Our inbox is over flowing again so we are letting you good people know exactly what is new and available out there in the music world. It's been a while but this weeks singles run the gamut from post punk to jangly indie rock. Hope you enjoy these picks by our writing staff. If you want to see your band on one of these lists, send us streaming music and as short bio.
Band Name: American Thrills
BMN Score: 8.2/10
What the band says: Connecticut's American Thrills have released their new single "Impossible". The track features guest vocals from Matt of Northcote and is the first song released from their sophomore LP dropping later this year. Catch them on the road later this month with Hot Rod Circuit and Punchline for the 24th Anniversary Shows of "If It's Cool With You, It's Cool With Me".
What we say they sound like: This has a late 90's early 2000's era Get Up Kids vibe to it. The recording really feels like that time frame, it's warm like the end of the analog era. Musically it's driving and the vocals are big like a Taking Back Sunday song as the two singers ping pong off of each other. Not totally what I'm into these days but I was into this sound 20 years ago. For some this will feel nostalgic and bring you back to that time period and it's really as well done as you could ask for with this genre. A good song is a good song even if it's not reinventing the wheel.
Song to add to your playlist: Impossible
Band Name: Street Fever
BMN Score: 7.9/10
What the band says: Street Fever is a versatile, mixed-media performance-artist residing in Boise, Idaho. Whom, remains anonymous. Their music is a gritty symphony born from profound life experiences and sonic experimentation. From the shrines of Three 6 Mafia in their bedroom as a kid, to being raised by the DIY hardcore scene- they have an eclectic background that sources inspo from hardcore / heavy rap / industrial techno / EBM / noise / electro / techno and classical music.
What we say they sound like: In a way this feels new and old at the same time, like at moments it's 90's Prodigy and Aphex Twin but with a modern production. A modern equivalent I woudl say is maybe a touch of Death Grips with less memorable vocals. I'm not sure my thoughts on this, I'm not at a dance club at the moment, nor high, but if it I was this would be just as fine as anything else the DJ was spinning. The bands strong suit is it's visuals in the video, covered head to toe in black paint writhing on the floor with blasphemous use of the catholic cross. I mean even if the song is just ok, I can get behind blasphemy any day of the week.
Song to add to your playlist: Sinner
Band Name: Night Windows
BMN Score: 9.5/10
What the band says: Where do I go from here? Everyone is getting older. I’m losing people both to death and life. I’ve written about the sadness that comes with the gift of life, but never like this. This time, I leaned as hard into the sadness as necessary in order to feel better.
What we say they sound like: This has a charm to it from the start with vocals that feel genuine and heartfelt. It's got a vibe like Jeff Tweedy if he had a younger emo indie folk phase. The song reminds a little bit sonically. of The Weakerthans. The production is stellar and it's the kind of song that I think will speak deeply to the audience it's meant for. I feel like the album art sets the tone from the start, so visually if you find the below picture appealing, the music fits the sentiment and feel of the image well. And yes I mean actually, metaphorically and all of that jazz…
Song to add to your playlist: Broken Glass
Band Name: standards
BMN Score: 9.2/10
What the band says: Of the new single standards' Marcos Mena says: "We couldn’t be more excited to unveil "Cosmos", as we feel it is our most ambitious song to date. We pushed the limits of our abilities to produce a song that we hope resonates with fans of catchy, guitar-driven music.”
What we say they sound like: If you have ever heard bands like Hella or Battles, this is like their nice polished younger brother. It's definitely more listener friendly with broader appeal. It's math rock-ish and removes some of the more abstract parts that similar bands have. It's interesting because at moments it's got moments that are similar to Incubus. Overall it's definitely interesting and pulls off what many other 2 piece bands don't, this is interesting and engages the listener all the way through.
Song to add to your playlist: Cosmos
Band Name: Grazia
BMN Score: 9.6/10
What the band says: In Poor Taste is the debut EP from Grazia - written and recorded by Heather Dunlop and Lindsay Corstorphine. Often referential - In Poor Taste pulls inspiration from the high and low brow, but mostly the low. Grazia pays homage to everything from The Fall to cheap lingerie brands in a campy pastiche of 80’s new wave and pop. In Poor Taste is all about having a lot of fun while delving into your worst, core self.
What we say they sound like: Visually this is bizarre with it's McDonalds theme mixed with lo-fi basic cable look. It really sounds vintage like early 80's post punk something Poly Styrene would sing over something The Stranglers wrote with help from Pavement. The Pavement vibe comes through in the playing as it's loose and jangly, but melodic. It has a beautiful simplicity to it as two very clean, un-effected guitars have interplay with simple drums and bass and a sing songy chorus sang singing like a female impersonation of Stephen Malkmus (But way more in key). I feel like fans of Gustaf or even Two-Man Giant Squid might really dig this and that is the closest modern equivalents I could give.
Song to add to your playlist: Stupid Paradise