First Listen: New Releases for 2 December 2022

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Artist: Sophie Jamieson
Album: Choosing
Quick Thoughts: A gorgeous, cozy folk record perfect for the season without being seasonal. I liked this quite a bit, and it was one I randomly tripped up on and ended up very glad that I did. Even in a busy week this is worth the time.
Songs of Note: "Addition," "Runner," "Boundary," "Who Will I Be"

Artist: Twin Oaks
Album: Strangers
Quick Thoughts: Twin Oaks does dreamy, floaty indie music that just works very well. This is one of those albums that you can feel was meticulously put together, and the results are just song after song after song that impresses. Don't miss out on this one this week.
Songs of Note: "Magnolia," "Salt Flats," "Stranger," "Soft Lights"

Artist: FEEP
Album: FEEP has landed
Quick Thoughts: I wanted to highlight this listen, as FEEP, on the surface, doesn't seem like something of interest, but it turns out that this is a really smart and really catchy indie rock effort out of Boston with a number of really great moments. I kept getting surprised by it to the point that I was very happy this landed on our radar. Check it out.
Songs of Note: "Acid Reflex," "Salt Flats," "Stranger," "Soft Lights"

Of note:

* Pleasure Venom - Rebirth/Return
* Donzii - Fishbowl
* Mira Lu Kovacs and Clemens Wegner - Sad Songs to Cry To
* Municipality - Sunroom
* Momus - Issyvoo
* Imogen Heap and Dan O'Neill - Chordata Bytes II
* TOBACCO - Skids and Angels
* Brendan Benson - Low Key
* gupi - paper eater
* Burn the Louvre - Silhouettes
* White Lung - Premonition
* NOFX - Double Album

EPs:

* black balloons - escape FM
* Rachel Maria Cox - The Day You Left
* Jillette Johnson - Bon Adventure
* Chloe George - Penny
* 100 gecs - Snake Eyes
* Snotty Nose Rez Kids - I'm Good, HBU?
* Work Wife - Quitting Season
* Johanna Samuels - Scam Likely
* Gemma Cullingford - It's Christmas.
* Arc Iris - We Found Home

Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:

* Southeast of Saturn, Vol. 2

Also out:

* Rural Internet - SAINT ANGER
* brakence - hypochondriac

On Repeat...

Liam Kazar - "Shoes Too Tight"

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Photo by Alexa Viscius This may be Liam Kazar's debut single, but the Chicago based musician already has an impressive resume, having worked with Jeff Tweedy, Chance the Rapper, Steve Gunn, Daniel Johnston, and others. "Shoes Too Tight" features childhood friend Spencer Tweedy on drums, Lane Beckstrom on bass, and Ohmme on vocals. It's an absurdly fun and groovy little song that is a party waiting to happen. What he gives us here is a timeless song that could truly have been released any time since the 1960's (ok... maybe not the 80's...) There are elements of classic rock, 60's crooners and R&B, indie rock, modern Americana... it's really just packed with everything in a cohesive song that maintains the vibe the entire way through. You can watch the video for "Shoes Too Tight" below. For more on Liam Kazar, check him out on Instagram and Twitter . He's also raising money on his Bandcamp for Constellation and The Hungry Brain. ...
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Dutch ReBelle - "GOONIEZ"

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How is Dutch ReBelle not a national superstar at this point? The Boston MC just released "GOONIEZ," and I know I'm a bit out of touch with current mainstream hip hop, but this song is absolutely killer. It's a stripped down hip hop song that has this futuristic space age sound to it. Plus, ReBelle's flow is unsurpassed. You can't listen to her and not be completely sucked in. The song has a feel reminiscent of classic Missy Elliott. As much as I love that we can still see Dutch ReBelle in smaller Boston venues, "GOONIEZ" proves she should be playing much larger venues nationwide very, very soon. You can watch the video for "GOONIEZ" below. For more on Dutch ReBelle, check out the artist's website . 
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The Freqs - "Witch"

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Photo via Facebook When you're a rock band from Salem, MA, you have to have at least one song about witchcraft. The Freqs have fulfilled their obligation with a banger of a song. "Witch" is this giant monster of a song, filled with fuzz and strained, screaming vocals. This is the type of song that doesn't usually exist in this century. It's giving me some serious 90's flashbacks, like if Hum got aggressive or Alice in Chains decided to do some damage on the college charts. As great as the vocals are in "Witch," what's really drawing me in is the instrumental break down that takes over about halfway through. This is the kind of song to make the hipsters and the headbangers equally excited. You can listen to "Witch" below. For more on The Freqs, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram . The Freqs · Witch
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