Mope City Ready Population 4

I remember when I first stumbled upon Mope City back in 2019 when they were prepping New From Home; I was really taken aback, feeling like there wasn’t anyone creating this sort of slow-core dramatic rock n’ roll. Obviously, I’ve been a bit more in tune with that the last few years, but Mope City is still one of my favorite acts blending these darkened musical narratives. Before they release Population 4, the band have tossed out a little teaser, which feels ominous in its opening moments; the first bit of playful vocal interplay also adds a hint of danger. Still, despite the gloomy nature, the band somehow manage to favor these brief little moments of pop structure that give you just enough of a taste to keep you thirsty for more. The album will be out via Tenth Court later this year!

Wireheads Share Hook Echo Video

I was immediately hooked on the latest track from Wireheads, particularly when that riff just drops in out of the ambiance and delivers that crunchiness I crave. Having been mostly quiet since 2017’s Lightning Ears, this definitely seems like the band have returned without missing a beat, keeping that edge and tenacity in the songwriting. What I appreciate here, however, is that you get this little curl of cool from Dom Trimboli’s steadied vocal delivery; the band add backing vocals in just the right spots, allowing the syllables to latch onto the faintest hook and keep pop elements lurking in the group’s work. Sure, there’s jagged edges on the surface, but crack through and you’ll hear a band centered on writing playful pop songs like all the rest! If you’re digging it, then be sure to check out Potentially Venus, the newest album out June 23rd via Tenth Court Records.

RVG Share Midnight Sun Video

Are you tired of me talking about the new RVG record? Well, too bad! There’s a brand new single out today, which really encompasses the vibe that courses through the whole of the record. When the song drops in, you get this slightly jangling post-punk riff; it sets up the song’s underbelly, but that’s not really where the success of the tune lives. For me, Romy’s voice takes the track to this near arena-rock anthemic level; they push the chorus to these levels that drip with passion and pain, which is perhaps one of the reasons I’m so inclined to fall in love with their work. It’s like the whole of their new LP, Brain Worms, has just leveled up in your favorite video game; they’re at the top of the game, which you’ll hear when the album hits on June 2nd via Fire Records.

Life Strike Announce Peak Dystopia; Share Giving up the Ghost

It should come as no surprise that Australia’s got another great band to get us excited, with Life Strike making the announcement of a new LP headed your way. I’ll admit that my initial draw was definitely linked to the vocals, which remind me of Ian Dury, operating with that distinctive drawl. Then I went back and pressed play one more time, soaking up the post-punk propulsion that rushes the song forward, guitars swirling behind trying to play catch up. Somewhere lurking in the middle in the song’s middle is this little plot twist, adding a little textural layering to the track. Look for the group to drop Peak Dystopia on July 14th via Stable Label and Bobo Integral.

Expensive Music Band Drop Enigmatic Times Video

When I listen to Expensive Music Band I always find something that feels really unique, amidst all the various touchstones to the pop stylings I generally adore. For instance, this new song plays with a lot of different vocal tones, whether that’s the delivery of the notes or just the tonal changes altogether; it feels like there’s some intriguing dynamism like you’d find on a Dan Bejar record. Musically, the song gets filled in with smooth bits of dreamy pop notes, texturized with washes of synth and bits of R&B swing that add a level of exuberance to the track’s trance-inducing structure. They will be releasing Things to Say at a Barbecue via Exclusive Culture/Permanent Slump on Jun 16th!

RVG Share Squid Single

During SXSW I was fortunate enough to catch several bands more than one time; in some instances it was accidental, but in the case of RVG it was very much purposeful. They’re phenomenal live, with Romy’s passion on full display. Today, the band share their latest single, “Squid,” which offers a glimpse at the brooding darkness that courses through their new album. This song seems to beg listeners to avoid looking in the rearview mirror, albeit from the perspective of Vager as a squid. The band played this during their sets here in Austin, and it was definitely, like the recorded version, a powerful display that delivers a wallop to the listener’s ears. I still say the band is making indispensable pop music people will discover and discover again, years down the road, so don’t miss out and be sure you’re ready to grab Brain Worms when it releases on June 2nd via Fire Records.

Get A Lil Rowdy with Dust

We are easing into the weekend over here in the ATH offices and we were hoping to maybe tear you away from that Gorillaz stream for a second to check out this new up and coming Australian band dust. For me, I am loving this new wave of alternative punk bands in the scene like Shame or Idles, but these Aussies seem to offer a bit more melody and ever so slight pop tendencies to makes things more upbeat and engaging. Their new single, “Ward 52” is a surefire way to kickstart one of our last free weekends before the madness hits. Stay strong.

Pre-orders are now live for the debut EP from dust entitled et cetera etc via Kanine Records.

RVG Announce Brain Worms + Share New Single

I’ve been high upon RVG since I first stumbled upon A Quality of Mercy, and now that there’s officially a new record on the calendar, I’m ramping up my support once again. Based upon this first single, the group seems to have picked up where Feral left us, taking giant steps into huge anthemic pop rock, with just a few more hints at some sheen and polish coming through on the new record’s first single. The guitars drive the tune forward, but you can clearly hear the passion in Romy’s vocals, which I can’t wait to hear when its live at this year’s SXSW festival; it’s one of the things that makes this band so captivating. Really stoked to hear where Brain Worms takes; it drops in June via Fire Records.

Sturt Avenue Release Talk Single

With the announcement of the Cursive tour, I’ve been spending a lot of time with those Saddle Creek Records of my late teens, and I think that’s why I’ve really been into Aussie outfit Sturt Avenue. The group take on a bit of a broad sweeping indie folk sound, but I’m in love with bandleader Bryn Soden’s voice; it’s feels both familiar and distinctive, particularly when the whole band joins into take on the vocals together. It actually sounds like something Tim Kasher would be into, dripping with emotive hanging syllables and swelling choruses that erupt into mass singalongs. Start your Friday here.

Deuce Share Breathe + Announce Wild Type

Back in 2021, our friends in Australia reached out with news of Deuce, a new project of Curtis from Pop Filter (amongst other acts) and his partner Kayleigh. I really enjoyed our entry into their musical realm, so we’ve been stoked to know a new LP was on the horizon, and it seems that day’s almost here. Today the band officially announce Wild Type, with a brand new single to dive into right now. Clearly this track’s all about setting up Kayleigh’s vocals; the musical vessel has this matured pop vibe to it, filtering glittery guitars and layers of horn to create this broad expanse. Personally, the message definitely hits here too, reminding us to just take a breath, let the world come to you; you can afford to be patient and wait for the until “the air is easier now.” Wild Type will come in full this April.

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