Live Shows: The Grownup Noise and Happy Little Clouds, Deep Cuts, Medford, MA 2/7/26

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Friday saw the release of No Straight Line in the Universe, the first new album from The Grownup Noise since 2020's Lonely Days. It's a fantastic album, full of nostalgia filled songs that feel smart and clever. To celebrate the release, the band played a true all ages show at Deep Cuts with Happy Little Clouds and comedian Josh Gondelman. (How all ages was it? During Josh Gondelman's set, the entire front row was made up of elementary school children, causing him to adjust his set for language and subject matter.) 

Focusing on the just released album, The Grownup Noise played a delightful set showcasing everything that makes the Boston band great. New songs like "We Become Roses" and "See You in the Hall" were captivating and upbeat. This is the rare band that can make energetic music that is this quiet. Twee is definitely the proper description, and The Grownup Noise take that sound and make a captivating set. Even though they don't play shows very frequently, you would never know that by how well the band meshes together. It was also the kind of show where the vast majority of the audience seemed to be friends and family of the band, making it a personal and intimate evening.

Opening the show (musically) was Happy Little Clouds. Happy Little Clouds specialize in 90's influenced alt-rock with strong pop hooks. It's this mix of slightly grungy songs with killer vocals and catchy choruses that makes the band such a great live experience. Vocalist Jac Mestel has never sounded better, and this was the rare case of an opener being heavier than the headliner without upstaging them. It was also a perfect mix of bands being close enough in style without being too similar.

Also, having a comedian open the show was great. I know I've heard plenty of comedians complaining about opening for bands, but if you get the right pairing (such as The Grownup Noise and Josh Gondelman), it can make for a perfect experience.

On Repeat...

Sean Thomas Gerard - "Bright Side"

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Photo by Sultana Garritano Brooklyn's DJ Haram has a new single out that shows off her trademark boom bap sprinkled with Middle Eastern instrumentation sound. "Fishnets" features verses from Bbymutha, SHA RAY, and August Fanon, and has an intense and almost menacing vibe, despite being an absolute banger of a track. It's hypnotic and immediately grabs your attention, and if you're unfamiliar with the trio of rappers on the song, you're sure to start pulling up their bodies of work. "Fishnets" is one of those songs that just feels cool and makes you need to hear more from all of the artists involved.  DJ Haram says of her latest single: "‘Fishnets’ is for the eclectic bad bitches. The people united will never be defeated." You can listen to "Fishnets" below. Beside Myself is due out July 18 on Hyperdub, and is available for pre-order here . For more on DJ Haram, check out the artist on Instagram and Twitter . Upcoming tour dates a...
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Yawn Mower - "Rascal"

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Photo by Mary Dorsi Asbury Park's Yawn Mower had two goals for their upcoming album. First, after playing their hometown's Sea.Hear.Now festival, they wanted to write songs that worked on a larger stage. Second, they wanted the album to be their Pinkerton , "A raw, rough around the edges, noisier follow up to [their] debut album." The first song from that album is "Rascal," a song partly about the kids of their friends and family. It's a fun track that includes lines like "Here he comes now what a little asshole." It's a quirky and noisy indie rock track that reminds me of an edgier Fountains of Wayne. As anti-kid as the song may seem, you can tell it's not done seriously and there is a ton of love behind the track. Vocalist/guitarist Mike Chick says of the band's upcoming album: “While Dana Yurcisin (bass), Rudy Meier (guitar),  and Nicole Scorsone (violin) have certainly helped fill out past releases, this was the first time that ...
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