Not too long after the release of their recent single “The Holding Hand,” and the announcement of their signing to “Mexican Summer,” “Iceage” have unveiled details of their new album Seek Shelter. The album will be released on May 7th via “Mexican Summer,” and the band have also released a new single off the album titled “Vendetta.” You can watch the music video for “Vendetta” below:
After signing to label “Mexican Summer,” “Iceage” have returned with a new single titled “The Holding Hand,” and it’s looking like there are big things from the band coming our way. New album perhaps? Fingers crossed. About “The Holding Hand,” the band have stated “the song lives in a slurred world, movements are elastically stretched out and strength is found in weakness while you find it hard to tell the difference between fume and matter. Gently the swaying intensifies, feel it escalate. Reach out for the holding hand, it seems almost within scope now.” You can watch the music video for “The Holding Hand” below:
I’m pretty sure i’ve already said this before, but Bristol band “Sapphire Blues” just keep getting better and better, so forgive me if I sound like a broken record, but their new single “Daydream” without a doubt proves that. Released via “Blitzcat Records,” “Daydream” further explores the Post-Punk style the band have perfected and touches on a subject that isn’t new by any means, but is undoubtedly relatable. Our spirits can be damaged by a routine of overworking and excessive amounts of pills to help us smile through it all, but is this truly the way of adulthood? It’s a question too complicated to answer, but the band have shared a song to make us feel less alone, and to daydream of a brighter future. You can listen to “Daydream” below:
“Escape to Plan” was without a doubt the most standout track on “Blue Orchid Reaction’s” E.P. Four Chord Theory last year, and though it seemed like a finished track that needed no improvements, the song got a reworking from the band anyway, and this version sounds more polished than the original. The song is about the frustration and anger toward the failings of politicians who serve their own needs and not the needs of those who elected them. While the E.P. version is a more raw take that evokes the spirit of live shows, the remix is a pristinely produced version that flexes the band’s studio muscles without sounding too overproduced. Don’t forget to listen to the awesome acoustic version as well. You can listen to the “Escape to Plan” remix below:
U.K. band “Squid” are set to release their long awaited debut album Bright Green Field on May 7th via “Warp Records.” Today the band have shared the album’s first single “Narrator,” and it is an ambitious 8 minute plus track that features vocals from rising artist Martha Skye Murphy. About the track, the band have stated “the song follows a man who is losing the distinction between memory, dream, and reality, and how you can often mold your memories of people to fit a narrative that fits your ego.” Martha Skye Murphy has stated “the unreliable narrator is, more often than not, a male who wishes to portray women as submissive characters in their story.” In the song she plays the part of a woman wanting to break free from the dominating story the male has set. You can watch the music video for “Narrator” below:
L.A. based duo “Tarah Who?” have released their most aggressive single by far. The track is titled “Swallow That Pill,” and it fiercely tackles a subject most of us can relate to, settling for something mentally, emotionally, or physically strenuous out of fear of losing something you feel you need whether it be that 9 to 5 job or toxic people in your life. We witness and experience emotional and mental abuse in the workplace everyday. We witness and experience unfair treatment from people who are supposed to care about us, but we take the harassment because that job is all we have to pay the bills. Inspired by an ex-co-worker who was mistreated and unrewarded for her hard work, lead singer Tarah Carpenter rages with Punk Rock fervor against the abuse we settle for in the workplace and just in life in general. Recognizing your value is an important thing, and during these COVID times where we feel like we need to cling on to whatever job we have no matter how belittling it can be, this straightforward message is more important than ever. You can watch the music video for “Swallow That Pill” below:
Billy Nomates released her debut album last year and immediately solidified herself as the voice for the forgotten normal people. The people who work regular jobs who would love to roll up their sleeves and lay their bosses out with a nice fat punch to the face. She’s someone who acknowledges the working class, but rather than preach, she observes the importance of normal people and sheds a catchy light on said people to provide realistic Pop music that is the antithesis of Pop music that celebrates luxury and celebrity. Today she has announced that she will release a new E.P. titled Emergency Telephone on March 5th via “Invada Records.” She has also released a new single off the E.P. titled “Heels,” which is about knowing who you are and finding the warrior within you to fight the many obstacles and inconveniences that break you down. You can watch the music video for “Heels” below:
Artist: Flying Rabbit
EP: Eclectic Playground
Genre: Psychedelic Rock/Jazz/Garage Rock
Label: Self-released
Rating: 8/10
Describing “Flying Rabbit’s” debut E.P. Eclectic Playground is difficult. On one hand the music is contemporary “Psychedelic Rock” breathing new life into the stagnant genre. The soaringly theatrical vocals with immense personality are a great addition to a genre that tends to breed “Beatles” worshippers or obvious “King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard” influenced bands trying desperately to emulate their sound. On the other hand the music is just as Jazzy as it is psychedelic with frequent double bass and horns that will teleport you to a big city Jazz lounge. Eclectic Playground is the perfect title for this E.P. The band have built a world rich in eclecticism for us to play in, and they have no interest in being pigeonholed. Based in Oslo, Norway, “Flying Rabbit” combines the members’ various influences in a successful way that doesn’t sound scatterbrained or incohesive, all while maintaining a frequent “Psych Rock” style with enough acid soaked trippiness to make you wanna light up some incense and open up the curtains for your suncatcher. However, at the same time, the music even laughs at its reflection like on the opening track “New Age Witch.” There’s no doubt New Age spirituality is something that the band knows a thing or two about. “New Age Witch” comments on the claims of individualism from people who delve into metaphysical spirituality when ironically the lifestyle is more commonplace than ever. However, the track by no means shines a negative light on the lifestyle, instead, it informs those who feel like they can become this person overnight that it takes a lot of work and time to fully immerse yourself in the lifestyle and you won’t always find the answers to life by simply meditating or doing yoga. This track could have easily been heavy in gatekeeping elitism, but instead is quite thought provoking and insightful. The following tracks undoubtedly offer the same energy of genre blending and bending with powerful and at times zany vocals that playfully guide us through shifting emotions ranging from dark, to comedic, and to tongue-in-cheek like on the track “Don’t Oppress Me,” which is sung from the point of view of a self-absorbed brat who thinks they’re brilliant and never wrong. This track definitely has the most fun instrumental while the fusion of “Jazz” and “Psychedelia” erupts into an all-out finger-wagging jam. Tracks like the environmentally conscious “Keep on Digging” that forces us to think about how we’re truly making things worse by damaging the planet, which is based on a poem written by lead singer Emily C. Brannigan’s father, and the upbeat “Garage Rock” groovy “Running From Water” offer the variety the band promises us. They definitely deliver on that promise. The band are currently working on their debut full-length album, so this is merely a taste of what’s to come.
Written By: Steven Sandoval
“Dare Above Nemo” is the Project of singer/songwriter Ethan Attwood-Summers, and following the release of two dreamy tracks that combine the lush and watery guitar tones of “Dream Pop” with minimal but infectious electronics, (one of the tracks being a cover of The Jesus and Mary Chain’s “Just Like Honey”) he has released a new track titled “Everything’s A Countdown,” and it’s just as irresistible as its predecessors. The track, alongside with his previous single “Be Here Now” will appear on his upcoming debut E.P. Mimic, scheduled to be released on February 12th. You can listen to “Everything’s A Countdown” below:
Artist: Viagra Boys
Album: Welfare Jazz
Genre: Post-Punk/Jazz/Blues/Synth-Pop
Label: YEAR0001
Rating: 8/10
It’s been clear from the start that Swedish Post-Punk outfit “Viagra Boys” don’t take themselves too seriously. I mean, just their name alone is an indication of that, but that isn’t to say their music doesn’t have its place in contemporary Rock. Ah yes, “Rock.” What does that name mean anymore? It’s a vague term indeed. In this day and age where fusions and genre bending are commonplace, there’s enough proof for me that this is the most exciting time for music, and contrary to popular belief, I feel that “Rock” music and its countless sub genres are doing something exciting spawning younger bands drifting further and further away from traditionalism and music elitism. The spirit of “Punk” resides in “Hip Hop” in this day and age, the days of pristine and clean pop stars are fading away and now we’ve reached a more realistic “Pop” world that isn’t afraid to celebrate sexuality in its many forms, and just about anyone can produce their own music in the comfort of their own home. How is that not exciting? “Viagra Boys” in spirit are a celebration of modern music. However, I highly doubt the band see themselves as that. The band that once was considered the resurgence of “Punk” are so “Punk” that they don’t give a flying fuck about “Punk.” They just want to make noise, and making noise is what they do best, so that’s why it’s no surprise that they explore new territory on their new album Welfare Jazz, combining their signature rough and raw dive bar Art Punk with elements of “Jazz,” “Electronic” music, and “Country.” This album truly represents the idea of genre bending. Their uncompromising “Post-Punk” is still present, but the band cleverly incorporate elements of “Jazz” with woodwind instruments, dominating bass grooves that are both bluesy and funky, and southern twang that surprisingly fits quite well in the chaos, even going as far as covering John Prine’s “In Spite of Ourselves” with Amy Taylor of “Amyl and the Sniffers.” This album can even be considered the band’s most mature effort yet. Lead singer Sebastian Murphy gets a little more personal lyrically, jumping into self-realization and working out the flaws of someone who recognizes his wrongdoings. “I’d stop drinking and gambling to earn back your love,” laments Murphy on “Into the Sun,” and following this up with the synth-heavy “Creatures” is a moment that perfectly sums up this album. Likening his old self to a creature, he views himself as someone who’s at the bottom of the barrel. It takes courage to be completely honest about yourself like that. I don’t know the man personally, but whether or not he really was this person, or if he’s just singing from the point of view of a character he’s created, it’s impactful either way. As mature as this album is, well, whatever “mature” means in “Viagra Boys” world, this album is still fun from beginning to end, because at the end of the day, we do need to frequently work on ourselves yes, but we can’t forget to have fun. I think the band even knows that when they reach a point where they take themselves too seriously, that’s when it’s time to call it quits.
Written By: Steven Sandoval
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