Namir Blade - "Stay"

Namir Blade is a Nashville based producer, instrumentalist, and emcee. He started experimenting with sounds at the age of six and kept at it at in high school at Nashville School of the Arts. His latest single, "Stay," brings a unique sound to the fringes of hip hop's mainstream. It has a laid back vibe that sounds like it could be at home on modern radio, but just unique enough to be its own thing. This is probably due to the sparse production, despite the song's fully formed sound.

Namir Blade says of "Stay": "'Stay' is a very poignant song that covers personal issues of abandonment, mental health, as well as the grim expectations thwarted on a young man growing up in and around impoverished communities. In this song, I reflect on past relationships, hardships, failures, while trying to maintain a grip on a thread of hope."

You can listen to "Stay" below. Aphelion's Traveling Circus, the new album from Namir Blade, will be out September 18 on Mello Music Group. You can pre-order a copy via Bandcamp. For more on Namir Blade, check out his Twitter.

Friday Freebie: WE ARE JOINERS - Carriers

WE ARE JOINERS is the musical project of Netherlands based artist Kevin Sun. Earlier this summer, he released an EP for the project entitled Carriers. It's four killer indie rock songs that span through many of the genre's sub-genres. "The Fortyfive" is a groovy, upbeat, almost Americana song. Immediately following that is "Metalmouth" which is going to appeal to fans of both Lou Barlow's super lo-fi home recordings and Dinosaur Jr. "Too tired to start a riot" is bedroom folk at its best. It's only four songs at around only nine minutes, but there is something here for literally any fan of indie rock.

You can listen to "Metalmouth" below. Carriers is available now via WE ARE JOINERS's Bandcamp page for the "name your price" option. If you do choose free, be sure to at least give WE ARE JOINERS a follow on Twitter.

Anne Malin - "Child"

Photo by Rachel Winslow

Gothic country duo Anne Lamin recently moved to Nashville after some time in Indiana. They had planned to record their next album at The Bomb Shelter with a collection of Nashville musicians, but then the pandemic hit. Instead, they recorded their new album at home. One of the songs they recorded ("Child"), has one of the more interesting takes on country we've heard in a while. It's an upbeat, twangy country song that stops just shy of being foot-stomping. But, there's also some elements of modern mainstream Americana present. And of course, being that this is Anne Malin, "Child" has some incredibly dark undertones. (Gothic country and all...) Plus, the song ends in a dream pop like drone. Somehow, this all works together to craft a beautiful take on one of the oldest forms of American music.

You can listen to "Child" below. Waiting Song, the new album from Anne Malin, will be out October 2. You can pre-order a copy of the album via Bandcamp. For more on Anne Malin, check out the artist's website.

The Lemon Drop Gang - "Georgie"

At this point we might all associate the name Georgie with It, but The Lemon Drop Gang's newest song isn't about the Stephen King classic. Instead it's an answer song to The Seekers's 1966 song "Georgy Girl." While "Georgy Girl" was an Academy Award and Golden Globe winning folk classic, "Georgie" is a garage rock ripper. It's a song imploring a woman to not change for polite society and to keep being herself. If it wasn't for the growl in singer Steph O'Halloran's voice, this could pass for a 60's garage rocker. Instead, it's a 60's style garage rocker infused with some punk edge. Now we'll just have to wait to see if Homer Simpson uses this song to sadly sing about missing out on a blimp ride.

You can listen to "Georgie" below. The song is currently available as a free download via Rum Bar Records's Bandcamp. I'm Not the One!, the upcoming album from The Lemon Drop Gang, will be out in the Fall. For more on The Lemon Drop Gang, check them out on Facebook.

Benjamin Booker - "Black Disco"

Photo via Facebook

It's been three long years since we've heard anything new from Benjamin Booker. In that time he relocated to Australia and started a family, so it's safe to say he's kept busy. Now, he's finally given us some new music. "Black Disco" continues Booker's musical evolution. His debut album was a hyped up garage/blues rocker, and Witness was a bit more polished and smooth. This new song still has heavy blues elements, but it's virtually unrecognizable from his output six years ago. "Black Disco" is much slinkier, and while it's still strongly a rock song, there are some elements of pop and trip hop in here. According to a Facebook post about the new song, it's about anxiety which could explain the disjointed feel of the track. And I mean that in the best possible way.

You can listen to "Black Disco" below. The song is available on Benjamin Booker's Bandcamp with all proceeds going to the Southern Poverty Law Center. For more on Benjamin Booker, check out his website.

Jello Biafra and The Guantanamo School of Medicine - "WE CREATED PUTIN"

Photo via Facebook

I've been firmly on team Jello for decades now, and any new music we get from him is a treasure. He's one of the very few aging punk idols that hasn't mellowed in either politics or the ferocity of his music. While many others seem to get more and more embarrassing as their politics drift further and further to the other side, Jello seems to be getting more and more radical with age. Take his newest single with The Guantanamo School of Medicine. "WE CREATED PUTIN" is pretty blatant and unapologetic in its subject matter (Spoiler alert: Jello isn't a fan of Trump), and musically it's as subtle as a shotgun blast to the gut. If you were ever a Dead Kennedys or Jello Biafra fan in your youth and haven't started listening to stadium country and sharing memes about the kids these days, you're going to love what Jello is still up to. Do us all a favor and check this song out.

You can watch the video for "WE CREATED PUTIN" below. Tea Party Revenge Porn, the new album from Jello Biafra and The Guantanamo School of Medicine, will be out this Fall on Alternative Tentacles Records. For more on Jello Biafra, check out the Alternative Tentacles website.

Attic Salt - "Mud"

Every time I think I can safely say I don't like pop punk or emo, a band like Attic Salt comes around and forces me to like them. Hailing from Springfield, IL, they've just released a new song called "Mud." "Mud" starts off with singer Alyssa Currie and an acoustic guitar, so it might fool you into thinking it's that 90's alt-rock singer/songwriter style. And then the rest of the band kicks in, and it turns out you've been tricked into liking some pop punk. Although, "Mud" isn't your stereotypical pop punk song. There's far more power pop and alternative rock thrown in here, so we can all pretend we don't secretly like pop punk. But, all anti-pop punk jokes aside, this is a truly solid rock song that you're going to like. It's like a combination of artists like Laura Stevenson & The Cans and Nervous Dater, so you know we have to be all in.

You can watch the video for "Mud" below. Get Wise, the new album from Attic Salt, will be out September 25 on Jump Start Records. You can pre-order a copy via the label's Bandcamp. For more on Attic Salt, check out the band's Facebook and Twitter.

Salem Wolves - "Titanium"

We've been pretty high on Boston's Salem Wolves for a few years now. They've always had a version of garage rock that has worked for us, even as their sound has evolved into a larger, almost arena ready sound. With their new single, they're completely blowing up their garage rock past into something new. And huge. 

Ok, maybe "Titanium" doesn't completely throw away Salem Wolves's past. There's still some garage rock in this new song. But as soon as the nearly metal into starts, you know this is a new, mutated band. And once the force of "Titanium" picks up, the best you can do is hold on for dear life. Gray Bouchard is letting some of his more pop side he normally reserves for The Dedications out, but just a little. Somehow "Titanium" is both more mainstream and heavier than anything Salem Wolves have released in the past. It's a huge, slick, loud, and heavy rock song. This could be what finally propels the band out of the basement clubs around the Boston area into the larger, shinier clubs. If we ever get to go out again.

You can listen to "Titanium" below. Never Die!!!, the new EP from Salem Wolves, will be out September 8 (retro Tuesday release date!). You can pre-order a copy via Bandcamp. For more on Salem Wolves, check out the band's website.

First Listen: New Releases for 28 August

Artist: Carla J Easton
Album: WEIRDO
Quick Description: An instant favorite serving of indie pop.
Why You Should Listen: This is weird enough to be outside of the mainstream, but poppy enough to have broad appeal.
Overall Thoughts: This one came out of nowhere and shot directly to the top of my list for 2020. There's so much to love about this entire thing - it feels like a long lost 80s pop record sometimes, others it's like a strange modern indie piece. All of it is wonderful, and it's something I absolutely adored. Don't miss out.
Recommendation: One of the best of the year.

Artist: The Avett Brothers
Album: The Third Gleam
Quick Description: A new short album by the alt-country act in their Gleam series.
Why You Should Listen: If you're typically more down with their introspective folk side, the Gleam records deliver.
Overall Thoughts: The last Avetts album was hit-or-miss in a lot of ways, but seeing a new Gleam release brought it all back around for me. This is definitely comfort food in a lot of ways, but it's also a reminder that, when the Avett Brothers do the sort of country-folk stuff that initially made them famous, there are few acts better at it.
Recommendation: A must hear.

Artist: Molly Tuttle
Album: ...but i'd rather be with you
Quick Description: New album from the bluegrass favorite.
Why You Should Listen: Molly Tuttle has succeeded in making a solid pandemic-friendly Americana album.
Overall Thoughts: Molly Tuttle is a favorite around here, and for good reason. Her previous efforts were great, and this came highly antipated. Tuttle delivers with an album that feels a little isolated and personal by design, which is perfect for these strange times. I really loved this, and it's one I'm absolutely looking forward to giving another spin.
Recommendation: A solid listen this week.

Artist: Widowspeak
Album: Plum
Quick Description: Latest album from the indie rock act.
Why You Should Listen: Widowspeak has always been good at their sound, and this might be their best effort yet.
Overall Thoughts: I've never really considered Widowspeak as a favorite band of mine, but Plum is making me wonder if I should start. This is a gorgeous album with so much going for it: sometimes the songs hit like a breezy springtime, other times the music is a little darker in mood, and yet it always works. This balance makes them great, and Plum is a great effort and a wonderful jumping on point if you're new to the act.
Recommendation: Don't miss out.

Artist: PVRIS
Album: Use Me
Quick Description: Some great local dark rock/pop reminiscent of Meg Myers.
Why You Should Listen: It's worth getting a bit of a counterbalance to a lot of the upbeat recent pop efforts.
Overall Thoughts: I don't have a ton to say about PVRIS other than the fact that I love this sort of pop music, and PVRIS provides an under-the-radar effort that deserves a lot more attention here. This is a great listen, and if you're into more challenging rock/pop music and perhaps want a counterweight to the Dua Lipa club bangers out this week, put this in your rotation.
Recommendation: A fun listen.

Artist: Caitlin Pasko
Album: Greenhouse
Quick Description: End-of-relationship concept album with a lot to say.
Why You Should Listen: This is one of the more interesting releases this week.
Overall Thoughts: I liked Pasko's previous release, and this one is definitely a little different, but not in a bad way at all. It's a fascinating effort that is extremely introspective and is worth hearing in this era, but is also a solid musical effort with a lot of quiet parts to go along with the tone Pasko sets. This isn't a difficult listen musically, but it's a hard listen and one you want to hear.
Recommendation: Make some time for this one.

Artist: Deli Girls
Album: BOSS
Quick Description: Latest from the techno/punk hybrid act.
Why You Should Listen: I shouldn't love this act as much as I do, but the jarring and abrasive feel hits me right.
Overall Thoughts: I got addicted to their previous album, I Don't Know How to Be Happy, at some point early this year, and I was excited when this dropped in my list this week. Ken described them as if "Atari Teenage Riot stopped being so melodic," and I think what draws me in more is just how visceral the experience is. Nothing is held back with Deli Girls, and that's what makes it work for me in a way a lot of other acts like this don't. This won't work for everyone, but if you like it, you'll probably love it.
Recommendation: Give this a shot.

Artist: Knot
Album: Knot
Quick Description: Some interesting alt/indie music.
Why You Should Listen: It's the sort of off-kilter guitar-based indie rock that kept bubbling under through much of the 2000s.
Overall Thoughts: To me, this is almost as if The Weakerthans listened to a few too many prog records. There's a lot to like here, and there are many layers to this listen that I hope to uncover, but this was a pleasant surprise sent over by Ken and I'm looking forward to spending more time with it.
Recommendation: An intriguing listen this week.

Artist: Wood & Wire
Album: No Matter Where It Goes From Here
Quick Description: Latest from the folk act.
Why You Should Listen: Wood & Wire have a good thing going that you don't want to miss.
Overall Thoughts: I don't have a ton to say about the latest from Wood & Wire, either, but I didn't want it to go unnoticed in a busy week. There are a lot of fun songs on this, and as one of our favorite folk acts here, it's got a lot going for it in a busy week.
Recommendation: Worth making time for.

Artist: Dream Nails
Album: Dream Nails
Quick Description: British female punks with a fun effort.
Why You Should Listen: It's what fun punk should be.
Overall Thoughts: Listen, they have a song called "Vagina Police 2.0," a skit called "Women and Non-Binary People to the Front," and the 15 tracks clock in at under 30 minutes. I think you get the picture, so absolutely fire this one up and have some fun with it. I know I did.
Recommendation: A great album.

Artist: Sneaks
Album: Happy Birthday
Quick Description: Some punk-adjacent music from Washington, DC.
Why You Should Listen: This is well in line with a lot of what we like here.
Overall Thoughts: I get a firm Priests vibe from this album we missed last week. It's a rollicking good time as an album and something that deserves a lot more attention, as it's out there enough to turn heads but accessible enough where it could end up breaking out. It's a busy week, but make some time for this one, because...
Recommendation: ...you're not likely to hear anything else like it this week.

Of note:

* Angel Olsen - Whole New Mess (Demos and alternate versions of recent songs.)
* Samia - The Baby (Lots of solid stuff here.)
* Zephania OHora - Listening to the Music (Still some of the best classic country in modern times.)
* Charlotte Hatherley and TJ Allen - Traveller (Great dark/ambient collab between the former Ash guitarist and well-known Portishead/Bat for Lashes producer.)
* The Slow Painters - The Slow Painters (Continually surprising.)
* Jazzmyn Red - Redvolution (Good jazzy hip-hop.)
* The Sea The Sea - Stumbling Home
* Half Gringa - Force to Reckon
* Pussycat and the Dirty Johnsons - Beast
* Sarah Walk - Another Me
* Aluna - Renaissance
* Washington - Batflowers
* Disclosure - ENERGY
* Sevdaliza - Shabrang
* Kelly Lee Owens - Inner Song
* Nelson Can - Solo Desire: Remixed Together, Vol. 6 (Dream Waves)
* Dua Lipa - Club Future Nostalgia
* Bettye LaVette - Blackbirds

EPs:

* Oklou - Galore
* MarthaGunn - Caught Up and Confused EP
* The Ophelias - For Luck
* GRAE - Permanent Maniac
* Zella Day - Where Does the Devil Hide

Also out:

* Olivia Lane - The One
* Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Bonus Tracks
* Toots and the Maytals - Got to Be Tough
* Powerman 5000 - The Noble Rot

William Elliott Whitmore - "My Mind Can Be Cruel to Me"

Photo by Chris Casella

William Elliott Whitmore specializes in old time country that has a modern flair. His latest single, "My Mind Can Be Cruel to Me" showcases his talents. Tonally it feels like a song that could have been written fifty years ago while it still sounds like something recorded in this century. It's a twangy country song with just the slightest hints of punk pushing in at the edges.

William Elliott Whitmore says of the new song:

"The song 'My Mind is Cruel to Me' is about perception. Our memories and thoughts can be torturous at times. Mark Twain called it the "devil's race track", when a line of thought and worry goes around and around in a circle inside our brains. Is the mind a separate entity from the body? At what point does it feel as though our brains are actually betraying us?

Human beings are a complicated animal, and with that comes complicated emotions, fears, and habits. This video is meant to show that. Are the other band members real or not? It's hard to remember, but I swear they were breathing and talking when we filmed it. The bass player, my friend Wolfina, kept messing up takes. I'm pretty sure I'm recalling that correctly. The guitar player, Patsy Decline, was trying to mimic the pedal steel part on her semi-hollow body electric. She did a great job I thought, really captured the spirit. I'll never forget the time we had, it's good to be around friends."

You can watch the video for "My Mind Can Be Cruel to Me" below. I'm With You, the upcoming album from William Elliott Whitmore, will be out October 16 on Bloodshot Records. You can pre-order a copy here. For more on William Elliott Whitmore, check out his website.