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. This week we have a great genre's and bands and our writers enjoyed all of it from the quiet indie pop to the scorching hardcore punk. Hopefully you dig what you hear and find a new favorite band. If you want to see your band on one of these lists, send us streaming music and as short bio.
Band Name: Miniaturized
BMN Score: 9.8/10
What the band says they sound like: miniaturized is made up of guitarist/vocalist Timothy Joseph (Buckfast Superbee, The Palace Ballroom, Phasers on Stun), drummers Mario Rubalcaba (Earthless, Rocket from the Crypt, Hot Snakes), Chris Prescott (Pinback, No Knife), bassists Brian Desjean (No Knife, Mistress 77) and Chris Torres (Ron Blair band, Chris Torres Band).
What we say they sound like: A happy Turtles-ish song mixed with some punkiness. However that chord progression has that one minor in it that really gives the overall tone a slightly darker tone, I kind of equate it to Misfits “Hybrid Moments” and that one well placed non-traditional chord takes the song to another level. It's a little more subtle in this track but I appreciate things like that. A great pop garage rock track and I love when bands write a song with their band name in it. Doesn't happen often enough, it's like it's their theme song.
Song to add to your playlist: Miniaturized
Band Name: Harker
BMN Score: 9.9/10
What the band says they sound like: "'Wasting Time' is about the breakdown of communication in modern life - it's easy to misunderstand and mislead when you only talk through a digital screen. Talk to your loved ones in person, debate face to face, and know when to set your boundaries if it's not working. 'Wasting Time' is a back to basics, 4 chord postpunk pop ruckus track - heavy hooks and fuzzed out guitar walls, just how we like it."
What we say they sound like: Usually, and this is just me, definitely not most of the other BMN writers, I'm well over punk rock because of how much it's been done. But every now and then bands come along that just do it really well and a great rough edge to their sound and the songwriting is there. It's catchy, it has energy and it makes you want to scream along while waving your fist in the air. I don't need my punk rock to reinvent the wheel, I just need it to make me feel something and I love the nostalgia for a 90's VFW hall show I feel when listening to this. Especially the little heavy breakdown that is just perfect. These guys understood the assignment.
Song to add to your playlist: Wasting Time
Band Name: Screaming Bones
BMN Score: 9.2
What the band says they sound like: The music on this album is a gem, a flower, a tree that grows a bit more every time you listen to it. What seems like random chaos at first becomes a warped melody of unreal beauty. Screaming Bones’ music exists to fill your headspace. It will take you on an endless journey if you are willing to let yourself immerse in the music. The music will touch something deep inside you when you listen to it and let it unfold.
What we say they sound like: I'm thinking Massive Attack when I hear this, minus vocals. I kind of love when the bass and drums lock in so tightly that I can't tell if it's man or machine. The guitars paint a great sonic palette on top of this. I usually prefer busier more complex instrumental music and often psych instrumental bands do bring songs to more of a climax. However I'm fine with the chill nature of this groove. This is one of those tracks you can easily be hypnotized by and drift off in thought and not realize it until the song is over. I'm a fan
Song to add to your playlist: Ghost Ride
Band Name: Riskee & The Ridicule
BMN Score: 8.5/10
What the band says they sound like: "Incendiary grime-punk band Riskee & The Ridicule announce the release of their new album with the brand new single "My Name". An anthem dug from the muck of the underground and dedicated to the music industry and every snake in it. The song is a tribute to DIY bands, independent artists and labels while giving the false prophets and haters the middle finger. The band, which has toured extensively throughout the UK, Europe and America, is known for its relentless energy, which is evident on the new single. The track was produced, mixed and mastered by Oz Craggs at Hidden Track Studios."
What we say they sound like: This goes from a little bit Linkin Park-ish to straight up hardcore that is going to make you want to punch someone right in the mouth. More musically enjoyable than Idles, at least it has melody and that big sing along-able part. A little dated but I'm nostalgic for a pit so I'm kind of loving it. Also the British accent and slang terms make it even more enjoyable, it's like a bunch of futbol hooligans theme song while they beat on fans of their enemies team. I can get behind that. I'm gonna be shouting “I'm the fucking landlord, this is my house” next time I'm cheering for my team.
Song to add to your playlist: My Name
Band Name: Lontalius
BMN Score: 10/10
What the band says they sound like: The new record is a dramatic departure from the soft lo-fi guitar-forward music he’s primarily released before with Jeff producing the entire LP, as well as co-writing each of the songs with Eddie. Citing influences from Jeremih and Kehlani to Elliott Smith and Wilco, the album successfully merges Lontalius’ confessional alt-indie style with Jeff's background in R&B/hip-hop production. I think that comes across in “Right There,” but the full album is an unabashedly queer electronic journey through love, loss and self-discovery.
What we say they sound like: This is understated indie pop, with pulses and keyboard blips that sit nicely under a warm inviting vocal. The song is like it's being whispered to you as you are waking, that's the subtleness of this and it's not something most artists can pull off. It's just really a tender track that has such a hopeful vibe to it. I feel like I listened to it a few hundred times without getting sick of it. I really enjoyed this, it skates the line of electro pop and R&B in a really nice way. Sometimes more words don't help, it's just really a great song.
Song to add to your playlist: Right There