Toe Ring Drop Post-Punk Hits

Our friends over at Spared Flesh Records gave us a heads-up that they’d be releasing a cassette compiling the latest singles from Philly’s Toe Ring next week, put together as the Footage EP. I figured it was my duty to share a jam or two, seeing as I’m super in love with the band’s sound. They’re building on this heavier post-punk vibe, and in the lead single “Collapsed Mine,” they sound like a wicked witch covering Blondie, and I don’t mind that one bit. Then you get a more frantic, punkier grind working over these thumping drums rolls. Some of these singles have been out for a bit, but you can get your hands on a physical copy on January 26th courtesy of Spared Flesh.

Did You Hear About the Geddy Laurance/Michael O Split?

It’s always great to have friends reach out to you and point you in the proper direction, so I’m glad that I heard about this new Geddy Laurance/Michael O split tape before it was too late! We’ve covered Michael O many times (as Mantles and solo), and Geddy played drums in everyone’s favorite, Boyracer, so now we get them both together! With the GL tune, you get a little more pacing, primarily with a faster strum and thicker drum beat; the Laurance vocals do have a touch of a fading daylight feel to them, sort of wilting as they hit your ears. You’ll also find a contrasting guitar line working against the strum, sort of like the counter-punch to the jangle, which was a really nice recording touch. Michael’s tune has some bop to it, so don’t think its totally gone, but his voice sounds a touch fragile in the tune below (which I adore); there’s also this backing vocal popping in that sort of reminds me of Television Personalities somehow. And, this probably sounds like a slight, but there’s just a certain feel to Mr. O’s tune that almost feels like its still in the works, like things aren’t finished or polished; its pop honest at its finest. If, like me, you’re in love, then grab the split from Safe Suburban Home this Friday!

 

Punchy Pop from Adults

It’s been a minute since we’ve heard from UK outfit, Adults. But, I’m here to rectify that as the group just released an excellent cassette titled The Weekend Was Always Almost Over. One of my favorite things about the group is the way they use the juxtaposed male/female vocals to gift you brilliant ear candy; it’s not all saccharine though, as you’ll hear fuzzed out riffs blasting throughout the nine tracks jamming below. It’s a collection of songs that meets somewhere in the middle of Comet Gain and Los Campesinos…not a bad way to get your day started.

Nylex Ready New Cassette

Nylex is an act I know very little about; they first popped on my radar via Tenth Court‘s 2018 sampler compilation. Recently we’ve been given a few more details, with a release date of the group’s self-titled cassette dropping next Friday. It’s fairly dark in presentation, and not too far off from ATH favorites Wax Idols. Angular guitars swirl around this brooding bass line, in your favorite post-punk fashion. The vocals hang in the air with a hint of difference, until they hit the chorus where they spin dreamy magic in your ears.

ATX Spoglight: Hola Beach Has New Tunes

holabHola Beach has a brand new tape coming out on January 3rd, and now we’ve got a second single to go with the release date. This track from the Austin act takes on the subject of brains versus booze, and which choice is best…lyrics seem to lean towards brains first. Still, the band have a casual way of providing detailed pop tracks, which you’ll inevitably play over and over again. Their new Dirt Cassette is coming out on a limited run of 50 yellow tapes via Merdurhaus, so if you’re so inclined, you’re encouraged to grab it.

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Did You Buy the New Milk Dick Cassette?

dickmilkYesterday was new release day, and before the hellacious Tuesday of next week, things were slim-pickings.  So, if you’re a nerdy record store regular (I hope you are), you should have picked up this new cassette from Milk Dick.  They’re standout track on the release begins as sort of a folk song: gentle strum and vocals.  But, then they get sloppy fun, offering good times in a fashion that seems to blend modern rock tropes with Violent Femmes.  It’s a blast, so I hope you either grabbed it already, or pick it up from Infinity Cat.

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