Never Come Down") and bassist Linda Pardee. The Chelsea Curve take a beloved multi-decade old sound and inject some new life into it, much to our delight. Tim Gillis says of the band's latest single: “It’s about the ultimate feeling of being free. I mean, who doesn’t want to feel free, unfettered, unbound? It’s about being up above it all, opening arms wide to possibilities, and expanding infinitely into forever – ...

Photo by Smitt E Smitty Sometimes you want a rock and roll song, and Little Billy Lost are the perfect band to provide that. The Boston band's latest single, "Tonight," is a slice of power pop that could be lifted straight from the 80's. It's a high energy rocker, with the type of guitar solos that rarely exist these days, but you definitely miss more than you realize. There are the roots of bands like Cheap Trick in "Tonight," and even though it might be inspired by songs from four decades ago, Little Billy Lost sound like a slightly updated version of that sound. This one is delightfully retro, and as fun as a power pop/rock song needs to be. Fred Pineau (guitar and vocals) says of his band's latest single: “I wanted to go for a real power-pop type of song with the more rock edge that we give everything. The lyrics I write I usually consider a short story, and I can see them play out in my head like a film: ‘Tonight’ is about a toxic relationship i...

Photo by Ginger Fierstein The latest from African psych-rock band Orchestra Gold sees the band diving into the psychedelic side of their sound. "Diyanye Ko Te Sa" has an amazing guitar sound that is going to win you over immediately. It takes over a minute before Mariam Diakite's vocals kick in, and you'll be fully invested in the song before. Once Diakite starts singing, you'll be completely mesmerized. Orchestra Gold have always mixed West African traditional music and psychedelic rock, but "Diyanye Ko Te Sa" steps up the mix, and grooves even harder than it rocks. By the time the song gets to the halfway point, it's like an amped up Parliament/Funkadelic. It's going to be nearly impossible to sit still while "Diyanye Ko Te Sa" plays, but why would you want to? Mariam Diakite says of her band's latest single: "In a culture that floods us with choices and rewards our base impulses, this song is a sacred pause. A moment to ask ...

Photo by Pooneh Ghana Austin, TX's Die Spitz are becoming masters of the heavier side of indie rock. Their latest single, "Punishers," has all of the noise and feedback typically associated with the genre, but it rocks out much harder than your typical indie rockers do. While it's not quite metal, it's certainly metal adjacent, although most metal fans might argue with me on that one. (The guitar breakdown will agree with me, though.) There's also some serious punk vibes with "Punishers" despite how melodic it is throughout. I also might be detecting some heavy shoegaze, making the whole thing sound like a mash-up of Mannequin Pussy and Glixen. Chloe De St. Aubin says of her band's latest single: “‘Punishers’ is about things or people who ‘punish.’ Whether it’s withholding love, jealousy, or keeping someone or even yourself hooked in a cycle—the song captures the feelings of insanity and frustration punishers bring." You can watch the video ...

Photo by Beeau Gomez Oruã  are a Brazilian band that include L ê  Alm eida and J o ã o Casaes who temporarily joined Built to Spill after Doug Martsch saw the band in 2019. Their latest single, "M é xico Suite," is the style of indie rock song where you never quite know what's coming next. The song starts off slow with a heavy and noisy groove. It's hypnotic, and if the song stayed like its beginning, it would be a great song. And then the disjointed noise comes in, and while the song doesn't end up sounding like Built to Spill, it's going to appeal to fans of the long time band. "M é xico Suite" continues evolving over the course of it's five and a half minute length ending in an extended jam session, and while it feels longer, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Oru ã  have just packed an awful lot into this killer single. L Almeida says of the band's latest single: “ In December of 2023, after an Oruã US tour, I traveled to Cancún, Mex...

Wuss are an indie rock band out of Malang, Indonesia. Their latest single, "Where It Begins," is an unbelievably jangly and upbeat track. It's bouncy and filled with melodies. While much of indie rock tends to be dissonant and noisy, Wuss' latest is pure sugary goodness bordering on power pop. It's kind of like a mixture of The Beths and The Archies, with a layer of fuzz over the melody. And that's all before the guitar solo comes in. It might not be the most impressive guitar solo we've covered here, but there's something about it that will make you fall deeply in love with "Where It Begins." The band says of its latest single: "We chose this song as the starting point for our full-length album. Each single will correlate, connecting with each other, to form a complete album."  You can listen to "Where It Begins" below. Wuss' upcoming album is due by the end of the year on Haum Entertainment. For more on the band, che...

Photo by Daniel Topete It's been a little while since we've brought you new music from Been Stellar, but the band is back with another 90's influenced single. "Always On My Mind" might sound like songs you've heard from the 90's, but it certainly doesn't stay fixed on one single sound. Instead, it's a blend of guitars reminiscent of At the Drive In with some shoegaze thrown in. There is also a post punk beat that shouldn't fit in with the rest of the song at all, and some mid 90's post grunge kinda sorta poppy vocals, but with far too much slacker added to truly be pop. "Always On My Mind" ends up being a tinny and disjointed song that could have been a trainwreck, but Been Stellar expertly welded together into a killer track. You can watch the video for "Always On My Mind" below. Breakaway is due out September 22 on Dirty Hit, and is available for pre-order here . For more on Been Stellar, check out the band's websi...

Minneapolis' runo plumb is set to release her debut album, and has a new single out for us to check out. "Sickness" lands in that part indie rock, part singer-songwriter genre that we can't seem to get enough of. It's a midtempo song that meanders around as it needs to, sometimes sounding a little folky, other times letting the noise of the guitar bleed through into a more indie rock territory. plum has this ability to make the guitar beautiful, even at its noisiest. The true power of "Sickness" is in its quiet parts. This isn't a song that needs to grab you with volume. It's going to draw you in fully by being a fantastic song. You can watch the video for "Sickness" below. patching is due out November 14 on Winspear, and is available for pre-order here . For more on runo plum, check out the artist's website . Upcoming tour dates are below the video. Nov 1 - Amsterdam, NL @ London Calling Festival Nov 2 - Berlin, DE @ Neue Zukunft N...

Photo by Celeste Hay Sam Salmon and the Grand Manan Bandits are an alt-country band hailing from New Brunswick, and consist of Motherhood and Keith Hallett. They're set to release their debut album and have just released a new single from it. "If I Needed You Now" does an interesting thing. Alt-country typically either falls in the hokey/tongue-in-cheek camp or the completely earnest side. When "If I Needed You Now" started, I got the feeling that it's being intentionally ironic, but as it goes on, it sounds more and more earnest. It ends up being an alt-country number that leans into the fun side of country music and seems like Sam Salmon and the Grand Manan Bandits truly love the genre. Singer Brydon Crain says of the band's latest single: “‘If I Needed You Now’ was one of the first songs written for the Sam Salmon project sometime around 2013, we called it ‘Country No. 1’ until about six months ago. It’s about being in a burning house and wondering if...

I first stumbled upon The James Rocket on Amie Street, which was at least fifteen years ago. That might as well be five or six lifetimes ago, but the band is still chugging away and is set to release their debut full band album. The first single off that album, "Pharaohs," still sounds like The James Rocket while seeing them change up their sound significantly. The song still has that 90's indie rock influence strongly represented, but it also sees them stretching into an almost New Wave or post punk sound. It's kind of like a secret collaboration between Guided By Voices and Talking Heads. "Pharaohs" is a killer rock song that has us dying to hear what one of our long term favorites is up to next. You can listen to "Pharaohs" below. Seen is due out November 21, and is available for pre-order through Bandcamp . For more on The James Rocket, check out the band on Facebook  and Instagram . Seen by The James Rocket

Photo by Christine Latter Hailing from Nova Scotia are The Boojums, an indie rock trio set to release their debut album in October. Their latest single, "Wings of Fire," comes barreling straight at you in a way rare for indie rock. It's a glorious mixture of punk, garage rock, and indie rock blended up in a way we haven't really heard before. You know how when bands like The White Stripes, The Strokes, and The Hives broke through and they all sounded completely fresh and exciting, even though they were all rooted in pre-existing sounds? That's how "Wings of Fire" is. You'll hear tons of bands you already adore in The Boojums' sound, but they do it in a way that still makes their latest single sound completely fresh and exciting. Willie Stratton (guitars and vocals) says of the band's latest single: “‘Wings of Fire’ is about chasing something bigger before it disappears in the rearview.  It’s that feeling when you’re flying down the highway—go...

Photo by Robbie Jeffers Some bands make music that is simply magical [pun honestly not intended], and Cuddle Magic are one of those bands. Their latest single, "Rescue Me," lands in the categories of indie folk and chamber pop, and elevates both those genres with their sound. This is a breathtaking song that consists of gentle melodies and harmonies. There's something about the song that's almost hypnotic or meditative. It also exists in a world of indie rock, with waves of acoustic noise softly washing over you. There isn't a lot of music that can be considered uplifting that I truly enjoy, but Cuddle Magic always seem to be an exception to that rule. Cuddle Magic says of their latest single: "'Rescue Me'  is an intimate, soul-baring track about seeking refuge in love. Recorded live with all six members standing in a bathroom—Kristin and Ben in the tub—the song evokes a sense of belonging and healing after the isolation of the COVID pandemic. Beginni...

Photo by Jennifer Geraci Steve Geraci (Tear Downs) has a new solo single out that's celebrating the immigrant's journey. "Save Yourself" is a hyped up modern glam rock track that seems to be rooted in 90's alt-rock. It lives in this world where it's both a straightforward rocker and a bizarro track carving its own path. It's like the glam and punk of New York Dolls mixed with DEVO but set in the 90's, and with some post punk thrown in for the fun of it. "Save Yourself" is a defiant protest song, but instead of being overwhelmed with anger, Geraci has created a song that's more of a celebration, and is welcoming you to join the party. Steve Geraci says of his latest single: “‘Save Yourself’ is celebrating the immigrant’s journey to the United States – a very real journey experienced by my ancestors and many other Americans. My grandparents’ journey, and my father’s journey. The idea of coming to a foreign country where you didn’t speak the...

The press release for the latest single from Cosmic Kitten compares "Hole in My Soul" to Veruca Salt, The Gits, and Babes in Toyland, and I certainly can't argue with any of those. The song is an absolute ripper of a punk track, starting off bordering right on hardcore before transforming itself into something much more melodic. Add in some gritty guitars that are the kind of grunge from before "Smells Like Teen Spirit" broke, and "Hole in My Soul" is virtually an instant classic. It's a powerhouse of a song that sounds like it could have been included on a Buy Product compilation from the 90's, although it sounds as equally modern as it does retro. Vocalist Karen Marie says of the band's latest single: “The repetition of dragging through dirt and lying in a self-made grave is more than just a metaphor; it's an unfiltered reflection of mental and emotional exhaustion, both violently and softly displayed in this song.” You can watch the ...

The Death of Lilies are a brand new project featuring Adam Bravin of She Wants Revenge and Saint Avangeline. Their latest single, "Savior," is going to appeal to fand of Bravin's other band without sounding completely like them. It's a dark and moody song edging more into darkwave territory while still being more rock based. I'm getting some feel of a more brooding Portishead, or if Trent Reznor's film score work was more pop centered. "Savior" is an intense song despite being laid back. It's the perfect song with Labor Day around the corner and summer almost officially over. Adam Bravin says of his new project's latest single: “‘Savior’ is about the complicated truth that sometimes the ones who need saving the most end up being the ones who save us. It’s about the quiet strength found in vulnerability, the way pain, when faced, can turn into something powerful and transformative.” You can watch the video for "Savior" below. For mor...

Photo by Morgan Kelley We tend to become smitten by this newfangled sound that melds indie rock with pop music seamlessly, making a sound that feels like it should have always existed. Our new favorite artist creating this style is The Noisy. Led by poet Sara Mae Henke, the band's latest single is "Grenadine." The song has this sound that combines the groovy pop music of the 60's, modern alt-pop, and the DIY feel of modern indie rock. It's such a classic yet unique style, and that's all before the horns kick in. "Grenadine" has one of the best horn sections we've heard in ages, and if you weren't sold on the song before the horns start, you certainly will be once they do. The Noisy's latest is pop music that is going to end up being adored by even the most staunch haters of the genre, who simply won't be able to help themselves. Sara Mae Henke says of their latest video: “The director, Sam Cush, and I came of age hanging around downto...

I fully expected It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley  to be a total tearjerker. Jeff Buckley's 1997 tragic death by accidental drowning at the age of thirty deeply affected me, and when I break out Grace every so often, the feeling of loss overwhelms me. When the film showed the MTV News report of his death, it brought me right back to watching that live at a girlfriend's house. And while I did tear up from time to time (as early as the first three minutes of the film), director Amy Berg avoids her film being too depressing by focusing on his music, and not his death. It's such a simple thing to do, but impossibly effective. While so much media telling the story of Buckley focuses on his tragic death, Berg only devotes maybe ten minutes of her nearly two hour documentary on his passing. Instead, It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley is a celebration of his life and career as told by his friends, colleagues, and family. One of the strengths of the film is the live performance foot...

Photo by Kim Christoffel Chicago's Cusp have a new single out, and this is the type of song I would have become completely obsessed with in college in the 90's. "Follow Along" is an absolutely killer indie rock song with the slightest pop leaning. It has this buzzsaw guitar that immediately grabs your attention. The noise is significantly softened by the rest of the song, especially singer/guitarist Jen Bender's vocals, which land somewhere in between 90's slacker and melodic. Instead of the standard loud/quiet/loud format (which is somewhat present), Cusp go with more of a melodic/noisy/melodic breakdown. "Follow Along" is a truly fun and noisy song that is exactly what we tend to love here at If It's Too Loud... Jen Bender says of her band's latest single and video:  “‘Follow Along’ is a caricature of the age old question - ‘If your friends jumped off a cliff, would you jump too?’ Chaos may ensue if you get too swept up in what everyone els...

Photo by Kenny Savercool We last heard from Baltimore hardcore band End It last month when they released the blistering "Optical Delusions." Now they're back with a cover of Maximum Penalty's "Could You Love Me?" The cover is quite true to the original, and is much more melodic than the last song we heard from End It. It sounds much more like 90's post-grunge alt-rock, albeit heavier than that genre and time period. "Could You Love Me?" is a much different sound than "Optical Delusions," and we always enjoy hearing a different sound from a band, and it has us wanting to check out Maximum Penalty's music, too. Although this isn't what I picture a hardcore song to be, there is plenty for hardcore purists to love, especially a relatively laid back breakdown. You can watch the video for End It's cover of "Could You Love Me?" below. Wrong Side of Heaven is due out August 29 on Flatspot Records, and is available for pr...

Photo by Diana Levine Photography Wayward Vine is the indie folk project of Valerie Rachel and Greg Lawrence. Their latest single, "Dancing On Your Basement Floor," is a fun slice of Americana about deciding if a relationship is going to be long term or just a fling. It's a midtempo song sure to invite dancing (as the title suggests) filled with fantastic harmonies between Rachel and Lawrence. The vocal harmonies are truly the not-so-secret weapon of the song, and the pair are why you'll keep coming back to this one over and over again. I'm not sure if Adult Contemporary is still a radio format, but if it still is, "Dancing On Your Basement Floor" would be custom made for it. This one is a love song for grown ups. Valerie Rachel says of her band's latest single: “‘Dancing On Your Basement Floor’ is the encapsulation of a moment in time that is really beautiful but also short-lived. The story of the song reflects the longing and excitement associated ...

Photo by Taryn Segal I've been personally loving Tchotchke's throwback 60's girl group sound, and with their latest single they've upped that sound even more. "Playin' Dumb" is an anthem about playing dumb so your boyfriend feels smart. It's filled with fantastic vocal harmonies from the three members of Tchotchke, and is filled with sunshiny melodies throughout. "Playin' Dumb" is a fun song, and if you also have an obsession with vintage girl groups, you'll also love this one. As 60's inspired as it is, the song isn't a complete throwback. It's heavily inspired by the 60's, but doesn't sound like Tchotchke are simply mimicking that style. Instead, they're updating the style to today while still keeping the vibes of the 60's intact. Bassist Eva Chambers says of her band's latest single: “We wanted to close the album with a quick and catchy anthemic song. Our goal was to keep the songwriting deliberately...

Photo by Erica Snyder Los Angeles synth-pop band Automatic are back with a new single from their upcoming album. "Lazy" is more of a synth track than "Is It Now?" is, and while the previous single still felt like more of a rock song, "Lazy" is more pop based. It's also an incredibly retro feeling song, having more in common with the music of the 80's than the present day. It has a very New Romantic vibe going on, with the mellowness of trip hop thrown in. It's a very chill and compelling track, and demands your attention in a way that most loud and aggressive music can't. Seriously, you'll be hooked within the first few seconds based on the synth notes alone. Automatic have something extra special with this one. You can listen to "Lazy" below. Is It Now? is due out September 26 on Stones Throw, and is available for pre-order here . For more on Automatic, check out the band's website . Upcoming tour dates are below the song...