Art Rock – Page 2 – MELT REVIEWS

The Strokes Announce New Album “The New Abnormal,” Share New Song “At the Door”

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:

Album Review: HMLTD – West of Eden

Artist: HMLTD

Album: West of Eden

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.

Written By: Steven Sandoval

Sorry Share New Single “More,” Unveil Release Date for New Album “925”

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After much anticipation and patience patience patience, we now have a release date to look forward to for “Sorry’s” upcoming debut album 925. The album will be released on March 27th via “Domino Records.” Today the band have shared a new single titled “More,” and just like their previous singles it’s a catchy tune that finds the band refusing to compromise their lyrically honest and inward looking sound that frequently genre bends. You can watch the music video for “More” below:

Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” Turns 40

On this day in 1979 “Pink Floyd” released their legendary Rock opera The Wall. Though this was the point where member Roger Waters took it upon himself to take complete control of the band, which slowly diminished the rest of the band’s creative input, (he even fired pivotal member Richard Wright) this album still came out to be one of music’s most iconic concept albums. This album is an extensive cinematic experience that tells the story of a burnt out Rock star named Pink who begins to isolate himself from society which leads to his descent into madness. The character of Pink was based on Roger Waters himself and former member Syd Barrett. The album can be a bit pretentious, but the narrative of Pink’s mental downfall is captivating. The instrumentation was a lot more stripped back, which made room for the album’s narrative, but the theatrical and climactic moments added to the intensity of the album. In my opinion this was the band’s final masterpiece, but it also was the point where the band slowly began to fall apart, regardless of the creative differences and egos that plagued the band, their discography is the stuff of innovative legends, and The Wall is one of the best concept albums ever recorded. Happy Anniversary.

Public Image Limited’s “Second Edition” Turns 40

On this day in 1979 Public Image Ltd. (PiL) released their second album Second Edition. The album was originally released as Metal Box, taking it’s name from the metal canister that contained pressings of the record. A standard version was later released as Second Edition which featured the same tracklist. On this album lead singer John Lydon pushed his ambition to shed the restrictions of Punk Rock, which became too commercialized and one-dimensional even further by incorporating elements of Dub, Post-Punk, and Krautrock, all of which were no-go territory for Punk Rock purists. This was the last album to feature original bassist Jah Wobble, and though the band still thrived following his departure, Wobble’s input is irreplaceable on this album with his Dub/Funk inspired bass grooves which complimented Keith Levene’s wall of disjointed guitar sounds and John Lydon’s wailing vocals perfectly. Second Edition is an essential album in the Post-Punk world. Happy Anniversary.

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Ganser Announce New E.P. “You Must Be New Here,” Share New Song “Buio”

Post-Punk band “Ganser” will release a new E.P. titled You Must Be New Here on November 8th. This will follow their stellar debut album Odd Talk which was released last year. The band previously released a single titled “Bad Form,” and they recently appeared at “Riot Fest” in Chicago, and now it’s looking like the band won’t be slowing down anytime soon. Today the band have shared a new song off the upcoming E.P. titled “Buio” which is accompanied by a music video featuring actress Caitlin Ewald. In the video Ewald sits at a dinner table with cake and wine. She proceeds to mash her fingers in the cake while the others at the table seem to be ignoring her. This could represent the idea of an outsider being overwhelmed having to endure fast-paced social interaction, but Ewald lets her self go by not repressing her impulse to…. well, mash her fingers in cake and chug wine, and she does it without a care in the world. About the song, the band describe it as an “intuitive song about the relationship between author and audience.” You can always rely on “Ganser” to provoke thought with intelligent and introspective content. You can watch the music video for “Buio” below:

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Nine Inch Nails’ “The Fragile” Turns 20

On this day in 1999 “Nine Inch Nails” released their masterpiece The Fragile, a double album that was a big departure from it’s predecessor The Downward Spiral. Moving away from the harsher noise-infused tumult of The Downward Spiral, which reflected songwriter Trent Reznor’s descent into madness, The Fragile found Reznor incorporating elements of “Ambient,” “Electro,” eerie soundscapes, and even a little “Hip Hop,” but wasn’t any less self-reflective. The lyrical themes of depression, isolation, and drug addiction continued. If The Downward Spiral was the soundtrack to someone’s descent into depression, addiction, and nihilism, then The Fragile was the ultimate coping method and state of realization. It was the sadness that follows the anger, and it was an incredible end of an era for “Nine Inch Nails.” Happy 20th anniversary.

Sleater-Kinney Share New Song “Can I Go On”

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It’s been a rough year for Sleater-Kinney and their fans following the departure of drummer Janet Weiss, but Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker are without a doubt moving on and will continue to tour and release their new album The Center Won’t Hold despite this setback. We all know the band will persevere, but it’s still heartbreaking to see Janet Weiss go. Good news is we’ll be able to hear Janet Weiss on one more Sleater-Kinney album. The Center Won’t Hold produced by St. Vincent is set to be released on August 16th, and with what we’ve heard so far, it’s clear that the band have gone in a completely different direction on this new album, parting ways with the raucous raw energy of their early work, the Rock & Roll-tinged style of their later work, and the danceable grooves of their previous album No Cities To Love in favor of Art Rock balladry that sees Carrie Brownstein take up the majority of lead vocals. Their new track “Can I Go On” is quite possibly their most poppy sounding track by far, but the lyrical content deals with existentialism and depression which can truly resonate with someone who’s going through it. You can listen to the track below:

Clinic Announce New Album “Wheeltappers and Shunters”

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It’s been awhile since “Clinic” have blessed us with their oddball Psychedelia. Following their 2012 album Free Reign, the band will finally return with a new album titled Wheeltappers and Shunters on May 10th. The band have also released a new single titled “Rubber Bullets,” and it’s “Clinic” 101. You can watch the music video below:

Wheeltappers and Shunters Pre-order:

https://www.dominomusic.com/releases/clinic/wheeltappers-and-shunters/deluxe-mart-lp

Tropical Fuck Storm Release New Song “The Planet Of Straw Men”

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Australian band “Tropical Fuck Storm” have been on a roll, and it looks like the band don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. Today these oddballs released a brand new track titled “The Planet Of Straw Men,” as well as a music video to accompany it. The track will appear on their upcoming follow-up to last year’s spectacular debut A Laughing Death In Meatspace, which is set to be released later in the year. You can watch the music video below:

“The Planet Of Straw Men” Pre-order:

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