The rumors have been confirmed. “The Strokes” are returning with a new album on April 10th via “RCA Records” titled The New Abnormal. Today the band have released the album’s first single “At the Door,” a synth-heavy and surprisingly percussionless track that finds lead singer Julian Casablancas delivering one of his most gut-wrenching vocal performances yet. If you’re expecting Is This It, you’re going to be disappointed, because the band are continuing to move forward and adopt new sounds. They’ve never been the nostalgic type. They find new ways to reinvent themselves, and that’s what separates them from the other bands that were in their class in the early 2000’s. That’s why we still pay attention. The New Abnormal will be the band’s first release since their 2016 E.P. Future Present Past, and their first full-length album since 2013’s Comedown Machine. You can watch the music video for “At the Door” below:
Genre: Art Pop/Synth-Pop/Post-Punk/Electronic/Glam Rock
Label: Lucky Number
Rating: 9/10
After waiting for what felt like an eternity, “HMLTD” have finally released their debut album West of Eden. Following their string of genre-bending singles dating as far back as 2016, it’s impressive to see how much the band have evolved. They once were the band to watch, the band at the top of everyone’s “up and comer” list, garnering a following with their energetic live shows and refusal to stay in one lane as far as genres go. You can hear elements of Synth-Pop, Post-Punk, Electronic, Goth, and their sound is topped off with immense theatricality thanks to lead singer Henry Spychalski’s raucous vocals that are as colorful as they are ear-splitting, and let’s not forget the band’s glamorous look that is equal parts Marilyn Manson and Club Kid. After years and years of anticipation, a large chunk of singles, a Synth-Pop heavy EP, and the unfortunate dropping of the band from “Sony Music,” the band’s debut album had to live up to a high expectation, and my God does it live up to it. Upon first listen, the surprise factor may be absent with some songs due to the fact that we’ve been listening to them for years. “To the Door,” “Satan, Luella, & I,” and “Death Drive,” were all released before we even knew the name of the album, (or if an album was coming out for that matter) but compiled with the album’s newer deep cuts, the songs flow nicely within the context of the album, and they never feel like filler tracks. West of Eden has a consistent “Western” style to it, sounding like a Glammed-out Ennio Morricone, and it’s fitting seeing as how much of the album’s material is a rejection of Western culture and social norms, and the band abrasively yet fabulously tackle these themes. Think “Death Grips” with glitter. As important as these themes are to the band, they never lose their sense of fun or sense of humor. With lyrics like “I sold my soul to The Devil tonight because I was pretty fucking poor” on the track “Loaded” and the graphically absurd telling of the murder of an imaginary friend on “Where’s Joanna?” the band aren’t afraid to confuse you with lush and innovative “Pop” that will make you laugh and sing-along while you question your morals. So what makes this album so important? it’s musically forward-thinking, introducing the “Pop” world to a myriad of experimental ideas, it’s well-produced and cleverly blends genres that don’t normally go together, and it has a Rock star personality that throws out the testosterone-filled, misogynistic, and macho clichés that have poisoned the genre in favor of introducing new ideas of feminism, rejection of tradition, and sentiment. Not to mention, these songs are catchy as Hell.
U.S. Girls will release their new album Heavy Light on March 6th via “4AD,” and following their fantastic single “Overtime,” Meg Remy and Co. have released another catchy tune titled “4 American Dollars.” The song is a 70’s “Funk” influenced commentary on the U.S. economy and society’s addiction to money and materials. You can watch the music video below:
It’s been far too long since we’ve heard anything new from “Ultraísta,” a band that were beginning to look like they might be a one-album wonder due to the 8 years of inactivity following their debut in 2012. Though members Laura Bettinson, Nigel Godrich, and Joey Waronker have all been busy with various musical endeavors, whether or not they would return as a band sparked much speculation. Well, we no longer have to wait and hope. Today the band have announced that they will release their new album Sister on March 13th via “Partisan Records.” The band have also shared the album’s first single “Tin King.” The track picks up where the band left off with synth-heavy and danceable grooves, and Laura Bettinson’s soothing and loop-heavy vocals, not unlike their previous album, but refreshing nonetheless. You can watch the music video for “Tin King” below:
U.S. Girls garnered much acclaim with their last album In a Poem Unlimited, an album that has arguably been considered the band’s best work yet, and it’s easy to see why. Incorporating a live band under the name “The Cosmic Range,” lead singer and songwriter Meg Remy’s “U.S. Girls” project had a full sound of jammin’ Rock instrumentation that also explored Jazz and Psychedelic territory while carrying a consistent tone of Pop, and this all complimented Remy’s infectious vocals and topical lyrics perfectly. Today it has been announced that the band will release their follow-up Heavy Light on March 6th via “4AD.” The band have also shared the album’s first single “Overtime.” You can watch the music video below:
After teasing us with a cryptic video via social media, “MGMT” have returned with a brand new single titled “In the Afternoon.” The band have announced that this track along with another titled “As You Move Through The World” will appear on a limited edition 12″ single set to arrive in late March 2020. “In the Afternoon” finds the band diving further into the impeccable style of Ariel Pink-esque Synth-Pop/Psychedelic Pop they crafted so well on their last album Little Dark Age. You can watch the music video for “In the Afternoon” below:
Charlotte Adigéry released some of the best music of the year back in early February. Her E.P. Zandoli was a forward-thinking and artistically-stunning odyssey of fearless “Pop” which drew influences from “Electro” and a myriad of synth-driven styles, but managed to create her own distinct style. Many of us have been itching for new music from her, and today Charlotte Adigéry pushed the envelope even further with Yin Yang Self-Meditation. This is a meditative experience which finds Adigéry utilizing meditation to explore her own personal fears and insecurities in an attempt to let go and find a place of serenity, and it is truly impactful. Backed by hypnotic production from her partner Bolis Pupul, Adigéry becomes vulnerable mentioning all of the thoughts that cross her mind, and they’re all relatable and also drive the listener to a place of serenity. “This tape is an invitation to myself and eventually others to look inwards. It is a ritual for letting go. I was tired of being stuck in a narrow mental reality and I wanted to look beyond. The suffering is not caused by the problem itself. We worry about not having enough. We are anxious about rejection. We fear being misunderstood. We even fear things that lie in the future we do not control. In this meditation I invite you to follow my voice into my own mental state, through paralyzing thought-patterns and blind fears I want to say goodbye to. Openness can lead to understanding, unity and compassion,” Adigéry explains. Yin Yang Self-Meditation is available on a limited edition cassette, download and streaming services via “DEEWEE Records.” You can watch the video below:
“HMLTD” are one of the most exciting bands at the moment. The evolution of the band has been incredibly captivating going from their 2017 Post-Punk/Gothic singles to last year’s Synth-Pop heavy E.P. Hate Music Last Time Delete to their dark Electronic-laden Pop singles released late last year, they’ve been on many people’s “must watch” list and they still don’t even have a full length album! Today the band returned after what felt like an eternity with a brand new single “Loaded.” The song is about material wealth and spiritual poverty, and it’s deliciously catchy. You can watch the video for “Loaded” below:
Angel Olsen is set to release her upcoming fourth album All Mirrors on October 4th on “Jagjaguwar” records. Today she released the album’s title track as well as a Gothic-styled music video. “All Mirrors” is a hauntingly gorgeous synth-driven track with beautiful string arrangements that convey a dramatically cinematic tone, which is a noticeable departure from her previous album My Woman. You can watch the music video below:
U.K. group “ALASKALASKA” will drop their debut album “The Dots” on May 24th via “Marathon Artists.” Today the group released a new single titled “Moon,” and it is a catchy as Hell funky synth-heavy track. You can watch the music video below:
