The Far Out - "Laurel"

Photo by Jackie Vlahos

Boston's The Far Out won "New Act of the Year" at the 2024 New England Music Awards and have a brand new single out today. "Laurel" is being called both "funk-pop" and "Yacht rock cool," and those certainly aren't incorrect. The song is based in retro soul, but a much more modern sounding retro soul than you normally hear from neo-soul artists. This is a fun song propelled by killer horns throughout. It's the pairing of Olivia Lowe's fantastic vocals and the horn section that makes "Laurel" completely irresistible. To me it sounds like if vintage Lake Street Dive decided to get funky. This one is sure to even get the indie rock snobs dancing when nobody is around.

Lead vocalist Olivia Lowe says of the band's latest single:

“‘Laurel’ is deceptively not a love song. It’s about continuing to see someone romantically despite knowing that it’s going nowhere, because they will never commit to being fully or exclusively with you. The chorus ‘rest on my Laurel’ is a play on words, where it’s just easier to stay with this person rather than make the effort to leave them.”

You can listen to "Laurel" below. The Far Out's debut album is due out later this summer. For more on The Far Out, check out the artist's website.

Jon Chesbro - "Choices"

Photo by PostFix Media / Zach Habernen

The latest from Jon Chesbro is a tough one to define. "Choices" sits squarely in the singer-songwriter genre, but it also sends little tendrils out into other genres as well. The song sees the Maine based musician mostly venturing into a psychedelic territory, but not in a 60's or even slightly hippie style. This is a purely modern slice of psychedelia that includes electronic elements that include vocal effects, but more in the way that The Beatles used them... so I guess there are some references to the 60's going on here. "Choices" is a surprisingly epic song that completely flips the singer-songwriter genre into something that is going to take multiple listens to fully appreciate since there is a lot going on in this one.

Jon Chesbro says of his latest single:

“‘Choices’ is about looking back at what you've done, good or bad, and realizing what kind of person it made you. It’s about realizing you've grown from those choices and are now a different person altogether. It's a very self-reflective song, but its theme is universal and I think a lot of people will resonate with it.”

You can listen to "Choices" below. For more on Jon Chesbro, check out the artist on Instagram and Facebook.

literally/nobody - "in reverse"

Photo by Emma Cotton

literally/nobody is a Boston four piece that, according to their press release, "... interweaves shoegaze, dream-pop and post-hardcore." Their latest single, "in reverse," is as jangly as it is buzzy. It's a poppy and noisy track that demands that a listener at least bop around a little bit throughout it's entire three and a half minute length. Despite having an intimate indie feel, the song also feels like an epic in scope, making it both twee and gigantic. I believe "in reverse" is literally/nobody's debut single, and if so, this is an amazing introduction to a band we can't wait to hear more from.

Spender Gusha (vocals/guitar) says of the band's latest single:

“The song loosely hints at a secret guilty desire to see the apocalypse unfold. Despite the differences people have between each other we all have the same fate. It’s all a game we play that nobody wins. The song is about my personal nihilism towards existence and the world we live in."

You can listen to "in reverse" below. The song is available now via Bandcamp. For more on literally/nobody, check out the band on Instagram.

Pinklids - "Sax"

Before crushing the Orange Stage at last weekend's Boston Calling, Pinklids released a brand new single, "Sax." This new single captures everything we loved about the Wareham band's performance. It has that New Wave meets No Wave sound, and the song is an unhinged sounding two and a half minute burst of noise punk that sounds barely under control. It's intense yet fun, and abrasive yet melodic. Plus, there is an amazing breakdown at the end before the song fully spirals out. The saw draws inspiration from "Sacks," a chapter in Raymond Carver's What We Talk About When We Talk About Love, and depicts "... a crumbling relationship through the eyes of a son." Pinklids are sure to be making waves here for a while, and expect huge things from them.

The band says of their latest single:

“Falling in and out of love is a real thing. But that doesn’t make betrayal forgivable. Sometimes you have to name it for what it is.”

You can watch the video for "Sax" below. For more on Pinklids, check out the band on Instagram and Facebook.

Subsonic Eye - "Being Productive"

Photo by Crispin Tan

As great as everything Subsonic Eye has released is, there's just something a little extra magical about the Singapore band's latest single. "Being Productive" is a lovely little jangly mess of a song. It has this shoegaze meets The Sundays sort of sound to it, and it's a little bit noisy and a little bit beautiful. There's also a sense of chaos in the song you don't normally hear in jangle pop, but that's kind of what makes "Being Productive" work so well. The guitar can be a little too grating, but amping up your anxiety is kind of what the song is about. As a listener, as the song goes on you sometimes feel like you're being pulled in two different directions, which fits the theme perfectly.

Vocalist Nur Wahidah says of the band's latest single:

"This idea of 'being productive' has always been challenging for me. When I was unemployed, and I was doing the things that I love in my free time (which was like 90 percent of my day), it felt like I was being unproductive despite the fact that these were fulfilling things. In a capitalist way, reading, knitting, stitching just wasn't productive - unless I were to sell my crafts. It gave me this dread - that I was useless and lazy and that I didn't deserve the free time I had. In hindsight, it definitely helped me to process this negative idea of 'deserving a break.'"

You can watch the video for "Being Productive" below. Singapore Dreaming is due out June 11 on Topshelf Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Subsonic Eye, check out the band on Instagram.

mary in the junkyard - "drains"

Photo by Vittoria Pagliaro

London's mary in the junkyard have quickly become a favorite of ours, and if you haven't had a chance to check them out yet, their new single is a great jumping on point. "drains" is a noisy indie rock song that is still imbued with a surprising amount of beauty and pop sensibilities. The guitar is fuzzy and buzzing almost the entire way through, while the vocals seem to have an almost pop or folk way about them. At least in parts. Clari Freeman-Taylor does cut loose in a rather harsh way every now and then, and it's the dichotomy of the lovely and the abrasive that makes "drains" so captivating. Just try not to fall in love with mary in the junkyard after this one.

Clari Freeman-Taylor (vocals/guitar) says of the band's latest single:

“I am curious about the bowels of the city. We don't see what's below but there are many pipes and caves, and my friend once said, ‘If you bury yourself, i will dig you out again.' I wanted to immortalize it because it made me feel so warm.”

You can watch the video for "drains" below. For more on mary in the junkyard, check out the artist on Instagram. Upcoming tour dates opening for Wet Leg are below the video and include a September 14 date at Roadrunner in Boston, MA.

Thu. May 29 - Manchester, UK @ Victoria Warehouse
Mon. Sept. 1 - Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre
Tue. Sept. 2 - Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre
Wed. Sept. 3 - Vancouver, BC @ Malkin Bowl
Fri. Sept. 5 - Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall
Sat. Sept. 6 - Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall
Tue. Sept. 9 - Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
Wed. Sept. 10 - Chicago, IL @ Salt Shed
Fri. Sept. 12 - Toronto, ON @ HISTORY
Sat. Sept. 13 - Montreal, QC @ MTELUS
Sun. Sept 14 - Boston, MA @ Roadrunner
Mon. Sept. 15 - Philadelphia, PA @ Franklin Music Hall
Wed. Sept. 17 - New York, NY @ Summerstage in Central Park
Thu. Sept. 18 - Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount
Fri. Sept. 19 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
Tue. Sept. 30 - Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater
Wed. Oct. 1 - Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater
Fri. Oct. 3 - Phoenix, AZ @ Arizona Financial Theatre
Tue. Oct. 7 - Oklahoma City, OK @  The Criterion
Tue. Oct. 14 - El Paso, TX @ The Lowbrow Palace
Fri. Oct. 17 - Los Angeles, CA @  Greek Theatre

Canyon Lights Cover James Gang

Canyon Lights (aka the new trio consisting of Pat Faherty and Tim Carman formerly of GA-20 and Heather Gillis) have a new standalone single out: A cover of James Gang's "Walk Away." The song is pure dirty and fiery blues in its best form. The guitar solos are absolutely stellar, and the song has that almost out of control vibe going for it. Just when you think the instrumental portion might have gone on too long, it keeps on going and makes you realize you were wrong. Plus, this is the type of cover that makes you want to immediately listen to the original, especially if you're unfamiliar with it. Canyon Lights are quickly becoming one of our favorite new Boston bands of the year.

Drummer Tim Carman says of his band's new single:

“We’re all big fans of James Gang and everything Joe Walsh. While touring as the opening act for George Thorogood, Pat, Heather, and I started playing 'Walk Away' live and wanted to capture that energy in the studio. Recorded at 3rd Street Music in Hamilton, OH, our version draws inspiration from a killer live video of the James Gang performing the song in 1971. It’s loose, gritty, and we aimed to channel that raw energy in our recording.”

You can watch the live video for Canyon Lights' cover of "Walk Away" below. Breathe Easy is due out later this summer. For more on Canyon Lights, check out the band's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video and include May 31 at The Drake in Amherst, MA and June 1 at Lizard Lounge in Cambridge, MA.

May 31 Sat - The Drake - Amherst, MA (w/ Troy Mercy)

Jun 1 - Lizard Lounge - Cambridge, MA

Jul 25 Fri - Canal Winchester Blues & Ribfest 2025 - Columbus, OH

Aug 26 Tue - Texas Trust CU Theatre - Grand Prairie, TX *

Aug 27 Wed - House of Blues Houston - Houston, TX *

Aug 30 Sat - Peachtree City, GA *

Sep 2 Tue - Ft Lauderdale, FL *

Sep 5 Fri - Charleston, SC *

Sep 14 Sun - Staten Island, NY *

Sep 17 Wed - Paramount Theatre, Rutland, VT

Sep 19 Fri - Lynn Auditorium, Lynn, MA *

Sep 20 Sat - Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, Hampton Beach, NH *

* opening for George Thorogood & The Destroyers

Kate Nash - "GERM"

Photo by Emily Marcovecchio

Recently, the UK Supreme Court recently ruled that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex. Kate Nash has released a new single in response to that ruling, and it might be the most punk rock song of the year. It's a spoken word rant that rallies against the belief that transwomen are a threat to cis women, toxic masculinity, and name checks Elon Musk and Donald Trump. It's a surprisingly experimental song from Nash, and it's straight up badass. At a time where people keep insisting we need Rage Against the Machine to come back, Kate Nash might have us covered.

Kate Nash says of her latest single:

“Using feminism to erase the rights of others is inherently un-feminist. ‘GERM’ is my response to the recent news that the Supreme Court ruled that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex and that the concept of sex is binary. Trans people were excluded from the conversation.

"I am left uneasy as I see behaviours we would otherwise or previously label as intolerance or bullying become normalised & even celebrated by the media & in society. I believe this will lead to more transphobia and more misogyny in the UK. I also believe it to be misdirected and not at all where feminist efforts should be focused. In fact, I don’t consider it to be feminist at all. The demonisation of entire groups of people, led by bad faith actors, is not a step forward but a huge echo of a past we should have moved on from.

"I owe so much of myself to feminism. Tarnishing the most important ideology in my life by denying the existence of trans women is something I take very personally.

"Denying that trans people exist and having a personal desire to remove them from public spaces because it makes you uncomfortable to share spaces with trans people is transphobic. Dismantling systems of oppression lies at the very core of feminism. If you are transphobic therefore you are not a feminist. Welcome to your rebrand GERM.”

You can watch the lyric video for "GERM" below. The song is available now via Kill Rock Stars. For more on Kate Nash, check out the artist's website.

First Listen for Most of May 2025

Artist: billy woods
Album: Golliwog
Quick Thoughts: billy woods offers a form of modern horrorcore that isn't for everyone, and isn't even for me all the time. GOLLIWOG succeeds in embracing the darkness to an extent while also keeping its somewhat disturbing feel - "Waterproof Mascara" is legitimately one of the uncomfortable listens of recent memory. It's honestly worth the listen, although you'll know quickly whether or not its for you.
Songs of Note: "Jumpscare," "Waterproof Mascara," "Misery," "STAR87," "Golgotha," "BLK ZMBY"

Artist: Mclusky
Album: the world is still here and so are we
Quick Thoughts: Mclusky are (finally) back with new music, and it's great. Granted, the venn diagram between Mclusky and Future of the Left may as well be a circle in many regards, but in terms of the Falkous Cinematic Universe, this is the best effort they've collectively put out in a decade. It's angsty and angular and just so much fun. Welcome back.
Songs of Note: "cops and coppers," "way of the exploding dickhead," "people person," "the competent horse thief," "kafka-esque novelist frank kafka," "autofocus on the prime directive," "not all steeplejacks," "chekhov's guns"

Artist: Rico Nasty
Album: LETHAL
Quick Thoughts: Rico Nasty, for a while, was sort of like hyperpop for hip-hop heads, and this latest album is a further break from her early work while still nodding to her ability to fully go in on whatever she's doing. This one has more of a punk influence than her previous efforts, and it works for those purposes - "Teethsucker" is legitimately a favorite of the month in particular.
Songs of Note: "Teethsucker (YEA3x)," "On the Low," "Eat Me!," "Soul Snatcher," "Son of a Gun," "Smoke Break," "You Could Never"

Artist: Ezra Furman
Album: Goodbye Small Head
Quick Thoughts: We love Ezra Furman here, and her latest is absolutely, without question, her best yet. A gorgeous, confessional record, one that tugs at every available emotion; Goodbye Small Head is about so many things all at once that it was a lot to take in on first listen. Returns to it have consistently resulted in something new and different each time. One of the best of the year, as far as I'm concerned.
Songs of Note: "Sudden Storm," "Power of the Moon," "You Mustn't Show Weakness," "Veil Song," "I Need the Angel"

Artist: Bitter Ruin
Album: Arches and Enemies
Quick Thoughts: I discovered Georgia Train before I discovered her duo / band, Bitter Ruin. Her voice is so strong and distinct, the return to a band-like setting was something I was somewhat unsure about. Thankfully, the time apart made this album that much more rich and enjoyable. Train's voice is as good as ever, and her bandmate holds his own throughout the whole runtime, providing some instrumental and songwriting heft along the way. Loved this record.
Songs of Note: "Wish Me Away," "Shivers," "Smoking Gun," "You Called Me Out," "Every Time," "Pain on Me"

Artist: Ken Pomeroy
Album: Cruel Joke
Quick Thoughts: In a month with plenty of singer-songwriter options, I think the #2 slot behind Ezra Furman has to go to Ken Pomeroy. It's gorgeous, with Pomeroy's beautiful voice soaring across these lovely songs over and over again. "Cicadas" is a lowkey song of the month candidate that really shows the breadth of her capabilities. Check this one out.
Songs of Note: "Wrango," "Grey Skies," "Coyote," "Cicadas"

Artist: M(h)aol
Album: Something Soft
Quick Thoughts: I'm gonna tell my kid this is Wet Leg. "Pursuit" kicks the affair off and doesn't leave you guessing where the album is going to go - it's 30 minutes of witty quick hits that sounds more serious than it is. I loved this, and it was a slow burner for me in so many ways. Don't miss out.
Songs of Note: "Pursuit," "Clementine," "Snare," "IBS," "1 800-Call-Me-Back"

Artist: Sunday Junkie
Album: Sunday Junkie
Quick Thoughts: Didn't want this to get lost in the shuffle. Fun indie-alt stuff that really resonated with me.
Songs of Note: "Vultures," "Seventeen," "Emergencies"

Of note:

* Bela Fleck, Edmar Castaneda, and Antonio Sanchez - BEATrio (Nice jazz-bluegrass fusion.)
* Mark Pritchard and Thom Yorke - Tall Tales (Interesting experimental / instrumental listen.)
* I'm With Her - Wild and Clear and Blue (Solid progressive roots effort from these three titans of bluegrass.)
* Sparks - MAD! (Delightfully strange.)
* Esthesis Quartet - Sound and Fury
* Boyfriend - In the Garden
* Slow Joy - A Joy So Slow At Times I Don't Think It's Coming
* Erin Durant - Firetrail
* Slow Mass - Low on Foot
* Julia Sanders - Dark Matter
* Stress Positions - Human Zoo
* Ben Frost - Under Certain Light and Atmospheric Conditions
* Shanti Celeste - Romance
* Nicole Lawrence - Time in Love
* Tune-Yards - Better Dreaming
* Billy Nomates - Metalhorse
* Voom - Something Good is Happening
* Chuck D - Chuck D Presents Enemy Radio: Radio Armageddon
* Thor and Friends - Heathen Spirituals
* Ben Hackett - Songs for Sleeping Dogs
* History Dog - Root Systems
* Charming Disaster - The Double
* Soot Sprite - Wield Your Hope Like a Weapon
* Gold Dust - In the Shade of the Living Light
* Black Loops - Always Moving
* The High Water Makrs - Consult the Oracle
* AAA Gripper - We Invented Work for the Common Good
* Triathalon - Funeral Music
* Alexandra Savior - Beneath the Lilypad
* Adult Mom - Natural Causes
* Pelican - Flickering Resonance
* Le Volume Courbe - Planet Ping Pong
* Franklin Armstrong - Nostalgia is a Liar
* VNV Nation - Construct
* Paper Lady - Idle Fate
* Coffin Prick - Loose Enchantment
* Goldie - Alpha Omega
* Madame Gandhi - Let Me Be Water
* Kristina Murray - Little Blue
* Windows 96 and Gavriel - Awkward Dance Music
* The Lasso - High Beams
* Grails - Miracle Music
* Miso Extra - Earcandy
* Ringdown - Lady on the Bike
* GRAE - 7 Minutes 'Til Heaven
* Dope Lemon - Golden Wolf
* Forest Spirit, Sun on Your Back - winnowing
* Erika de Casier - Lifetime
* Pyramids - Pythagoras
* Maia Friedman - Goodbye Long Winter Shadow
* The Lowtimers - Cracks
* TVOD - Party Time
* Lou-Adriane Cassidy - Triste Animal
* Awa Ly - Essence and Elements
* Deradoorian - Ready for Heaven
* SoRawBeats - Paint the World in Flames
* Amine - 13 Months of Sunshine
* Naomi Westwater - Cycle & Change
* Preoccupations - Ill at Ease
* Brian Bilston and the Catenary Wires - Sounds Made By Humans
* Bronson Arm - Casket Schwagg
* Anna Justen - MiCHOU's DREAM
* Friendship - Caveman Wakes Up
* Quinquis - eor
* Amanda Ekery - Arabe
* The Freedom Affair - The Freedom Affair
* Spill Tab - Angie
* Jeansboy - Cruise Ship Selections I
* Downward - Downward (2)
* Pye Corner Audio - Lake Deep Memory
* Emma Ruth Rundle - Music from the Bella Vista
* Lindstrom - Sirius Syntoms
* Badhe and Talkalot - Silver Sands
* Stereolab - Instant Holograms on Metal Film
* Turin Brakes - Spacehopper
* Oi Va Voi - The Water's Edge
* Sedona - Getting Into Heaven
* Skunk Anansie - The Painful Truth
* Cool Sounds - Party Punisher
* Chris Creek - Keepers of the Eastern Door
* bob junior - friends, vol. 2
* Home is Where - Hunting Season
* The Discussion - All the Pretty Flowers
* Death and Vanilla - Whisper and I'll Come to You
* Julia Wolf - PRESSURE
* New Chance - A Rock Unsteady
* smerz - Big City Life
* Thalia Zedek Band - The Boat Outside Your Window
* Florry - Sounds Like...
* Quinie - Forefowk, Mind Me
* Emptyset - Dissever
* Ella Voss - Rosebuds
* HiTech - HONEYPAQQ Vol. 1
* Morcheeba - Escape the Chaos
* Sex Scenes - Everything Makes Me Sick

EPs:

* Little Low - Sunshine Guilt (Lots to love in this quick-hit EP.)
* Youth Code - Yours, With Malice
* Fine Food Market - I'm afraid to be in love with someone who crashes their car that much
* Varg and DJ Smokey - Psychological Musical Warfare 2
* The Inciters - I Give You My Soul
* RIP Swirl - Emo Regulation
* Alien Chicks - Forbidden Fruit
* Andre 3000 - 7 piano sketches
* Color Temperature - ... (b-sides)
* Kilo Kish - Negotiations
* The Dandy Warhols - Rock Remaker
* Derek Smith and the Cosmic Vultures
* Brigid Mae Power - Silver Strand Tapes
* Brux - Ca$hed Up
* Homeboy Sandman and Brand the Builder - Manners
* Dog Door - Put Me Right
* Dexter and the Moonrocks - Happy to Be Here
* Ambar Lucid - El Jardin de Lagrimas
* Murrlanddbaee - Aura and Ambience
* Dan Wilson - good night, los angeles
* Aria Wood - Swimming Running Dancing
* Jayla Kai - Love letter to everyone
* Catbite - Doom Garden
* uh - pleroma EP
* Dinamarca and Meth Math - pachamami
* sleepazoid - running with the dogs
* ratbag - kissing under an (almost) full moon
* Pearl Jam - The Last of Us
* Nicoplas Bougaieff - Prime Funktion
* Mister Joshooa - Settle Down EP
* Ava Maybee - Orange Drive
* Carmel Smickersgill - Unsolicited Advice
* BT - Never Gonna Come Back Down
* Strategem Switch
* Auntie Flo - Outernational Dance
* MSPAINT - No Separation
* Kareem Ali - Mawimbi
* DJ Grumble - Interplanetary Beats
* surrenderdorothy - thankyouhero
* eggcorn - Observer Effect
* Bruce Springsteen - Land of Hope and Dreams
* Pan Amsterdam - Confines
* Power Pants - PP9
* Quelza - Pensa Poetico
* Nasty Carcass - King of Cursed
* Pink Martini - Bella Ciao

Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:

* Sofi Tukker - Butter
* Electric Fields
* Mogwai - The Bombing of Pan Am 103
* Mixage 96
* Road Fever EP1

Also out:

* Arcade Fire - Pink Elephant
* The Callous Daoboys - I Don't Want to See You in Heaven
* Little Feat - Strike Up the Band

Signals Midwest - "Two Magnets"

Photo by Alex Cihanowic

"Two Magnets," the latest single from Ohio's Signals Midwest, first surfaced on frontman Maxwell Stern's 2024 solo album, In the Good Light. Now, it's been reworked as a full band rock song for the band's upcoming rarities compilation. This new version is "indie-rock-tinged punk," which is kind of one of our things here. It has all of the oomph of punk, but with the lighter side of indie rock seeping through. The song comes so close to being Midwest emo, and could probably be considered that genre at some points. "Two Magnets" is a highly melodic and somewhat dissonant indie rock song, and if you're just discovering Signals Midwest like we are, we all now have five previous albums to check out!

Maxwell Stern says of the band's new version of "Two Magnets":

"I wasn’t sure if Two Magnets was supposed to be more of an acoustic-based tune or a full-blown rock song. In the end, I decided to pursue both directions. So if the solo-record version is one magnetic pole, this is what the opposite end sounds like: a revved-up version meant to be played as loud as possible."

You can listen to "Two Magnets" below. Layovers is due out July 25 on Lauren Records. For more on Signals Midwest, check out the band on Instagram.

Bee Blackwell - "Claws"

Photo by L.A. Lockhardt

Austin-based musician Bee Blackwell has a new single out that lands in one of our current musical sweet spots. "Claws" is a 90's inspired alt-rock song mixed with some modern alt-pop. It's the kind of song that's probably a little too poppy to truly be rock and too rock based for pure pop fans. Instead, it sits in this world of incredibly catchy pop songs with noisy and buzzing guitars that ends up being a fun, raw, and pretty song. Thirty years ago this would have just been considered alternative rock the way Letters to Cleo were, but modern tastes are going to recognize just how pop filled "Claws" is.

Bee Blackwell says of her latest single:

“CLAWS” is the struggle of being caught between wanting connection and fearing vulnerability. Expressing emotion is hard, being a control freak is even harder.”

You can watch the video for "Claws" below. Nine Lives is due out June 20 and is available to pre-save here. For more on Bee Blackwell, check out the artist on Instagram and Bandcamp.

Pig Pen - "Rabid Beach"

Photo by Patrick Moore

Pig Pen, the Canadian hardcore band with The Bear's Matty Matheson on vocals, is back with a new single. "Rabid Beach" is fast and heavy, which you would expect from a hardcore band. But Pig Pen ratchet it up a few extra notches from the typical song of that genre. If anything, the song is louder and noisier than usual, and far louder than you'd expect from a band featuring an actor as a lead singer. At one point, it's almost as if the standard hardcore breakdown is trying to happen, but the noise and aggression overpowers it into something new. There's also an insane guitar solo that almost gets overshadowed by a drum break, with both instruments battling it out over dominance. Yeah... Pig Pen are pretty great.

You can watch the video for "Rabid Beach" below. Mental Mentality is due out June 27 on Flatspot Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Pig Pen, check out the band on Instagram.

Jahnah Camille - "summer's scorch"

Photo by Elizabeth Marsh

Just as the warm weather is finally returning to New England, Jahnah Camille has released "summer's scorch." The artist's latest is that perfect mix of indie pop and indie rock with a folk undertone. It has the beauty and catchy qualities you'd associate with the genres, and unexpectedly grungy guitars that help suck you in. Camille has previously opened for artist's like Soccer Mommy and Clairo, and has upcoming tour dates with Blondshell, and that helps perfectly explain her sound. "summer's scorch" is the type of song that is going to make many a listener become instant diehard fans... as well they should. And that's before the violin kicks in. Jahnah Camille is the type of artist that could blow up at any second, so welcome aboard the bandwagon!

Jahnah Camille says of her latest single:

“I wrote it about a crush that I never even talked to. I was just like, ‘Would I be able to keep myself? Can I be trusted with a romantic relationship?’”

You can watch the video for "summer's scorch" below. My sunny oath! is due out June 13 on Winspear. For more on Jahnah Camille, check out the artist on Instagram and Twitter. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.

May 28 - Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up Tavern *

May 30 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda *

May 31 - San Francisco, CA @ August Hall *

June 2 - Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom *

June 3 - Seattle, WA @ The Showbox *

June 6 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Soundwell *

June 8 - Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theatre *

June 14 - Savannah, GA @ Dog Days Festival ^

* supporting Blondshell 

^ w/ Mannequin Pussy, Lip Critic, & more

Lal Tuna - "Television Forever"

Photo by Aleksa Haluszczak

Lal Tuna left Istanbul at the age of eighteen to avoid self-censoring her music, and has resided in Bordeaux, France for the past two years. Her latest single, "Television Forever," takes inspiration from Japanese surf rock, gothic country, doom metal, and mainstream pop. What's striking about the song is how parts of it sound completely mainstream while others are about as left of center as you can get. It starts off with a dark guitar intro that leads into Lal Tuna's almost dream pop style vocals. From there the song gets both more noisy and more melodic, often at the same time. There's a ton of droning guitars and crashing drums, all held together by striking vocals. My experience listening is enjoyment that led to stopping everything I was doing to fully immerse myself in the experience and take it all in uninterrupted. If there's any justice in the world, Lal Tuna is going to be a huge international artist.

Lal Tuna says of her latest single:

"I was hospitalized on New Year's Eve, due to a serious medical accident, and was unable to breathe for days. When I found out that I would (survive, for starters) be able to talk and sing again, I realized that singing/songwriting was what I always wanted to do, and if I died right there, I would die sadly for never having put out my songs. So when I left the hospital, I started recording my old and new songs, without aiming for a big project on the horizon. My idea was, and is, to put them out without a label holding me down, with no deadlines and promises. Maybe someday it will form an album, who knows. But for now, I'm just putting out songs, every once in a while. 'Television Forever' is the first song I'm putting out on this journey, and also is the last one I wrote."

You can watch the video for "Television Forever." The single is out now on Nothing is Mine Records. For more on Lal Tuna, check out the artist on Instagram and Bandcamp.

Bon Bon Vivant - "Sin Eater"

Photo by Jess Keary

Once you hear "Sin Eater," it won't come as any surprise that Bon Bon Vivant is from New Orleans. The song simply sounds like New Orleans and the rich musical texture that comes from the city. It's a song rooted in jazz with a rock foundation, along with some funk, soul, and punk. And while Bon Bon Vivant may have a jazz base, the song isn't traditional jazz or even free or experimental jazz. It's like "Sin Eater" was meant to sound like a traditional jazz track and then took some odd left turn, running parallel to a more standard sound but never crossing the line. That's what keeps an artist like Bon Bon Vivant so original, and why we're quickly becoming fans.

Songwriter/front-woman Abigail Cosio says of the new single:

“We have presented a macabre love song with the concept of the Sin Eater, taking on the weight of another’s burden. I’ll be your sin eater.”

You can listen to "Sin Eater" below. For more on Bon Bon Vivant, check out the artist's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.

JUN 13 / CHATTANOOGA, TN @ Nightfall Concert Series

JUN 14 / HUNTSVILLE, AL @ The Camp

JUN 15 / HUNTSVILLE, AL @ The Camp

JUN 20 / SAN JOSE, CA @ Art Boutiki Music Hall

JUN 21 / SAN FRANCISCO, CA @ Boom Boom Room

JUN 22 / DAVIS, CA @ Davis Music Festival 

JUN 27 / ASHLAND, OR @ Oregon Shakespeare Festival 

JUN 28 / ASHLAND, OR @ Oregon Shakespeare Festival 

JUL 1 / CALDWELL, ID @ Tuesdays On The Creek

JUL 2 / PENDLETON, OR @ Wednesdays In The Park

JUL 4 / LAKE OSWEGO, OR @ Lake Oswego Star Spangled Celebration (10 AM)

JUL 4 / CORVALLIS, OR @ Red White & Blue Riverfront Festival (8 PM)

JUL 5 / SHERIDAN, OR @ Roshambo Artfarm

JUL 9 / MONMOUTH, OR @ Monmouth Music In The Park Series 

JUL 11-13 / VENETA, OR @ Oregon Country Fair 

JUL 25 / GASTON, OR @ Festival Of Friends 

AUG 5 / HOOD RIVER, OR @ The Ruins