If It's Too Loud...

Photo by Angeline Woo, Courtesy of Luaka Bop "Tiger Is Coming" might sound familiar to some of you. It was used in promotional videos for South Korea's national tourist board, and it was played when South Korea's national team scored a goal in the World Cup. Now, Leenalchi have re-recorded it with their current line up. The Seoul based band have created a psychedelic masterpiece here. It's delightfully dance friendly while remaining laid back. Like their previous single "Crying Softshell Turtle," "Tiger Is Coming" comes from an eighteenth century Korean epic about "... a loyal turtle on a mission that runs into a fierce tiger and chaos ensues." Despite coming from three centuries ago, this new single feels and sounds modern. Plus, this is simply a fun song that I challenge anyone not to enjoy. You can listen to "Tiger Is Coming" below. Sugungga is due out October 2 on Luaka Bop, and is available for pre-order here . For more...

Photo by Pooneh Ghana Austin, TX's Porcelain have been blowing us away as of late, and their latest single continues that trend. "Waltz" is equal parts beautiful and discordant. It's post-hardcore at its finest, and bounces between gorgeous and loud and noisy. For a lot of loud/quiet/loud songs, you're just waiting for the loud part, but you'll end up enjoying both parts with "Waltz." This one reminds me of early Smashing Pumpkins meets Rites of Spring, with how it manages both volumes equally well. Porcelain have crafted a song that is fuzzy and sludgy, and just wait until you get to the last minute or so. "Waltz" becomes an absolute epic by that point. Porcelain says of their latest single: “ This song is about trying to relate with someone who is going through a depressive episode, to help them feel seen and that they’re not alone. Depression can be isolating; it can consume you in a way that makes you feel unrelatable to everyone around...

We don't normally do posts for individual shows, but sometimes we feel the need to make sure you're aware of upcoming events.  Bikini Kill Photo by Lance Bangs First is Bikini Kill returning to Roadrunner on September 22. I was in attendance for their 2023 show at Roadrunner, and it was even better than I imagined. It was my first time seeing the riot grrrl legends, and there was something about seeing those songs live that was much more emotional than I expected. (I'm sure some of it was the heightened emotions coming out of COVID, too...) This time around they'll be joined by Providence political punks Downtown Boys, and how can you say no to that double bill? You can find more on this show here .  Photo by Robert Fagan October 26 sees L7's  The Last Hurrah Tour come to Boston. It's L7's farewell tour, and their first since bassist Jennifer Finch's tragic death earlier this year. You never know how final farewell tours actually are, but L7 has never se...

...and a bit of July, but don't tell anyone. Artist : Cheekface Album : Podium Quick Thoughts : Cheekface is prolific, unique in their sound, and still somehow puts out winner after winner. This album actually does mess with the blueprint a bit, with some different vocal choices and some sonic additions (like the record scratches in "Hostile Street"). Overall, though? Another great listen from your favorite local band. Songs of Note : "Hostile Street," "MFT," "Black Site, "U Can't Do It," "I Decline" Artist : Homeboy Sandman and Jack Splash Album : Resonance Frequency Quick Thoughts : I generally enjoy what Homeboy Sandman does, but this collaborative listen is likely to become one of my favorites of his catalog. Lots of interesting samples compliment his flow perfectly and it creates a really fun album that's worth your time. Songs of Note : "TWENTYFOURSEVEN," "Weed Stores Everywhere,...

Photo by Renee Cornue Studios The good news is that we're getting a new album from Providence's Jake Blount in two weeks! The bad news is that it will be his last string album before he starts a new project in 2027. The first single from his upcoming album, "Shady Grove," is a masterful traditional folk track. This is vintage Appalachian music, and shows how great Blount is it this style. It will be great to hear him expand on a new sound in the near future, and Single-Footing Horse is a great way to hear him play the style of music that made us fans years ago. The fiddle work in "Shady Grove" is fantastic, and fans of roots music are going to be blown away by this one.  Jake Blount says of his latest single: "This version of Shady Grove is adapted from one played by Jon Bekoff of Greenfield, MA. I didn't get to meet him before he died, but Jon was a major influence on many of my own mentors. His tunes are queer and full of mystery, and his version ...

Photo by Rick Soszynski Lily Seabird has seemed to be right on the verge of blowing up, and she just might based on the killer singles from her upcoming album. The Vermont artist's latest single, "Lightspheres on Their Way," keeps Seabird's indie rock meets folk sound intact. While most of her songs lean one way or the other, this latest one lands right between the two genres. It's a mostly solo song (for the first half, at least), with gritty and fuzzy guitar before the full band kicks in. It goes from Neil Young guitars to a Springsteen anthem at the halfway mark, all while keeping Seabird's indie sound in place. Of all the songs we've heard from her over the years, "Lightspheres on Their Way" sounds the most like it could end up being a breakthrough hit. Lily Seabird says of her latest single: "Lightspheres are so many things throughout this record, UFOs, memories, dreams, people, an unknown force pushing and pulling us through. Without b...

Album art by Crystal Araiza Music for Horses wasn't planned to be out now. The latest album was planned for release sometime later in the fall, or early spring 2027. But over the summer, co-founder and creative leader Reilly Somach was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer, so the album was released early. The album is a powerhouse of alt-rock meets psych and prog. It's a little all over the place with some tracks being under a minute long, and the second song on the album, "HPPD," being an epic fourteen minutes. Even if it was shorter, the song would be epic. It's a huge sounding, monster track that brings listeners on a journey and somehow leaves them wanting the song to be longer as it cycles through styles and tempo changes. Music for Horses is the kind of album that will make you wish local modern rock radio was still a thing, since it's filled with songs that should be huge hits, at least locally. ("HPPD" might be too long for radio play, but the ...

Photo courtesy of Perennial Anticipation continues to grow for Perennial's upcoming album, and the New England band have a new single out! "Emma Peel" closes out Modernism , and clocks in at one minute and twelve seconds. It's a fast and not that furious modern punk song. While there is still plenty of Perennial's mod sound, this one leans more into their art punk side. It's an absolute blast of a song, and a quick sonic burst that could never outstay its welcome. Considering how great their live show is, "Emma Peel" is the kind of song I'm already imagining hearing live, and absolutely can't wait. It will fit right in with Perennial's high energy, chaotic live performances. From what we've heard, Modernism is already a strong contender for album of 2026. Chad Jewett (electric guitars/vocals) says of his band's latest single: “This is shortest song on the album, and also the most packed with stuff! At first the song was built enti...