This is fine.
The team over at Levitation has shared a few updates for the 2025 version of the fest taking place at the Palmer Events center. New location for this year, we are getting pretty amped. Recent additions to the lineup: Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol, DAIISTAR, DJ Python & Them Jeans, Nnamd, Skloss, Ekko Astral, Slater, Grumpy, Laveda, Lowertown, Max Diaz, Good Looks, Past. Schedule released…
If you’ve been following the storied career of Norway’s I Was a King, then you’re likely going to take a close listen to their new single, with the group spending more time on the melodic core rather than some of their power-pop tendencies. That said, if you’ve listened to the group’s work, they’ve always hung on the softer side of the genre, and they dive into that vibe here in a way that has them sounding like they’re dusting off some old tendencies and pushing forward. I love Anne Lise’s light backing notes layered behind Frode’s lead, providing the textured love the group is known for creating. They completed the work on Until the End with Bill Ryder-Jones, so we should expect something meaningful coming our way on October 17th.
While utilizing a different on Good Times, the songwriting capabilities of Alexei Shishkin are still quite evident on his new single, “Ode to Carl Dennis.” It was another one of the songs that took shape over a four day span with songwriting partner Bradford Krieger, with the musical composition coming earlier before applying the lyrics upon review. I love the up and down rise of the vocals matching the way the song seems to kind operate like a car going up and down a series of hills, hitting high notes, rolling down then back up again. A little directional change hits the song around the 1 minute and 2:20 mark, and that special little plot twist serves as a diversion in Alexei’s craft. If you’re looking to see what four days of improvisation sounds like, give Good Times a listen on September 5th via Run Defense.
When you crank up this new tune from Creative Writing, there will certainly be some familiarity in the group’s sound. I keep getting little pieces of Parquet Courts, albeit with a less frantic approach; the energy drives forward, but this lot seem to be wrapped up in more of a melodic sensation coursing through their sound. While the song has a distinctive underground growl to it, they let it take a turn midtrack, giving a little bit of a diversion for the listener before they drive home their sound at the close. Another exciting track from Baby Did This, out October 3rd via Meritorio Records.
As they gear up for the release of their new record, Troubadour, I thought I’d check in on Boston’s Tiberius. Their latest single has me returning to some of my earliest roots in the indie world, as I can hear some sonic similarities in Brendan Wright’s voice; there’s a distinctive delivery and pseudo-drawl that is reminiscent of Clem Snide/Eef Barzelay, and I’m not mad at it. Musically, they’re working in this territory where Americana grabs a bit more weight, taking a genre and giving it a little bite, capturing the genre’s ability to rock in the live setting and putting that to tape. If you’re digging it, Troubadour is out on November 10th via Audio Antihero.
We marveled over the recent Living Set single that dropped earlier in the summer, relishing the blend of genres fueled by Quin Galavis’ musical inspiration. Now, they come to us with a new single, which furthers their sonic exploration with a softer vibe and vocals by Annecy Liddell. There’s an electronic backbone that begins the tune, providing us with a more intimate setting, accent by the snappiness of the percussive element. There are certainly rock moments, if you listen to the guitars in the background, but the group are careful with their placement, never letting them overstep until absolutely necessary…and then, they come crashing into the song like the last wave that washes all the beauty away to have us press play and start again!
The side project of Dumb Things members, Mana Pools, is wasting no time bringing us new music; they sent us “Black and White” at the end of July and here they are again with “Idle Thoughts.” This is the one that feels like a departure from their main gig, as the structure of the tune is more centered around a deep groove, as opposed to guitar work, leading towards more of a clever nod to bedroom pop’s earliest days. That said, the vocal cool that comes through the speaker might be one of my favorite things from this tune; it’s almost like they couldn’t care less, but still want you to swoon. Hoping there’s an LP of these types of jams on the way!
Our friends over at Keeled Scales have teamed up with Spaceflight Records to provide a Deluxe Edition of the Point‘s latest record, Maldito Animal. If you haven’t visited their sound, you’re going to have to be prepared to head out on adventure, as they employ an array of grooves and influences to create this sort of global funk. The announcement of their new Deluxe Edition comes with this new single, working with a kind of Latin influenced groove that stretches the track into this cinematic feel. You’ll also hear little licks and reocording tricks that almost feel like vocals, so take a turn into the new sound. Maldito Animal DE is out on September 26th.
I probably don’t know as much about Guitar as I should, considering how much they’re enjoying their new song “Pizza for Everyone.” When the song jumps into the fray, it felt very much like a growling bit of post-emo, and I suppose a brief nod to Dinosaur Jr or the like. But, then chords began to hit discordant notes and the pace is manipulated into something wholly unique. The Portland project has completely destroyed and devoured modern indie rock constructs, breaking the mold in a fashion that makes their work exciting. You’ll get little bits of joy blasting, and maybe even some Pixies nods in the vocal play in the background. Be on the lookout for We’re Headed to the Lake, which drops on October 10th via Julia’s War.
When powerhouse labels like Slumberland and Skep Wax unite for a release, you better believe that there’s something great in store, and the Cords continue to deliver on their early promise with this springy little pop number that I’m playing on repeat over here. It’s a short number, so the duo waste no time, smashing in with a rush of guitars to the head and a smattering of drums. A chorus of “ba ba ba” is an easy way to get a sucker like me drawn right in, and its done with such precision that you can’t help other than to be swept up in the joy that seeps through your speakers. Their self-titled LP will be out on September 26th.
