This is fine.
If you’re in the mood for something a bit heavier, might I suggest you check out this new single from Manchester based lads Mister Strange. The song “High Heel Heavy” features this sludgy, kinda dirty, yet bright somehow, take on the garage rock genre. This one would be perfect if you’re into things like Fuzz, Thee Oh Sees, or Wand. You can stream the song below or via other platforms as a part of the band’s recent signing to Pnkslm.
I’m about to endure the joys of being a teacher in the modern age; I’m set to spend the next six hours administering a state standardized test! Such joy. Such fun. So why not prepare for that with this great little jam from Swedish band Shitkid. It makes sense that the tune’s title translates to “Around the Beach,” as you can clearly see the nod to beach pop rock…a little steady beat pushing forward while the guitar fuzzes out the front of the mix. It’s just a straight ahead rocker that makes you want to pump your fists in the air and sing along as you walk up and down the rows of desks staring down the boredom of your favorite students. This tune’s on the final Shitkid LP, Sort Sternje, which drops June 11th via PNKSLM.
I’m really enjoying listening to the work of Sweden’s Sindy, as the project seems to dabble in a lot of areas that I definitely appreciate as a music fan. The dreaminess is apparent, and that’s a spot on nod for everything in my current listening rotation. But, there are also some moments that kind of pull from the sort of pop alternative sounds you’d get from a Nada Surf record, and just as you’ve come to value those two worlds colliding, the song begins to glitch and transform into something truly special. If you’re looking for a little wistful start to Monday, then grab onto this tune; it appears on the Horror Head LP, out April 23rd via PNKSLM.
I don’t know what it is about Henrik Appel that makes me swoon, but there’s something in his songwriting that just hits that emotional note I can’t pull away from. This song’s mostly all about his vocals and the strum of his guitar; it almost has this odd Bolan-esque quality to it. You ever just love a song and you can’t put it into words why or how, you just want to play it all day long? That’s been my experience with this new track from Henrik; you’ll find it on his new LP, Humanity, out January 8th via PNKSLM.
The entire ATH staff has truly embraced the young Danish band Yung over the last several years, having consumed everything they send our way. A testament to this fandom, Nathan shared a new album announcement from the band earlier this month, and also let go on a new single called “Above Water”. Well today I am climbing aboard the hype train of the new Yung album by releasing to the masses this slick new song, “Such a Man”. I’m continually stunned by this band’s ability to offer dashes of indie rock, but with this dark, post-punk, somewhat aggressive, and majorly in your face vibe. Dig on that.
Yung will release new album Ongoing Dispute on January 22nd via PNKSLM.
This track from Katja Nielsen (Arre Arre) under her new moniker, She/Beast, dropped in the middle of last week, and I couldn’t wait to share it with you. It opens up rather slowly, almost plodding through the first few seconds. But, the rhythmic hook drops in so seamlessly, immediately grabbing you. It was hard not to just get the feels, as this is the type os simple pop rock that I’ve always adored; its straight in its purpose, aiming to please with immediacy. She’ll be releasing In the Depths of Misery EP on December 11th via PNKSLM, so keep your eyes out if you like big pop feels!
One time, I threw a show, and Henrik Appel played a nice little set. As he was jamming, I was like damn, he’s got some power for a one man show. In listening to this latest single from the forthcoming Humanity LP, you get that same feeling; he’s able to build what seems like a huge sound, though still woven in simplicity. Appel opens with a solid riff, almost muted in its presentation, ringing just barely behind Henrik’s voice. Soon, he’s joined by Emma Lind, who lends her voice to several tracks on the LP; she builds this nice contrast, texturing the song to craft that larger than life sound. Saxophone shouts come in near the song’s close, furthering the sonic exploration we’ve heard from the record thus far. Stoked to hear Humanity in its entirety; it drops via PNKSLM on January 8th.
When Danish outfit Yung dropped A Youthful Dream, folks were salivating; they were much loved pretty much anywhere you went in the indie-sphere. But, five years on, the band are just announcing their new LP, Ongoing Dispute. Taking this long period allowed the group to really invest in their sound, and it seems they’ve expanded upon where they began. There’s a great urgency in the vocals on this lead single, reminiscent of a sort of hyper Win Butler, but it’s the musical element that seems to indicate things feel refreshed. They’ve stripped some of the immediacy, building a sound that seems to resonate atop itself as it pushes forward. Guitars are ringing about with this heavy gunshot drumming propelling things forward, all the while its as if the song is happily chasing its own tail, circling over our ears with this wall of great noise. PNKSLM will issue the new LP on January 22nd.
I wrote about Henrik Appel‘s Burning Bodies LP quite a bit back in 2018; I just loved the classic songwriting sound the Swede created on his debut solo LP. He’s back again with a new record slated for next year, and he’s pulling the same tricks; he kind of feels like he’s updating Johnny Thunders solo work, like a roots rock feel the ebbs and flows. Of course, there’s some slight arrangement work going on behind Appel’s voice here, building in the texture with horns and a rolling drum beat. There’s something really special about the simplicity of what Henrik is doing out there; I look forward to picking up Humanity when its released by PNKSLM in January of next year!
I’ve been a big fan of Cherry Pickles for a bit, particularly since catching their set at SXSW (RIP) a few years back. Today we get news that they’ll be dropping their next album, doing so with this catchy early morning ditty to make you tap your toes. I was hooked by the opening guitar line; it has just the hint of a jangle that I love, then it gets wrapped in a nice dueling line of surfy pop. One of the reasons I’m so into this track is the way they kind of bring it about casually; they’re not rushing things, they’re in no hurry, just letting you get cleansed by the sweet bounce of good old fashioned pop rock. The Juice That’s Worth the Squeeze is out this October via PNKSLM.
