Author: nathan.lankford

Rocking with Little Junior

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I spent my early days slanging shirts for a pop-punk band, so listening to Little Junior almost 20 years later is sort of a trip down memory lane. The group employs similar songwriting, loud/quiet/loud, with plenty of arena ready hooks in the chorus; they also don’t shy away from being aggressive, albeit for just a brief moment. Singer Rane is said to have written to to have penned the song per the incessant request of his boyfriend; the power of love always leads to the hits! The group are hitting up a bunch of dates with Born Ruffians at the moment, but be sure to grab their debut Hi when it drops next Friday via Grand Jury Music/Royal Mountain.

Turn Up This Melbourne Cans Single

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It’s been almost five years since anyone’s heard from Melbourne Cans, but they return today with a promising new single, and news of a new LP on its way. This lead single jumps down your throat with dancing guitar chords and organ bursts pulsing through your speakers before Ian enters the picture. His deepened tones are high up in the mix, crooning atop the exuberance working steadily behind him. The longer the song goes on, the larger role his voice takes in the song’s craft; I like to think of this as the alternative to the National…similar musical touches, but way less dad rock. If you’re enjoying this tune, you’ll love Heat of the Night, the new LP dropping on July 13th via Lost and Lonesome.

Loved This Ex Void Tune

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Out of the ashes of Joanna Gruesome rises the phoenix, and that phoenix is Ex-Void. They spend the first minute rocking like they picked up exactly where they left off, blending heavier guitar tendencies with pop sensibility. But, once they hit that minute, the group lets the poppier aspect take residence in the tune. The chorus is definitely a winner, featuring matching female/male harmonies and twinkling guitar chords. This track is the lead number off their new S/T single, aiming for release on May 11th via Don Giovanni.

Allison’s Gate Readies New Album

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Carolina McPhail is the artists behind Allison’s Gate, and the music she’s crafting from behind the bedroom walls is striking. Our first listen to music from her forthcoming Waves/Bona Fide LP has her lurking in the shadows, calling out an unnamed “piece of shit.” You can hear the buzz of the recording crackling through your speakers, with McPhail rising up just loud enough to get her voice over that mix. It’s an intimate catharsis, exercising demons or animosity, but presented in this manner definitely allows for some fly on the wall vibes as you listen through. Her new LP will be released on May 25th via Memorials of Distinction.

Beach Skulls Drop Another Tune

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PNKSLM is on a roll this year, making a huge name for itself as a label powerhouse. I’m thinking this new LP they’re dropping from Beach Skulls might be able to stretch the label even further, as they’re possibly one of the more pop-centric acts the labels introduced us to this year. The vocals have this happy indifference at their highest point, slinking back into a seductive R&B vibe. The rest of the song sounds like the remnants of a can of garage rock being kicked around by a beach bound youngster; it’s both sunny and gritty all the way around. Las Dunas will be released on June 1st.

Give Momma Some Love

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This is not a preemptive Mother’s Day post, but rather an encouraging push towards the work of Momma, the teenage LA duo. Don’t let their age impact your impression; I think this tune sounds better than the majority of like-minded peers. I love how there’s this natural building of momentum throughout, though they show enough restraint to never fully give into that gradual build. Piling guitars atop each other, the duo happily let you drift away on the edge of their notes. It’s a wonderful tune, showing a great bit of care, thus leaving me impressed. Their forthcoming LP, Interloper, drops on May 25th via Danger Collective.

Bodega Drop a Pop Tune

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Up until now, the majority of us have experienced Bodega as an upbeat, art rock act, akin to Parquet Courts. But, this new track is perhaps one of the reason’s so many people have been looking forward to the band’s Endless Scroll LP; it offers that band’s natural arty grit, though the chorus is definitively a pop nod, so much so that some might even dare to call it twee. Still, the band employs a bit of absurdity by comparing the song’s narrators to Jack from Titanic; you can still be clever and fun in rock n’ roll. The record will drop on June 1st via Whats Your Rupture.

Brand New Protomartyr

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Everyone’s favorite band Protomartyr has teamed up with Kelley Deal to record a brand new EP. What’s most impressive is that Kelley’s entered the vocal fray with Joe Casey, offering up a soft supporting vocal behind Joe’s darkened howl. I think of their latest works, this might be the strongest piece; I love how the song opens up in the middle, allowing musicianship to flex its muscles. Of course, that mid track solace is destroyed by a few more Casey/Deal vocal bursts, before descending into a smashing golf ball drive! Look for the Consolation EP to drop on June 15th via Domino!

Feverbones LP Release Show @ Sidewinder (Tomorrow)

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A few weeks ago we were super fortunate to release Dream Talk, the debut long player from Austin’s Feverbones (members of Shearwater, Abram Shook, Adam Torres…and every other great Austin band you love). Now we get to celebrate proper style, with the band playing tomorrow night at the Sidewinder to celebrate the album’s release out into the world. If you’re not in the vicinity of Austin, that’s okay, you can grab the copy HERE. They’ll be joined on the night by friends TOMA and Palm Daze, exhilarating acts in their own rite. Doors are at 8 PM!

Enjoying This Proud Parents Tune

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One of my favorite albums this year is the latest Spook School LP; having so many songwriters in one band really makes the whole listen refreshing. Why does that matter with Proud Parents? Well, the group employs a similar strategy, with three vocalists/songwriters helming the ship. On their new single that recently popped up, its clearly visible, trading verses/choruses with one another while guitar chords dance around the vocals and cymbals constantly crash through your speakers. There’s something innately catchy; the band just seem to be having a blast, and that grabs me. The band will release their debut for their new label, Dirtnap Records, later this year!

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