Tag: post-punk?

Circling Back on West Wickhams

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Still trying to get through all of my emails from the end of last year, and I promise you, I’m almost there! I’ve got a handful more like West Wickhams to throw out, but I had to circle back on the darkened brand of rock n’ roll this group brings to the fold. Throughout their last album, Vivre Sa Vie, you have tons of what one would consider traditional post-punk; it’s dark and brooding in every sense, punctuated by sharp cuts in the guitar sound that add an ominous atmosphere. The tune below, however, has a little more spirit; the pacing and the growl of the guitars push everything forward consistently, meeting at the cross-streets of Wire and Blank Dogs. Give it a spin!

Motorsports Release Saddles in Mind EP

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Austin had a good week last week, in my book, and another act that deserves a few extra ears is Motorsports, who just dropped their Saddles in Mind EP. I think if you spend the right amount of time with it, you’ll find the band equal parts Parquet Courts and equal parts Ought…you’ll also likely hear some Byrne-esque vocals and some hardcore tendencies, all of which have them brandishing a sound that can be as dangerous as it is thought-provoking. The whole of the listen is packed with frantic energy, pushing rhythmic post-punk through your speakers with the perfect amount of growl. Go ahead and jam the whole of this new EP!

Sundozer Share Double Single

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Sundozer quickly amassing a collection of great songs, not to mention great musicians in their line-up; the newest singles feature Danny Reisch on percussion. Speaking of those new tracks, they’re taking their gloomy post-punk tones and spinning them in this glittery pop fashion. On “Charmed,” the bass bubbles as these little shimmering crystals fall into your ears; I love the way there’s these little syllabic punches delivered in the vocals on this tune too during the verses. There’s this great little turn before the 2 minute mark that opens up the song to this more vast vibe that stretches into a stabbing guitar piece atop the bass line. “100 Lives” has a different pulse to it, something that feels naturally frantic and energized. I love how the project keeps the mood circling about here, whilst still capable of kicking in some energy around those quick little jangles. One of my favorite ATX acts, so keep an ear out.

Optic Sink Drop Glass Blocks Single

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For me, I love a track that forces me to indulge, to let myself go and just be present in the musical moment, such as this new hit from Optic Sink. When you open the door to this tune, you’re hit by these thumping industrial beats, though left with plenty of space to allow your mind (and the song) to drift. Natalie Hoffmann (of NOTS) calls out near the two-minute mark, offering up this distant post-punk delivery that feels as if its got icy cool running right through it. We get to journey through the song, letting the band build and fold textures into one another; there’s a weighted heaviness at times, and other times, they employ space to keep the playful side alive. They’ll be dropping Glass Blocks on September 8th via Feel It Records.

Who Is She Share 96 Ghouls

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Who Is She is going to be on everyone’s playlist this week I reckon, as the band’s a supergroup made up of members of Chastity Belt, Lisa Prank and Tacocat, leaving us with the impression that there’s no way you can’t like this! You immediately get this bob and weave from the bass line as you press play, flirting with that sort of frantic post-punk as the guitars knife their way into the picture. Two vocal pieces impact your listening, with a sedate vocal in the front of the mix, while you get an emphatic group chant jumping in to punch up the style. I’ve only heard one track, and I know I’ll be grabbing their Goddess Energy LP; it drops on August 25th via Father Daughter Records.

Landowner Announces Escape the Compound

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Musically I am all over the place today, and this Landowner tune is settling my tastes down, although I’m not sure “settling” is the right word here. The Massachusetts band is offering up a brand of galvanized post-punk. Like many of their peers, the vocals are spoken, almost punched into the ears of the listener. Musically, the danger lives in the dynamism of the rhythm section; the gun fires and this track just takes off, sprinting towards a finish line that never comes, continuously chugging at a speed that would have your feet fumbling beneath you. If its a post-punk race, we’re all winning with stuff like this out there; the band will release Escape the Compound via Born Yesterday on July 21st.

Low Praise Share Time is Calling

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I love the way that the guitars on this new Low Praise track kind of crawl right into the picture, sort of prowling for listeners. Suddenly the sticks hit and the drums provide this insatiable rhythm that gets your body right into the groove. Once the vocals join the rest of the party, they seem like they’re trying to keep up, working with a bit of a syllabic curl not unlike many of their post-punk brethren. Where I got hooked was the anti-chorus that hits at the 1:20 mark; it’s a place where others would sell me this boisterous hook that I’d gobble up with joy. That’s the easy way out, which Low Praise didn’t offer me immediately, so I appreciate their willingness to go beyond the genre’s formulaic nature. Take a risk with me and grab a copy of Dressing, which drops on May 19th.

Evntyd Share Quotidian Single

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With all the releases out in the world, it’s always tough to keep up with new tunes, even if its hiding out in your own backyard, like Evntyd. Honestly, the post-punk project just snuck onto my radar with this new single, so I’ve been diving in pretty heavily. This tune begins with two moods, there’s a darkness haunting the atmosphere, but the propulsive nature and angular guitar riffs give off this melodic texture that’s definitely in my wheelhouse. Then the tune takes on solid bit of dreaminess when the vocals mix in, kind of slowly filling your room as they billow out. Definitely an artists I’ll be keeping my eye on going forward.

Ted Tyro Release Devil Single

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If you like your rock n’ roll with a little wiggle and groove, you need to latch onto Kentucky’s Ted Tyro. Their latest single has the band snaking through these post-punk grooves, sort of slinking their way through these funky little rhythms that ultimately make the song a bit more playful than it might seem to outsiders. That’s one of the lovely things here, as the group aren’t just frantically pushing angular riffs and hook-laden rhythms, instead choosing to kind of incorporate this sort of melodic mantra in the middle that really rewards time and time again. Catch on to this cool before the grown-ups take it away!

Beige Banquet Kick Out Acid Bath

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Been spending a bit of the morning toying with the pop side of things, so was glad this new Beige Banquet tune came my way, to kind of keep me in touch with my rock n’ roll vibes. This track reminds me in a sense of acts like Omni or Deeper, toying on the edge of post-punk, though here the lyrical approach feels more frantic. It’s got this sort of stage-stalking madness to it, envisioning the vocalist manically waling about the stage and riling up the audience. It’s a maddening rush of riotous cool, and I can’t help but to turn it all the way up on my speakers.

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