If It's Too Loud...

Artist : Sunny War Album : Armageddon in a Summer Dress Quick Thoughts : We are big Sunny War fans here, so this latest album, which feels a little more accessible in comparison to her kind of angular take on singer-songwriter folk, is a welcome listen this week. A lot of good stuff here, with "Ghosts" being a true highlight on first listen. Songs of Note : "Ghosts," "Watching Contradiction," "Debbie Downer," "One Way Train" Artist : Heather Nova Album : Breath and Air Quick Thoughts : Heather Nova is basically a folk legend at this point, which makes the quality of her latest album a welcome surprise. She hasn't lost a step, and songs like "Ebbs and Flows" and "Ghost in My Room" show her experience while also not feeling like a retread. Many artists would have fallen into a rut six albums earlier, and here she is doing some of her best on her 13th. Check it out. Songs of Note : "Ebbs and Flows,...

Photo by Joshua Black Wilkins Sunny War has always been considered folk-punk, and on her latest single she's proving the punk part. "Walking Contradiction" is a duet with Steve Ignorant of the legendary anarcho-punk band Crass. The song is on the mellower side of the spectrum, but it's not exactly folk. It also doesn't exactly feel like a punk song, or really even a rock song. It's almost a hymn based on the use of organ. Despite it being a laid back song musically, there is an unmistakable intensity to the song, especially as it seems to be about to go off the rails at times. Even though it might not sonically be a standard punk song, "Walking Contradiction" ends up being one of the most punk songs of the year. Steve Ignorant says of working with Sunny War: "It's always an honour to collaborate with someone you respect and Sunny War is no exception. She is the younger voice, taking up the torch of hope in this dark world. The minute I heard...

Artist : Stella Kola Album : Stella Kola Quick Thoughts : Stella Kola is a musical duo out of Massachusetts that might have already made a leading candidate for best debut of 2023. This album leans heavily into the psych-folk past while still feeling incredibly modern and current, with addictive songs and absolutely beautiful instrumentation from start to finish. I did not expect to outright love this album as much as I did, and I want more. Great listen on a whole, make some time for this. Songs of Note : "Rosa," "Epiphany," "Free Afternoon," "November," "The Air We Breathe" Artist : Hamish Hawk Album : Angel Numbers Quick Thoughts : I didn't know Hamish Hawk before this week, but I wish I had, because this is an early favorite for 2023 best of lists. Hamish Hawk is what you've wanted Morrissey post-Smiths to be: a gorgeous baritone with excellent lyrics and a knack for storytelling. I was captivated by this album and...

Photo by Joshua Black Wilkins Considering I'm a middle aged fan of indie rock, I'm pretty unfamiliar with Ween. Of course I know who they are and a handful of songs, but I should probably be more familiar with their catalog than I am. Turns out folk-punk artist Sunny War is a much bigger fan than I am as she has released a cover of Ween's song "Baby Bitch" off of their iconic 1994 album Chocolate and Cheese. Sunny War's version is surprisingly faithful to the original. If anything, it's slightly weirder than Ween's with the use of children singing back up vocals on the chorus. Plus, the vocals on the cover have a little more venom on them than the original. Even if you aren't as familiar with Ween as you probably should be (aka me), you're going to love this, and if you are a Ween fan welcome to the Sunny War bandwagon! Sunny War says of "Baby Bitch": “‘Baby Bitch’ is one of my favorite Ween songs. It’s pretty and also petty as hell. ...

Photo by Joshua Black Wilkins Along with recording her new album, Sunny War recently moved from Los Angeles back to Nashville. Her newest single, "Higher," was written at the end of a break up. The song starts like a fairly standard modern folk song, although Sunny War's vocals keep anything from being very standard. As the song progresses, we get more dissonance and noise, and the song gets a little bit heavier without getting faster or changing her vocal delivery. It's a song full of heartbreak with the vitriol that goes along with that. With "Higher," Sunny War continues being one of the most unique voices in Americana/roots music today. In a press release, Sunny War says of the new song: “I wrote ‘Higher’ around this time last year, just a few days after my ex collected the last of his belongings from our apartment. The break up was fresh and I was thinking about all the years we spent together. I was also thinking about how much stronger I was before ou...

Musically, the latest single from the duo of War & Pierce is one of the most pleasant singles you've heard in a while. "Mercy" is a smooth folk and soul song that features Sunny War and Chris Pierce at their absolute best. It's a beautifully chill track that has a little intensity underlying the song. It's reminding me quite a bit of Marvin Gaye. Also, like Gaye's best work, the smoothness and sonic appeal of the song is in stark contrast to the message within the lyrics. It's a song about police brutality where the duo pleads about just wanting some mercy. Chris Pierce explains the message behind the song: “Our new single ‘Mercy’ deals with the constant resilience required by people of color in the United States and beyond. It recollects real-life situations while demonstrating that in life and death situations there remains no assurance that mercy will be shown or even considered on those targeted. It challenges those who target human beings based on...

Artist : Bull Album : Discover Effortless Living Quick Thoughts : This is some solid, standard alt/indie stuff from top to bottom. It's sometimes fun, it's sometimes quirky (like with "Love Goo"), but it's really just the sort of springtime effort I'm happy to have heard. Just a lot of good stuff here from a new (to me) band that I'll definitely be keeping my eye on. Songs of Note : "Love Goo," "Bedroom Floor," "Eugene" Artist : Sunny War Album : Simple Syrup Quick Thoughts : We adore Sunny War around these parts, and Simple Syrup is yet another entry in her superbly consistent catalog. This shows continued growth while still providing some good songs along the way. Loved every moment of this in what is a pretty busy week. Songs of Note : "Kiss a Loser" Artist : Antonioni Album : Antonioni Quick Thoughts : My favorite album last year was Cartalk's effort, and there's a lot of acts right no...

The latest single from Los Angeles's Sunny War may sound like a pretty standard folk/Americana song. It's a pleasant enough song, particularly towards the beginning. It's up tempo, and pretty catchy. But once you start paying attention, you start noticing the punk edge and menace lying just below the surface. "Mama's Milk" is not a fun or happy song. The more the song goes on, the more you start noticing it, even if you're not a lyrics person. Towards the end, a saxophone kicks in which sounds like it's about to start smoothing the edges of the song. Instead, it ramps up the uncomfortable vibe as it starts getting more discordant. Plus, the backing vocals turn into straight up shouting at the same point. Most musicians would do this in a way that would repel most listeners, but Sunny War draws you in even more with this. You can watch the "Subterranean Homesick Blues" inspired video for "Mama's Milk" below. Simple Syrup  is due ...

Sunny War was born in Nashville but has been in Los Angeles for a while now. Those two cities truly flavor her music. Her latest single, "Lucid Lucy," has all of the Americana/folk that you would expect from Nashville, but covered in LA sheen. What's amazing about the sheen on the track is how minimal it is. The song is just Sunny War's vocals, guitar, and cello. Even with such minimal instrumentation, the song is lush and full sounding. The song is about someone who lives such a dull life that they master the art of lucid dreaming and begin enjoying their dream life more. It's a beautiful and compelling song, and a perfect introduction to Sunny War (if this is your first listen to her music). You can watch the video for "Lucid Lucy" below. Simple Syrup is due out on March 26 via Hen House Studios. You can pre-order a copy on Bandcamp . For more on Sunny War, check out the artist's website .

Just in case you can't figure out who the latest single from LA folk punk artist Sunny War is about based solely on the name "Orange Man," Sunny uses plenty of sound bites to make sure we know. The sound bites are some of the more choice and memorable ones from the last five years, interspersed between Sunny's vocals which come across as playful and mocking. The single delights in the possibility of the subject being removed from office next month and is more of a celebration than anger. The song includes lyrics like " you’re such a waste /  of a heart and a spine /  and a pulse and a face /  and a soul and a mind" truly hammer the feelings of the song home. You can watch the video for "Orange Man" below. The song is currently available via Bandcamp with all proceeds going to Fair Fight Action and Food Not Bombs. For more on Sunny War, check out the artist's website .

Photo by Mushka Lightstone War & Pierce is the collaboration of Los Angeles musicians Sunny War and Chris Pierce. The project combines all the styles both artists have played in: roots, soul, blues, and the underground punk scene. "Amen" was written in 2017 after the car attack in Charlottesville, where a car drove into a crowd protesting white supremacy, killing Heather Heyer and injuring nineteen others. The opening line of  “Lost children, filled with hate. Along the path did they lose their way" sets the tone for the song, which is filled with soul and love despite the horrific inspiration. You can watch the video for "Amen" below. For more information on War & Pierce, check out their website .

Artist : David Wax Museum Album : Line of Light Quick Description : New album by a local and blog favorite. Why You Should Listen : This might be their best effort yet. Overall Thoughts : This blog likely doesn’t exist if it weren’t for David Wax Museum, so any time there’s a new David Wax Museum album, it’s an event around here. Ken was more into their last proper full-length, Gatehouse , than I was, but I am so happy to note that the tonal shift of that album comes into a full vision with this album. The Mexican folk influences are subdued enough to be in the background (if they exist at all), and what we have is a band entering a phase of their career where more introspective, atmospheric folk is their game and they’re absolutely killing it. A number of these songs grabbed me really quick, and there are so many gorgeous options here that it’s hard to choose an early favorite. I am absolutely looking forward to coming back to this. Recommendation : One of the best of the w...

An interesting new release week... Album of the Week : Artist : Sunny War Album : With the Sun Quick Description : Lovely, edgy folk music. Why You Should Listen : You wish Cold Specks's album from last year was more like her earlier ones. Overall Thoughts : On initial listen for this, I was surprised at how the vocal quality and delivery reminded me of Erin McKeown, but the stark nature of a lot of the music also gave me a lot of thoughts to the earlier Cold Sparks albums. This is a really gorgeous folk album with some light strings, great harmonies, subtle guitar work, the whole thing. This might have legs, so here’s hoping this is a breakthrough effort that gets the attention it deserves. Recommendation : A must-listen this week. Artist : Bat Fangs Album : Bat Fangs Quick Description : A side project of sorts that is as fun as it is aggressive. Why You Should Listen : You like your guitar rock with every distortion pedal turned up. Overall Thoughts : A compress...