Summer and hopefully its heat wave are coming to a close. We’re approaching the end of the year at light speed with only a few weeks until Christmas. The music industry at all levels traditionally packs the final fiscal quarter with high profile releases in time for the holidays; however, the streaming era modernized the album cycle. Artists and labels possess the autonomy release projects on their terms.
Last century Drake’s Scorpion would have come out closer to Christmas or after the new year. Today he’s the king of summer. There’s an abundance of newly released and imminent records ready across most platforms.
Nearing My God by Foxing
Release: August 10, 2018
Highly regarded in the OG emo community, Foxing’s Nearing My God shows their evolution as musicians beyond a subculture. The arrangements exercise more synths with doubled high octave vocals, much like Mew’s And the Glass Handed Kites, especially the album titled track.
“Slapstick” gazes into the night stars too with tender guitar tones followed by detuned twangy rhythms. There’s a reminder of Brand New’s most recent work Science Fiction on “Grand Paradise” and “Gameshark” but again with a Jonas Bjerre or Jónsi (Sigur Rós) type singer.
When we look back in December this one will make many indie publication’s end of the year lists. More than any of their previous albums Near My God will take their live show to another level as well. See them if they come through.
USGS by USGS
Release: August 14, 2018
Since Roomrunner hung it up I’ve followed along with whatever projects each member pursued next. Earlier this year Bret Lanahan’s band Bested put out their first album. Denny Bowen has since played with Future Islands, Retired, and recently uploaded this electro album.
In his own words it “sounds like a car alarm with a Baltimore club beat.” I’m not as familiar with this type of music however there’s still recognizable troupes from a Bowen project. Many of the beats and samples sound like a track from an MS DOS game. Bowen litters each song with noisy bits and high pitch screeches.
I’m brought back to scrolling through some annoying level while “BaseMap” bumping along. The latter half of “NAD 1983” will get you boogieing if you’re brave enough with yourself.
Belmont by Belmont
Release: August 17, 2018
Young, brash, and stacked with talented musicians it’s surprising Belmont only formed 4 years ago. It takes most bands years of touring and trials in the studio to understand how to make a coherent record. Yet they mostly articulated their debut well, excluding one odd Post-Malonish interlude
Personally, songs should strike their purpose quickly and pounce the money riff/melody often. These songs flow smoothly together, don’t overstay their welcome, and offer heaps of diverse song structures in brief bursts of 3 minutes or less. Belmont hit most of the marks that would earn them high scores on some imaginary report card.
“Hollowed Out” engages classically infectious pop-punk chorus with sprinkles of busy guitar fretting. Even deep cuts like “Convalescence” rock catchy licks and “BMC” slam down creative breakdowns. Steller debut from a band just finding its stride.
Be the Cowboy by Mitski
Release: August 17, 2018
Mitski continues to produce gloriously anomalous records for sad and lonely people everywhere. Be the Cowboy is her most accessible album yet, sure to invite new fans onto the growing bandwagon. This is best enjoyed start to finish. Yes there are singles to pick and choose; however, I encourage you just to press play.
There’s a such a cohesion between each track sounding like one movement rather than a single song. Mitski builds upon each song strategically to climax into a moment like on “Nobody” with its beautiful disco funk section and abruptly retires into a dreary bedroom recording.
Be the Cowboy arrives at these peaks in such a fashion the record has already sadly ended. It’s one of the best records you’ll hear the rest of the year.
Boy from My Dream by Field Medic
Release: August 21, 2018
Fiercely independent and uncompromising, Kevin Sullivan calls his music freak folk and post-country (we’re inventing sub-genres everyday). Sullivan started out in 2009 recording on his Radioshack CTR-111 and amassed a massive archive over last decade.
Run For Cover Records signed him last years and released his new EP this week. Despite being recorded in a studio “Retail Therapy” retains its airy cassette tape noise while melting Sullivan’s malaise over you.
The title track caresses with warmth until the lyrics turn gloomy. Like most dreams this EP starts off adventurous and ends abruptly leaving you wanting more. Follow Sullivan on most social media platforms.
We Can Pretend Like by Ogikubo Station
Release: October 24, 2018
Asian Man Records owner Mike Park and Mixtapes’ Laura Weaver teamed up a few years ago to form Ogikubo Station. Comparably very similar to The Evens in it’s sound and ethics. “We have no hype machine, no publicist, no radio, no booking agent. This is 100% DIY and that’s the way it should be” say Park and Weaver.
We Can Pretend Like shines gingerly like a morning sunrise. It’s a nice break from the serious albums I’m usually drawn to. My favorite track “Rest Before We Go to War” has these tender sing-along moments that remind me of this Headroom song. I can imagine repeating back the lyrics back if I see them live.
There are echos of R.E.M. on “Weak Souls Walk Around Here” through its low end tone. It’s one of the few tracks Park duels a bit with Weaver. The pair work so well together in bringing their joy through the album. Such a mellow listening experience sure to brighten up your day.
Fixed Ideals by Muncie Girls
Release: August 31, 2018
There’s a new surge in female lead punk bands coming to the forefront in recent years. In the states, Downtown Boys, Sheer Mag, and Kim and The Created represent us well. It’s not just their added diversity that’s exciting but also their ideas about good song writing and how to conceive them.
All of this leads up to the Muncie Girls from across the pond who bring serious heat on their new record Fixed Ideals. “Locked Up” is as perfect a punk song comes with its shredding intro, push up bra jabs, and a contagious chorus. I wish they’d play that intro some more, damn that’s a hook!
“Picture of Health” follows a robust dose of catchy verses leading into a feverish choruses, which I aggressive yell in my car. Look out for Fixed Ideals out on the usual services via Specialist Subject Records. Check out label mates Fresh who post a solid debut last year alongside Caves.
Dark Skies by Fit for a King
Release: September 14, 2018
I’ve been eagerly anticipating Fit for a King’s follow-up to Deathgrip since “Tower of Pain” dropped earlier this year. They’ve always had a pinch of accessibility with their cleans and on Dark Skies I’m anticipating an interstellar jump from mid-sized metalcore band to seizing the world’s biggest stages.
Watch the above video yourself. Those are huge riffs, hinged with an epic solo, book ended by their bread and butter breakdown. If “The Price of Agony” isn’t mainstream friendly metal then it’s just hopeless man. It can’t just be the Keystone Light of metal Five Finger Kitty Punch on the radio.
Dark Skies will demonstrate the group’s progression as song writers too. “Every record we focused so hard on parts but this time we’re focusing on the whole of the song” says vocalist Ryan Kirby. “When Everything Means Nothing” proves their new prowess in utilizing a super heavy “part” repeatedly in a calculated coordination with the song.
Million Dollars to Kill Me by Joyce Manor
Release: September 21, 2018
It’s been an interesting ride with Joyce Manor over the last seven years. They started like most punk bands in LA County playing DIY house shows methodically climbing to big clubs and festivals like Coachella. Since signing with Epitaph Records four years ago their music began reflecting this trajectory too.
Like many before them, see Japandroids, punks don’t die they just kind of… Go to bed at a more reasonable time. Joyce similarly to the aforementioned band slowly morphed into a rock band. Less distorting feedback, fast chords, and yelping. You’re probably waiting for the “they suck now” take. Yeah no, in my So Cal voice.
Instead Joyce developed more bombastically anthemic songs with gigantic riffs and rousing vocals choruses. “Think I’m Still in Love with You” utilizes all of these ingredients: easy call and response lyrics, a memorable guitar motif, done in nimbly timely fashion. I expect more of the same with the rest of Million Dollars to Kill Me.
Photo Credit: Bao Ngo and Joey Tobin
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