First Listen: New Releases for 25 April 2025

Artist: Viagra Boys
Album: viagr aboys
Quick Thoughts: I'm a big fan of Viagra Boys, I've loved "Man Made of Meat" since it first hit streaming, and given that Cave World was a favorite of 2023 for me, I was looking forward to this one quite a bit. There are definitely some sonic tonal shifts with this one that might rub people the wrong way, but the truly skewed lyrical approach that sets them apart is here and it's delightful.
Songs of Note: "Man Made of Meat," "Uno II," "Pyramid of Health," "Store Policy," "You N33D Me"

Artist: Leslie Jordan
Album: The Agonist
Quick Thoughts: Inspired by letters from her late grandfather, this debut solo record from All Sons & Daughters singer / songwriter Leslie Jordan is a beautiful folky listen with a lot going for it. The title track alone won be over, but if you like the more thoughtful, contemplative side of Americana, check this out.
Songs of Note: "The Agonist," "Athensville," "Sometimes, Sylvia," "All Things"

Artist: Flying Mojito Bros.
Album: Just Passing Through
Quick Thoughts: Flying Mojito Bros. do some pretty great disco-tinged dance music, and I personally think that's what appeals them to me. There's something to say about the sort of straightforward approach, and I just wanted to highlight it in a busy week.
Songs of Note: "Area 54," "Take the Long Way," "Just Passing Through," "Lost to the Desert," "Thunder Exchange"

Artist: The Raveonettes
Album: PE'AHI II
Quick Thoughts: A sequel to their last album of new material since 2014, it's classic Raveonettes in all the ways that matter. It's the classic garage sound we come to expect - songs like "Blackest" and "Lucifer" hit just right and I'm glad we've gotten some releases from them recently.
Songs of Note: "Blackest," "Lucifer," "Speed," "Sunday School"

Artist: Wu-Tang Clan and Mathematics
Album: Black Samson, the Bastard Swordsman
Quick Thoughts: A Record Store Day release and the first Wu-Tang album with all surviving members in close to a decade, this is classic Wu-Tang in many ways. The mainline members have been fairly prolific in recent years, but by and large they're not showing their age as much as you might expect, and this is as good a lead in for their big "final tour" as anything.
Songs of Note: "Mandingo," "Shaolin Vs Lama," "Executioners from Shaolin," "Let's Do It Again," "Dolemite"

Artist: How I Became Invisible
Album: Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost
Quick Thoughts: More ska-punk goodness with some great song titles from one of the more underrated acts in the genre. "Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly" in particular is a real highlight this week, with a sort of manic energy that works well as a throughline for the entire record. Don't miss out on this one.
Songs of Note: "Biblically Accurate Arby's Witch," "Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly," "Shape Decomposition"

Artist: Um Jennifer?
Album: Um Comma Jennifer Question Mark
Quick Thoughts: I don't know how this one hit my radar, but holy crap is it good. There's a level of snark and 90s grunge here that just succeeds across the board here, and it feels very targeted toward me. Don't skip it in a busy week.
Songs of Note: "So Sick!," "Girl Class," "Daddy's Girl," "Keep It Tight"

Artist: Gross Girls
Album: Super Punk Rock Yeah Yeah
Quick Thoughts: Saving my best for last this week is one that we missed when it dropped in January. Ken saw them recently and thought I'd like them, and boy do I - it gives "Daria fronting Pavement" vibes for me, and the sort of slacker, bothered tone works so, so well for so much of this. That they're a local act is only icing on the cake, and this was one of my favorite recent listens period, so don't miss out.
Songs of Note: "Blue Skin," "Jp Dream Boys," "Dumb Tattoo, "Mission Hill"

Of note:

* Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs - Death Hilarious (Slugey, grungy fun.)
* Phoneboy - Heartbreak Designer
* Deluxe - Ca Fait Plaisir
* DJ.Fresh - The Gospel Vibes
* Mike Dean - 425
* Self Esteem - A Complicated Woman
* DJ Scratch Nice - Scratch Jointz 4
* Blue Cactus - Believer
* Bitter:Sweet - Baby is Back
* Cloth - Pink Silence
* aeseaes - Opia
* Prima Queen - The Prize
* Lexi Jones - Xandri
* BIG|BRAVE - OST
* Los Pepes - Out of the Void
* Light-Space Modulator - The Rising Wave
* Hannah Rose Platt - Fragile Creatures
* Uwade - Florilegium
* Beach Bunny - Tunnel Vision
* Olive Klug - Lost Dog
* Amy Irving - Always Will Be
* Salami Rose Joe Louis - Lorings
* Sumac and Moor Mother - The Film
* Litany - Sadgirl
* Iron Shiek - Circle of Iron
* Sault - 10
* Natural Information Society and Bitchin' Bajas - Totality
* Deerhoof - Nible and Godlike in Ruin
* Tugboat Captain - Dog Tale
* Samia - Bloodless
* The Golden Dregs - Godspeed
* Sunflower Bean - Mortal Primetime
* Ghost - Skeleta
* Tennis - Face Down in the Garden
* Lync Lone - The Timeshifter's Lexicon
* Maria Somerville - Luster
* Cappo - Houses
* Johnny Maraca & the Marockers - Little Heart
* Emma-Jean Thackray - Weirdo

EPs:

* My Mercury - Places
* Jessica Lea Mayfield - Choose Myself
* thegoodnews. - This Just In!
* Teen Angst - Cerulean
* SOAPBOX - Lock In
* rubyred - reststop
* Wishy - Planet Popstar

Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:

* Heart of Gold: The Songs of Neil Young, Vol. 1 (Solid tribute record.)
* Besnard Lakes - The Besnard Lakes Are A Live
* Adrienne Lenker - Live at Revolution Hall

Also out:

* Jensen McRae - I Don't Know How But They Found Me!

Panic Shack - "Girl Band Starter Pack"

Photo by Megan Winstone

Hailing from Cardiff are Panic Shack, who just released the first single from their debut album. "Girl Band Starter Pack" is a hyper and bouncy as possible song that doesn't fit neatly in any one genre. Or two genres, for that matter. First of all, I can't tell if it's a rock song or a pop song. It's some blend of both, and your fandom of either genre will determine which one you find it to be. It has a strong punk attitude, but it's far too smooth sounding to be punk, even by the modern definition of the genre. It's kind of like a mixture of artists like Le Tigre, Bis, and Spice Girls. Basically, "Girl Band Starter Pack" is a ridiculously fun track that is dance music for people that both hate and love dance music.

Panic Shack say of their latest single:

"'Girl Band Starter Pack' was the title of our inspiration playlist on Spotify when we first started the band. It's had many deaths and rebirths but has been with us since the start, so it’s quite special to us. Not only because we’ve watched it morph into a certified banger (it was once named 'Banger Potential') but because it personifies our friendship and the electricity we feel when we’re together, whether that’s creating, playing or simply just grabbing a coffee … which as the song foretells, usually leads to a voddy."

You can watch the video for "Girl Band Starter Pack" below. Panic Shack's self-titled debut album is due out July 18 on Brace Yourself Records, and is available to pre-order here. For more on Panic Shack, check out the band's website.

Jahnah Camille - "sit with you (pain)"

Photo by Elizabeth Marsh

Birmingham's Jahnah Camille has toured with Soccer Mommy and Clairo, and has some dates coming up with Blondshell. Those bands are perfect matches for the singer-songwriter, who just released the gorgeous "sit with you (pain)." The new single is a lush and epic mixture of indie rock and pop. It starts off quite quietly and stripped down, with just Camille's vocals and guitar. It slowly builds into a huge explosion of a song. While many of her peers are releasing slow build songs in the indie rock/pop worlds, "sit with you (pain)" is far noisier than most of those are, building into a squealing wall of noise while still keeping the song's melodies intact. Something tells me we're going to end up huge fans of Jahnah Camille.

Jahnah Camille says that her latest single “... is about cutting someone out of your life who you still care for deeply. All of your critiques and drawbacks are still secondary for the love that you have. I wanted to make a habit of doing things that were good for me even if they hurt.”

You can watch the video for "sit with you (pain)" below. My sunny oath! is due out June 13 on Winspear, and is available for pre-order here. 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

Cruel Miracle - "Stone"

Photo courtesy of Cruel Miracle

When "Stone," the latest single from Cruel Miracle starts, you'd be forgiven for assuming it's going to be your standard alt-rock track. However, the Boston band quickly veers off in an unexpected direction for those of us unfamiliar with them. "Stone" is a hard rock track overall, but the band add in these unexpected little flourishes throughout. As heavy as the song is, there are elements that almost make the song a dance track, or even a little jazz maybe? Cruel Miracle have made a song that rocks as hard as it grooves, and thrown in some absolutely killer riffs for good measure. This one is a lot of fun for those times you just want to rock out.

Cruel Miracle say of their latest single/video:

“‘Stone’ is a story about perseverance – staying strong while remaining true to yourself. In typical Cruel Miracle fashion, one of us brought some riffs and then we all worked on the structure and arrangements. This was first created as a post-pandemic tune, so the feel was based on the struggles of the time and the battle against our personal demons.”

You can watch the video for "Stone" below. Steadfast is out now and is available through Bandcamp. For more on Cruel Miracle, check out the band's website.

Blondshell - "Event of a Fire"

Photo by Daniel Topete

Blondshell (aka Sabrina Teitelbaum) has her new album due out Friday, but if you're as excited for it as we are, you're going to want to hear another new song while we wait. Luckily, she just released one last single, "Event of a Fire." This new song is an alt-pop/indie rock power ballad that blurs the line between rock and pop. The song starts off quietly and slowly builds to a much louder and explosive song. It's somehow Blondshell's most pop and rock song recorded so far. "Event of a Fire" was written while Teitelbaum was burnt out from touring and after a 4:00 a.m. hotel fire alarm evacuation outside of Boston. Just when we think we couldn't be more excited for her new album on Friday...

Sabrina Teitelbaum says of her latest single:

“It’s not really ‘what if I’m burnt out from touring. It’s like, ‘what if I’m burnt out from just existing?’”

You can watch the video for "Event of a Fire" below. If You Asked for a Picture is due out May 2 on Partisan Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Blondshell, check out the artist's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video and include a June 19 show at Royale in Boston.

5/2/25 - Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever (Album Release show) - Los Angeles, CA # SOLD OUT

5/6/25 - Amoeba Hollywood - Los Angeles, CA - FREE stripped-down show

5/28/25 – Belly Up Tavern – San Diego, CA ^

5/30/25 – The Fonda Theatre – Los Angeles, CA ^ SOLD OUT

5/31/25 – August Hall – San Francisco, CA ^

6/2/25 – Wonder Ballroom – Portland, OR ^

6/3/25 – The Showbox – Seattle, WA ^

6/6/25 – Soundwell – Salt Lake City, UT ^

6/8/25 – Gothic Theatre – Denver, CO (Venue Upgrade) ^

6/11/25 – Fine Line – Minneapolis, MN * SOLD OUT

6/13/25 – Metro – Chicago, IL * SOLD OUT

6/14/25 – Skully's Music Diner – Columbus, OH *

6/16/25 – Phoenix Concert Theater – Toronto, ON * (Venue Upgrade)

6/17/25 – Theatre Fairmount – Montreal, QC *

6/19/25 – Royale – Boston, MA % (Venue Upgrade)

6/20/25 – Brooklyn Steel – New York, NY % (Venue Upgrade) SOLD OUT 

6/21/25 – Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA %

6/24/25 – 9:30 Club – Washington, DC % SOLD OUT

6/26/25 – Orange Peel – Asheville, NC %

6/27/25 – Variety Playhouse – Atlanta, GA %

6/28/25 – Basement East – Nashville, TN % SOLD OUT

9/28/25 - New York, NY - All Things Go Festival @ Forest Hills Stadium

# support from Draag

^ support from Jahnah Camille

* support from Meg Elsier 

% support from Daffo

EU/UK TOUR DATES

7/5/25 - London, UK @ Finsbury Park @

7/10/25 - Madrid, ES @ MadCool Festival

7/12/25 - Trancin, SK @ Pohoda Festival

7/13/25 - Vienna, AT @ Wiener Stadthalle &

9/2/25 - Dublin, IE @ Button Factory + (Venue Upgrade)

9/4/25 - Manchester, UK @ New Century +

9/6/25 - Glasgow, UK @ QMU + (Venue Upgrade)

9/7/25 - Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club +

9/8/25 - Bristol, UK @ SWX +

9/10/25 - Brighton, UK @ Chalk +

9/11/25 - London, UK @ Electric Brixton + (2nd Night Added)

9/12/25 - London, UK @ Electric Brixton + SOLD OUT

9/14/25 - Lille, FR @ L’Aéronef#

9/15/25 - Paris, FR @ Le Trabendo #

9/17/25 - Brussels, BE @ Botanique #

9/18/25 - Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso Tolhuistuin #

9/20/25 - Hamburg, DE @ Reeperbahn Festival

9/21/25 - Copenhagen, DK @ VEGA #

9/23/25 - Berlin, DE @ Hole44 #

9/25/25 - Cologne, DE @ Helios37 #

@ with Fontaines DC

& with Queens of the Stone Age

+ support from Westside Cowboy

# support from Francis of Delirium

Sister Wives - "YnCanu"

Photo by Laura Merrill

I love a good ghost story, and the latest from Sister Wives tells a great one. Sung in Donna Lee's native Welsh, "YnCanu" tells the story of the ghost of the Wylfa Power Station. The spirit is thought to be a New Zealand opera singer named Rosina who you can hear singing throughout the station. The song is a powerfully heavy and sludgy track. "YnCanu" may not be metal, but it is certainly metal adjacent. It's a more melodic version of a band like the Melvins, and is a master class in the loud/quiet/loud thing. Plus, the song, particularly the vocals, have a spooky undertone that I'm finding irresistible. 

Sister Wives say of their latest single:

"YnCanu is a haunting ballad that weaves together the eerie folklore of ‘Madam Wen’ or ‘White Lady’, a spectral figure forever tied to the rugged cliffs and crashing seas near Cemaes and the imposing Wylfa nuclear power station. The song tells the tragic tale of a woman who either met her untimely death from the cliffs or now wanders, endlessly searching for a lost love.

"In its melodies, we wanted to capture ttwo parts of the tale: the tension between the relentless power of the nuclear station and the tranquil beauty of the surrounding landscape, mirroring the delicate balance between life and death."

You can listen to "YnCanu" below. The single is out now on Libertino Records. For more on Sister Wives, check out the band on Instagram and Facebook.

Ex-Hyena - "Vanishing Edge"

I've been loving the darkwave music coming from Boston's Ex-Hyena ever since we discovered them in 2022. The duo have sounded like no one else in the city for the past three years, and while their music is typically dark and brooding, their latest single sees them moving in a different direction. "Vanishing Edge" is the fastest and most dance friendly song they've released so far. As dark as it is, it's still a club friendly dance song, and a banger, as the kids say. This one is reminding me of late 80's club tracks, especially from an artist like Depeche Mode or Pet Shop Boys. "Vanishing Edge" is making me look forward to getting out to see Ex-Hyena again, hopefully sooner than later.

You can listen to "Vanishing Edge" below. XX YOUR LOVE is due out this summer on Re:Mission Entertainment. For more on Ex-Hyena, check out the artist on Facebook and Instagram.

Ezra Furman - "Power of the Moon"

Photo by Eleanor Petry

Every song Ezra Furman releases is completely unique and while they're related to each other, they all have their own sound. Her latest single, "Power of the Moon," is based in 60's pop and psychedelia, but in Furman's own original way. The guitar might be my favorite part of the song. It has such a 60's garage rock sound to it that fits in perfectly with Furman's vocals and the overall groovy sound to the song. The song also has an oddly disjointed quality making it so that it's not a throwback song at all. It has a completely modern sound, with only its roots being in the past. "Power of the Moon" is such an interesting blend of garage rock, power pop, psychedelic rock, and indie rock that I can't imagine this one not winning over any listener.

Ezra Furman says of her latest single:

“I took over five years writing this song. I’m not saying that makes it good, but it does mean that it means a lot to me. It’s another in my series of songs that make sweeping declarations about 'the human mind' (cf. 'Ordinary Life,' 'Poor Girl A Long Way From Heaven').

"The lyric is me taking on a problem I’ve had all my life: I believe in God and I can’t explain why to anyone; I don’t even understand it myself. I have no evidence, no argument and no doubt. I think it might just be the kind of brain that I have, one with a need to 'take the frame from the painting / and let the colors bleed out into the room.' I love a diffuse God, one who is everywhere, underlying everything, and who absolutely does not fit into my little consciousness with all its rational rules. My God makes no sense. That’s one thing I love about her. That’s how I know she’s much bigger than anything we could have invented.

"When things stop making sense, that’s when the world of night has its hooks in you. That’s when the moon takes over. You wake up one day and you realize you can never really understand anything, and then you’re into the poetic, under the power of the moon.

"This spirituality of mine has, annoyingly, not alleviated the existentialist nausea I’ve always felt. I’m overwhelmed by this God-haunted world. The train is on its way to flatten you. The blues come around to devastate you. But I find myself enjoying this nauseous life anyway. Especially when we get a good drum machine going and Jorgen plays a hypnotic bass line and then Sam and Ben come in with their perfect parts and existence feels like a real cool time.

"Amazingly, somewhere within me I believed that this could add up to a hit song. God, what’s my problem?”

You can watch the video for "Power of the Moon" below. Goodnight Small Head is due out May 16 on Bella Union, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Ezra Furman, check out the artist's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.

7/8: Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall

7/9: St. Paul, MN @ Amsterdam

7/10: Des Moines, IA @ Lefty’s Live Music

7/13: Indianapolis, IN @ Turntable

7/14: Columbus, OH @ Ace of Cups

7/15: Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Smalls Theatre

7/16: Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom

7/17: Ferndale, MI @ The Loving Touch

8/3: San Diego, CA @ Music Box

8/5: Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom

8/6: Santa Cruz, CA @ Moe’s Alley

8/7: San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall

8/10: Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom

8/12: Vancouver, BC @ Hollywood Theatre

8/13: Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile

10/20: Montreal, QC @ Fairmount Theatre

10/21: Toronto, ON @ The Axis Club

10/22: Troy, NY @ No Fun

10/23: Portland, ME @ State Theatre

10/26: Hamden, CT @ Space Ballroom

10/27: Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer

10/28: Washington, DC @ Union Stage

10/29: New York, NY @ Webster Hall