Yarraman - "Ghost"

Personally, I'm going to listen to any song called "Ghost" in October, so it's a huge plus when the song is great. Yarraman's new song is a classic early indie/punk rock track that could double as a Masterclass in the whole loud/quiet/loud dynamic. It's a slow burn that is festering in intensity. At times it's truly discordant, and at others it has the subtle beauty of an Explosions in the Sky song. Mostly, it's reminiscent of bands like Rites of Spring and Fugazi but with a strong British feel. 

Vocalist Lucian Huxley Smith explains the meaning of the song:

‘“Ghost” is about the imbalance in gendered discourses and the perceived need of toxic men to centre themselves in the discussion. It posits questions of ‘masculine’ behaviour and asks to what extent it is possible for well-meaning men to disentangle themselves from the toxic cultures in which they were brought up."

You can listen to "Ghost" below. The song is available now as a single via Venn Records. You can download a copy at Bandcamp. For more on Yarraman, check out the band's Facebook.

Bruisey Peets - "Onions"

The latest swamp pop single from New Orleans' Bruiey Peets isn't quite what you'd expect to see on If It's Too Loud..., but that's kind of what makes it perfect. "Onions" has a very cabaret feel, mixed with jazz and some 1950's style torch song thrown in. There is something very classical and fancy sounding with the song, although the spirit is pure indie rock. Unlike a lot of music we bring you that we can describe as cabaret, "Onions" is breezy and fun instead of dark. It's a pleasantly fun song with a unwavering sense of optimism without being anywhere near saccharine. 

Ben Usie of Bruisey Peets says of the new song:

"'Onions' explores that emotional duality when fantasy meets reality. Crushes can be mutual, and yet there can still be realworld factors that limit the actuality of a shared love.  Savoring those boundaries is a trip in itself. I think we captured that feeling, and Lauren Hémard’s vocals really tie it all together."

You can listen to "Onions" below. Poached Eggs is due out November 19 on Y'allstar Records. You can pre-order a copy via the label's Bandcamp. For more on Bruisey Peets, check out the artist's Facebook.

theWorst - "Jim's Song"

Alternative Press has called theWorst "... the glorious love child of Joan Jett & Kurt Cobain." That comparison is going to make perfect sense once you hear "Jim's Song." The new track has all the pop sensibility and punk snarl you'd hear in a Joan Jett song mixed with the grunge guitar of Nirvana. It's the kind of song that is just dripping with attitude while still having a killer pop hook. Typically we hear songs that distinctly choose to go more pop or more punk edge, but "Jim's Song" stands defiantly on the line refusing to pick a side. 

You can watch the video for "Jim's Song" below. The song will be on the upcoming album Yes Regrets due out in 2022. For more on theWorst, check out the band's website.

Conway The Machine - "Piano Love"

There isn't much piano based hip hop out there, but the latest from Conway The Machine changes that. "Piano Love" features the MC rapping over piano keys and quiet beats that mostly stay in the background. The piano feels like a bizarre little loop of notes that don't exactly form a melody. It's more like the tinkling of keys that you'd find in a haunted house than an actual song. It's the exact opposite of modern hip hop, which is mostly giant, thundering beats and overproduced throw everything in the song production. This is closer to early Wu-Tang Clan with it's more sparse production.

You can listen to "Piano Love" below. God Don't Make Mistakes is forthcoming and will be out on Shady Records. For more on Conway The Machine, check out the artist on Twitter and Instagram.

The Exbats - "Best Kiss"

I don't think it's possible to have a better 60's throwback sound than The Exbats do. We've been into them for a while now, and "Best Kiss" shows a great maturation in sound by throwing back five decades. It keeps the classic garage rock sound we've always loved from them, but adds in the 60's girl group pop sensibility with just a smidge of psychedelia. It's filled with my personal favorite sounds from that decade, but updated to 2021. That's truly what makes "Best Kiss" truly unique and great: While it may be inspired by the 60's and sprinkled with that vibe, it's hardly a throwback song.

You can listen to "Best Kiss" below. Now Where Were We is due out October 22. You can pre-order a copy over at Bandcamp. For more on The Exbats, check out the band's Facebook.

Lily Konigsberg - "Proud Home"

The latest from Lily Konigsberg is an oddball little pop song. "Proud Home" sounds a lot like modern day alt-pop. It's light, and fun, and seems like a killer song to have your own little dance to. But, the song is also filled with mid-90's style power pop alt-rock guitar. It's that weird crunchy guitar that seems just slightly off tune that basically soundtracked my college years. "Proud Home" is decidedly more pop than rock, but there is a lot here for aged 90's hipsters to love.

Lily Konigsberg explains the inspiration of her new song (which sonically explains everything):

"This song was inspired by a fictional story I made up in my dreams about my mom being Stacy's mom. It's a song dedicated to Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne, who passed away from Covid at the very beginning of the pandemic. I have always loved Stacy’s Mom so much and after his death, realized he wrote a ton of his songs that I really love. Appreciation for a pop ghostwriter."

You can listen to "Proud Home" below. Lily We Need to Talk Now is due out October 29 on Wharf Cat Records. You can pre-order/pre-save the album here. For more on Lily Konigsberg, check out the artist's Twitter and Instagram.

Willy Mason - "She Did It"

After what felt like a long absence, Willy Mason came back this year and has a third release scheduled for this year! The first single off his upcoming EP is "She Did It." This seems to be the year Mason is branching out into different directions, and while "She Did It" has a basis in the folk with hints of rock and pop that we connect to Mason, it's not quite what we'd come to expect from him. It features some hints of jazz and indie rock throughout the song. As soon as the guitar kicks in to start the song, you'll notice that this song straight up grooves. Mason has long been a favorite of ours, and he'll continue to be as he expands on his sound.

In an email to fans, Willy Mason explains the inspiration behind his new song:

"She did It was inspired by Therese Okoumou when she climbed the statue of liberty in protest of the brutal, unjust, and self-defeating immigration policies of the united states. In thinking about this public act of bravery and defiance i was also moved to consider the Women I have known and witnessed to be the keepers of justice, truth, and life. uniquely able and called upon to truly stand up to and stem the tide when necessary. She did it is a testament to the strength of these Women, and a prayer that we all may recognize and bolster the clear vision that this strength and bravery allows."

You can listen to "She Did It" below. Bok Bok Hill is due out on October 29 via Grandma's Basement and Cooking Vinyl Limited. You can pre-order a copy through Bandcamp. For more on Willy Mason, check out the artist's website.

Carissa Johnson featuring Cliff Notez - "Running Uphill"

Photo by Jaina Cipriano

I don't think it's possible for me to be more excited about a song than I am about this one. I come from a generation where the lines of rock and rap were just starting to be blurred by artists collaborating. It started with Run/DMC and Aerosmith, continued with Anthrax and Public Enemy, and peaked with the Judgement Night soundtrack. For some reason, that kind of pairing seems to have faded in the past couple of decades but it looks like Boston is singlehandedly bringing it back! The latest is Carissa Johnson pairing with Cliff Notez on "Running Uphill." The new song is the ultimate Carissa Johnson song. It's pure garage rock with a strong, catchy as all hell pop element. Johnson has mastered dabbling in both rock and pop at the same time, and "Running Uphill" is the pinnacle of that. In perfect rock/rap collaboration tradition, Cliff Notez comes in towards the end and drops a verse. The music slows down for him, but unlike the Helmet/House of Pain contribution to Judgement Night, it doesn't feel awkward at all since the same tempo change was established earlier in the song. Let's all hope "Running Uphill" is just the latest in a long line of Boston based rap/rock pairings!

You can watch the video for "Running Uphill" below. Blue Hour is due out November 12. You can pre-order your copy here. For more on Carissa Johnson, check out the artist's website. You can find more on Cliff Notes over at Facebook.

Dave Del Monte & The Cross County Boys - "Haunted Horror Howl"

We tend to bring you a lot of Christmas music come December. I do like Christmas, but I love Halloween. Most artists don't release pure Halloween music, though, which is unfortunate. Luckily, Dave Del Monte & The Cross County Boys have released a new pure Halloween song. "Haunted Horror Howl" is a rockabilly Halloween song, which is exactly what you want in a Halloween song. Much like "Monster Mash," the gold standard for fun spooky songs, "Haunted Horror Howl" namechecks just about every traditional movie monster like Wolfman, Creature from the Black Lagoon, The Mummy, etc., but Del Monte also gives props to classic horror hosts like Svengoolie and Zacherle, making this a horror nerd's delight.

You can listen to "Haunted Horror Howl" below. The song is available as a single via Bandcamp. For more on Dave Del Monte & The Cross County Boys, check out the artist's Facebook.

Marissa Nadler - "Couldn't Have Done the Killing"

There's nothing quite like a good murder ballad, and no one is going to do one quite like Marissa Nadler. Her latest single, "Couldn't Have Done the Killing," surpasses what we would normally describe as haunting. It's a completely modern take on the murder ballad, with Nadler's vocals sounding more hypnotic than they ever have. It's filled with distorted twanging guitars and a lush wall of sound that completely encompasses the listener. It's a gloriously beautiful song even as it tries to push you away at times. It all ends with a wonderfully discordant indie rock guitar solo. If you aren't fully on board with being a Marissa Nadler stan (the kids still say stan, right?) by the end of this one, you have no soul.

You can watch the Unsolved Mysteries and In Search of... inspired video for "Couldn't Have Done the Killing" below. The Path of the Clouds is due out October 29 on Sacred Bones and Bella Union. You can pre-order/pre-save the album here. For more on Marissa Nadler, check out the artist's website.