a bit of a light week, probably missed some stuff because i've been very busy, but there were still some rlly interesting songs that caught my attention! here are my thoughts on them!! if u care ... which i know u do!!! :D
click here for last week's post!!
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"Screamland" - Father John Misty
◇ released: Sept. 17, 2024
◇ featured on Mahahmashana (not yet released)
◇ genres: singer-songwriter, art pop, indietronica
In the span of a few hours, Father John Misty released this new single and announced a new album. Alongside the announcement, Bandcamp announced that they were hosting an advanced listening party of the new record which I gleefully attended. I'm so glad I did. This new record is fantastic. He plays around with the Wall of Sound production style and his instrumentation and writing is as ambitious as ever. This track in particular, "Screamland," was a massive highlight. These songs are living and breathing, it's like you can feel the ideas as they come to Mr. Tillman. Brimming with brilliance. I can't wait to dive into this record again. For those that missed the listening party the album is out there if you look hard enough wait until it officially drops in November!
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"First Time" - Greg Mendez
◇ released: Sept. 17, 2024
◇ featured on First Time / Alone (not yet released)
◇ genres: singer-songwriter, indietronica
I had never heard Greg Mendez's music prior to this new single, leading up to his debut on the Dead Oceans label. This is a very cute, somber cut that's very pleasant on the ears. Can't say it leaves the biggest impression, but it whets the appetite just fine in the lead-up to this EP. If you're on the lookout for a minimalist song to fit one of your yearning sessions, look no further!
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"God Gets You Back" - Mogwai
◇ released: Sept. 17, 2024
◇ genres: progressive electronic, art rock, post-rock
This new track from Mogwai is a pretty decent progressive electronic track that's easy to get drawn into. There's some big, looming synths here and some lyrics penned by Barry Burns's daughter. I have to admit I'm not the biggest Mogwai fan. This is one of the only tracks I've heard from them outside of the Mogwai Young Team album, but I'm impressed! Not sure where this ranks among their discography on the whole, but I really enjoyed this song. It's just got so much energy to it. Definitely need to listen to more of their stuff at some point.
◇ released: Sept. 17, 2024
◇ featured on Talking Heads: 77 (Super Deluxe Edition) [2024 Remaster] (not yet released)
◇ genres: folk rock, post-punk, art punk
The Talking Heads are gearing up for a "super deluxe" reissue of their debut record, Talking Heads: 77. As a treat alongside the announcement, they shared this acoustic version of their classic song "Psycho Killer" featuring renowned multi-faceted composer and cellist Arthur Russell. This is a cool rarity. It features early verses not present in the studio version and the band's energy is palpable - as it usually was. Russell's contributions are also pretty neat, adding some more fire to it all. If you're a fan of The Heads or Arthur Russell, definitely give this a go.
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"NEW! Christianity" - The Armed
◇ released: Sept. 17, 2024
◇ featured on Everlasting Gaze (not yet released)
◇ genres: post-hardcore, noise pop, noise rock
Abrasive post-hardcore band The Armed are returning with a new EP, Everlasting Gaze. Acting as the final piece of their previous record, which I regretfully haven't listened to yet, it seems the band had more to add to that project. I can't speak on the quality of that album, but this track is pretty stellar. A weird mix of insane noise rock and dreamy verses - with the occasional screamed vocals. This song rules hard. Definitely gonna be listening to this new EP when it drops, but before then I need to catch up on their previous record that slipped under my radar.
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"Bird W/O Nest" - Alice Longyu Gao feat. Danny Brown
◇ released: Sept. 18, 2024
◇ featured on Assembling Symbols Into My Own Poetry (not yet released)
◇ genres: art rock, indie rock, pop rap
Alice Longyu Gao has released another single leading up to her upcoming EP, this one being an art rock-y track featuring Danny Brown. I like it! It's a little clunky in places and I wish Gao's verses had some more edge to them, but they sound nice. Brown's feature was unexpected, but it's very hard for him to put in a bad performance. This is a cool little song regardless! I'm curious to hear how all of these singles come together on the EP, but we shall see soon enough!
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"Do You Realize??" - Willie Nelson
◇ released: Sept. 19, 2024
◇ featured on Last Leaf On The Tree (not yet released)
◇ genres: country, americana
Coincidentally, the same week I see The Flaming Lips live on Weezer's Voyage to the Blue Planet tour, country legend Willie Nelson releases a cover of their song "Do You Realize??" This is a fine cover, it removes the psychedelic tones of the original in favor of rustic and soothing Americana. His voice is aged, not like a fine wine, but it's charming nonetheless. The backing vocalist is adding some much needed touches to it all. Is this cover necessary? Not really. Is it pleasant? Yeah, sure! If you like the original or Nelson's brand of old-timey country balladeering, give this a listen!
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"S P E Y S I D E" - Bon Iver
◇ released: Sept. 20, 2024
◇ featured on SABLE, (not yet released)
◇ genres: indie folk, singer-songwriter, chamber folk
Bon Iver have returned with their most stripped-down song in years. Justin Vernon has reached back into his indie folk bag to the delight of many, myself included. For those not attuned to the band's last few records of off-kilter electronica blending with Vernon's cryptic prose, "S P E Y S I D E" is sure to excite. However, for those I have lovingly deemed the "sickos," of which I am one, this is a bit of a letdown. I still really enjoy the song, but I loved what Vernon and crew have been doing with all the weird sounds. Still, I'm excited to hear what SABLE, will sound like. I've never been disappointed by a Bon Iver project, even i,i which was wrongly overlooked by many, so I'm excited no matter what. Here's hoping the strange electronic stuff will return in some fashion!
