“Portrayal of Guilt” are a promising new band from Austin, Texas, and their music is brutally infused with “Post-hardcore,” “Hardcore Punk,” and even “Black Metal.” What we’ve heard from the band so far has been dark and brooding, and they clearly aren’t afraid to incorporate different genres into the mix. The band have announced that they will release their debut full-length album Let Pain Be Your Guide on November 16th. You can pre-order the album below:
Does Ty Segall ever sleep? How does he have the time to make this much music? Well, whatever magical powers the guy has to remain this prolific, i’m sure glad he has them, because he usually makes quality music. Following his collaboration album with “White Fence,” which followed his incredible album Freedom’s Goblin, Ty Segall will release yet another album, but this time it is a cover album titled Fudge Sandwich, and it will be released on October 26th. Segall has shared a track off the upcoming album which is a cover of “Spencer Davis Group’s” “I’m a Man.” You can listen to the track as well as view the album’s tracklist below:
Fudge Sandwich Tracklist:
If you’re a Horror fan, then chances are you’re eagerly anticipating the new “Suspiria” remake, and if you’re a fan of Thom Yorke, then chances are you’re eagerly anticipating the film score he composed for the film. If you just so happen to be a fan of both, well, I don’t need to explain how much of a treat it is to see both worlds intertwine. Now, to satisfy our hunger with a little appetizer, Thom Yorke has shared a track off the upcoming soundtrack titled “Suspirium.” The soundtrack will be released on October 26th, and the film will be released on November 2nd. You can listen to “Suspirium” below:
“Dead Can Dance” are one of the few bands from the 80’s “Goth” scene that have a consistent discography, and they are one of the few bands in the scene that have managed to branch out of the scene to the point where simply labeling them “Goth” does not do the band’s music justice with their explorations in “World” music and “Experimental” music. Now, six years after their comeback release Anastasis, the band will release a new album titled DIONYSUS on November 2nd, and they will also embark on a tour next May. You can pre-order the album as well as view tour dates below:
Artist: IDLES
Album: Joy as an Act of Resistance
Genre: Post-Punk/Punk Rock/Hardcore Punk
Rating: 9/10
I don’t think anyone expected Bristol Post-Punk band “IDLES” to follow-up last year’s breakthrough album Brutalism so soon, but here we are with a new “IDLES” album titled Joy as an Act of Resistance. Their previous album Brutalism was a groundbreaking release for Punk Rock, and in a genre that has become stagnant and quite predictable, the band brought fresh new life and ideas with a new kind of rebellion against things that even the most hardcore punks wouldn’t rebel against, dragging the genre kicking and screaming to it’s much needed next level. On Joy as an Act of Resistance, the band have pushed the envelope even further. It’s got the same punch as their previous album, with hard hitting instrumentation and lead singer Joe Talbot’s razor sharp vocals and straightforward lyrics that disrupt societal norms, but this time around the band showcases their eclecticism by incorporating some elements of Noise Rock and dark melodies that at times echo Gothic Rock, and even Swans-esque cinematic buildups like on the colossal opening track appropriately titled “Colossus.” Talbot’s lyrics are even more impactful on this album, tackling topics such as classism, toxic masculinity, homophobia, and immigration, and he exposes problematic negatives all while keeping a positive and hopeful attitude, and considering how most aggressive music delves in the negative in a cynical manner, being progressively aggressive in a genuine manner isn’t easy, but “IDLES” make it look easy. This is an album that also isn’t afraid to be vulnerable, like on the personal and haunting track “June” where Talbot expresses his right to be a father despite the tragedy that has befallen him. “Samaritans” is a powerful takedown of toxic masculinity with Talbot shouting “Man up. Sit down. Chin up. Pipe down. Socks up. Don’t cry. Drink up. Just lie. Grow some balls he said.” These are all things men often hear from day one due to the irrational idea that men aren’t allowed to be emotional or sensitive, and on the same track Talbot shouts “I kissed a boy and I liked it!” referencing Katy Perry’s iconic “I kissed a girl and I liked It” lyrics. This is a topic not a whole lot of men are comfortable talking about, but Talbot speaks on it fearlessly and in a way that is extremely thought provoking. This is one of the many topics included on this album, and they’re all passionately expressed equally like the track “Danny Nedelko” which is named after the Ukrainian frontman of the British Punk band “Heavy Lungs,” and this track speaks on how we’re all equal beings regardless of our race or origins. “Scum” finds Talbot owning all the names and labels people throw at him and defending his left leaning beliefs. “This snowflake’s an avalanche” Talbot claims, and you better believe it. This whole album is beyond perfection. It is a groundbreaking release that not only Post-Punk, Punk Rock, or Rock in general needs, but what the whole music world needs. The boys have made an instant classic with important subject matter that everyone needs to hear, and they do it without being too political or preachy. It’s a mirror they hold up to us, and it’s time for us to start thinking and loving.
Written By: Steven Sandoval
Date: 09/04/18
Following his instant classic music video for “This Is America” that got everyone talking and interpreting, Donald Glover under his “Childish Gambino” project has dropped another stunning music video, and this one is beautifully animated. This video isn’t as dark as “This Is America,” but it too may have underlying messages and symbolism that is sure to get fans creating their own theories, and it is jam packed with cameos from numerous rappers. The video is directed by Donald Glover, Ivan Dixon, and Greg Sharp, with character design by Justin Richburg. Watch the video below:
The legendary “Underground Hip Hop” group “Atmosphere” need no introduction at this point. They have been impressively active for over two decades now, and they don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. They have announced a new album titled Mi Vida Local which will be released on October 5th through their legendary label “Rhymesayers Entertainment.” Those of you who are well-versed in the history of “Rhymesayers” will be very happy to hear that there are a couple of tracks on the album that feature Musab and “The Dynospectrum.” That’s right, THE DYNOSPECTRUM. You can pre-order the album, as well as listen to the album’s first single “Virgo” below:
Atmosphere "Mi Vida Local" [Pre-order]
Artist: Blood Orange
Album: Negro Swan
Genre: R&B/Alternative R&B/Alternative Pop
Rating: 8/10
“You asked me what family is and I think of family as community. I think of the spaces where you don’t have to shrink yourself. Where you don’t have to pretend or to perform. You can fully show up and be vulnerable and in silence, completely empty and that’s completely enough. You show up, as you are, without judgment, without ridicule, without fear or violence, or policing, or containment, and you can be there and you’re filled all the way up, so we get to choose our families. We are not limited by biology. We get to make ourselves and we get to make our families.” Powerful words from Janet Mock, a transgender rights activist who provides frequent thought provoking narration on Dev Hynes’ fourth album under the “Blood Orange” moniker. The album is titled Negro Swan, and it is described by Hynes himself as “an exploration into my own and many types of black depression, an honest look at the corners of black existence, and the ongoing anxieties of queer/people of color. A reach back into childhood and modern traumas, and the things we do to get through it all. The underlying thread through each piece on the album is the idea of hope, and the lights we can try to turn on within ourselves with a hopefully positive outcome of helping others out of their darkness.” Considering how much of a talented producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Hynes is, the execution of this idea is unsurprisingly near perfection. Reiterating what Janet Mock said in the aforementioned quote, the idea of finding your own family and community where you’re truly at peace with yourself is the overall message in this album that explores the dark subject of being involuntarily cast as an outsider in order to find the light at the end of the tunnel. “After school, sucker punched down. Down and out. First kiss was the floor.” Sings Hynes on the album’s Marvin Gaye inspired opening track “Orlando,” a smooth Funk heavy track that comfortably welcomes the listener to the album despite it’s unhappy subject matter, but the understanding that things won’t be easy when your natural self just so happens to go against unfair societal norms leads to this album’s uplifting and encouraging nature. To accompany the album’s deep subject matter, Hynes utilizes his impressive ear for melody to produce instrumentation rich in lush vocal melodies, Funk filled bass lines, bouncy synths, dreamy guitars, and frequent infectious flute arrangements that will make anyone swoon. He even invites numerous musicians to contribute like on the track “Hope” which features gorgeous lead vocals from Tei Shi and a vulnerable Puff Daddy, a side of him we don’t normally see. A$AP Rocky and Project Pat add a powerful but laid back punch to the track “Chewing Gum,” and Steve Lacy provides synths on the Prince evoking track “Out of Your League.” The combination of all of this leads to an “R&B” odyssey that isn’t afraid to experiment, and instead of being preachy, this album explores vulnerability in order to reach a point of self-acceptance, and it does so while creating feel good tunes. This album creates the community and family Janet Mock describes on “Family,” and this is a place where we’re all free from judgement.
Written By: Steven Sandoval
Date: 08/26/18
Australian band “Tropical Fuck Storm” released one of the year’s most enthralling and deliciously bizarre albums back in May, and now the band have teamed up with Experimental legends “Liars” to release a split 7″ titled LAMC No. 18, which will be released on September 28th. This will be part of Famous Class’ Less Artists More Condos series, with all proceeds donated to the ACLU. You can listen to the new “Tropical Fuck Storm” track “The Happiest Guy Around,” as well as pre-order the 7″ below:
Austin, Texas based “Industrial” duo “Street Sects” have made quite the name for themselves. Releasing a myriad of EP’s and singles, and one full length album, “Street Sects” have quickly forced their way to the forefront of modern “Industrial” music with their abrasive and chaotic style, and now the band have announced that they will release their second full length LP The Kicking Mule on October 26th. The band have also released a new single from the upcoming album titled “In For a World of Hurt.” You can listen to the new track, as well as pre-order the album below:
The Kicking Mule Pre-order:
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