Thursday, October 31, 2024

First Listen: New Releases for 25 October 2024

Artist: Rain on Fridays
Album: Death to Affection
Quick Thoughts: This came out of nowhere and blew my socks off. It's indie alt/punk, sometimes on the screamy side, but the angst and noise comes across so well and in such a great, fun way that I didn't expect. "Banshee" is a true highlight, but the whole album is not only one of the best of the week, but perhaps one of the best of the year.
Songs of Note: "Phonophobia," "We Are So Alike," "Banshee," "Clusterfuck," "Knock Out"

Artist: Tyler, The Creator
Album: CHROMAKOPIA
Quick Thoughts: Tyler, The Creator doesn't always work for me. The sort of doomy dark rap isn't always my thing, but people genuinely love this guy. CHROMAKOPIA makes it make sense for me - it has mood vibes similar to My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, but with some of the sonic stretches we've seen from more recent Childish Gambino records. I love this album, and if you haven't been on the bandwagon this is a pretty decent place to give it another shot.
Songs of Note: "St. Chroma," "Rah Tah Tah," "I Killed You," "Sticky," "Thought I Was Dead," "Balloon"

Artist: Amythyst Kiah
Album: Still + Bright
Quick Thoughts: If there's any drawback to this gorgeous folk-adjacent record, it's that it's too gorgeous. All the tastemakers have clearly figured out how great Amythyst Kiah truly is, and while "Black Myself" was a breakthrough in many regards a few years back, this album is a definite play toward a mainstream that should absolutely embrace her for the excellent songwriter and performer she is. A great listen.
Songs of Note: "Play God and Destroy the World," "S P A C E," "Empire of Love," "I Will Not Go Down," "Die Slowly Without Complaint," "Dead Stars," "Never Alone"

Artist: Hilken Mancini Band
Album: Hilken Mancini Band
Quick Thoughts: Ken sent this one over and I don't want it to get lost in the shuffle, because there's a level of indie pop expertise here that keeps me coming back. It feels like a 2000s-era Parasol record in all the right ways, and is worth your time this week.
Songs of Note: "Set My Sights," "Up 2 11," "Blackout," "Ghost"

Artist: Mulu
Album: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Dope
Quick Thoughts: It feels weird to note another rap album when Tyler's taking up so much oxygen, but this was a great rap album that feels like an underground secret, and I was sold midway through "Fumes." Don't let this slip through the cracks.
Songs of Note: "Fumes," "Get Loud," "Acidic"

Artist: Jeff Kolar
Album: Rock Speaker Garden
Quick Thoughts: Ambient / experimental stuff is hard to review here because it's so difficult to really describe what's going on. If I had to compare this to anything, it's like if William Basinski did the score for Caves of Qud, which is probably a reference only I would get. If you like broadening the horizons of your listening, give this a shot. You'll know pretty quick whether this is for you.
Songs of Note: "Granite"

Artist: Laura Marling
Album: Patterns in Repeat
Quick Thoughts: Laura Marling continues to excel at her version of folk music, and this harkens back to the 1960s golden age in its instrumentation and delivery. Very high quality folk record in a busy week, give it a shot.
Songs of Note: "Your Girl," "No One's Gonna Love You Like I Can," "Caroline"

Artist: Tess Parks
Album: Pomegranate
Quick Thoughts: Also wanted to highlight Tess Sparks's latest, because she is carrying the flag of Dandys-era drone rock so wonderfully in this record, and that is decidedly For Me. Might be for you, too.
Songs of Note: "Bagpipe Blues," "California Dreaming," "Lemon Poppy," "Surround"

Artist: Amyl and The Sniffers
Album: Cartoon Darkness
Quick Thoughts: I try not to read other reviews when I'm pulling these updates together, but it seems like a lot of fans are down on the latest from Amyl and the Sniffers. They shouldn't be - it's the right mix of angsty proto-feminist punk that they're so good at, and there are so many winners on this record that it doesn't deserve the criticism. Make time.
Songs of Note: "Tiny Bikini," "It's Mine," "U Should Not Be Doing That"

Artist: Soccer Mommy
Album: Evergreen
Quick Thoughts: Another act that's consistently wonderful, what's stunning is that there are a number of songs here that work so well and get stuck in your head so quickly without realizing it. Plus, a shout-out to "Abigail," which is an ode to her Stardew Valley girlfriend, and if that isn't one of the more adorable subjects...
Songs of Note: "Abigail," "M," "Driver," "Changes," "Salt in Wound," "Anchor"

Of note:

* Generic Animal - Il canto dell'asino (Solid Italian alt-rock; translates to "The Ass Song")
* Anya Marina - Asteroid (Lots to enjoy in this folky effort.)
* Kit Orion - Bottle Grin (A ton of great moments in this local release.)
* Pom Pom Squad - Mirror Starts Moving Without Me (Solid, polished effort - "Downfall" is a great tune.)
* Hammock - From the Void
* Underworld - Strawberry Hotel
* The Eggmen Whoooooo! - Fuzzy Eggs, Please
* Bongloard - DYTYR?
* Tristan Arp - a pool, a portal
* Hayley Mary - Roman XS
* sssiv - sssiv 1
* Theis Thaws - Fifteen Days
* Two Shell - Two Shell
* Pixies - The Night the Zombies Came
* Moin - You Never End
* Beth Lee - Hardly Matters
* Alice Longyu Gao - Assembling Symbols Into My Own Poetry
* HOO - III
* The Courettes - The Soul Of... the Fabulous Courettes
* Townsel Turner - Blood Oath
* Jake and the Rambling Blade - True Love
* Flock - Flock II
* Machinedrum - 3FOR82_D3LUX3
* Fashion Club - A Love You Cannot Shake
* Luci Dead Limb - Palm Feeder
* Fievel is Glauque - Rong Weicknes
* BLACKSTARKIDS - Heaven On Urf
* Rett Madison - One More for Jackie
* St. Lenox - Ten Modern American Work Songs
* Night Crickets - How It Ends
* Brooke Candy - Spiral
* ALVILIDA - C'est Deja L'heure
* Elke - Divine Urge
* Jackie Extreme - the fire inside
* AK/DK - Strange Loops
* Mope Grooves - Box of Dark Roses
* Bercuses - Bercuses
* instant crush - I'm Sorry I Didn't Bite My Tongue
* Halsey - The Great Impersonator
* Hammock - From the Void
* Meryl Streek - Songs for the Deceased
* Katie Gavin - What a Relief
* Anna McLellan - Electric Bouquet
* Charlotte Jacobs - a t l a s
* The Dinosaur's Skin - I Dig You
* trauma ray - Chameleon
* Miranda and the Beat - Can't Take It
* Fancy Hagood - American Spirit
* Josiah and the Bonnevilles - Country Covers II
* Steve Roden - transmissions (voices of objects and skies)
* Che Noir - The Lotus Child
* Courtesy - intimate yell
* Overheard - Intertwined
* Joy Buzzer - Pleased to Meet You
* computer machine - "untitled_folder" hasn't been accepted by stores. Stores don't accept artist names & album names that are generic. You need to use the name of your band, group, etc. Normal band/artist/album names.

EPs:

* Charming Disaster - Dance Me to the End of Bela Lugosi's Lovesong
* Seventh Cloud and Velvet - split EP
* Hot Water Music and Quicksand - split EP
* Her New Knife - chrome is lullaby
* googly eyes - Starlet
* Waldskin - Wrong Party
* Kynsy - Utopia
* Loyal Lobos - Loba Vol. 2
* She's in Parties - Puppet Show
* Shredders - Serious Dudes
* The Sewing Club - Care
* Tom Caruana and Professor Elemental - Screampunk - A Halloween EP
* Alex Stolze - Raash
* birdz - Forest Isolation

Live albums/Compilations/Reissues:

* Problem Patterns - Blouse Clubland
* College Music Presents: PhotoSynthesis
* Tonight I'll Go Down Swingin': A Tribute to Don Heffington

Also out:

* God Make Me Sexy
* Ben Folds - Sleigher

STL GLD featuring Anjimile and Rasheed Chappell - "Don't Look Back"

Photo via Facebook

Released as part of their tenth anniversary, STL GLD have a new single out. "Don't Look Back" features folk artist Anjimile and Rasheed Chappell. It's not even close to being your typical hip hop track, but STL GLD aren't exactly your typical hip hop artist. While the song is rooted in hip hop, it also touches on all the genres the Boston based collective has dabbled in over their decade of existence. "Don't Look Back" moves through rap, folk, pop, punk, rock, and other sounds. Even at its most melodic, you get the punk/metal screams in the background. It's a somewhat melancholy and reflective song that looks ahead to STL GLD's future more than focusing on the past, while still honoring where they came from.

You can listen to "Don't Look Back" below. For more on STL GLD, check out the artist's website.

Babyfangs - "Prima Bella Donna"

Photo by Adam Castilla

Memphis born and currently Los Angeles based artist Babyfangs (aka Ava Wilson) is back with a new single after last month's excellent "Feelings Bleed." "Prima Bella Donna" combines a retro 60's crooner style with the more current sound of alt-pop. The song just feels effortlessly cool. There's also a dark edge to the song, despite how sunny parts of it may feel. Wilson has this captivating quality to her vocals that lie somewhere between modern pop and classic jazz. As soon as her vocals kick in, particularly the verses, you'll be mesmerized instantly. Babyfangs feels like one of those artists destined for megastardom.

Ava Wilson says that her latest single "... subtly delves into queer relationships I had as a young teenager. Using poisonous flowers as metaphors for the toxic relationships I endured during those years.”

You can watch the video for "Prima Bella Donna" below. For more on Babyfangs, check out the artist on Instagram.

M(h)aol - "Snare"

Photo by Cait Fahey

M(h)aol hails from Dublin, Belfast, and London. The trio's latest single, "Snare," is a dark sounding post-punk track with droning guitars and a beat that is impossible to not be moved by. The single sounds dark and foreboding, but M(h)aol also inject some fun into the track. "Snare" is incredibly droning and noisy. There is a feedback squall that lasts almost the entire length of the song, morphing throughout. You're still going to want to dance to this one. Even as the entire some comes crashing down on you towards the end, it's still somehow a post-punk dance song. M(h)aol might become on of your newest favorites after you hear "Snare."

Vocalist/drummer Constance Keane says of the band's latest single:

“‘Snare’ is about countless conversations I’ve had since my first drum lesson on my ninth birthday about how bizarre it is that I play that instrument, or how I should be doing it differently. The idea of society gendering an inanimate object like a drum kit, when it’s something that brings me so much joy and release, has always frustrated me hugely, and I thought it was time to sing about it.”

You can watch the video for "Snare" below. The single is out now via Merge Records. For more on M(h)aol, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram. Upcoming tour dates are below the video. 


March 9 - Brooklyn, NY @ TV Eye 
March 10 - 14 - Austin, TX @ SXSW
March 15 - Los Angeles, CA @ Permanent Records 
March 17 - Seattle, WA @ The Vera Project 

Quinn the Brain - "Smile"


Quinn the Brain take their name from a classic episode of Daria, and their sound matches the vibe of that show. The Houston band's latest single, "Smile," is about the bizarre need far too many men have to tell women they don't know to smile. The song is this sickly sweet, sludgy track that sounds like that amazing track on a 90's sampler CD from a band you never heard of before, and then never heard from again. "Smile" sounds like a mixture of bands such as Cake Like and that dog along with The Melvins. Quinn the Brain have a biting edge to their sound, and you can hear the mocking tone in the vocals. In other words, we're loving this one.

You can watch the video for "Smile" below. Bleed Me is available now. For more on Quinn the Brain, check out the band's website.

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

The Ghouls - "Lovestruck"

Photo via Facebook

This one almost slipped by us, but how could we not expect a band named The Ghouls to release a single just before Halloween? Last week one of Lowell's finest and the winners of the 2024 Rock & Roll Rumble released a brand new single. "Lovestruck" is just the third official song from the band, but it sees them moving in a different direction. Previous singles were mixes of alt-rock, pop punk, and power pop. This new one is a little more slick and laid back, and is almost crooned. The guitar is wonderfully jangly, and there are more harmonies than we've heard before. "Lovestruck" stops just shy of being a power ballad, but only because it rocks (slightly) too hard for that distinction.

You can listen to "Lovestruck" below. For more on The Ghouls, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram.



Low Harness - "Salvo"


Hailing from Cornwall, Low Harness formed last year when the four members met at Fish Factory Arts Space in Falmouth. The band's new single, "Salvo," is an intense indie rock song that recalls the No Wave of Sonic Youth. The songs just have a certain tuning we don't hear all that often, and the bursts of aggressive noise are glorious. It's the type of song that just chugs towards you while Low Harness attempt to keep the whole thing together. "Salvo" sounds like it could fall apart at any minute. By the time Hannah Gledhill's vocals kick in, her hypnotic quality helps alleviate some of the anxiety the music has most certainly caused. Buckle up for this one, folx!

You can watch the video for "Salvo" below. Salvo, the album, is due out December 6 on Krautpop!, and is available for pre-order through Bandcamp. For more on Low Harness, check out the band on Instagram.

Tunde Adebimpe - "Magnetic"

Photo by Xaveria Simmons

TV on the Radio frontman Tunde Adebimpe has signed with Sub Pop for his upcoming debut solo album, and has released a new single to prepare us for it. "Magnetic" is a dance song... of sorts. It sounds more like a lo-fi, DIY version of dance music, which isn't a sound typically associated with the genre. That, plus Adebimpe's vocals, give the song more of a punk feel in contradiction to the dance vibe of the song. "Magnetic" is an interesting one that demands multiple listens to make sure it has all properly soaked in.

You can watch the video for "Magnetic" below. Tunde Adebimpe's debut solo album is expected in 2025 on Sub Pop Records. For more on the artist, check him out on Instagram.

Red Ribbon - "Gang Star"

Photo by Kelsey Hart

Red Ribbon, the musical project of Emma Danner, has always leaned more into the indie rock side of the modern day indie rock meets alt-pop genre. Her latest single, "Gang Star," is interesting in that it's more of a straight up rock song and a straight up pop song than we normally hear from Red Ribbon. It has an insatiable groove and musically is a rocker, but Danner is singing more like a pop star than she normally does. It's a fun single with an underlying menace to it, and enough indie rock flourishes to keep the entire thing engaging. As music critics and journalists are starting to get their best of the year lists ready, expect a lot to be blown up by Red Ribbon's new album when it is released Friday.

Emma Danner says of her latest single:

“I never felt like I could write about sex and drugs until recently. I don’t care anymore which is nice. I’ve always had fun being deviant, and I’m tired of censoring my art because of my shame, or guilt, or whatever this feeling is. Conversationally, I’m pretty open about things. But in my previous work, I felt very philosophical in my approach to dark subject matter. Now I feel direct.”

You can watch the video for "Gang Star" below. Red Ribbon's self-titled debut album is due out November 1 on Danger Collective Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Red Ribbon, check out the artist on Instagram and Facebook. Upcoming live dates are below the video.


11/30/24 - Los Angeles, CA - Zebulon

03/04/25-03/09/25 - New York, NY - The New Colossus Festival

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Night Court - "D List"


Vancouver's Night Court are quickly becoming our fast and short punk meets power pop songs. Their latest fits into that description perfectly, but "D List" may be their most punk song yet. It barrels straight through you with buzzy guitars and a chorus that shouldn't be as catchy as it is. Punk this fast and aggressive shouldn't be this catchy or fun, but once you hear "D List" you'll wonder why. On this latest single, Night Court sound like you strapped a rocket to the Ramones. Even the most strict punk purist won't find anything to complain about with "D List."

You can watch the video for "D List" below. $hit Machine is due out November 1 on Recess Records, and is available for pre-order through Bandcamp. For more on Night Court, check out the band on Facebook and Instagram. Upcoming west coast tour dates are below the video.


November 22 - Seattle @ The Kraken w/ the Drolls + Violent Beauregard

November 23 - Portland @ Starday Tavern w/ Girl Drink Drunk + Dark Oz

November 25 - Sacramento @ Cafe Colonial w/ the Globs

November 26 - Reno @ Lo Bar w/ FKA Fingers

November 27 - Las Vegas @ Red Dwarf

November 28 - Tucson @ Che's Lounge w/ Lenguas Largas + Doms

November 29 - Phoenix @ Palo Verde Lounge w/ Lenguas Largas + Doms

November 30 - San Pedro @ The Sardine w/ Lenguas Largas

December 1 - San Diego @ TBA

December 2 - Los Angeles @ The Escondite w/ City Mouse + Missing Eyes

December 3 - San Francisco @ Thee Stork Club w/ Feefawfum + Squishers

December 4 - Arcata @ Outer Space 

December 5 - Eugene @ John Henry's w/ the Dumpies + VCR

December 6 - Seattle @ Woodland Theatre w/ Rat Paws

December 7 - Vancouver @ Green Auto w/ Natlak + Tremblers of Seven

Oompa - "UP"

Photo via Facebook

There are some artists in Boston that feel like our little secret, and that we probably should share them with the world. Oompa is one of those. The Roxbury born MC recently released a new single. "UP" is a quick burst of under two minutes hip hop. It's one of those rare songs that is going to appeal to fans of both modern hip hop and a more classic version. Musically, the song is laid back and sounds more like the 2024 style of the genre. However, Oompa is attacking her microphone like they did in the 90's. It's a style much closer to LL Cool J and Ice Cube than we've heard from the Boston artist previously. When your only complaint about a song is that you wish it were a little longer, it's never a bad thing.

You can listen to "UP" below. For more on Oompa, check out the artist's website.



Stella Bridie - "Organ Donor"

Photo by Liv Fleming

We first became enamored with Australia's Stella Bridie back in August with the release of "He Didn't Mean It." Now, she's back with a new single that is going to have us all desperate to hear more from the artist. "Organ Donor" lands in that sweet spot merging indie rock and alt-pop, and might go a little more into the land of pop. To me it's sounding like a mixture of Lucy Dacus and Alex Lahey. The song borders on being dance music, but never quite commits to being a dance song fully. "Organ Donor" is the kind of song that is going to completely sweep you up in it. It starts off as a great song that you'll enjoy, but as it goes on you'll realize you've stopped everything else and are just listening to the song.

Stella Bridie says of her latest single:

"'Organ Donor' is about trying to tear yourself apart so nothing is separating you and the person you're about to lose. I think it takes a fair amount of time and distance to be able to write an honest break-up song because you have to be prepared to find the situation funny even though it's all so dark. We ask insane things of each other in loving and then unloving each other - organ donation doesn't seem too crazy a request, in comparison."

You can watch the video for "Organ Donor" below. Speaking Terms is due out November 28, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Stella Bridie, check out the artist on Instagram and Facebook.

Live Shows: Wyn & The White Light and Liz Bills, Warehouse XI, Somerville, MA 10/27/24


I first discovered Wyn Doran as a solo artist at a Sofar show in February 2020. Since then, things have changed significantly in just about every way, but I hadn't had a chance to see her play live again. Her releases (particularly her new album Luck recorded with her band The White Light) have gotten better and better, but the stars had not aligned to be able to see her again. Luckily, Sunday night it worked out and I headed to Warehouse XI in Somerville to see Wyn & The White Light's "Ghosts of the Past" show.

On the surface, Sunday night's show was Halloween themed, with free tarot readings, ghost decorations throughout the venue, and Wyn & The White Light donning death related costumes for their set. However, the "Ghosts of the Past" theme was more about releasing the ghosts of your past than anything spoopy. For Doran, the evening was about releasing past traumas depicted in the album Luck, such as a stroke and a near death experience from blood clots in her lungs. The audience was also encouraged to participate by writing their own past ghosts on ghost shaped paper for a ceremony later in the set. There was also an extremely cathartic screaming session towards the end of the set, as well as a "scream pod" for anyone who needed a little extra for themselves.

I wasn't exactly sure what to expect from Wyn & The White Light's set. As great as Luck is, emotionally it can be a tough listen. As with most of Doran's music, it explores very dark themes which aren't always great for an evening out. But, the live show had the exact opposite effect. Maybe it was just the releasing ghosts of the past theme, but the songs ended up being more uplifting than depressing. "Can the World Change" in particular was extremely affecting, and Wyn & The White Light turned a near death song into an anthem of rebirth and second chances. I'm not typically one for tarot readings or cleansing water stations, but my experience Sunday night was much deeper than I was expecting for a live musical performance.

Liz Bills opened the show solo, and it was also my first time seeing her perform live. Typically she performs as Liz Bills & the Change, and her live shows are regarded as parties and celebrations. Turns out she has a new album coming out next year inspired by death and loss, and the new songs she performed are much darker than I anticipated. They were fantastically written and performed, but I was expecting a little joy before the darkness. Instead, each artist flipped my expectations completely. But definitely plan on us bringing you Liz Bills' new music as it starts coming out.

Monday, October 28, 2024

Sunday Junkie - "Vultures"


Sunday Junkie is the latest band to form from the ashes of Not Bad Not Well and just released their debut single, "Vultures." The Worcester band (which includes Tom Martin and Shawn Pelkey of Not Bad Not Well) have crafted a sound that is truly all of their own out of some of our favorite musical elements. This new single has the disjointed post-rock of the members' previous bands, but in a kind of odd more pop based sort of way. The guitar's tuning is slightly off, and the song has a kind of jerky feeling to it, but it's also a solid power pop song. It's kind of like if At the Drive In and Cheap Trick decided to jam together. Sunday Junkie have some serious potential based on their debut single.

You can listen to "Vultures" below. For more on Sunday Junkie, check out the band on Instagram and Facebook.



The Earls of Babylon - "My Little Frankenstein"


Some of my favorite things are forgotten vintage garage rock and Halloween themed music. The Earls of Babylon had a regional hit in Chicago in 1966 with "Hi Ho Silver Lining," and haven't released new music since 1967. After Jeff Beck made "Hi Ho Silver Lining" into a big UK hit, the band got discourage and broke up. Now, nearly sixty years later, they're back with "My Little Frankenstein." This new song sounds like the band only took five years off instead of five decades. It sounds like a long lost garage rock novelty song. It's raw, and groovy, and insanely fun. Plus, The Earls of Babylon add a liberal use of theremin, which is always welcome. "My Little Frankenstein" is just perfect for fans of vintage garage rock and novelty Halloween songs. 

You can listen to "My Little Frankenstein" below. The single is available now via Wicked Cool Records, and can be ordered here.

Live Shows: STL GLD, Brandie Blaze, and Nate Nics, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA 10/25/24


I try to see STL GLD every chance I get. The 2024 Boston Music Awards Live Artist of the Year are celebrating their tenth anniversary this year, and part of that celebration was taking over the Museum of Fine Arts for an MFA Late Night. Seeing as how they also had Brandie Blaze performing, I simply had to make it for this one.

First a note about MFA Late Nights. I've been meaning to go to one for years, and this was my first one. Getting to walk around a fancy art museum after hours for a special event is ridiculously fun, and it kind of feels like you're getting away with something naughty. The crowd was a mix of museum patrons there for a fancy museum event and STL GLD/hip hop fans there for the music. It's been an embarrassingly long time since I've been to the MFA, so I spent my time before the music running around trying to take in the current Salvador Dali exhibit, the Georgia O'Keefe and Henry Moore exhibit, and to see all of the Van Gogh, Monet, and Sargent that I could. I missed far too much of the artwork and far too many of the evening's events, but still had a great time.

STL GLD took the stage around 11:00 pm for a surprisingly laid back performance. It's been a while since I've seen them with a horn section, so that helped shake things up a bit for the long running hip hop collective. The band played favorites like "Money Bags, "Chaka Zulu," and "Wild Style," which are always crowd pleasers. Part of the laid back quality of the evening was how family heavy it was. The band made lots of shout outs to family members that were in attendance, and Moe Pope gave out many hugs during the show. There were even special appearances by Latrell James and Najee Janey during their set.Plus, I'm of an age that seeing a hip hop show at an art museum is fairly mind blowing. They even broke out their song with Too Many Zooz, "Donut Shop." They rarely play this one live, and while there was a couple of mistakes during the song, it was still great to see it performed live. Here's to at least ten more years of STL GLD!

I've been a fan of Brandie Blaze for a while now, and Friday night was the first time I've seen her perform live. She took the stage with a DJ, and all of my waiting for rewarded. Boston currently has an abundance of female MCs that know how to own a stage, and Blaze is at the top of that list. Songs like "In Your Life" translated perfectly to the stage, and she commanded that stage just by herself. Blaze rocketed right to the top of my must see list with a thirty minute performance.

I had never heard of Nate Nics before he took the stage, but was quickly won over by his set. I had meant to check out a song or two before wandering around to see more art and events, but got sucked into his performance completely, and ended up accidentally watching the whole thing. We'll definitely be keeping on eye on him from here on.

Monday Mix: If It's Too Loud... Halloween 2024 Playlist


As always, we've outdone ourselves for this year's 2024 Halloween playlist. It was started as soon as 2023's was published, and clocks in at just under four hours and seventy-four songs. We have hip hop, indie rock, lost 50's classics, garage rock, world music, folk, grunge, metal, and more. It's a monster (pun intended) playlist, and perfect to listen to for all of your Halloween needs!

Friday, October 25, 2024

MAN LEE - "Best One"

Photo by Tayler Smith

Art rock isn't typically as fun as MAN LEE makes it. The Brooklyn duo's latest single, "Best One," has all of the coolness of art rock and the... well... art, but it's surprisingly accessible as far as the genre goes. It's a laid back and fun track that feels like an auditory cut and paste at times while still sounding cohesive. This is the kind of art rock that even the most mainstream can appreciate since it's undeniably groovy. It sounds like an interesting mash up of Luscious Jackson, Cibo Matto, and Stereolab. Music this great and unique isn't normally as fun as "Best One," but MAN LEE pull it off exceptionally well.

Sam Reichman says of the band's newest single:

Growing up, especially for girls, we quickly learn that the most important thing is finding ‘the one.’ That's a lot of pressure. And we internalize it, along with everyone else's expectations. ‘Best One’ is a sort of reassurance to my friend, on the receiving end of a terrible break, that they were not at fault. That nothing said or done differently could have changed the outcome, because it wasn't up to them at all.”

You can watch the video for "Best One" below. For more on MAN LEE, check out the band's website.

High. - "Catcher"

Photo by Aleka Syntelis

New Jersey's High. have just released one of the noisiest but loveliest singles of the year. "Catcher" is going to give you some serious 90's flashbacks, even if you weren't actually there. It's a slowed down song that borders on being a ballad, but never quite gets there. It's filled with fuzzed out and shimmering guitars and hushed vocals. The whole thing builds slowly to a glorious crescendo, incorporating some of the most glorious noise around. You can tell "Catcher" is a deeply heartfelt song that combines the lush emotion of Mazzy Star with the crunch and epic sound of Radiohead's first two albums. This is one you can't miss out on.

Lead vocalist Christian Castan says of the band's latest single:

"’Catcher’ explores the depths of grief and the unwavering hope that binds us to those we’ve lost." 

You can watch the video for "Catcher" below. Come Back Down is due out January 24 on Kanine Records, and is available for pre-order on Bandcamp. For more on High., check out the band on Twitter and Instagram. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.


OCTOBER

25 - Market Hotel - Brooklyn, NY *


NOVEMBER

2 - Ursa Gallery - Bridgeport, CT 

3 - Amityville Music Hall - Amityville, NY +

9 - The Sanctuary - Butler, NJ #

15 - Imperial Lounge - Richmond, VA 

16 - Jam Club - State College, PA 

22 - Asbury Lanes - Asbury, NJ +

23 - Trans-Pecos, Ridgewood, NY %


* with Greet Death and Low Animal

# with Lip Critic

+ with all under heaven

% with MX LONELY

The Northern Line - "Lightning Strikes"

Photo by Harrison Searle

Seeing as I spent much of the 90's obsessed with Britpop and the Boston music scene, a band like The Northern Line seems like they formed just for me. The Boston band is made up of members of Strangeways, The Daily Pravda, The Luxury, and Looking Glass War, and just released their debut single. "Lightning Strikes" is heavily Britpop influenced, along with mod and modern alternative. The song doesn't quite sound like the Britpop megastars you normally associate with the sound. There is some Oasis, but "Lightning Strikes" sounds more like Ocean Colour Scene and Primal Sound. Of course, this is a Boston band so there is some grit along with garage rock/indie rock noise. The Northern Line is the type of band that would have taken over my twenties if they had existed way back then.

Bilvox (guitar and vocals) says of his band's single:

“‘Lightning Strikes’ is about moving past the struggle of life, the banality, the brow-beating of it all, and ‘When the lightning strikes..’ in your life, for that moment, you feel that joy. It’s about embracing those moments and living out loud. Buggering through the tricky bits of life and when the good things come to you, embrace them and celebrate them.” 

You can listen to "Lightning Strikes" below. For more on The Northern Line, check out the band's website.

Girl With a Hawk - "Share It All"

Cover by Nicole Anguish

Girl With a Hawk have quietly become a favorite here at If It's Too Loud... The Boston band has this great roots based rock sound that is one of the sounds we've possibly covered the most. Their latest single, "Share It All," is one of the band's more Americana leaning songs. It's rock, but in a quieter, almost country sort of way. The song is laid back but upbeat, and is oddly infectious the longer you listen. To me it sounds like a cross between The Pretenders and Lucinda Williams. "Share It All" is sunny but also a bit melancholy sounding, which makes it perfect for the late October warmth we've been having this week in New England.

Linda Viens (vocals/guitar) says of her band's new single:

“‘Share it All’ is about a way of looking at the world through the lens of our oneness, not our differences. It draws from the Stoic concept of Sympatheia; that we must look after one another because we are all one, part of an interconnected cosmos. We are cut from the same human cloth, and breathe and think and live the same, no matter what superficial differences may appear to exist.”

You can listen to "Share It All" below. The single is out now via Rum Bar Records. For more on Girl With a Hawk, check out the band on Instagram and Facebook.

Thursday, October 24, 2024

Searows - "to be seen"

Photo by Marlowe Ostara

Searows is the musical moniker of Alec Duckart. His latest single, "to be seen," is a painfully quiet piano ballad that is as lush as it is sparse. The song is heartachingly beautiful, and is the type of song that will make you want to stop everything else you're doing to give it your undivided attention. Much of the music out there that is as quiet as "to be seen" is almost mean to be background music, but this certainly isn't. Searows will stop you dead with this one. It's a powerful piece of art that will deeply affect you.

Searows says of his latest single:

“I wrote this song after watching the movie ‘X’. I didn't have any intention to write a song about that movie, it just ended up seeping into all the lyrics I was writing. The song touches on the physical and emotional visibility of truly being seen by someone you love.”

You can watch the video for "to be seen" below. flush is due out November 22 on Last Recordings On Earth. For more on Searows, check out the artist's website.