If It's Too Loud...

Photo by Hillarie Jason Boston's own Casket Rats are back with a new song and video that perfectly define their sound. "Blood in the Water" is pure dingy rock and roll. Like previous singles "Stealin'" and "Whiskey Queen," this one lands right square in the middle of punk and metal with absolutely no pretense. The song is fast and loud and just about perfect. Boston can be a bit of a hipster enclave at times (which we admit to being guilty of), and sometimes you just want a song that fucking rocks. Casket Rats are the perfect band to provide that. Keith Bennett (vocals and bass) says of his band's upcoming album: “Above all, Rat City Rockers is 100 percent REAL. It's our truth, conceived from an insatiable need to play rock and roll. Hopefully, there's some kindred souls out there who can relate. If it's just the primal connection to the riffs or they connect with what we're singing about, it doesn't really matter. What cou...

Photo by Amanda Cheng New Zealand's Phoebe Rings are about to start their very first U.S. tour, and they've released a brand new cover of Beach House's "Astronaut" to celebrate. Their cover is quite similar to Beach House's original. It's a slice of dream pop, rich in lush melodies. If anything, Phoebe Rings' version is even dreamier, with a feeling of warmth washing over you while the song plays. Both songs are delightfully chill and lovely, and we're finding this cover impossible to resist. Drummer Alex Freer says of the band's decision to cover Beach House: "For a few of us, those first two Beach House albums stand out as being very formative." You can listen to Phoebe Rings' cover of "Astronaut" below. For more on the band, check out their website . Upcoming tour dates are below the song and include November 30 at Deep Cuts in Medford, MA and December 2 at Royale in Boston and December 3 at Fete Music Hall in Provide...

Photo via Facebook When I saw that STL GLD were teaming up with Zola Simone on their latest single, I assumed the song would be one of their more pop-focused efforts. "Dances with Wolves" is anything but. It might be one of the Boston hip hop group's hardest songs to date. It's just as much punk as it is hip hop, and has a focused and hypnotic quality. There are also some elements of electro-clash here. STL GLD have always been a group that constantly evolves and pushes the boundaries of their genre, and "Dances with Wolves" continues that. We were already looking forward to the release of Good Music for Bad Kids  next month, but now we simply can't wait. You can listen to "Dances with Wolves" below. Good Music for Bad Kids is due out November 14 on AR Classic Records. For more on STL GLD, check out the band's website . They'll be playing an album release show at The Sinclair on December 5 with Bad Rabbits.

Photo by Lindsey Topham Northampton, MA's Winterpills are set to release their first new album in nine years next week, and they have a new single out for us to check out. "How We Dance" gets a little more power-poppy than Winterpills typically get, but there are still enough roots in folk and Americana for it to still sound like them. It's always fun when a veteran band expands on their sound a bit, and it's nice to see their more rock based side after all of these years. Not that "How We Dance" is a hard rock song by any stretch, but compared to most of Winterpills' catalog, this one is a rager. We're definitely looking forward to hearing this one next time we make it out to see them! Phillip Price says of his band's latest single: “At first, I wasn't sure this song fit the band. It felt like a throwback to my power-pop days in the 90s. I dreamt the big guitar riff, sang it into my phone at 3am one night in April of this year. The song ...

Artist : They Are Gutting a Body of Water Album : LOTTO Quick Thoughts : I was unsure how much I would like Lotto based on some of the stuff I had read, but when this turned out to be exactly the type of dirty, grungy shoegaze I love, well, this album quickly became a favorite. It's a short record, but one with basically no skips from beginning to end - "sour diesel" and "rl stine" are highlights, but if you generally love the stuff we highlight here, you'll love this. Songs of Note : "sour diesel," "trainers," "slo crostic," "violence iii," "herpim," "rl stine" Artist : bar italia Album : Some Like It Hot Quick Thoughts : I can't say for sure that this is a bit of a change of pace for bar italia, but the sort of polished twee-ish Britpop that feels current and nostalgic is amazing and worth your time this week. Between the high production values and great songwriting, don't miss ...

The Juice Crew was a legendary hip hop collective that ran from 1983 to 1991, and featured Marley Marl, Roxanne Shante, MC Shan, Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Masta Ace, and more. RZA has reunited an all-star group of The Juice Crew for an upcoming EP, and the first single sees the legendary producer/emcee team with Big Daddy Kane. "Open Ya Eyes" sees the icons taking everything great from the classic 80's hip hop scene and mixing it with the Wu-Tang Clan mastermind's style. There's a cinematic feel to the song, and this is pure classic hip hop. There are throwback elements in "Open Ya Eyes," but this is a modern take on two classic sounds. This song is as good as you expect it to be, and possibly better. RZA says of the new single: “This is a bridge between generational schools of knowledge.  Kane’s wisdom in life and rhyme meets the Wu philosophy of consciousness. Together, we’re giving the culture something that uplifts; a call to wake up an...

Boston's literally/nobody released their debut EP earlier this month, and you're going to want to check this one out. Candle is a six song release for the self-described "shoegaze/dream pop/post-hardcore band," and it combines all of those genres, plus a few others. The opener, "Crystal Capsules," is an absolute powerhouse of a song, combining classic shoegaze with classic emo. (Think Slowdive meets Jawbreaker.) From there, "In Reverse" has a more upbeat and bouncy feel, while "Bones" has a disjointed, washed out post-punk sound. "Leaves In Heaven" is a beautiful that makes me think of a more stripped down version of The Cure. For a band that released their first single in March, literally/nobody are one that we're all going to want to keep an eye on. You can listen to Candle  below. The EP is available now on Bandcamp. For more on literally/nobody, check out the band on Instagram . Candle by literally/nobody

Photo by PJ Guinto Just in time for Halloween on Friday comes the latest single from Josaleigh Pollett. "Radio Player" was partially inspired by seeing the film Poltergeist too young, and the song captures the eerie vibe of the film. The song is synth heavy, which helps establish an 80's horror feel, but it doesn't feel vintage. It's the type of song that instantly grabs you, combining some straight-forward singer-songwriter style with more of a synth-heavy indie rock sound. "Radio Player" is the type of song you're going to want to listen to a few times just to wrap your head around it. There's a lot going on in the song, and you'll need repeated listens to fully get what Josaleigh Pollett is doing here. And you'll want multiple listens of this one, trust us. Josaleigh Pollett says of their latest single: "Radio Player is a song about memory and fear, loosely based on seeing the movie Poltergeist at too young an age. It is a journey...

Photo by Miles Kalchik Ratboys' 2021 album The Window was an excellent step forward for the band, and if their latest single is any indication, their upcoming album is going to be even more amazing. "Anywhere" shows off how Ratboys are masters of mixing indie rock and alt-country. The song is a fast paced and upbeat track that mostly lives in the world of indie rock with buzzy and swirling guitars. It's even a little punk rock, but a happier, positive version of the genre. But they sneak in just enough of a twang into the song to keep it at least partially alt-country. This is a truly fun song, and it's a perfect re-introduction for long term fans, and a great way for new ones to discover the band. Julia Steiner (vocals/guitar) says of her band's upcoming album: "A big, overarching theme of this record is my attempt to document my experience being estranged from a close loved one. The goal is to update this person on what's been going on in my life an...

Photo by Carissa Johnson Adam Sherman (Private Lightning, The Souls) was checking the news one morning and came across an article about a violent stabbing that was considered "unprovoked." That article inspired his latest single with Adam Sherman Band. "Everyday Dangers" is a rock song with Americana edges about the dangers we're put in every day as we go about our lives. You can hear the weariness in Sherman's vocals, as the current world can be exhausting. However, the song is far from a total bummer. There is a sense of hope and optimism in "Everyday Dangers," as we all do need to have trust and faith in our fellow humans in order to get through every day life. Adam Sherman says of his latest single: “I guess I’m always hoping for a bit of good news, but lately every day seems to present a new, dire development. The song is about trying to maintain our power and integrity during difficult times. It made me realize how much we depend on the decen...

Photo by Roger Sargent Nottingham's Vona Vella have an intriguing new single out that is fairly straightforward but still hard to define. "Carnival" has quite a few elements of indie pop, but it's a little too rock based for that. It's an undeniably catchy and lovely song, with fuzzy guitars. It's the type of song that instantly grabs you with the first guitar riff. It's reminding me of Jeff Buckley's heavier songs filtered through a modern alt-pop prism. "Carnival" is a little pop, a little alt-rock, a little punk, and maybe even a little folk. Vona Vella are an interesting band with a giant potential based on this new single. Vocalist/songwriter Dan Cunningham says of the band's latest single: “ It was written when life was getting on top of me and I felt that my head was spinning out of control. I use the funfair as a metaphor because the overstimulating scenes there reflected my emotional state. The verse is Izzy [bandmate and partner...

Photo by Murphy Gerrasch Washington DC's Ekko Astral have a powerhouse of a new single out. The band is considered punk, but "horseglue" pushes the boundaries of that genre. It's a two minute and fifteen second burst of chaos and noise. Only the very bare minimum of song structure is observed here, as it goes completely off the hinges very quickly. The song swirls around the listener with a sense of malice, in an oddly hypnotic way. "horseglue" is most certainly not for everyone, but if it's for you, you're going to find it glorious. We've been fans of Ekko Astral for a while, but a song like "horseglue" is sure to make us even more obsessed.  Jael Holzman (vocals/bass) says of the band's latest single: "'horseglue' is a screeching call for moral clarity. Anything short of courage against the rise of The New Authoritaria is complicity. It is important to focus on how integral the Messengers really are, and that some of ...

I miss radio. I originally wanted to work in radio, but got sidetracked by a film major. Being able to choose exactly what song or album you want to hear at all times is great, but I miss the random selection of radio, and I really miss having music curated by a person and not an algorithm. Luckily, BumbleBee Radio exists. Hosted by Kristen Eck, it's a throwback to our favorite Boston radio stations, and if you like what we do here at If It's Too Loud..., there's an awful lot of crossover. BumbleBee Radio held their five year anniversary party Friday night at Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theater, and since it was also The Peppermint Kicks' album release show, I couldn't resist. First up was Smitt E. Smitty & The Fezztones. The Boston based collective is led by the legendary Smitt E. Smitty. Their blend of garage rock is completely unique to them. It's glammed up and insanely fun, with a giant band to produce their sound. Their songs have a great sense of h...

Photo by Harrison McArtor San Francisco artist selena feliciano has a new single out that is going to be irresistible to fans of folk, soul, or any other style of music that fits under the Americana umbrella. "The Prayer" is a simple song that has an instantly comforting feel. feliciano's vocals feel like a warm embrace, and while I usually hate music that can be considered uplifting, "The Prayer" is a rare exception. This is a gentle mixture of folk, soul, and gospel. The harmonies in the song are unmistakably perfect, and it's going to leave you feeling better than before you started listening. Sometimes you just need some positivity in your life, and selena feliciano is the ideal artist to provide that. selena feliciano says of her music: “Music, for me, is about processing. The gift of song allows me to compost discomfort, pain, and grief while also planting the seeds for new realities. It’s an absolute ingredient of ongoing healing."  You can liste...

Photo by Renee Newman Trophy Wife started off at Berklee College of Music, and are now Brooklyn based. The musical project of McKenzie Iazzetta has a new single out that is going to appeal to many of our readers. "So Hard" starts off a little bit alt-country, in the vein of bands like Wednesday. It morphs into an indie rock meets alt-pop epic, and is going to remind a lot of us of Blondshell. I was sucked in as soon as Iazzetta's vocals kicked in seconds into the song, and "So Hard" pulled me in deeper and deeper the longer it went on. Every slight change in the song is a revelation, and while we were on the Trophy Wife bandwagon years ago, we're now fully invested. McKenzie Iazzetta says of the band's latest single: "So Hard is about wishing things could be as simple as they are in your head, and the bargaining you’re willing to do to get what you want. Is all the compromise worth the crumb of the fantasy you’re left with?" You can watch the v...

This might be an unpopular opinion, but King is my favorite album from Belly. "Seal My Fate," "Red," and "Now They'll Sleep" are all underappreciated classics, and "Super-Connected" might be my favorite Belly song. They're one of those bands I want to see every time they come around, and once I heard they were performing King in its entirety at the Paradise, it became a must see show for me. Much like when they played Royale in 2018, Thursday night was "An Evening with Belly," which saw them play a set of King , then taking a brief break and coming back with a second set. The first set was obviously surprise free, with the eleven songs comprising King  played in order. It's easy to forget just how great the album is since it doesn't have the big MTV hit of "Feed the Tree," but it's beloved by diehard Belly fans. Songs like "Silverfish" and "Untitled and Unsung" were delights live, and ...

This year's If It's Too Loud's Halloween playlist, we went a little more manageable than previous years. It's fifty-two songs at just under three hours, featuring songs about witches, ghosts, zombies, vampires, werewolves, and all of our favorite things about Halloween. You get some of our favorite local artists, all time classic artists, forgotten vintage songs, and bands you're just discovering for the first time. This one is perfect for your last minute Halloween shopping (just push past all the Christmas stock in the way), handing out candy, or drowning out your co-workers playing "Monster Mash," "Zombie," and Fleetwood Mac (for whatever reason) all day!

Massachusetts raised and now New York City based artist Nathalie Miller has a new EP out today, and even if you don't normally appreciate pop music, this one is well worth your time. like you used to starts off with "kansas," which we covered last month and called "an alt-pop masterpiece." After multiple listens, it keeps getting better and better, and more infectious. Miller seems to be an expert at making slow burn alt-pop singles in the vein of artists like Blondshell and Lucy Dacus, and "witches don't burn" certainly fits that while also breaking out of that mold. The song starts off as a moody track that fits right in with "kansas" before moving onto a style that would almost fit in a musical, or is a few steps away from being a lost Neutral Milk Hotel song. "sit and stew" is almost folky, "slippers" is a piano ballad, and the title track is a lilting waltz goes alt-pop. That's the true appeal of like you used...

Photo by David Doobinin If you're a fan of Juliana Hatfield's 90's music, you're going to love her latest single. "Popsicle" rocks harder than we've heard from Hatfield in a while, while still keeping that older and wiser feeing her music has had for her last few albums. It's a fuzzy, midtempo song with crashing drums and killer melodies. I challenge you to listen to this one and not spend the rest of the day with "Popsicle, drip drip" in your head. Plus, it has that 90's moody vibe that artists of today simply can't match no matter how hard they try. As great as "Popsicle" is, it's also kind of a bummer, but we're certainly here for that. Juliana Hatfield says of her latest single: "Could ‘Popsicle’ take the prize for ‘feel-bad song of the winter’? It certainly doesn’t pull any punches in its description of mid-life disillusionment. But sonically I was going for fun and catchy, as ever. I love to take a simple,...

Photo by Nate Packard It may not obviously be Halloween related, but the latest single from Memphis' Optic Sink came together because of Halloween. "Construction" started off when singer Natalie Hoffman crafted a live score for Halloween III. Listening to the song, you can definitely hear a John Carpenter influence in the synths. However, "Construction" grooves much more than Carpenter's scores, and it ends up being quite dance friendly. In fact, "Construction" pretty much demands that you dance to it. Despite (or perhaps because of) how creepy the song is at points, it's undeniably fun. Lyrically it might not be perfect for Halloween, but if you're constructing a party playlist based more on vibes, you could do a lot worse than the latest from Optic Sink. You can listen to "Construction" below. Lucky Number is due out October 31 on Feel It Records, and is available for pre-order here . For more on Optic Sink, check out the band o...

Photo by Haley Self We try not to overuse the word "ethereal" here at If It's Too Loud..., but in the case of "Rain Dance," it's just about the only word that fits. Saint Avangeline's latest single is a dreamy and hazy pop song that is absolutely enchanting. The Atlanta based artist has crafted a song that focuses on her layered vocals, that are hypnotic and mesmerizing. This is the type of song that is going to slowly take over your mind while listening. Be prepared to miss your exit on the highway, or to end up staring at your computer, completely lost and immersed in the song. And then you'll end up restarting the song to do it all over again. Saint Avangeline says of her new single: “‘Rain Dance’ is my actual first love song.  It’s about me and my current partner finding each other and connecting, and healing each other’s inner child.   "I have been blessed with the gift of tender, genuine love; one that makes you see the child in your lover...