If It's Too Loud...

Aesop Rock has been in the game for close to three decades now, and still remains at the top of the more underground / independent scene. I honestly don't know why he's not everyone's favorite rapper, but (especially in the last few years) he's become one of mine, and Black Hole Superette , one of two albums he released this year, is Aesop Rock at his best. Aesop Rock's more recent albums have been thematically aligned in scope, even when they somewhat veer from the topic. Black Hole Superette definitely gives off the sort of vaporwave vibes that play well in some circles, but I'm personally more impressed by his continued ability to put together ideas in such a complicated delivery at one moment before jumping in with a song about forever-multiplying snails in the next. The unexpectedness is as enjoyable as the journey, and I went back to this album so much over the year that it was impossible for me not to consider it a favorite. Songs of note:...

"All queer, all female" band WENCH! have teamed up with party punk Jodie Langford on a new single. "You've Got Male" is a blistering take-down is about "... misogynistic mole-rats who hold women at an unattainably high standard due to their perception of femininity being affected by unrealistic media imagery." As angry and fiery as the song is, it's also fun. It's like they combined Bikini Kill and Le Tigre into one kick ass band. "You've Got Male" mocks their deserved targets, and would leave many of them crying if they were self-aware enough. It also ends up being one of the most punk rock tracks of the year, released as 2025 is winding down. Jodie Langford says of the new single: “ it’s not often I want to collaborate, so to get the opportunity to spend time in the studio with WENCH!, a band whose message & ethos I strongly agree with, was a real treat! I’ve gotten used to working with a producer of late, so it was eye-open...

Photo by Mitchell Wojcik Philadelphia/New Jersey band Sweet Pill are back with the first single off their upcoming album. "No Control" is a solid and classic alt-rock song. It's a driving force of a song filled with fuzzy guitars and just enough pop hooks to keep everything catchy. Singer Zayna Youssef is a powerhouse vocalist, with the kind of voice that could work in virtually any genre. There's also more than a little punk edge to the song, particularly with the screaming backing vocals. If you're even a little obsessed with 90's alternative, you're going to love "No Control," but Sweet Pill aren't simply a 90's throwback band. Their sound is a mixture of 90's alt-rock meets modern pop leaning punk rock. Zayna Youssef says of the band's new single: “This is the first song we completed for  Still There’s A Glow . At that time, I was feeling a bit…indulgent. Taking what I want, whenever I wanted it, and disregarding the world all...

The duo of Hilken & Melissa (aka Hilken Mancini and Melissa Gibbs) have teamed up with Kay Hanley (Letters to Cleo) for a brand new Christmas song. "What's So Bad About Christmas" is a joy-filled holiday song that has enough of that retro 50's and 60's vibe to keep the song as fun as a Christmas song should be. It's always fun to see some of our all time Boston favorites teaming up for a song, especially one as enjoyable as "What's So Bad About Christmas." It's a jingle bell filled track that's sure to even get the grumpiest of music fans smiling. You can watch the video for "What's So Bad About Christmas" below. The song is available via Bandcamp with a B-side of The Other Girls performing "I'm Not Getting Anything for Christmas." For more on Hilken & Melissa, check out the band on Instagram .

Rhode Island "piano-driven witch pop" artist Olivia Dolphin has a new single out, and its absolutely stunning. "I... I..." keeps the "piano-driven witch pop" sound we've come to adore from Dolphin, but it might be her most rock based song so far. It starts out with just piano before the vocals kick in. "I... I..." would be a fantastic song if it stayed with just vocals and piano, but once the rest of the band kicks in, the song takes on epic proportions. It's not quite a headbanger, but Olivia Dolphin has released a killer power ballad with "I... I..." You can listen to "I... I..." below. Olivia Dolphin's new EP is due out December 12, with an EP release show on December 13 at Myrtle in East Providence, RI. For more on the artist, check out her website . I... I... by Olivia Dolphin

Photo by Prashin Jagger Based in Bombay, India, Pacifist have a new single out off of a forthcoming EP. "Running Out" is an intense burst of post-hardcore. It's disjointed and aggressive, while still being surprisingly melodic. While the music remains at the same level throughout, the vocals follow a perfect loud/quiet/loud between shouting and melodic singing. "Running Out" gets a little noisier than most post-hardcore gets, particularly as the breakdown towards the end truly breaks down. This is post-hardcore that combines the early 00's scene and the 90's equally. Pacifist have won us over with this one, and we're looking forward to hearing more next month. You can watch the video for "Running Out" below. five is due out January 16. For more on Pacifist, check out the band on Instagram .

Eight Foot Manchild, the world's first and therefore best doombrass band, released a Christmas EP last week, something I certainly was not expecting. Who Hash is a collection of four songs that are mostly mash-ups and parodies of previous songs, as well as a cover of "Beautiful Star of Bethlehem," originally a bluegrass Christmas song. The title track is a parody/mash-up of two Sleep songs as well as two songs from How the Grinch Stole Christmas. "I Ran Over Some Lady with My Snowplow" is a parody of "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer," and "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians" is a parody/mash-up of staples like "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," "Here Comes Santa Claus," and "Up on the Housetop." When I first heard about Who Hash , I expected it to be a fun listen that would be good for a listen or two, and maybe to get friends and family to listen to for giggles. It turns out the songs on Who Hash  are ridiculous...

The Beths Photo by Ken Sears The Beths are one of our favorite and most consistent bands we've discovered while doing If It's Too Loud... Every album they've released since 2018's Future Me Hates Me has been stellar, and filled with killer song after killer song. Every time they come around, they're on a bigger stage than the time before, and they truly deserve all the attention they've been getting. This week they played their first ever Providence, RI show, and brought along fellow New Zealanders Phoebe Rings. The first time I saw The Beths was back when they played Atwood's Tavern in Cambridge. Just to show how far they've come since then, that stage wasn't much bigger than the rug singer/guitarist Elizabeth Stokes stood on at Fete Music Hall. What's best about The Beths' success is that they're still the same band. While their sound has evolved over the past eight years, you could take any song from this year's Straight Line Was a...

Photo by Michelle Mennona Bitter Branches are a Philadelphia based post-hardcore supergroup consisting of Tim Singer (Deadguy, Kiss It Goodbye, No Escape), Jeff Tirabassi (Walleye), Matt Ryan (Calvary), Kevin Sommerville (Lighten Up!), and Dan Yemen (Lifetime, Kid Dynamite, Paint It Black). The band's latest single, "Basic Karate," is an absolute powerhouse with roots in the 90's hardcore scene. It's loud, and heavy, and noisy, and everything you'd want a band to be with Bitter Branches' DNA. It's reminding me of a cross between The Jesus Lizard and Helmet, but more punk. "Basic Karate" is an intense song about how easy it would be to stop caring and join the dark side. Also, just to make the song even cooler, it was produced by J. Robbins of Jawbox. You can watch the video for "Basic Karate" below. The single is out now on Equal Vision Records. For more on Bitter Branches, check out the band on Instagram .

Friday is always a good day to bring you a cover, and this week one is provided by Saint Avangeline. The Atlanta based artist has released a cover of Madonna's 1998 hit "Frozen." It's a reworking of Madonna's song, but it keeps enough of the original intact so that it remains recognizable. The original was already quite chill, but Saint Avangeline's version is even more laid back. "Frozen" is from Madonna's late 90's techo centered period. The cover stays electronic based, but it's more for the chill room than the rave itself. It's unique to hear a cover song that changes up the tone of the original while staying this faithful, but that's part of the magic of Saint Avangeline's artistry. Saint Avangeline says of her latest single: “ A classic from a legend! I think this is one of Madonna's most gorgeous pieces, and I wanted to pay tribute to her and her monumental impact on the music industry. She has influenced so many ar...

Photo by Brittany Powers Kelly Finnigan has a new holiday 7" out next Friday, but we can listen to the A side now. "I Can't Wait (For Christmas Time)" is a killer neo-soul holiday single heavy on the chill. It has that perfect level of excitement needed for a Christmas song, and a perfect retro feel to bring us all back to the simpler holidays of our youths. The song is dripping in nostalgia, and captures that feeling of anticipation we used to feel as we got closer and closer to December 25. "I Can't Wait (For Christmas Time)" may substitute your partner for a new bike, but it helps remind us what truly matters as the holiday is just a few weeks away. You can listen to "I Can't Wait (For Christmas Time)" below. The single will be out on 7" on December 12 via Colemine Records, and is available to pre-order here . For more on Kelly Finnigan, check out the artist's website .

When I first saw that Boston's P.V. had an album out, I wondered how could they consider a two song release to be a full album. Then I realized that the two songs come in at almost an hour and a half. Behold (A Dude) is the kind of release I don't want to talk too much about. It's a noisy and cacophonous release, and it's certainly not going to be for everyone. P.V. get just about as experimental as a band can get without devolving into pure noise... which "ix" and "pv lvv's v" does at some points. Behold (A Dude) is a wild listen, and without giving too much away I'm going to compare it to The Jesus Lizard meets Neutral Milk Hotel with some of The Stooges' longer freak out tracks. Like I said, P.V. certainly aren't going to be for everyone, but if that description interests you, you very well could end up loving this one. You can listen to Behold (A Dude) below. The album is available on Bandcamp for the "choose your price...

Photo by Kalie Pontes It seems like there's been a garage rock revival of bands inspired by the garage rock revival of the early 00's. The newest band we've discovered that fits that description is Los Frankies. The Los Angeles band just released a new single, "I'm On Drugs." The song is a blistering rocker coming in at just over two minutes. It takes the modern-ish garage rock sound of bands like The White Stripes and The Strokes and mixes it with the classic punk of the Ramones and the glammed up punk of New York Dolls. It's a fun rock 'n' roll track for when you simply need to fun rock 'n' roll track. What more do you want in a rock song called "I'm On Drugs?" You can watch the video for "I'm On Drugs" below. D.E.D. City is due out March 6, and is available for pre-order here . For more on Los Frankies, check out the band's website .

Photo by Miles Kalchik We've been fans of Ratboys since their 2017 album GN , so we're thrilled the Chicago band have finally been getting the attention they deserve. They're back with a new single, "What's Right?," that truly nails their indie rock with a little country thrown in sound. This new song has just enough twang to keep their country side going strong, but it might be their most rockin' song to date. This one is making me wish I didn't live in New England during the winter, since it's just begging to be played loud while driving a little too fast with your windows open. "What's Right?" is a driving alt-rock song with the slightest twang to it. It's reminding me a little of The Lemonheads' Atlantic Records heyday.  Julia Steiner says of her band's latest single: “We approached this song like an experiment in the studio, stitching together three different drum performances, in three different-sounding environments...

It may be the B-side to "Christmas on Coral Island," but we're obviously going to focus on a song called "She Died on Christmas Day." The Coral's latest single, and first Christmas release, has a much darker tone than the vast majority of holiday songs. There's something very 60's psychedelic about this latest song. It has that dark and groovy feel that a lot of story songs did back then, both haunting and oddly upbeat. I wouldn't say "She Died on Christmas Day" fully sounds like a forgotten 60's psychedelic garage rock song. It's a little to dirty sounding for that distinction. But, if you love your holiday songs on the dark and dreary side, or have a love for 60's psychedelic bands, the latest from The Coral is for you. Nick Power says of his band's latest single: “We love fifties and early sixties rock n’roll, especially the British stuff.  To us, it’s the sound of where we grew up: New Brighton and the fair, the lost...

Photo by Colin Shields Back in October, we brought you "Concrete Trees" from Annabelle Chairlegs, the moniker of Austin based musician Lindsey Mackin. We were blown away by her mixture of pop and indie rock. Now, Mackin is back with "Heavy Sleeper" which keeps the pop meets indie rock sound going, possibly even more intensely. The song sounds like a more modern version of PJ Harvey influenced for the pop instincts of Liz Phair. The song takes a few seconds to truly kick in, but once it does you're just along for the ride. "Heavy Sleeper" is perfect for those of us that have a fondness for 90's alt-rock, but it's modern enough to have an appeal that goes beyond throwbacks. Lindsey Mackin says of her latest single: “ Heavy Sleeper is the nightmare that exists in and out of sleep. We are fully free in our sleep- as we also actually are when we are awake, so which is where we are? Is it a nightmare or is it a dream?” You can watch the video for ...

Big Richard are a Colorado based bluegrass quartet that get their name from the "... 'big dick' energy [they are] reclaiming from male bluegrass bands." Their latest single, "It's Gonna Fall/Old Daingerfield" is a high energy and fierce song that's actually two songs played together. "It's Gonna Fall" contains lyrics about environmental disasters that could very well exist in a punk rock song. "Old Daingerfield" is a killer instrumental burst that demands any listener's attention. Musically, Big Richard land somewhere between traditional bluegrass and progressive bluegrass. It's a modern take on the genre that still keeps the sonic roots intact.  Cellist Joy Adams says of the band's upcoming album: “We made the album all on tape and did it all in these single-shot performances. The collection of songs, we wanted to take our most hard driving, heavy hitting songs, we wanted to craft a banger set list. Like, if we ha...

Photo by Alexi Hobbs Inuit indie singer-songwriter Beatrice Deer has a new single and video out, and while calling something a must-listen is an overused trope, it's certainly valid for "Arranged." Her new single is an absolute epic track encompassing many indie rock styles. The singer-songwriter base with multiple tonal changes reminds me of Lady Lamb. Plus, there's a certain level of pop within the song, and musically parts remind me of The Hold Steady and/or Pulp. There's a certain vibe in "Arranged" that pushes right up against the mainstream while never quite going too far. There are even some doo wop style "ohh sha la la la"s that hop in throughout the song. With one single, Beatrice Deer has become a new musical obsession here at If It's Too Loud... Beatrice Deer says of her latest single: “There are many, many stories from our Elders who were betrothed from birth and had to honor the agreement made by their parents when they came of...

Back in October, we discovered Silk Daisys through their Halloween themed song "Haunted House." Now the Atlanta duo are back with a Christmas song, "It's Just Like Xmas." This new song shows off their more dream pop based sound. The song is wonderfully hazy with a winter chill embedded inside. Plus, the bells (which aren't quite jingle bells but close) fit in with the musical style perfectly. "It's Just Like Xmas" is the perfect style of song for those that hate Christmas music but still want to celebrate. The song is more about the coziness associated with winter than gifts or Santa. Silk Daisys have crafted a song perfect for the entire season, not just the holiday. James Abercrombie says of his band's new holiday single: “I wrote this one on Christmas Day last year. There’s always a moment of calm in our house after the initial excitement of Christmas morning, and I find myself playing guitar or piano during those moments and thinking ab...

Artist : Lisa O'Neill Album : The Wind Doesn't Blow This Far Right Quick Thoughts : There are many Irish folk singers who continue to put out essential work, and while Lisa O'Neill's album is closer to an EP in length, there is more than enough here to sustain a half hour of expertly crafted folk. Every song is ultimately a highlight, but the first two in particular work extremely well and the addition of "The Bleak Midwinter" is a lovely holiday inclusion. Don't seep on this one. Songs of Note : "The Wind Doesn't Blow This Far Right," "Mother Jones," "Homeless in the Thousands (Dublin in the Digital Age)," "The Bleak Midwinter" Artist : Sam Salmon & the Grand Manan Bandits Album : Down for Life Quick Thoughts : A side project of Motherhood and Keith Hallett, while the tongue remains firmly lodged in cheek, there's more than enough here to really love. It's got tons of country vibes, a lit...

Photo by Charlie Barclay Harris Indie rock isn't usually as big as it is in the latest single from Westside Cowboy, but the Manchester band makes an argument in favor of huge indie rock songs with their latest. "Can't See" is a two and a half minute song that's both noisy and catchy. It's reminding me of a more poppy version of Sonic Youth's Geffen Records albums. It's surprisingly dance friendly, with driving guitars and slacker vocals. Our only complaint is that at one hundred and fifty seconds, "Can't See" leaves you desperate for more. Westside Cowboy is art rock/indie rock at its finest and most accessible. This is a band sure to be huge sooner than later. Westside Cowboy say of their latest single: “This was day 1 in the studio and the first song to get ripped apart and put back together! It’s a short one, but we feel like we fit everything in: a riff, some verses, some choruses, Conga breakdown and some other stuff. We like songs t...