First Listen: New Releases for 12 January 2024

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Artist: Lily Seabird
Album: Alas,
Quick Thoughts: I don't recall tripping up on Lily Seabird's debut album when it dropped in 2021, but this follow-up is making her back catalog a top priority. Pulling from a variety of influences ranging from folk to indie pop to more traditional roots and alt-rock, we end up with an album that really doesn't miss. The record builds itself one on top of the other, with the weight of it all culminating in the truly epic "Waste" that leads into bringing the whole thing home. It's a really great listen, and one that I loved.
Songs of Note: "Grace," "Twenty," "Dirge," "Waste"

Artist: Marika Hackman
Album: Big Sigh
Quick Thoughts: Marika Hackman is quietly becoming a must-listen figure in indie singer-songwriting. She's not doing anything all that flashy, she's not blowing your socks off with the presentation. She's just making music that sticks with you (and that's not an intentional reference to "Slime," which is probably the best melody she's written yet). I want more people to know her, but I also want to keep her to myself, if that makes sense. Either way, her previous album was one of my favorites of the year, and this one is setting the 2024 bar high.
Songs of Note: "Slime," "No Caffeine," "Big Sigh"

Artist: Hoorsees
Album: Big
Quick Thoughts: I admit to taking a flier on this one because I can't pronounce their name even when I try. That's a me problem, but this is some really great alt-indie music with a lot of catchy tunes that kept surprising me. "Ikea Boy" in particular is one of my favorite songs of the week, but the whole thing is worth your time and would be in a busy week. Give this a listen.
Songs of Note: "Movie's Architecture," "Ikea Boy," "Second Class," "Charming City Life," "New Career"

Of note:

* Bill Ryder-Jones - Iechyd Da (Solo effort from a guitarist from The Coral.)
* Justin Golden - Golden Country: Volume 1 (It's uniquely Justin Golden in all the best ways.)
* Freezepop - Fog (An "accidental" house album from one of the most underrated local acts of the last 20-odd years.)
* Alicks - Tugunde
* Windows 96 - Dated New Aesthetic
* Sympathy Pain - Swan Dive
* Eevie Echoes and The Locations - The Cons of Being a Wallflower
* Midi Memory - Far Gone and Out
* Nailah Hunter - Lovegaze
* Bronson Arm - Bronson Arm
* Tom Caruana - Specialiteas Vol. 2
* gyrofield - A Faint Glow of Bravery
* The Vaccines - Pick-Up Full of Pink Carnations
* Katie Costello - Stereotype
* Loukerman - Sd-2
* Jon Kennedy - My Technology
* Folly Group - Down There!
* Lupo Citta - Lupo Citta
* Pyur - Lucid Anarchy
* Adventureland - Eternal Lightweight

EPs:

* Forgotten Weapons - Forgotten Weapons
* Still Ruins - S/T
* Tetchy - All In My Head
* Esther Rose - Safe 2 Run (Versions)
* @ - Are You There God? It's Me, @
* Tall Teenagers - Chasm
* Annie Hardy - Cross Bearer EP
* gwEm - Demoscene
* Bad History Month - To Be Free

Also out:

* Kid Cudi - INSANO

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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