The Darts - "Apocalypse"

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Photo by Tina Gross

Seattle's The Darts have a killer new garage single out. "Apocalypse" is a heavily fuzzed out rager of a song heavy on some of the finest organ we've been privileged enough to cover. This is vintage garage rock filtered through some of our favorite Seattle bands. If you've ever wondered what ? and the Mysterians might sound like jamming with Mudhoney, "Apocalypse" will give you an idea. This might be the heaviest garage rock could be as a genre, and the song is a manic burst of groovy noise. Plus, no one has made a protest song this fun since Le Tigre. The Darts might be the band we all need in 2026.

In a Bandcamp post, Nicole Laurenne says of her band's latest single:

"We toured through Angers, France, and got to see the famous medieval 'Apocalypse Tapestry,' with its woven apocalyptic scenes. The lightning bolt struck me, and the song practically wrote itself in the van as we left the castle. But rather than being a downer, the song is about the euphoric freedom from suffering and oppression that an apocalypse might bring. I wrote the lyric “no future, no kings” with that message in mind. And in a stroke of absolute karmic coincidence, a year after this song was written - while it was still just a demo on my laptop that no one had yet heard - 'No Kings' became a protest rallying cry across the USA. We added the song to our setlist and audiences everywhere came to us after the shows asking where they could buy the song. As soon as we finished recording the album, Gretsch Guitars featured an instrumental version, along with Becca and Lindsay playing the song, in its latest ad. This song is the perfect way to announce the darker, second half of the album."

You can listen to "Apocalypse" below. Halloween Love Songs is due out March 3. For more on The Darts, check out the band on Instagram and Facebook.

On Repeat...

Sean Thomas Gerard - "Bright Side"

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Photo by Heather DeFoggi Gerard For his upcoming album, Sean Thomas Gerard recorded in the corner of his garage which is also a playroom for his two daughters. Somehow, you can hear that vibe in his latest single, "Bright Side." The song just feels like home. It's a laid back indie folk/singer-songwriter track that is overflowing with warmth. The sing is on the mainstream side of its genres, but when you nail a sound like Gerard has, there's certainly nothing wrong with that. This is the type of song that is pleasant and enjoyable when you first start it, and then you end up liking it more and more as it goes. By the time it's over, you're going to want to listen again. By the third or fourth listen, "Bright Side" is going to end up one of your favorite songs of this young year. Sean Thomas Gerard says of his music: “I think about some day when I'm gone, my kids will be able to put on my records and feel like they can spend time with me again....
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The Cairo Gang - "Be What You Are"

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Photo by Rachel Cassels The Cairo Gang is mostly Emmett Kelly, who recorded most of their upcoming album, Goes Missing,  on his own while travelling. "Be What You Are" is pure pop gold, reminiscent of British invasion bands like The Kinks and The Zombies. It features jangly guitars and some of the most infectious layered vocals you've heard in years. Luckily the beauty of this style of music is that it never quite sounds dated. It might sound like it's from a certain era that happened 50 years ago, but everything you've ever listened to since then borrows so heavily from it that it always sounds current. It's the kind of music you wish you hadn't missed, only now you haven't. Goes Missing  is due out June 23rd on God? Records. You can pre-order the album now, and be sure to check out The Cairo Gang's Facebook . Listen to "Be What You Are" below, and below that are tour dates, many opening for Mikal Cronin. Sat. Sept. 5 - Portlan...
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DJ Haram featuring Bbymutha, SHA RAY, & August Fanon - "Fishnets"

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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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