Writhing Squares Share Fresh Single

At the end of April, Writhing Squares will release Mythology, their follow-up to the excellent Chart for the Solution LP (2021). A new single just dropped, and I love the growling ferocity of the tune, fused with the bands punch of electronics and sax work to elevate. It’s opening feels like a classic punker, gritty riffs running roughshod over the tune while the vocals are howled through the dissonant noise. That calamity stays true throughout, but the mix peels it out so the group can flex their style, with the sax running rampant in the tune’s exploratory latter half. Mythology drops on April 26th via Trouble in Mind Records.

Rock n’ Recipes: Outer World

Hopefully you took our suggestion last week when we encouraged you to give a listen to Who Does the Music Love, the debut LP from Outer World. Members of the group have been playing in other acts we’ve enjoyed (Dahlia Seed/Positive No!), so we reached out to Kenneth and Tracy to see if they could give us some insight into their LP. Plus, as an avid coffee enthusiast, with a slight sweet tooth, I was excited to get the recipe for their “Coffee Surprise,” which can easily be replicated at your home! Check out the band’s and stream the LP HERE. It’s out now via HHBTM.

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Zero Point Energy Closer to You

I have really high expectations for the debut from Zero Point Energy; the duo has already dropped one banger, and here they are following it up with another gem, although this one goes beyond just its musical relevance. Musically, there’s a steady 90s indie rock vibe to it; the guitars providing this dramatic punch that allows for Genesis to weave his vocals in and out of the mixture. Now, when going through the notes, Genesis wrote this tune as a “trans anthem,” hoping to give an underrepresented side of the trans experience from their perspective. That’s super important to have that narrative for young listeners trying to find their way, but in his commentary on the track, he says ‘I tried to keep it fairly lyrically universal in that its less about becoming a certain gender and more about the fiery somewhat painful forging of an authentic identity.’ As a teacher of young teens, having folks try to build a road map for navigation through adolescence always strikes a chord. Bad ass song: check. Great message: check. Picking up their new album: check. Tilted Planet is out May 17th via Danger Collective.

Merce Lemon Shares Will You Do Me a Kindness

I’ve been covering Merce Lemon for several years now, and when the band into town for “not SXSW,” they were definitely one of the top artists I had to catch live. They didn’t disappoint one bit, and now they follow that up with this enchanting ballad that might just break you. There’s this majesty in Merce’s voice, particularly as she curls some of the notes around the edges of the chorus here; I think its a hugely powerful turn of notes that stands alone in its power. Luckily, the arrangement doesn’t hurt either, with fiery solos occasionally ripping through the light strumming, blossoming into this huge feeling you won’t soon forget. This tune brought to you courtesy of Darling Records.

Silver Biplanes Announce New LP + Share Radiogram Video

A little over a year ago, Silver Biplanes dropped their debut, A Moment in the Sun; the album was filled with a sort of pastoral indiepop vibe, as Vanessa’s voice encompassed a nostalgic brand of pop we don’t hear often enough. Fast forward to today, and they’ve got a new single and a new record; they’ve described the new single as somewhere along the lines of “The Cardigans, Hawkwind, the Who and the Buggles.” Honestly, I don’t know what to make of that either, but it shows some of the exploration they take on with their new album, Traveling by Candlelight. You’ll get these little psychedelic nods in here, rolling around through washes of synths and guitar washes that coat the track in this dense pop haven. Sounds like they’re going to take the crisp joy of pop and see how far they can stretch it! You can get the new LP on April 2nd via WIAIWYA and Old Bad Habits.

Eels Shares Goldy Single

I know this new Eels track popped up yesterday, but I’m circling back on this one as it gives some of the songwriting credit to my good old pal Tyson Ritter. Mark E. says Ritter has become one of his ‘favorite, weird, eccentric and imaginative collaborators,” which resonates as I remember a teenage Ty spending hours watching Super Furry Animal videos and exploring anything he could. The song’s solid too, with this heavy wash that rides throughout it; I love how every note from E’s voice just drips with this emotion that seeps right into your skin. You’ll find this track on Eels Time, the new Lp that drops on June 7th.

Lip Filler Return With followup

London based group Lip Filler came onto my radar last year with the release of their self-titled EP which featured top song of 2023 “Monster Truck.” This year the band will power in to 2024 with more new music along with some planned summer dates in London, Manchester, and Bristol. Their latest effort, “followup”, is a pure stunner of a single with an electronic, dance theme paired with a killer guitar riff and energetic vocals. I am here for all of this.

Lip Filler will release this song as part of a new EP entitled witchescrew. That’s due out on May 26th via Chess Club Records.

Jetstream Pony Share Track from Under the Bridge Comp

It appears that it is day two in our support of Skep Wax, as we’ve got more new from the UK label now that they’ve upped a new Jetstream Pony track from the label’s forthcoming Under the Bridge 2 Compilation. If you look at the list of participating artists, it’s all heavy-hitters, with names such as The Orchids, St. Christopher, Boyracer and more. But, I’m here to talk about this new Jetstream Pony tune! I love the driving nature of the guitar work; it reminds me of a poppier version of the Wedding Present, mixing a blend between jangling guitars and distortion. That said, the band’s bread and butter is always the sweet melodic mixture that enters with the vocals, and this jam is no different. Dive into the bliss, and grab a copy before it’s April 6th release (there’s a US distributor to help with shipping costs!)

Cosmit Release Brand New EP

I want you to get up and out of your chair and pump those fists today, and what better way by giving you a listen to the brand new Cosmit EP that just dropped this morning. Their sound fuses tons of elements from the like of pop punk to garage to soul, but I won’t lie if there’s not a feeling of nostalgia that’s pulling me into this track. Opening tune “Punisher” almost feels like a British take on Sparta, while “Hard Love” has a bit more swagger and suggestive pop inclination, so you can flip the coin and just have a blast with this blaring through your speakers. Still Cosmit EP is out today via Specialist Subject Records.

Strand of Oaks Announces Miracle Focus

Tim Showalter has described his new record Miracle Focus as a record that represents “a temple of peace in my life,” so when listening to the first single, it’s interesting trying to piece together the puzzle in where this would fit in a record; you’ll find that it’s the opening tune on the album, which perhaps hints at its mesmerizing blend of soulful vocals and wash of electronic atmosphere. His voice, for longtime Strand of Oaks fans, is always going to be the draw, and this approach sees him moving that even further into a croon-adjacent voice; I think of moments of Cohen or Cave (also Patrick Wolf, but not sure that’s a household name), just letting their notes drip with emotion. It’s going to be really special when this all gets put together; Miracle Focus is out on June 7th via Western Vinyl.

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