That New Weakened Friends Single

Yesterday, I mentioned in passing booking a rad show with Rosie Tucker amongst others; well, one of those others was my favorite pop rockers, Weakened Friends. The trio unleashed a new track yesterday, their first since the vastly underrated Quitter dropped a few years back. This song churns out relatable lyrical content, filled with hope and self-doubt simultaneously, particularly relating to a new romantic relationship. And, if you’re looking for a good pop rock chorus, you know that Sonia Sturino’s going to deliver it with a huge wallop and a hook, just as you get here. Love to have them back, and hoping there’s a new LP on the horizon. Don Giovanni helped get this tune out there!

Ex Void Share No Other Way

You’ve got to imagine a band featuring members of Joanna Gruesome is going to have a lot of pressure to live up to their former name, and this new single seems to be the one that cements Ex Void as their own powerful force. As the song unfolds, it offers up a relaxed bit of casual indie rock, light jangles, but mostly just a burning fuzz of guitar work. For me, it was the chorus that really hits home, as I love the way the vocals rise and fall in tone, crashing into you with an emphatic punch that burrows into your mind. They’ll be dropping their Bigger Than Before LP in our laps on March 25th via Don Giovanni Records.

Marissa Paternoster Shares Final Single from Peace Meter

This Friday Don Giovanni will be dropping Marissa Paternoster‘s proper debut as a solo artist, and we’ve been covering the singles all along the way. I’m excited by the album because I feel like we’re really getting some insight into Paternoster’s life, and while its been there before, it feels much more intimate and relatable in the presentation of this record. Musically, this song seems full, yet stripped down. The mix feels peeled back like the layers of an onion, leaving us with the core that is Marissa’s unique voice driving the emotional pull of the track. Peace Meter drops Friday, so be sure to check it out, grab it, you know, support your favorite artists.

Weakened Friends Release Final Single off Quitter LP

I’m obviously really high upon the forthcoming LP from Maine’s Weakened Things, and it’s going to be one of my favorite pop rock records to pick up this year. Today we’ve got the last single before Quitter hits the streets, and I think this might have the best set-up yet. It takes off slow with Sonia Sturino seemingly operating solo, working her distinctive vocals atop careful guitar notes; the song still seems muted when Annie and Adam join up to flesh out the sound…but, everything still seems slightly muted, only building the natural tension for the listener. Don’t worry listeners, as the trio unleash their power around the 1 minute mark with another delicious chorus that’s been making this LP a surefire singalong when it drops. Speaking of releases, Quitter is out Friday via Don Giovanni/Big Scary Monsters.

Marissa Paternoster Shares I Lost You

One of the great things about a songwriter you love going solo, even for a one-off, is that they get to spend the narrative of their craft in an entirely new direction. Such is the case with Marissa Paternoster‘s latest single from her forthcoming solo album, Peace Meter. On the first single, you could hear some sort of tethering to Screaming Females, but in the latest track, you’ve got to really peel back the layers to get to the core. Honestly, the voice carries a lot of the mood, accented by a tight little drum beat; its only as the song unfolds in the latter half that you really get to hear the guitar kind of make its case. I actually love the fact that it feels nothing like Marissa’s work, yet definitely feels tied to her work as you come to the song’s end; I hope she keeps pushing herself, which we’ll find out when Peace Meter hits via Don Giovanni.

Weakened Friends Share Tunnels Lyric Video

With Weakened Friends new record Quitter on the horizon in a few weeks, I just can’t get enough of the band’s new single; I’m pretty sure I’m responsible for half the plays today alone. I hate to use the cliche language of timelessness, but everything about this track is just the perfect dose of pop rock, seeming like it might just be one of the best jams to come out this year. There’s something about Sonia’s delivery of her vocals that’s effortlessly distinctive; it seems biting yet somehow punches you with this melodic hook. I mean, I dare you turn away from this chorus and not fall absolutely in love. This is how all pop rock should be written. Definitely ready to be the old guy at the show full of youngsters screaming along at the top of their lungs to this jam! Quitter is out November 19th via Don Giovanni/Big Scary Monsters.

Weakened Friends Announce Quitter

A few years ago, a show opportunity fell into my lap; I had the opportunity to book a primo venue for a day time SXSW show, but I had to do it in 48 hours before the show took place. Lucky for me, I know some people, and was fortunate enough to have Weakened Friends take the stage. They played in the early afternoon with such ferocity that it awoke everyone from their early SXSW slumber. Today the band announce their new album, Quitter, which is coming out via Don Giovanni Records; they’re doing it with the blasting pop rock jam that should get you as excited as I am for the LP. Sonia’s voice is phenomenal, and just the right amount of catchy hanging in there. Just turn it up super loud and thank me later!

One Last Jeffrey Lewis & the Voltage Tune

This Friday Don Giovanni will be dropping Bad Wiring, the latest album from Jeffrey Lewis & the Voltage…but before we get there we get to hear one final single. This tune might be the most fun of the tracks we’ve heard, which, while he’s known for his literary witticism, I’ve always enjoyed the poppier side of his writing. For me, just take one listen to the chorus here, jammed in between these tight little bouncing jangles that make up the verses; in his own words, “it’s so awesome.” If you were looking for a sonic replacement for the Thermals, try this one out; Jeffrey’s only gotten a little fuzzier and we’re all the better for it.

New Jam from Jeffrey Lewis & the Voltage

Admittedly, the first twenty seconds of this tune had me scared; definitely tested my adoration for Jeffrey Lewis…so just hold on. Once the track kicks in, you get a steady dose of Lewis’ distinctive delivery working over these catchy riffs and precision drum stomps. I can’t help but compare Jeffrey to John Darnielle, but here there’s definitely an affinity for pop moments that shines through Lewis’ style, which is why I’ve always found a soft spot for his music in my own collection. Catchy and unique, as if you needed anything else. Bad Wiring is out November 1st on Don Giovanni Records.

New Ballad from Laura Stevenson

Okay, so it’s not exactly a clear-cut ballad, but in the grand concept of things, Laura Stevenson‘s new track is a striking ballad. While we’ve heard her with backing bands or playing in other bands, her new album The Big Freeze represents the full experience of Laura operating with little more than her voice and guitar. You can hear the grumbling of her guitar ring out, accenting the rise of her voice. But, once it fades, there’s guitar bits to walk you into the track’s next section where Stevenson reappears with her voice. This track is all about that voice and how it plays into space, almost isolated…which is one of the various themes in this track. Look for the new album on March 29th via Don Giovanni Records.

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