Willi Carlisle - "Critterland"

There isn't anyone out there doing the folk thing quite like Willi Carlisle. His latest single is a perfect example of what makes Carlisle such a special and unique artist. "Critterland" dances along the edges of traditional folk and the more mainstream modern version of the genre. Plus, he just injects something unique into the song that isn't exactly alt-folk but isn't not alt-folk. "Critterland" is also a bit of a protest song, but it's a song that protests in favor of love and family. It also might be the best song about attempting to live in an intentional community Arkansas of all time.

Willi Carlisle says of his latest single:

“At its simplest, it’s bucolic. The power of love is the power of nature, the remedy of the granny-witch and the herbalist, the song of the sparrow and the pouch of the opossum. Even if you’re labeled a ‘queer and a communist,’ it’s worth fighting for your fucked-up family at the end of days."

You can watch the video for "Critterland" below. Critterland, the album, is due out January 26 on Signature Sounds Recordings, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Willi Carlisle, check out the artist's website.

Atka - "Eye in the Sky"

Photo by JSD

London based German musician, songwriter, and producer Atka's latest single was inspired by Nabokov's novel The Eye. "Eye in the Sky" explores the loss of self while knowing that we're always being observed by someone else. The song is a haunting avant pop track that pierces deep into your psyche without you even having to be aware of the subject matter. It's slow pace adds to the song, particularly the way the song's unique instrumentation wanders in at will. "Eye in the Sky" gives the listener such an unsettling feeling that you can't quite put your finger on, which is the perfect feeling for a song about always being watched.

You can watch the video for "Eye in the Sky" below. The Eye Against the Ashen Sky is due out November 3, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Atka, check out the artist on Instagram and Facebook.

Font - "It"

Photo by Blake Nelson

We just discovered Font when they opened for CHAI earlier this month, so we're thrilled to finally have some music from them to share. Their new single, "It," showcases what made their show great. It's a bizarre punk song that's as electronic as it is rock. The song has an intense groove and beat that threatens to make it a dance track, but it just rocks a little too hard for that. Of course, if your definitions of rock or punk are stringent, Font won't fit into either of those categories for you. But what's more punk than just ignoring all the rules of the genre? Especially when you do it in such a unique and compelling way? "It" is a song filled with dance beats, synths, and samples, and is still one of the best noise punk songs of the year.

You can listen to "It" below. The single is out now via Acrophase Records. For more on Font, check out the band on Instagram and Bandcamp.

Mannequin Pussy - "I Don't Know You"

Photo by CJ Harvey

Mannequin Pussy have always skirted the ground between punk and pop, and never more so than on their latest. "I Don't Know You" starts as pure pop. It's a lovely song that is mainstream sounding enough to appeal to Paramore and maybe even Taylor Swift fans. And then the grunge guitar comes in. It's this ear shattering drone of pure guitar noise that just envelops the entire song. Not much else seems to change in the song, but the guitar bursting in like this disrupts the entire mood of the song from there on. As with most everything Mannequin Pussy touches, "I Don't Know You" is going to demand your full attention through multiple listens.

Marisa Dabice says of the new single:

“On that song, I changed the tuning last minute which transformed the song but everyone instinctively knew what to do. It was really cool to watch a song come alive in real-time. It's such a gift to meet other people who are creatively on the same wavelength as you, where there's no judgment in sharing ideas.”

You can watch the video for "I Don't Know You" below. I Got Heaven is due out March 1 via Epitaph Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Mannequin Pussy, check out the band's website.

First Listen: New Releases for 13 October 2023

Artist: The Exbats
Album: Song Machine
Quick Thoughts: We've enjoyed the Exbats here for some time, and this new album, their first since the 2021 release, is a lot of fun. It's an interesting little record that feels fun throughout its runtime even when dealing with heavy topics, and it feels crisp and fresh. I really enjoyed this, and I'm glad we have new music from the duo.
Songs of Note: "To All The Mothers That I'd Like to Forgive," "You Got My Heart Hot," "Food Fight," "Cry About Me," "If I Knew"

Artist: Onyon
Album: Last Days on Earth
Quick Thoughts: Onyon blew my mind this week. This debut album, which followed up an EP from Europe last year, is ostensibly categorized as post-punk but feels a lot different than that (probably because of the surf rock(?) elements). This one scratched a particular itch for me, but I got fully on board once "I Would Like to Eat the Newspaper" hit the radar. Definitely give this one a listen.
Songs of Note: "Talking Worms," "Goldie," "Blue Lagoon," "I Would Like to Eat the Newspaper," "Mower"

Artist: Witch Weather
Album: Witch Weather
Quick Thoughts: This is a very indie, very DIY, very entertaining debut record from a duo in touch with the current worldwide mood while still embracing a timeless punkish sound. It balances the line between cool and camp nearly perfectly, and some songs are just perfect for spooky season. Don't miss this one.
Songs of Note: "Hazy," "Witching Hour," "Goth Beach Party," "Life is Great"

Artist: Juicebumps
Album: JUMBO
Quick Thoughts: While it feels like every indie punk act picked Friday the 13th to release their records, I wanted to make sure Juicebumps didn't get lost in the shuffle. Banger after banger, but also exactly what you'd expect from a band that wrote a song called "Edging in Heaven." Worth your time.
Songs of Note: "Scatterbrain," "Pisspants," "Slog," "Babyman"

Artist: Teenage Joans
Album: The Rot That Grows Inside My Chest
Quick Thoughts: Yes, it's another indie punk record, but this one in particular is probably my favorite of the week. The consistency from start to finish here is commendable, and I was continually surprised at how much I loved this. I am looking forward to getting back to this one this week, do not sleep on it at all.
Songs of Note: "Honey (And Other Sweet Things)," "Yoke," "Candy Apple," "Tennis Skirt"

Artist: Jenn Champion
Album: The Last Night of Sadness
Quick Thoughts: Jenn Champion fills a very particular musical niche for me, in that I am unsure if I listen to anyone else who does the sort of minimalist approach quite the same way. Champion is an expert on making the little feel big, and making what is ultimately thin instrumentation fill the gaps in the sound, and she does it so well. It's "less is more" personified and it rules.
Songs of Note: "Famous," "Graves," "Think About It (the turn)," "Jessica"

Artist: The Streets
Album: The Darker The Shadow The Brighter The Light
Quick Thoughts: The Streets are back with Mike Skinner's first proper album in more than a decade. It's very mainstream-sounding, and we've come a long way from "Fit But You Know It." Regardless, a good listen from an act I'm glad is back with us - worth listening if you enjoy people pushing the boundaries of what rap music can be.
Songs of Note: "Not a Good Idea," "The Darker The Shadow The Brighter The Light," "Troubled Waters"

Of note:

* The Dollyrots - Night Owls (Gave me Donnas vibes.)
* Twin Temple - God is Dead (Fun "Satanic Doo-Wop.")
* Goat - Medicine (There isn't a better psych-rock act going right now.)
* Wimps - City Lights
* Con Brio - Scream At It
* Maple Glider - I Get Into Trouble
* Roger Eno - The Skies, they shift like chords...
* Blush - Supercrush
* L'Rain - I Killed Your Dog
* MUNYA - Jardin
* Dream Nails - Doom Loop
* Molly Parden - Sacramented
* Kacey Johansing - Year Away
* Nicholas Burgess - Creepy Zeepy
* Helena Deland - Goodnight Summerland
* The Drums - Jonny
* Half Dream - Will I Still Bloom
* Squirrel Flower - Tomorrow's Fire
* Cosmetics - Baby
* Mendoza / Hoff / Revels - Echolocation
* Anna Hillburg - Tired Girls
* Doug Tuttle - Fearful Guitar
* Young Man in a Hurry - Actor Brought a Vice
* G Jones - Paths
* Damien Jurado - Motorcycle Madness
* Land of Talk - Performances
* Metric - Formentera II
* Faith Healer - The Hand That Fits The Glove
* Helvetia - The Clever North Wind
* How I Became Invisible - better, or the next best thing
* Hyperdawn - Hyperdawn
* Hooveriii - Pointe
* Pinkshift - suraksha
* Holly Humberstone - Paint My Bedroom Black
* HALEY - Hunca Munca
* shallow pools - I Think About It All the Time
* ††† - Goodnight, God Bless, I Love U, Delete
* La Rosa Noir - Arellano
* Terra Lightfoot - Healing Power
* Mary Bell - Cerbero

EPs:

* Eardrummer - Eardrummer
* boygenius - the rest
* Storefront Church - Episodes
* COBRAH - SUCCUBUS
* EASYFUN - ACOUSTIC
* flyingfish - the way night falls
* Lemondrop - The Internet EP
* Peryl and Rodhad - KALLAIT
* QUEEF JERKY - QUEEF UNDERGROUND
* Dancer - As Well

Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:

* The Feelies - Some Kinda Love: Performing the Music of The Velvet Underground

Also out:

* Voice Actor - Fake Sleep
* The Mary Wallopers - Irish Rock N Roll
* CMAT - Crazymad, For Me
* RITUAL / HABIT / CEREMONY - RITUAL / HABIT / CEREMONY

The New Cut - "From the Overpass"

Hailing from Bristol, The New Cut might just be one of the most exciting bands to come out the UK in recent memory. Their latest single, "From the Overpass," is a sonic mish mash of various styles of rock all mushed together into something new. The obvious genre to cram them into is post-punk, but "From the Overpass" doesn't quite fit that snugly. The song lives in this unique world with aggression and feedback, but it's also filled with vocal harmonies and some little flashes of pop. The New Cut can be warm and inviting at one moment and abrasive and cold the next. 

You can listen to "From the Overpass" below. For more on The New Cut, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram.

The New Cut · From The Overpas

Hot Garbage - "Snooze You Lose"

Photo by 1upcloud

Toronto's Hot Garbage released a bombastic new single that is quickly becoming required listening. "Snooze You Lose" is this dark, heavy indie rock song that we're going to describe as psych-goth. It sounds like a cross between early Sonic Youth, A Place to Bury Strangers, and The Jesus & Mary Chain. It's a song that rocks as hard as it grooves, with plenty of drone and pummeling drums. Plus, there's a deep sense of foreboding throughout the entire track. But, "Snooze You Lose" can just work as a heavy rock track, if that's the kind of thing you're into.

Hot Garbage says of their new single:

"The song is about how time passes when you stand still. Sometimes all you can do is laugh."

You can watch the video for "Snooze You Lose" below. Precious Dream is due out January 19 on Mothland and Exag' Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Hot Garbage, check out the band on Instagram and Facebook.

Sean Ono Lennon Covers Adam Green

Photo by Ronja Burkard

There's an upcoming Adam Green tribute album due in December, and we just got a taste through Sean Ono Lennon's version of "That Fucking Feeling." In order for it to be a true tribute to Adam Green, it can't exactly be a completely faithful adaptation, and Lennon delivers. While the original is an acoustic ditty, the cover is done with a synth. Plus, it's a full minute longer than the original. If it was a spot on version, it wouldn't exactly be in the spirit of the original artist, so I guess this is more faithful than a completely faithful cover would be?

You can listen to Sean Ono Lennon's version of "That Fucking Feeling" below. Moping in Style: A Tribute to Adam Green is due out December 1 via Org Music and Capitane Records, and will also feature covers by Father John Misty, Ben Kweller, Ben Lee, Jenny Lewis, The Lemonheads, Lou Barlow, and more. You can pre-order a copy here.

Dave Del Monte & The Cross County Boys - "Trick or Treat"

Getting a new Halloween song from Dave Del Monte & The Cross County Boys has become a tradition around here, and the Connecticut band has not disappointed this year. This year's offering is "Trick or Treat," which fits in perfectly with their vintage rock 'n' roll/rockabilly sound. The greatest novelty Halloween songs tend to be classic rock 'n' roll ones, so it's fantastic to see a current band carrying on the tradition. "Trick or Treat" is (somewhat obviously) more about the candy and pranks side of the holiday than the spooky side. It's also just a fun song about the most fun holiday around, and will make a great addition to this year's Halloween playlist.

You can listen to "Trick or Treat" below. For more on Dave Del Monte & The Cross County Boys, check them out on Facebook and Bandcamp.

Corb Lund - "Old Familiar Drunken Feeling"

Photo by Corb Lund

For Corb Lund's upcoming album, he set up in his living room in Lethbridge, AB and recorded with his band The Hurtin' Albertans. They recorded with no outside producer and no electric instruments. The first single from those sessions, "Old Familiar Drunken Feeling," is a ramblin' country and folk song about getting too high to play a show in Colorado. It's a fun song that's hilarious without being a novelty song. Lund's song is this laid back excursion that tells a step by step tale of his accidental misadventure with legal Colorado weed in a warm and endearing way. I mean... how are you supposed to resist lyrics like "So with that bit of wisdom / and herbal terrorism / on stage I was freaking out?"

Corb Lund says of his new single:

“It was all totally above board, the state had just legalized it, so it was kind of a novelty field trip for the band to visit the shiny new dispensary. Some songs are 'based on truth' but this happened EXACTLY as I sing it. Turns out weed ain't my thing. And eating it's even worse, it lasts forever. Fronting a band can occasionally be terrifying at the best of times, doing it high as a kite and super paranoid was hell on earth. When I started feeling like myself again in the second set after a bunch of cowboy whiskey, I confessed to the audience what had happened and offered them all their money back! No one took me up on it. Bottom line? If this doesn't get me a Pendleton whisky endorsement, I don't know what will." 

You can watch the video for "Old Familiar Drunken Feeling" below. El Viejo is due out February 23 on New West Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Corb Lund, check out the artist's website.