If It's Too Loud...

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 ...

Photo by Kimberly Ha THAO (formerly Thao and the Get Down Stay Down) returns with her first new music in six years. "Fossils" pushes past THAO's previous releases, while still sounding exactly how we want a release from her to sound. It mixes folk, dance,a and indie into a sound that is all hers. It's a joyous song, and I can't wait to hear her perform it live in a couple of weeks at Green River Festival. "Fossils" is practically begging, if not demanding, a dance party to break out at any minute. THAO's music is a series of upbeat and affirming songs, and "Fossils" fits right in there while still transforming her sound just enough. THAO says of her latest single: “Fossils is both a red-flag warning and an encouragement,  I’m saying I can see it all, I can zoom out and up and see how I and we will have reached the end, frozen in these protective stances. The danger of underliving our lives is real, is in every isolationist choice we make. H...

Photo by Vincent Wechselberger No one does pop music like Peaches. It's pop music, but so far out of the mainstream that most pop fans wouldn't be able to recognize it. The musical legend has a new single out called "No Lube So Rude." It classic Peaches fashion, it's a fun, dance friendly song that has some aggression lying below the surface. And it's obviously NSFW or to play in front of your children based on the title alone. So save this from work from home days and solo car trips. "No Lube So Rude" is going to be perfect to crank and dance to with a partner or like minded friends. Or a few thousand strangers next time Peaches comes to town. Peaches says of the new single: “ When the world is friction, lube isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. It’s how you turn that friction into pleasure, into power, into pride. I want people to understand that they can still have a voice no matter who they are or what the world says about them .” You can watch the ...

Photo by Pat Graham For Record Store Day, feminist punk legends Bratmobile reissued their album The Real Janelle and included their 1993 Peel Session with the release. This reissue includes their cover of Blur's "There's No Other Way" along with "No You Don't." The Blur cover is a snippet of the track, slowed down and much more sludgy than the original. It's a fun and unique take on the song, nailing the whole 90's slacker vibe perfectly. That lasts for about forty-five seconds before "No You Don't" kicks in. The whole track of two songs lasts less than two and a half minutes, and it's virtually perfect.  Frontwoman Allison Wolfe says of her band's reissue: “Both The Real Janelle and The Peel Session were recorded within a month of each other, representing a slice of Bratmobile life in the summer of ‘93, so it makes perfect sense to rerelease them together in one package,  I’m especially psyched for The Peel Session since th...

Photo by Emily Marcovecchio Recently, the UK Supreme Court recently ruled that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex. Kate Nash has released a new single in response to that ruling, and it might be the most punk rock song of the year. It's a spoken word rant that rallies against the belief that transwomen are a threat to cis women, toxic masculinity, and name checks Elon Musk and Donald Trump. It's a surprisingly experimental song from Nash, and it's straight up badass. At a time where people keep insisting we need Rage Against the Machine to come back, Kate Nash might have us covered. Kate Nash says of her latest single: “Using feminism to erase the rights of others is inherently un-feminist. ‘GERM’ is my response to the recent news that the Supreme Court ruled that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex and that the concept of sex is binary. Trans people were excluded from the conversation. "I am left uneasy as I see behaviour...

Photo by Charles Bouril I'm having a hard time figuring out the latest single from Kinsella & Pulse, LLC. The duo (who previously went by Good Fuck and then Tim Kinsella & Jenny Pulse) recently released "Brutal, The Way You Like It." After listening to the single, it's either a light indie pop meets indie rock song or a darker and brooding post-punk song. It's hard to decide which the song leans towards, since at times both the vocals and the instruments switch between both styles while still sounding like one cohesive song. It's an interesting dichotomy that has created one of the most intriguing songs we've brought you in a while. It's well worth multiple listens as you try to figure it out. We've decided that it's both and neither at once. Tim Kinsella says of the band's latest single: " This song changed both shape & feel a few times before ending up in this state. We played it instrumental on tour last yr & it felt...

Photo by Sarah Mary Chadwick Sarah Mary Chadwick is a Naarm/Melbourne based artist who was born in New Zealand of Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Pākehā descent. Her latest single, "Take Me Out to a Bar," is a stunning piano ballad that doesn't attempt to hide the pain and emotion behind it. The song could not be more stripped down and bare, and might be one of the most powerful songs we've brought you in years. This is a six minute song with just piano and vocals, and that's all Chadwick needs to keep you rapt for the entire length. Despite how simple the song is, this is hardly a mainstream pop or folk-style song, so it's certainly not for everyone. But, if this is your type of music, it's going to become a near obsession for quite a while. Sarah Mary Chadwick says of getting sober after recording her upcoming album: ”I can hear it.  The desolate desire for change, the goodbyes, the fading romance, the memories. And the pain- that’s different but that never leaves,...

Photo by Nani Gross Los Angeles' Trap Girl count John Waters as a fan, who has said "Trap Girl is my perfect cup of poisoned tea." The band formed in 2014, and has a new single out now. "Baddest Bitch" is a mix of original Los Angeles punk and riot grrrl, but through a 1960's lens. The song is fast and furious, but in a ridiculously fun way. Trap Girl are going to work for even the crankiest of punk purists along with fans of the newer generation of punk. "Baddest Bitch" is the type of song that you'll like the first time you listen, really like after a few, and around the tenth time you'll be ready to start worshipping Trap Girl. You can watch the video for "Baddest Bitch" below. The Savage Goddess is due out September 27 on Kill Rock Stars, and is available for pre-order here . For more on Trap Girl, check out the band on Instagram and Facebook .

Photo by Nathan DuCong é When a song is titled "Anarchy," it's pretty safe to assume the song is punk. The latest from Lesibu Grand isn't punk at all, except that it's totally punk. The new single is much more alt-pop than punk. I wouldn't even say it's that new generation of punk like Mannequin Pussy or Destroy Boys that integrate a heavy dose of pop into their sound. But Lesibu Grand's latest is even more punk by throwing out all of the rules of punk and making a pop song that even middle aged punk purists are going to love. This is a pop song that straight up rocks. You can watch the video for "Anarchy" below. Triggered is due out August 16 on Kill Rock Stars, and is available for pre-order here . For more on Lesibu Grand, check out the artist's website .

Photo by Alice Baxley Kate Nash has always made the kind of pop music that is still beloved by those of us who pretend to hate pop music, and her latest single is a perfect example of that. First off, it's called "My Bile" which isn't exactly a pop sounding song title. That aside, the song sounds more like something you'd hear in a musical than Top 40 radio. Plus, it has one of the most interesting beats I've heard in anything that can be considered pop, and an extremely orchestral feel. "My Bile" is going to appeal to fans of The Last Dinner Party more than it will to Taylor Swift fans.  Kate Nash says of her latest single:  “‘ My Bile’ is about being at your wits’ end and having nothing left to give to society’s expectation of you, and I guess reassessing past behaviors and current priorities. You know you’re on empty when you’re spewing up bile. I’ve realized I need more reserves for myself. I’m at a point in my life where I want to say ‘no’ to th...

Photo by Shervin Lainez You ever hear a song and know you're hearing something truly great? That's how the latest from Joh Chase is. The Los Angeles based alt-folk artist just released "When I Got This Place," which is a surprisingly mainstream singer-songwriter track for an alt-folk artist. The song has a killer blues groove, but the highlight is Chase's vocals. Granted, this is only the third song we've heard from their upcoming album, but this is the most powerful their vocals have been. "When I Got This Place" makes me wish that radio was still a bigger deal, because this song truly deserves to be heard by as many people as possible. Seriously, share this one with everyone you know, because this one deserves to be huge. Joh Chase says of their latest single: “The whole song really represents that I've had a lot of breakups in LA. Every scene that's in the song is a moment that’s happened in my life.” You can watch the video for "When...

Photo by Shervin Lainez We cover a lot of artists that tend to live in between the worlds of indie rock and folk, but no one is doing it quite like Joh Chase. Their latest single, "Gone," would fit in with many other artists in the genre such as Big Thief, but there's just something about Chase that keeps their sound unique. It's somehow more folk and more indie rock at the same time. The song starts off in that modern, Newport Folk Festival inspired folk style that's fairly rock adjacent, but the bass line has a much sharper edge than you'd expect. The song slowly builds step by step until it's an indie rock banger, while still keeping the basics that made you love the song to begin with. Joh Chase says of their musical background: “My brain is completely filled with the music I was raised on: Elton John, The Cranberries, Bonnie Raitt, and the Mamas and the Papas. I will always think of my music through that template while trying to find a place for mysel...

Photo by Jack Buster Despite my hatred of most pop music, I've always liked Kate Nash. Maybe it's because she's British, but her music has always seemed to be a higher, more clever version of pop. It's always been the kind of pop music it's ok for American indie rock snobs to openly love. That continues with her latest single, "Change." This one is an absolutely beautiful ballad. At this point, the song is probably more on the Adult Contemporary side of things with artists like Ben Folds or Jewel. It starts off as a lovely and simple song, and just grows to an epic, orchestral ballad. "Change" might not have the same biting edge of her earlier work, but Kate Nash has never sounded better than she does now. Kate Nash says of her latest single: “ ‘Change’ is about relationships and how they are ever-evolving, constant effort is required to maintain good relationships. You can’t become complacent with others or with yourself. But you also have to le...

Photo by Shervin Lainez The latest from Joh Chase is going to immediately suck you in. The Los Angeles based artist is set to release a new album in April, but now you can check out their latest single "Avalanche." The song toes the line between alt-folk and folk-pop. Chase puts just enough twang in the song to make it almost country, but it doesn't quite make it. It's an absolute anthem that shows off their vocals and one of the most well written songs of the year. It has just enough to keep more traditional folk fans happy, it is unique enough to make even the snobbiest music fan satisfied, and mainstream enough to suck in people that primarily listen to Top 40 and adult contemporary radio. Joh Chase has something truly special here. Joh Chase says of their new single: “This song is about the transformational power of love in that it's not what you think it is all the time. I feel like it really represents my life. It's very personal for sure.” You can watch...

Photo by Tiny Studio Indonesia's Grrrl Gang's latest single, "Better Than Life," is a ninety second post-punk blitz of a song. The guitars hit you with a buzzsaw-like precision, but it still has that dance-friendly groove that is required for the best post-punk has to offer. It's a brooding, fast paced song about singer Angeeta Sentana's struggles with mental disorder. It's the kind of song that could inspire a mosh pit and a dance party equally. We've been digging Grrrl Gang's singles so far, and "Better Than Life" is the most punk rock one yet. Angeeta Sentana says of the new song: "Being diagnosed with any mental disorder is not a nice thing to have. I'm still in the process of accepting it as a 'normal' part of my life, but there are times when I would feel super down about it."  You can listen to "Better Than Life" below. Spunky! is due out September 22 on Kill Rock Stars, and is available for pre-orde...

Photo by Zoe Salvucci Chiara D'Anzieri started playing instruments in her native Italy at age three. When she was thirteen she joined an orchestra, and started her first string quartet at sixteen. At twenty, she left the world of classical music, taught herself guitar, bass, and drums, and started studying The Beatles, Frank Zappa, and The Velvet Underground. She started going by Santa Chiara, and almost quit music at twenty-four, but met her now husband Ron Gallo and kept going. Her latest single, "Worth It or Not?," is a bouncy and dance-friendly rock song. It's bordering on pop, but most music is now. What the song is is a ton of fun that packs a lot into it's two minute run time. It's infectious and full of joy, and is an absolute must listen. You can watch the video for "Worth It or Not?" below. IMPORTED is due out October 20 on Kill Rock Stars, and is available for pre-order here . For more on Santa Chiara, check out the artist's website .

Photo by Shervin Lainez For the past eight years, Melissa Ferrick has been working in academia, but she's finally returning to releasing new music. Her first single off her upcoming album, "Black Dress," may be folk rock, but it's possibly the most rocking version of that possible. The song has a biting edge to it, and is fairly stripped down for a rock song but heavy for a folk song. Ferrick also adds a certain swagger and groove to the song, and the result is pretty damn close to punk. If this is the kind of music we can come to expect, we're welcoming back the veteran musician with open arms! You can listen to "Black Dress" below. Melissa Ferrick's upcoming album will be released on Kill Rock Stars in 2024. For more on Ferrick, check out the artist on Instagram and Facebook .

Photo by Simon J Karis When I see a song title like "Drinkin' on a Tuesday," I assume the song is going to be country. But the latest from New Zealand born, Melbourne based multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, visual artist, and songwriter Sarah Mary Chadwick can hardly be described by any Americana based genre. Her new single of that title is an experimental singer/songwriter track. It follows some basic song structures, but mostly just sort of ambles along as it wants with non-typical instrumentation and melodies. If forced to compare "Drinkin' on a Tuesday" to other artists, I'd say it's a mixture of Daniel Johnston and Kate Bush. Sarah Mary Chadwick says of her latest single: “This is a reverse resilience song, cause essentially it’s about bouncing back, but in the most lonely blinding searing way possible. It's like the interior of a drunk’s mind, everything is bright and tragic and huge and dark and silent and everybody is new and bright.  And ...