If It's Too Loud...

Photo by Evan Jenkins As a genre, post-punk isn't known for its beauty. That is true with the music of FACS. The Chicago band has a new single off their upcoming album that fits squarely in the post-punk category while also disguising an odd level of beauty. "You Future" isn't a pretty or melodic song. It's filled with droning guitars and an uncomfortable amount of dissonance. There are plenty of times where the instruments seem to be playing completely apart from each other. And while your average music fan is certainly not going to find anything beautiful about "You Future," fans of post-punk are going to be blown away by the beauty trying to stay hidden in the song.  Brian Case says of his band's latest single: " The final track is also the final action, look in the mirror and ask the questions. It's a future self talking to a 'you' from the past, assessing the path up until this point, questioning who you are. We bookended the al...

Photo by Evan Jenkins When we brought you "Wish Defense," the latest single from FACS, last month, we commented that it was the closest thing we've heard to a mainstream song from the Chicago band. They just released another single from their upcoming album, and all mainstream thoughts are gone with "Desire Path." Clocking in at a little over two minutes, this new single starts off with a long running squall of feedback that lasts about a quarter of the song. There is a post-punk groove running throughout, but "Desire Path" has an anxiety inducing intensity. Even as the song shifts and evolves, that uncomfortable feeling remains. We've been a fan of FACS since the Disappears days, and Wish Defense is only going to deepen that fandom. You can watch the video for "Desire Path" below. Wish Defense is due out February 7 on Trouble In Mind, and is available for pre-order here . For more on FACS, check out the artist on Facebook and Instagram ...

Photo by Evan Jenkins Chicago's FACS have returned with a reconfigured line up. Longtime bassist Alianna Kalaba has left the band and original member Jonathan Van Herik (who originally played guitar in the band) has returned on bass. Their upcoming album is also the final album engineered by the late Steve Albini. The band's new single, "Wish Defense," also has a sonic change from what we've heard previously from the trio. The song is still an experimental and jagged version of post-punk, but it's also the closest to mainstream FACS have ever been. That's not to say that your Imagine Dragons listening co-workers are going to start asking you about FACS, but there is a just barely hinted at pop sensibility that is new to the band. If you've always loved FACS, you're going to also love "Wish Defense."  You can watch the video for "Wish Defense" below. Wish Defense , the album, is due out February 7 on Trouble In Mind, and is avail...

Photo by Jose Delou Hailing from Spain, Melenas recently released a new single, "K2." The obvious comparison is going to be with Stereolab as both bands make a groovy sound that combines 60's lounge music with 90's indie rock. (And, in the most American thing I've ever typed out, both are in languages other than English.) But Melenas have a little more of an edge to their sound than Stereolab has ever had. It's not quite punk or garage rock, but it's not completely without some punk or garage rock sound. In between the fun, beauty, and grooviness of "K2" is a tiny shred of menace and noise, and that helps make this one a little more interesting. Melenas say of their new song: "K2 is not about the mountain, even though it is one of the highest peaks in Melenas’ repertoire .  The song title refers to the second track that’s more strongly influenced by krautrock on the band’s forthcoming third album. A sweet and catchy pop melody, on top of a r...

Photo by Evan Jenkins Chicago's FACS have this uncanny ability to make these plodding songs far more compelling than you would expect, and just feel heavier than their volume should allow them to. Their latest, "Slogan," just chugs along at a menacing speed. It's like a sonic version of the creature (demon?) from the film It Follows. A song moving at this speed shouldn't have this much darkness behind it, but "Slogan" does. There are a million metal bands that play as loudly and as fast as possible without achieving anywhere near this level of mood. It's a dark post-punk song that is going to leave you feeling quite uneasy during its four and a half minutes, but in the best possible way. Brian Case of FACS explains the new song and album: "change...how that's seen from different people's perspectives. 'Still Life In Decay' is about that kind of change, realizing that relationships exist in different ways for individuals in shared...

Photo by Evan Jenkins Chicago's FACS have become a favorite around here. They've had this great blend of experimental post-punk that can still straight out rock. The trio's new single, "When You Say," is the kind of song that is oddly heavy without being a hard rock song. The song feels like it's building and building for its first half, and that it's just going explode into a giant conflagration... but it doesn't quite do that. Instead, it just keeps morphing into different versions of a groove heavy song. Despite not having that giant expected release, "When You Say" still satisfies, just in an unexpected way that only FACS can truly pull off. You can watch the video for "When You Say" below. Still Life In Decay is due out April 7 on Trouble in Mind Records. The album can be pre-ordered through Bandcamp . For more on FACS, check out the band's Facebook and Twitter .

Photo by Arno Muller En Attendant Ana get compared to Stereolab quite a bit, and those comparisons aren't unfounded. The Parisian band has that playful kind of sound that combines indie rock with 60's bossa nova. Their latest single, "Same Old Story," has that retro cool vibe you get with that classic 60's sound, and, if anything, En Attendant Ana lean a little more heavily into the 90's indie rock sound than Stereolab ever did. There is much more of the 90's indie rock noise throughout, especially towards the climax of the song. "Same Old Story" is as groovy as it is delightful. It's just a fun, breezy, and noisy romp. You can watch the video for "Same Old Story" below. Principia is due out February 24 on Trouble in Mind, and can be pre-ordered here . For more on En Attendant Ana, check out the band's Twitter and Facebook .

Photo by Arno Muller We both really liked En Attendant Ana's 2020 album Julliet. The Parisian band are back with new music, the single "Principia." I had described them previously as if Stereolab decided to rock out a bit more, but that description doesn't really fit this new song. "Principia" is much more laid back than previous singles from En Attendant Ana, although they do keep some of the indie rock noise going. It's almost dream pop, but it's more Tanya Donelly solo than Belly. It still combines indie pop and indie rock, although this one leans more into the pop side of things while keeping a foot planted firmly in rock. It's great to see a band change up their sound this much without losing sight of what we came to love about their music. Bandleader and principal songwriter Margaux Bouchaudon says of the upcoming album: “One of the most important points we tried to focus on was the place given to each instrument. For the first time, we wit...

Image via Dummy Los Angeles based Dummy have a sound that is retro cool while still looking forward. Their latest single, "Daffodils," has a space age 60's pop mixed with electronic music. Their press release refers to them as being "celestial drone-pop," and that might be the ideal description. For most of its almost three minute run time, "Daffodils" lulls you into this chilled out, spacey vibe despite being quite up tempo. And then some 90's indie rock guitar kicks in, which will solidify your love of the song and Dummy. It's a brilliant combination of bands like Stereolab and Yo La Tengo. You can listen to "Daffodils" below. Mandatory Enjoyment is due out October 22 on Trouble in Mind. You can pre-order the album via Bandcamp . For more on Dummy, check out the band's Instagram . Mandatory Enjoyment by Dummy

The latest single from Chicago's FACS is a mess. A giant, glorious, post-punk industrial mess. "General Public" is the kind of song most people aren't going to be able to handle. There is almost too much going on, so you're going to have to pay attention to it to fully grasp the song. FACS have piled layers upon layers upon layers at times. At other times, it's a relatively simple noise rock/post punk song. While it is grating at times (by design), the more you listen and the deeper you pay attention, the more beauty you start to find. Of course, that could just be Stockholm Syndrome kicking in. "General Public" won't be for anyone, or probably even most people. But if you love this kind of thing, this will quickly become a favorite of the year. Guitarist Brian Case explains the song: "The song is about roles, perceived and assumed, and how we translate that with each other. This song fell out complete, Andy Gill had recently died and we wer...

We've been following Chicago's FACS ever since they were Disappears. The trio has been reformed under the new moniker for four years now, and they keep toying with their sound. Their new single, "Strawberry Cough," is still their noisy, experimental brand of post punk, but they've begun branching out. FACS will always sound dystopian. That is part of their charm and sound. But "Strawberry Cough" has more of an almost electronic sound. There's a broken down future vibe throughout this song. FACS have never been an easy or even pleasant listen. This pushes that into a new level of discordant, in the best possible way. Brian Case of FACS says of the new song and video: "Strawberry Cough is about the world of interiors, and the line between where influences come together or split off. Going into record stores and having conversations with strangers, learning about new sounds, and finding something I've been looking for has been sorely missed ove...

We don't cover very much jazz here at If It's Too Loud... Not too much gets submitted, and a lot of what does tends to be of the middle of the road/boring variety. However, when I see a band described as "jazz-punk," I'm obviously going to listen. For the latest single from Sunwatchers, I expected something along the lines of James Chance and the Contortions. "Sunwatchers Vs Tooth Decay" is completely different. This song is more like noise rock than the freak outs of James Chance. Picture Lightning Bolt's more psychedelic side re-imagined as jazz. It's a sound that's not going to appeal to everyone, but if you even think it sounds interesting, buckle up because you're in for a hell of a ride. You can listen to "Sunwatchers Vs Tooth Decay" below. Oh Yeah? , the new album from Sunwatchers, will be out April 10 on Trouble in Mind. You can pre-order a copy here . For more on Sunwatchers, check them out on Facebook and Twitte...

Photo by Zoran Orlic I've been a fan of Chicago's FACS dating back to the Disappears days, so it's great to have new music from them. Their latest single, "Teenage Hive," is exactly what you want from FACS: Noisy, experimental, dark, and slightly off putting. "Teenage Hive" isn't exactly a pleasant listen, but if you know and love FACS, that's not what you're here for. Something about this particular song feels more aggressive than their normal output without them getting louder or sounding angrier. In fact, "Teenage Hive" is kind of suffocating.  Guitarist Brian Case says the song is about  "...not defining yourself so that other people can understand you. The evolved consciousness I've seen with my son and his generation/peer group regarding gender, identity, and human rights is the only hope for the future and informs all of Void Moments , which is ultimately an album about facing who we are." You can watch ...

Photo by Chloé Lecarpentier Back in November we went pretty nuts over En Attendant Ana's song "Words." If you went as nuts as we did, you'll be thrilled with their latest, "Do You Understand?" It's more of the same: incredibly lush indie pop mixed with indie rock. The latest song is even more bouncy and fun, almost as if Stereolab decided to rock out a little more. The band explains the song:  "As opposed to "Words" that we started to work on quite rapidly but which took so much time to finish, "Do You Understand?" was finalised in a short period of time. The lyrics came easily as well. Really fast, like automatic writing. It's also the first of our new songs that we played live. We were nervous about people's reaction. It's a song about friendship and the unexpected reassuring shoulders you can find when you need them. The importance of your surrounding when the times get rough. These kind of cheesy but importa...

Photo by Chloé Lecarpentier The latest from Paris's En Attendant Ana needs to be heard. "Words" combines the guitars of 90's indie rock with some of the most lush melodies and soundscapes we've heard in years. It's a gorgeous song that somehow combines indie rock with indie pop. Picture the guitars and churning song progression of Sonic Youth mixed with the dreamy avant pop of Stereolab. The two sounds meld together at times and seem combative at others creating this unique sound that sucks you in as it pushes you away. You can listen to "Words" below. Juliet, the upcoming album from En Attendant Ana, will be out January 24 on Trouble In Mind. You can pre-order the album here . For more on En Attendant Ana, check them out on Facebook .

Photo by Charlotte Tobin Melbourne's Parsnip is going to be one those really divisive bands. Some of you are going to love this and become completely obsessed, while others are going to despise this so feverishly that it may destroy friendships. But that's ok. Their latest single, "Rip It Off," almost comes across as a psychedelic children's song but with a punk attitude to it. In other words, it would exist in some demonic version of a kids' TV show. That doesn't make it evil sounding. It's mostly cheery, with a hypnotic sound to it. The closest artists to compare "Rip It Off" to are Jonathan Richman and Beat Happening. Stella Rennix of Parsnip explains the song:  "To me ‘Rip It Off’ came from a feeling of being hung up on what the future holds, living in a haze of concern, and so missing out on your life as it’s happening. I suppose it is a song about worrying...the fruitlessness of incessant worry."  You can watch the vid...

Photo by Melissa Fulton Despite how laid back it is at the start, the latest song from Melbourne's Possible Humans is an intense rock song. "Aspiring to Be a Bloke" has both the laid back slacker vibes of Pavement with the intensity of Nirvana. Even during the quiet, more sparse beginnings there is still a sense of foreboding. You're not quite sure if there is an explosion coming, but you know it could, and you don't quite know when. It might not bust out into a full on blast of punk rock noise, but the song does ramp up the intensity and noise eventually. While still maintaining the same pace. Band member Steve Hewitt describes it as  "the whimpering man in the strong dog and vice versa... sarcasm and paradox at the roots of depression." You can listen to "Aspiring to Be a Bloke" below. Everybody Split , the debut album from Possible Humans, will be out August 2 on Trouble in Mind. You can pre-order the album here . For more on Possible ...

Photo by Charlotte Tobin The new song from Melbourne's Parsnip reminds me of a very specific time in the 90's when the aggression of grunge faded away and was replaced by an almost childlike sense of joy in alternative music. This was a very brief and oft forgotten time when music became absurdly fun. "Lift Off!" is a burst of happiness infused with a laid back retro feel. If I was going to compare it to any other bands it would be Cornershop meets Bis. Bass player/vocalist Paris Richens says this about the track: "Lift Off’s opening line stems from nonsense I wrote during a low point in my life. I wanted more than anything to be far away from the position I was in, longing to travel, to rise above the sorrow I was experiencing and reach a happier destination. After Parsnip formed I revisited the themes of transportation and movement as I have in many of my songs. Through my attempts at songwriting I discovered the joy that I was always seeking and that per...

Photo by John Andrews Olden Yolk's latest single, "Grand Palais," reminds me of a very specific slice of the 90's. It was a very brief time (in Boston, at least) when indie rockers started trading in their ironic t-shirts for thrift store polyester shirts. "Grand Palais" is all fuzzed out and groovy, and, to keep the Boston theme, reminds me of a pre-major label Jack Drag. According to the band, the song is  “... about the frivolous search to seek some semblance of spiritual understanding in various places, things, and people outside of ourselves. Much of the song was written through improvisation in the studio alongside percussionist  Booker Stardrum , whose frantic drumming is a driving force in the song. Weaving vocals, synthesizers, and tempo switches all encapsulate the dual feelings of desperation and euphoria found within this type of pursuit." You can listen to "Grand Palais" below. Living Theatre , the new album from Olden Yolk,...

Photo by John Andrews For the second single off their upcoming album, Olden Yolk went a completely different direction from "Cotton & Cane." While that song was a cheery version of psychedelia, "Distant Episode" is cold and distant. The track sung by Caity Shaffer is almost painfully sparse and definitely not a pop song. It's a non-traditional choice for a single, but still a captivating song. Olden Yolk says about the single: “‘ Distant Episode’ is about rituals of escape, the ties between women, and summoning courage. The title references a Paul Bowles story of the same name, about a linguistics professor whose tongue gets cut out. The video was inspired by a certain time of night, when you can walk down some street and see TV screens flickering on the inner walls of houses .” You can watch the video for "Distant Episode" below. Living Theatre , the new album from Olden Yolk, will be out May 17 on Trouble in Mind. You can pre-order a copy...