Kerrin Connolly - "Big Amygdala"

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Photo by Jenna Connolly

Boston indie pop rocker Kerrin Connolly has a new single out that "... grapples with OCD & anxiety in the age of the internet death grip." "Big Amygdala" is a shockingly fun song that is overflowing with 80's synth pop goodness. The song sounds like it belongs in that obscure 80's teen movie that you used to watch endlessly on repeat but can't quite remember the name of. It's ridiculously fun, and adds in an interesting 00's pop punk sound as well. I personally never thought I'd have the lyric of "Big Amygdala doesn't want you to know" stuck in my head, but here we are. Kerrin Connolly has this amazing ability to make pop music that even indie snobs are genuinely going to love.

Kerrin Connolly says of their latest single:

“As usual, there’s still some playfulness in this one - taking the whole ‘Big ____ Doesn’t Want You To Know’ and other popular bait headlines to underscore how having OCD can feel like everything is a huge conspiracy, but maybe your brain is just being mean to you and you need to let go a little to find and keep your peace. Stop ruminating on what ifs and be OK with not knowing the answer.”

You can watch the video for "Big Amygdala" below. Simpleton is due out February 20. For more on Kerrin Connolly, check out the artist on Instagram and Bluesky. They're playing an album release show on February 21 at The Burren in Somerville. 

On Repeat...

Sean Thomas Gerard - "Bright Side"

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Photo by Heather DeFoggi Gerard For his upcoming album, Sean Thomas Gerard recorded in the corner of his garage which is also a playroom for his two daughters. Somehow, you can hear that vibe in his latest single, "Bright Side." The song just feels like home. It's a laid back indie folk/singer-songwriter track that is overflowing with warmth. The sing is on the mainstream side of its genres, but when you nail a sound like Gerard has, there's certainly nothing wrong with that. This is the type of song that is pleasant and enjoyable when you first start it, and then you end up liking it more and more as it goes. By the time it's over, you're going to want to listen again. By the third or fourth listen, "Bright Side" is going to end up one of your favorite songs of this young year. Sean Thomas Gerard says of his music: “I think about some day when I'm gone, my kids will be able to put on my records and feel like they can spend time with me again....
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The Cairo Gang - "Be What You Are"

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Photo by Rachel Cassels The Cairo Gang is mostly Emmett Kelly, who recorded most of their upcoming album, Goes Missing,  on his own while travelling. "Be What You Are" is pure pop gold, reminiscent of British invasion bands like The Kinks and The Zombies. It features jangly guitars and some of the most infectious layered vocals you've heard in years. Luckily the beauty of this style of music is that it never quite sounds dated. It might sound like it's from a certain era that happened 50 years ago, but everything you've ever listened to since then borrows so heavily from it that it always sounds current. It's the kind of music you wish you hadn't missed, only now you haven't. Goes Missing  is due out June 23rd on God? Records. You can pre-order the album now, and be sure to check out The Cairo Gang's Facebook . Listen to "Be What You Are" below, and below that are tour dates, many opening for Mikal Cronin. Sat. Sept. 5 - Portlan...
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Yawn Mower - "Rascal"

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Photo by Mary Dorsi Asbury Park's Yawn Mower had two goals for their upcoming album. First, after playing their hometown's Sea.Hear.Now festival, they wanted to write songs that worked on a larger stage. Second, they wanted the album to be their Pinkerton , "A raw, rough around the edges, noisier follow up to [their] debut album." The first song from that album is "Rascal," a song partly about the kids of their friends and family. It's a fun track that includes lines like "Here he comes now what a little asshole." It's a quirky and noisy indie rock track that reminds me of an edgier Fountains of Wayne. As anti-kid as the song may seem, you can tell it's not done seriously and there is a ton of love behind the track. Vocalist/guitarist Mike Chick says of the band's upcoming album: “While Dana Yurcisin (bass), Rudy Meier (guitar),  and Nicole Scorsone (violin) have certainly helped fill out past releases, this was the first time that ...
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