Today Junior - "Werewolves of Boston"

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Photo by Jonathan Hislop

Today Junior has one last single out before their new album is released next month. "Werewolves of Boston" is the perfect song for those of us that are already preparing for Halloween while still enjoying the end of summer. It's an indie fuzz-rock song steeped in surf rock, with some power pop harmonies. This song is a lot of fun, and with the word "werewolves" and "Boston" right in the title, we're not going to be able to resist it. The song has a light and cheery sound, which isn't usually associated with the city of Boston. It chugs along daring you not to dance, and by the time the chorus kicks in, you'll be won over. 

Today Junior say of their latest single:

"A song about when the 9-to-5 day ends, the nighttime begins and your inner wild child takes over. When the sun sets and you find your way to the Allston basements, dive bars, and local shows. When the drudgery and obligations end, the creatures come out to play." 

You can listen to "Werewolves of Boston" below. Stranger Days is due out September 4. For more on Today Junior, check out the band's website.

On Repeat...

Ezra Furman - "Forever in Sunset"

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Photo by Tonje Thilesen Ezra Furman has to be one of the most unique and yet all encompassing artists out today. Her latest single, "Forever In Sunset," combines elements of singer/songwriter fare, electronic music, and indie rock. It's an intense song that is almost a power ballad but is a little too heavy at times for that. It's a mish-mash of glam, adult contemporary, and post punk. That should not work at all, but most artists aren't Furman who apparently can do literally anything musically and make it masterful. Ezra Furman says of her new song: “The biggest influence on the lyrics of this song is a conversation I had with a friend of mine. When Covid was first hitting, she was talking to me a lot about how ready she felt. She was like, ‘people who have been comfortable in life are freaking out right now. But queer people like me have been in crisis before. I grew up poor and my family kicked me out when I was a teenager. My world has already ended plenty of ...
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Photo by Calli Westra Brooklyn's Hiding Places are originally from North Carolina, and that sound is all over their latest single. "Waiting" has a strong alt-country meets dark indie rock sound. The song is as hypnotic as it is heartbreaking. Even if you're not paying attention to the lyrics, the vibe of the song is overwhelmingly dark and somber. There's plenty of country twang and indie rock fuzz throughout the song, with the music carrying the weight of the song as much as vocalist/guitarist Nicholas Byrne's voice does. The song is stunning, both in its beauty and mood. I feel like I've been sitting on "Waiting" for a while now until I could fully wrap my head around it. Hiding Places has something truly special here. Nicholas Byrne says of his band's latest single: "Hiding Places’ first bassist, Anthony Cozzarelli, left the band in July of 2022. I wrote the chorus the day before Anthony left the band. I recalled the slow death of my ...
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Derek Smith and the Cosmic Vultures - "Hollow Choir"

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Photo by Gia Smith There's prolific, and then there's Derek Smith. The Boston musician's latest single with the Cosmic Vultures, "Hollow Choir," is his eightieth song in the past eight years. It also helps explain the genre psychedelic folk-rock. The song is a little over three minutes, but the genre makes it feel much more epic. It's smooth sounding with trippy little flourishes, particularly in the guitar. At times, it sounds almost Adult Contemporary, but it's far too psychedelic for that. It's the play between the mainstream and the alternative side of folk that makes "Hollow Choir" work so well. Derek Smith and the Cosmic Vultures have long had this ability to provide a little something for everyone, and their latest proves that more than previous ones have. Derek Smith says of his latest single: “This song sums up the feelings I have had towards my music career for the last few years. I am always being told what I should do or what I sh...
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