If It's Too Loud...

Photo by Shannon Shumaker I still consider Frank Turner one of my "new" artists even though I discovered him about thirteen years ago and he's about to release his tenth album. His albums typically go from good to phenomenal for me, and based on his latest single, this upcoming album could be one of the better ones. "Do One" has that level of confidence you only get from an artist who has been around as long as Turner has. It starts off as one of his more folky tunes, and then the rock kicks in. It's not a full on punk rock song, but Turner has long mastered finding that middle ground between folk and punk. "Do One" is just a straight up great rock song that's going to appeal to the folks, punks, and even mainstream rock fans. But that's just the magic of Frank Turner in 2024. Frank Turner says of his latest single: “‘Do One’ is the last song I wrote for the new album, and the first song on that album, as well as the first single. So it’s a...

Photo by Vanessa Sollner Essex based Pet Needs have released a new song that is fast and abrasive punk wrapped around a gushy love song. "Separation Anxiety" is a melodic punk song that speeds through the verses and gets even faster for the guitar solo, but slows down a bit for the chorus. It's a fun, breakneck speed love song that reminds me of the Buzzcocks. Punk love songs are nothing new, but they are rarely this hard or fast. Even the legends get at least a little softer for a love song, but apparently no one sent Pet Needs the memo. Frontman Johnny Marriott says of the new song: “‘Separation Anxiety’ is an unconventional, subverted love song about my wife Lorna.  We have been together almost 15 years and had never spent more than two weeks apart until last year. I know Lorna would absolutely cringe at anything too over-sincere, so shouting that I love her more than anyone else does is more her style!” You can watch the video for "Separation Anxiety" below....

Photo by Pitlad Folk punk is one of those genres that is hard to describe, but you know when you hear it. Skinny Lister are almost the auditory definition of folk punk. The English band just released "Company of the Bar," and it even nails the subject matter of most folk punk: drinking, traveling, and the sea. It's a fun and raucous tune that is sure to remind a lot of people of Flogging Molly. (Skinny Lister are playing Flogging Molly's Salty Dog Cruise in November.) It's the rare folk that is sure to inspire moshing without having to turn up the volume or even really use yelling. Sure, there are gang vocals, but more pleasant ones. Skinny Lister are a bunch of fun, and you're going to want to check this one out. You can listen to "Company of the Bar" below. Shanty Punk is due out October 21 on Xtra Mile Recordings, and can be pre-ordered here . For more on Skinny Lister, check out the band's website . Upcoming tour dates are below the song. OCT...

Photo by Ester Keate Hannah Rose Platt has an upcoming album of "poetic ghost stories," and on her latest single she teams with Ed Harcourt. "The Mermaid & The Sailor" is a nautical folk tale that is going to remind our readers of Charming Disaster in both subject matter and sonically. Platt and Harcourt's tale is a little more lush sonically, but it still has that sparse and haunting feel. Platt seems to take a little extra delight in the duet, with her role of mermaid calling to a sailor. Even if you're not paying attention to the joyful darkness of "The Mermaid & The Sailor," the song is going to appeal just on a purely sonic level. Hannah Rose Platt says of her new single: “The Mermaid and the Sailor is a hypnotic ‘Sailor’s Lament’ framed as a conversation exploring addiction, between the Sailor (the addict) and the mermaid (his addiction) whose siren song constantly tempts him back into the water." You can watch the video for ...