Radio Compass - "California"

Photo by Joey Phoenix

Hailing from Salem, MA, Radio Compass just released a brand new single, "California." "California" has one of the more interesting sounds we've heard recently. There's some mid-90's power pop, some modern garage rock, a little bit of 80's New Wave, and some straight up pop in the song. Plus, there's a post-punk beat to the song, helping to give it a completely unique feel. None of these sounds dominate "California" at all. It's a sugary, breezy track that feels much more like summer than October. (But if they're a Salem band they're probably dreaming of summer at this point in the month.) 

Angela Lee (lead vocals/guitar) says of the new single:

"California is a song about trusting your path, being open to endless possibilities, burning bright and owning your shine (and periodic chaos) and refusing to allow others to dull it"

You can watch the lyric video for "California" below. The song is currently available through Bandcamp. For more on Radio Compass, check out the band on Instagram and Facebook.

Stop Calling Me Frank - "My Band On Her T-Shirt"

Stop Calling Me Frank were one of many Boston bands that were fans of and friends with Justine Covault. Their latest single is a tribute to their late friend. "My Band On Her T-Shirt" is an upbeat and joyous garage rock song, which is perfect for any tribute to Justine. There is no sense of sadness with "My Band On Her T-Shirt." Instead, the song is a celebration of Justine and what she meant to the scene. It's a catchy and absolutely fun track heavy with horns, and is a perfect tribute.

Stop Calling Me Frank says of their new song:

"Stop Calling Me Frank has a new song inspired by, and dedicated to, Justine Covault. Justine was not only a terrific song-writer, bass player, vocalist, guitar player, and music impresario, she was a great friend. Justine came to a lot of our shows wearing her customized Stop Calling Me Frank t-shirt, with the collar cut off. Sometimes she would wear that shirt at her own shows! She was an enthusiastic supporter, and promoter, of many bands, and it was a great privilege that we were one of her favorites. She was one of our favorites, too."

You can listen to "My Band On Her T-Shirt" below. The single is available now via Rum Bar Records and can be downloaded through Bandcamp. For more on Stop Calling Me Frank, check out the artist on Facebook.

Carissa Johnson - "Congratulations"

Photo by Lucy Opazo

Even though Carissa Johnson left Boston for New York, she'll always be one of ours. Her latest single, "Congratulations," continues her unbroken streak of just killer garage rock/pop songs. Johnson's music just hits this perfect space where it encompasses both rock and pop that no one else quite hits. "Congratulations" is a solid power pop track that leans heavily into its pop side while maintaining a punk edge. Plus, no one really writes a song like Carissa Johnson. It could not be catchier but still just rocks. The only problem when Johnson releases a new song is that we instantly want more.

You can watch the video for "Congratulations" below. For more on Carissa Johnson, check out the artist's website.

Common Thread - "Lydia Elle"

Photo by Jody McFarland

We don't cover a ton of reissues here, but sometimes an artist being reissued is new to us and absolutely thrilling to discover. That's the case with Common Thread. Based out of Jacksonville, FL, their second album, Fountain, was released in 1993 only on cassette, and to celebrate its thirtieth anniversary it's being released on vinyl and streaming services for the first time. Right now we can hear "Lydia Elle" from the reissue, and holy hell... this would have been life changing for me in 1993. "Lydia Elle" is a beast of a song that combines the noise and coolness of indie rockers like Sonic Youth, the sheer power and near metal side of The Jesus Lizard, the wave of shoegaze noise of The Jesus and Mary Chain, and the dark post-punk groove of Joy Division. Hearing Common Thread in 2023 is nearly life changing, so I can't imagine hearing this as a teenager. 

You can listen to "Lydia Elle" below. The reissue of Fountain is due out December 8 on Fort Lowell Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Common Thread, check out Fort Lowell Records' website.

Derek Smith - "Black Angel"

You might know Derek Smith as the frontman for The Cosmic Vultures, but he just released a new solo single. "Black Angel" is just a straight up great singer-songwriter song with elements of folk and country. It's one of those songs that starts simply enough on the folkier side of music, and builds into a rocker by the end. What really sucks you into a song like "Black Angel" is Smith's vocals. He just has a unique sound to his voice that reminds me of the mid-90's post grunge alternative goes pop period. Plus, there's one of the best twangy guitar solos to come out of Boston this year in the song, and who doesn't want one of those?

Derek Smith says of his new single:

"I am talking directly to God in this song. Whatever the concept of God is. Real, fake, whatever. I am not flat-out saying what I believe. Though, I am sure people are smart enough to know what and how I feel."

You can listen to "Black Angel" below. The single is out now via Oak Honest Records. For more on Derek Smith, check out the artist on Instagram and Facebook.

Wyn & the White Light - "Heal Me"

Photo by Mike Doran

We've been covering Wyn Doran's music for almost for years now, so we know what to expect when she releases a new song. Her music is this excellent blend of folk and pop without being even remotely folk-pop. That's what makes her latest single with Wyn & the White Light so thrilling. "Heal Me" starts off like how we would expect. It's a quiet yet intense song filled with heavy emotions, and it was perfect just like that. But then the song just builds and builds intensity until it becomes this completely epic song. The strings on the song are simply perfect and what keeps adding a sense of unease to the build of the song. It reminds me of The Huntress and Holder of Hands meets U2 in how it builds to this giant scope of a song, but still with a sense of darkness. If we haven't convinced you to jump on the Wyn bandwagon yet, "Heal Me" should convince you.

Wyn Doran says of the new song:

"‘Heal Me’ is how the album’s story begins- it was my first experience with the paranormal and death when in my teens- the brush with mortality showed me there is more to life than what meets the eye.”

You can listen to "Heal Me" below. For more on Wyn & the White Light, check out the artist's website.

Fenne Lily - "Hollywood and Fear"

Photo by Michael Tyrone Delaney

Back in April Fenne Lily released the excellent album Big Picture. This week she announced an expanded edition of the album with five additional tracks. The first we can hear is "Hollywood and Fear." This new song would have fit in perfectly with the ten songs already on the album. Lily just has this unique and compelling version of alt-folk meets mainstream folk-pop. A song like "Hollywood and Fear" is just so close to being on the mainstream side of things, but Lily just has her own unique spin on the genre and keeps it all her own. It's also what makes you need to listen when one of her songs are on, and why you don't want to stop listening.

You can listen to "Hollywood and Fear" below. Big Picture (Expanded Edition) is due out November 10 on Dead Oceans, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Fenne Lily, check out the artist on Facebook and Instagram.

The Woggles - "Mr. Last Chance"

Photo courtesy of The Woggles

The Woggles are one of those garage rock bands that feel like they've been around forever despite forming in 1987. (That may seem like forever, but it's not in the world of garage rock.) It could be because they have that poppy garage rock sound that could have been released any time since the 1960's. Their latest single, "Mr. Last Chance," is just a simple, catchy, and groovy garage rock sound. It's fuzzy guitars and just stripped down rock and roll. If you like classic, vintage no nonsense garage rock, chances are you already adore The Woggles, but if you're just discovering them for the first time, you're in for a treat!

Frontman "The Professor" Mighty Manfred says of the band's new single:

"Mr. Last Chance is our first release to feature the Woggles' new road-tested two-guitar attack, featuring Graham Day and Shane Pringle."

You can listen to "Mr. Last Chance" below. The single is available as a 7" via Wicked Cool Records, and can be purchased here. For more on The Woggles, check out the band's website.

Madi Diaz - "Same Risk"

Photo by Muriel Margaret

Madi Diaz has had a crazy couple of years. After the release of 2021's History of a Feeling, the Nashville based singer-songwriter made her television debuts, went on her first solo tour since 2014, toured with Waxahatchee and Angel Olsen, and was not only handpicked by Harry Styles to open for him, but she joined his backing band on tour. Now, she's back with a new single, "Same Risk." This new song is a simple mainstream folk song that highlights Diaz's vocals. She's just one of those performers that has the kind of voice you need to pay attention to. At no point does she get showy, but she just has that simple star quality to her voice that makes you need to listen.

You can watch the video for "Same Risk" below. Weird Faith is due out February 9 on ANTI-, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Madi Diaz, check out the artist's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video.

Thu. Oct. 12 - London, UK @ Bush Hall
Tue. Oct. 17 - Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall *
Thu. Oct. 19 - New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre *
Fri. Oct. 20 - New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre *
Sat. Oct. 21 - New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre *
Tue. Oct. 24 - Boston, MA @ Roadrunner *
Wed. Oct. 25 - Albany, NY @ Palace Theatre *
Fri. Oct. 27 - Philadelphia, PA @ The Met *
Sat. Oct. 28 - Philadelphia, PA @ The Met *
Mon. Oct. 30 - Birmingham, AL @ Alabama Theatre *
Tue. Oct. 31 - New Orleans, LA @ Orpheum Theater *
 
* w/ My Morning Jacket

Maple Glider - "Do You"

Photo by Bridgette Winten

Maple Glider, the Naarm/Melbourne based singer-songwriter, is releasing her new album tomorrow, but for those of us who can't wait she's released one last pre-release single! "Do You" is Maple Glider (real name Tori Zietsch) showing off her captivating folk-pop. The new song isn't pushing any boundaries, but it's just nailing the genre expertly. "Do You" has a dreamlike feeling, and Zietsch's vocals just suck you in. It's not quite a mainstream version of folk-pop, but it's at the least folk-pop adjacent. If you're a fan of artists like Julia Jacklin or Lucy Dacus, you're sure to end up loving Maple Glider as well.

Maple Glider says of her new single:

“For me this song holds the feeling of being frustrated by someone who refuses to see who you are, no matter how much you put yourself in front of them, until eventually, you retreat. It’s also about the self-obsession that can come as a result of that, the fixation on identity, complicated feelings of inadequacy, and the search for meaning and significance in failing relationships. As always, there are many sides to the sphere, the ball just keeps spinning.”

You can watch the video for "Do You" below. I Get Into Trouble is due out October 13 on Partisan Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Maple Glider, check out the artist's website.