If It's Too Loud...

Photo by Lucy Marriot R Loomes is the doom folk project of Sheffield based artist Rachel Loomes. Their latest single, "The Self Demands a Reckoning," sounds more like what I expect when I hear of doom folk. It still has the same beauty as last month's "Passerine," but this latest single sounds darker. There's also an element to the song that makes it feel almost ancient. It has the vibe of an almost medieval song made with modern production and instruments. "The Self Demands a Reckoning" starts off relatively quiet and dark, and builds into a metal adjacent crescendo. If dark music is your thing, R Loomes is going to be exactly what you need. Rachel Loomes says of "The Self Demands a Reckoning": "It's a sort of personal prayer, attempting to split off from the intellectual mind and move into the body allowing it to be the main source of reason. Attempting to shed the generational load and navigate the world a free spirit." Y...

Photo by Milan Zrnic Whenever Imperial Teen returns with new music is a big deal, so we're thrilled to have them back with "Overdrive." Somehow the band still sounds just as vital and modern as they did in the 90's (which, to be fair, could be my age, but I don't think so). It's oddly timeless, and sounds like it could have been released at any time in the past three decades. It's indie rock, but in a glammy way. The song is wonderfully groovy, and just feels like the hippest summer of all time. "Overdrive" is fuzzy, it's fun as hell, and it's impossibly cool. Welcome back, Imperial Teen. We couldn't be happier to have you. Jone Stebbins (bass, vocals) says of the band's upcoming album: “For the last few records, the process has been similar. We live great distances away from each other, so initially, we get together to collaborate, write, and create. When we have enough material, we reconvene to record. Both scenarios, creating a...

New York's Whisper Doll have a mesmerizing new single out. "So Sweet" is a hazy and dreamy indie rock track that leans into dream pop and possibly even shoegaze. If it is shoegaze, it's a much quieter version, with Fiona Tagami's vocals barely above a whisper. To me it sounds like if The Sundays decided to dabble in shoegaze without losing their own sound. "So Sweet" feels warm, but also has a cold, uncomfortable side as well. It lulls you into feeling safe while making you a tiny bit hesitant. It's also simply a fantastic song that makes me feel like Whisper Doll will become a favorite around here. Fiona Tagami says of her band's latest single: “I wrote this song right after spending a week straight in the hospital after complications with a surgery. Once I got out of the bland, grey room, everything seemed brighter and sweeter. I wrote this on the porch of my childhood home in Atlanta. Around then, I ran into someone from high school I had a co...

Photo by Nate King Written in response to JD Vance's infamous "childless cat lady" comments, San Francisco's Wealthy Women have released "Atheist Wife." The song comes in at under two minutes and is a blistering song that mixes noise punk with hardcore and maybe even some metal. Unlike many other songs in those genres, the lyrics to "Atheist Wife" are front and center and very audible. Vocalist and songwriter Peter Sisk's vocals are more growled than screamed, and the song takes the whole modern protest music in a completely different direction. It takes a giant blanket statement and makes it personal, and the song also just straight up rocks.  Peter Sisk says of his band's latest single: "This song was inspired by two remarkable people; my wife and JD Vance. It's a reaction to the infamous 'childless cat ladies' attack by the Vice President in a 2021 interview on Fox News. I tried to capture the mix of anger and bemusement...

Some nights music can transcend the space you're in. This is especially true for shows that you don't have high expectations for. You go kind of on a whim, and end up being blown away by every artist you see. That was the case Saturday night at The Cantab Lounge with the triple bill of Ghais Guevara, student 1, and Cavalier. Cavalier opened the night. As with most indie hip hop shows, he played his backing music on a laptop. Usually that's not the best option, but Cavalier made it work. He has this ultra laid back flow that immediately engaged the audience. His style was very lo-fi in a way that only added to his sound. This was my first experience even hearing Cavalier, and I was a fan by the time he left the stage. Up next was student 1. Much like Cavalier, he had an incredibly laid back style. With someone manning his laptop, he came on stage almost immediately after Cavalier and kept the music going. Even the songs he introduced by saying they were aggressive or dance s...

Photo by Will Stockwell Veteran performer Seasick Steve has a new blues rock single out, and it's pretty great. "Bootstraps" is a rollicking new single that blurs the lines between blues and rock 'n' roll. It's classic blues through a modern lens. That might be the most striking thing about this new song: As much as it's rooted in the past, it doesn't sound like a classic song. Something about "Bootstraps" sounds completely modern, and it's not just the subject matter. This is earnest blues rock, and Seasick Steve is one of the best currently doing it. You can listen to "Bootstraps" below. The Last Season of America is due out September 18 on Eastcote Records, and is available to pre-order here . For more on Seasick Steve, check out the artist's website .

Boston hardcore/post-punk/noise rock duo BEDTIMEMAGIC released their new album last week, and you're going to want to buckle up for this one. Lie Down With Dogs is a brutal and punishing thirteen song release. It's noisy and certainly not meant for everyone, but the songs on the album groove just as hard as they rock. All the songs on Lie Down With Dogs have titles that reference sleep ("Dreams (And the People Who Love Them)," "The Slumber Party (Part II)," "Narcoleptic," "Nap Quest," etc.), which is interesting since I can't imagine sleeping during any of these songs. Part of me worries that I'm warning potential listeners and making them not want to listen, but I have a feeling that anyone who is going to enjoy the audible experience that BEDTIMEMAGIC provides aren't going to be deterred, and are going to more excitedly listen to Lie Down With Dogs . BEDTIMEMAGIC are one of the most underrated bands in Boston, and this lates...

Photo by Avery Norman One of the highlights of Angela Autumn's set at this year's Green River Festival was the brand new song "Heavy Tobacco." Yesterday she released the song as a single, and it's just as great. The song fits snugly into the singer-songwriter/folk spectrum of music, but there's just something a little unique about the song. There's a haunting, almost noise rock lite element to the song. As Autumn's vocals reach a hypnotic quality, the music starts to swirl around her in a nearly supernatural way. Sure, "Heavy Tobacco" is a folk song, but it's certainly not a traditional one, and is more folk-adjacent. Autumn has a rather unique sound to her music, and this song is a perfect example of it. Angela Autumn says of her latest single: "This is a song about the tobacco spirit.  In many cultures, particularly American indigenous, tobacco is regarded for its purification abilities. I don’t think many folks see tobacco as ‘hea...

Photo credit to House of Vixen The latest single from Karen y Los Remedios is a dreamy, organic sounding electronic song. "Ninfa" is perfect for a chill out room while still keeping some energy to keep the night going. Or, it's perfect to listen to first thing in the morning when you have the house to yourself. It's hypnotic, and relaxed without causing a shred of boredom. It's a lovely and engaging song that's perfect for whatever mood you need from it. "Ninfa" is a great way to ease yourself out of the work week, or to start getting ready for your weekend. It's a truly gorgeous song that our readers are going to adore. Ana Karen G. Barajas says of her latest single: "I’ve always been drawn to the myths of water nymphs, which inspired Ninfa . For me, the song represents death as a metaphorical turning point, an opportunity to leave behind what is no longer good for us. The water symbolizes rebirth and serves as a reminder to keep flowing, l...

Photo by Matt Burgos Friends of the blog Sapling have a new single out credited to Sapling & Friends. In this case, Friends are members of Anchors Away Brass Band, which means "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service" includes a horn section. Even by Sapling's standards, this new single is bonkers. They claim it's their most fun single yet, and we're certainly not arguing. The horns just seem to go off in their own directions, and the result is an out of control party. It's a wonderfully unhinged song, partially about tequila and bodega cats. It's noisy in the best possible way, and there's no other band that could pull this off besides Sapling. You can listen to "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service" below. The song is available over at Bandcamp . All proceeds will go to New England Justice For Our Neighbors, which "provides free, expert legal aid to Massachusetts immigrants seeking humanitarian-based visas. Our clients include unaccompanied minor...

Photo by Tim Hardiman The more I hear from The Animeros, the more I wish I had been able to check them out at this year's Green River Festival. The trio's latest single, "Descarga Royal," is a swirling psychedelic cumbia song just begging to be played live. Seriously, if you can listen to this one without moving a little, you might not have a soul. With virtually no lyrics, The Animeros completely captivate the listener/dancer with an irresistible groove and rhythms. As great as "Descarga Royal" is recorded, I can only imagine how much better it would be live. I'm sure we'll all be checking their tour dates for a (hopefully soon) return to New England. Nick Tozzo (drummer/percussionist) says of his band's new single:  "’Descarga Royal’ is a cover of a song by classic Peruvian band Los Royals de Pucallpa. Like all 'descargas,' this is an open jam that allowed The Animeros to explore some psychedelic solos and push the energy to the li...

Photo by Shannon Marks Chicago's Plum are a post-punk band that are more along the lines of The B-52's than the darker, noisier side of the genre. Their latest single, "Bodies in Motion," is a quirky and fun song that's a little too oddball to be any form of pop music. It demands that the listener dance, and you're going to want to comply. The song is still noisy, but it's pleasant and fun noisy instead of abrasive and aggressive noisy. It feels like classic songs from bands like Talking Heads and Gang of Four without sounding like it's four decades old. Plum take that classic sound and update it for 2026. "Bodies in Motion" keeps getting more and more fun with every listen. Vocalist/guitarist Jeff Kelly says of his band's latest single: "The lyrics stem from a dream I had; I woke up in the middle of the night and immediately expanded it into a short story. The idea is that a frequency starts being broadcast from every electronic dev...

I never knew how much I needed doom jazz in my life, but now that I've heard the new single from Enneads, I'm fully on board with the genre. The band consists of Zach Layton, Hamir Atwal, and Phyllis Chen. Much of the sound on "Metanoia" comes from a seventeen string electric bass and an amplified piano. This will completely deconstruct your idea of what jazz is, and it sounds more aligned with noise rock than I expected. "Metanoia" is delightfully experimental besides being considered doom. Enneads aren't going to be for everyone, but I highly doubt universal appeal is their end game. This is one of the most unique and interesting sounds we've covered this year and defies any of our genre expectations. Zach Layton says of his band's new single: "unusual instrumentation of 17 string electric bass with natural plucked string harmonics produced inside the lid of a grand piano and drums, 'chopped and screwed' - slowed down - to produce ...

Photo by Kimberly Ha Thao (formerly Thao and the Get Down Stay Down) has announced her first album in six years, and has released a fantastic new single that features guest vocals from Merrill Garbus of Tune-Yards and The Linda Lindas. "Sick of the Times" is a protest song that only Thao could have released. It's a perfectly dance friendly song that sounds like it's both a club anthem and a folk song. It starts off simply enough, but more and more elements are slowly added as it goes on. Eventually the song becomes a chaotic swirling mess, which perfectly reflects how many of us feel with each and every passing day. "Sick of the Times" is the perfect way to dance through your anger, and what starts as a fun time eventually devolves into rage. Thao Nguyen says of her latest single: “I wanted it to be an anthem that will be used at political rallies, grass roots organizing and mutual aid events, anything that can help us emotionally prepare to activate and to ...