Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of September 14th, 2018. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff and/or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the artwork (if we remember…) so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
Featured Release
Thrice: Palms
Genre: Alternative Rock/Post-Hardcore
Label: Epitaph
Still going strong after nine LP’s, Thrice are embarking upon a benchmark with the release of their 10th full length album, Palms. The album comes on the heels of 2016’s To Be Everywhere Is to Be Nowhere, arguably their most politically charged record that followed a five year hiatus. After a winding career that saw them dominate post-hardcore and atmospheric indie-rock, they’ve lately settled into more of an alternative rock groove – but it would not be surprising at all if Palms had some tricks up its sleeve. As one of the biggest and most anticipated albums of this week (and of 2018), our staff ranked their top 10 songs to date. Be sure to check that out along with the single below.
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of September 7th, 2018. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff and/or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the artwork (if we remember…) so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
Featured Release
Clutch – Book of Bad Decisions Genre: Hard Rock / Stoner Rock / Blues Label: Weathermaker
The ever-enduring groove/funk/blues/stoner/boogie masterminds might be 25 years removed from their debut, but there are no signs of slowing down for the Maryland-based quartet. Instead, the band have settled into a sweet spot with their genre-bending formula, tweaking elements and ingredients album-by-album so that each record is a sonic shape-shifter (bringing in producer Vance Powell once again) while adhering to the Clutch blueprint. Book of Bad Decisions keeps this train running, bringing in additional brass instrumentation to complement the ‘weaponized funk’ on lead single “In Walks Barbarella”, while the slide guitar-laden “Hot Bottom Feeder” – complete with Maryland crab cakes recipe in the video – and rollicking “Gimme the Keys” further illustrate the record’s diversity in sound. There’s plenty of snarky social commentary as well – see “How to Shake Hands” for instance – and the album’s fervent energy parallels the band’s… 25 years and counting!
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of August 31st, 2018. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff and/or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the artwork (if we remember…) so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
Featured Release
Alkaline Trio: Is This Thing Cursed? Genre: Pop-Punk / Punk / Alternative Label: Epitaph
Is This Thing Cursed?, the band’s ninth LP, is their first in five years. From the underwhelming run of Agony & Irony, This Addiction, and My Shame is True to Matt Skiba joining up with blink-182 in 2015, it seemed as though Alkaline Trio might have been on life support. In the spirit of NCAA football starting up, though, we turn to the inimitable Lee Corso, who might say: “Not so fast, my friend!” Long known for their darkness and acerbic bite in comparison to the Sum 41s or aforementioned blinks of the pop-punk sphere, songs like “Demon and Division” are reminiscent of what you might hear on Maybe I’ll CatchFire, “I Can’t Believe” spins a caustic view of current American politics, and “Goodbye Fire Island” intersects Lord of the Flies imagery with the unmitigated disaster that was the Fyre Festival. Coupled with pre-release singles “Blackbird” and the title track (the latter of which kicks off the record and is the first…
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of August 24, 2018. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the artwork (if we remember…) so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
Featured Release
Alice In Chains: Rainier Fog
Genre: Grunge/Metal/Alt-Rock
Label: BMG Rights Management
90’s grunge titans Alice In Chains have had quite the 2000’s resurgence, releasing both Black Gives Way to Blue and The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here to critical acclaim. Their success post-Layne Staley has been surprising to say the least – but even if the band will never ascend to the heights of Dirt again, fans can revel in what has been a remarkable ability to stay afloat amid circumstances that ultimately should have sunk the band a long, long time ago. Listen to “The One You Know” below to hear Alice in Chains still chugging along, as consistent a rock band as there ever was.
Listen to “The One You Know”:
– List of Releases: August 24, 2018 –
Alice in Chains: Rainier Fog
Genre: Grunge/Metal/Alt-Rock
Label: BMG Rights Management
The Amity Affliction: Misery
Genre: Metalcore/Post-Hardcore
Label:
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of August 17, 2018. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the artwork (if we remember…) so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
Featured Release
Ariana Grande: Sweetener
Genre: Pop
Label: Republic Records
The queen of pop has returned. It’s her first album since 2016’s breakthrough Dangerous Woman, as well as the horrid Manchester Arena suicide bombing that killed 22 at a concert on May 22, 2017. The singles released in advance of Sweetener have fared quite well, with “No Tears Left to Cry” and “God Is A Woman” in particular garnering positive feedback. Regardless of whether or not Sweetener lives up to the milestone that was its predecessor, it’s great to see Ariana back in the game after events that may have paralyzed other artists with fear. Listen to the embedded track below to find out if “God Is A Woman”:
Listen to “God Is A Woman”:
– List of Releases: August 17,
Animal Collective: Tangerine Reef
Genre: Psychedelic/Experimental/Indie-Pop
Label: Domino Recording Co
Ariana Grande: Sweetener
Genre: Pop
Label: Republic
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of August 10, 2018. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the artwork (if we remember…) so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
Additionally, we’d like to take this time to welcome back Channing Freeman, an emeritus who has rejoined the staff rank effective immediately.
Featured Release
Foxing: Nearer My God
Genre: Emo/Post-Rock/Indie-Rock
Label: Triple Crown Records
Foxing made a huge splash in 2013 with the heavily emo influenced The Albatross, and their 2015 follow-up – Dealer – saw them dabble in atmospheric indie-rock very successfully. Their third LP, Nearer My God, appears to be aimed for even bigger and better things. The songs released thus far point to this being their coming of age album, an epic and almost arena-ready indie rocker. There’s never been a better time to get into Foxing. And for those who already are, you likely don’t need to be sold on the band’s credentials as one of the most relevant up-and-coming artists in the genre. Saddle up, this is going to be one of the most talked about albums of the month.
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of August 3, 2018. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the artwork (if we remember…) so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
– List of Releases: August 3, 2018 –
Amanda Shires: To The Sunset
Genre: Pop/Country/Americana
Label: Silver Knife
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of July 27, 2018. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the artwork (if we remember…) so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
Featured Release
White Ring: Gate of Grief
Genre: Electronic/Indie Rock
Label: Rocket Girl
Now this is just creepy. There’s such an unsettling vibe to this whole thing, from the band name to the artwork to the massive industrial groove beats that throw me all the way back to The Downward Spiral (or, more recently, Crystal Castles). Oh, and those shrill, shouted vocals, followed by by the low, distorted Frank the Rabbit (Donnie Darko) spoken passage. Yikes. This thing just feels monumental. I get the feeling from the tracklist that there could be some serious political vibes on this thing as well. They have only released one other album and it was all the way back in 2010. Apparently, Gate of Grief has been 7 years in the making. I have a feeling it will be well worth the wait, and one of those albums that catches everyone off guard when it comes out of nowhere. Listen to “Leprosy” below:
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of July 20, 2018. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the artwork (if we remember…) so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
Featured Release
Meg Myers: Take Me to the Disco
Genre: Indie-Pop/Alternative Rock/Indie-Rock
Label: 300 Entertainment
Myers crashed 2015 as one of the best up-and-coming female rockers, jolting listeners to attention with her powerful vocals. Singles such as ‘Sorry’ and ‘Desire’ brought her a great deal of exposure, and now she is looking to capitalize on that early success with Take Me to the Disco. She has a lot to live up to on her sophomore release, and not all of the singles released to-date have convinced eager fans, but it would be unwise to sleep on a record whose creator has such a raw, obvious skill set. Listen to one of Take Me to the Disco‘s singles, ‘Numb’, below:
– List of Releases: July 20, 2018 –
Distorted Harmony: A Way Out
Genre: Progressive Metal/Rock
Label: n/a
Epica: Epica vs. Attack on Titan
Genre: Power Metal/Gothic/Death Metal
Label: Nuclear Blast
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of July 13, 2018. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the artwork (if we remember…) so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
The experimental indie group Dirty Projectors are unveiling their 10th proper LP, a more hopeful sounding follow-up to the dejected, self-titled, and essentially solo Dave Longstreth record. For as shattered as he was during that album, Longstreth employed some of his most experimental production ideas to date, en route to possibly the group’s most interesting – even if divisive – release. In stark contrast to forlorn, reflective singles like ‘Keep Your Name’ or ‘Little Bubble’, ‘Break-Thru’ is a bouncy, sunny pop tune that retains the the experimental and R&B qualities of Dirty Projector’s preceding release. If it’s any sign of what is to come, then we can expect Lamp Lit Prose to be another stud in Longstreth’s vastly growing collection of odd but fun indie pop.
– List of Releases: July 13, 2018 –
Amy Shark: Love Monster
Genre: Indie Pop
Label: Wonderlick
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of July 6, 2018. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the artwork (if we remember…) so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more. Also, for those who missed it, our collective staff ranked the Top 10 Songs by The National – just in case you need something to argue about.
– List of Releases: July 6, 2018 –
A Shoreline Dream: Waitout
Genre: Shoegaze/Psychedelic/Alt-Rock
Label: Latenight Weeknight
Asylums: Alien Human Emotions
Genre: Pop/Rock
Label: Cool Thing Records
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of June 29, 2018. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the artwork (if we remember…) so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
Featured Release
Florence + The Machine: High As Hope
Genre: Indie-Pop/Alternative Rock
Label: Republic
Few artists have as recognizable of a voice as Florence Welch, one of the most respected frontwomen in alternative rock. While Lungs and Ceremonials launched her career to stardom, wielding hits such as ‘Dog Days Are Over’ and ‘Shake It Off’, the more understated How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful still managed to keep the magic alive with prevalent acoustics and a slightly more uptempo atmosphere. While no one is certain as to what tricks – if any – that High As Hope holds up its sleeve, you can count on Welch delivering another vocal masterpiece. That alone makes High As Hope worth investigating, regardless of whether this album treads the same lighter path as its predecessor or returns to the booming, anthemic way of Lungs.
– List of Releases: June 29, 2018 –
Bells Atlas: Be Brave
Genre: Indie-Pop/Soul
Label: None Records
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of June 22, 2018. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the artwork (if we remember…) so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
Featured Release
Kamasi Washington: Heaven And Earth
Genre: Jazz/Soul
Label: Young Turks
Washington made a huge splash in 2015 with The Epic – a three volume, three hour masterpiece that brought soul and jazz fusion back into the spotlight of modern music. By comparison, Heaven And Earth is merely two parts, and closer to two-and-a-half hours long. Either way, we get it – the man is capable of writing towering, lengthily intimidating albums. But the thing is, Washington’s records never feel that long. Boasting impeccable flow and nary any filler, Kamasi’s works draw you in while keeping you engaged. If The Epic was any indicator, we may be in for an album of the year candidate right here.
Listen to the below song samples for ‘Fists of Fury’ and ‘Space Travelers Lullaby’:
– List of Releases: June 22, 2018 –
5 Seconds of Summer: Youngblood
Genre: Pop
Label: Capitol
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of June 15, 2018. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the artwork (if we remember…) so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
– List of Releases: June 15, 2018 –
Aryn Van Dyke: I Do Not Not Love You
Genre: Pop
Label: 871140 Records
Ben Captain: Old Stock
Genre: Folk/Blues
Label: Under Control Entertainment
Chaouche: Safe
Genre: Indie Pop
Label: Night Time Stories
Christina Aguilera: Liberation
Genre: Pop
Label: RCA Records
Chromeo: Head Over Heels
Genre: Electro-Pop
Label: Big Beat Records/Atlantic
Crossing Eternity: The Rising World
Genre: Symphonic Metal
Label: Rockshots Records
Frayle: The White Witch
Genre: Doom/Stoner Rock
Label: Independent
Funeral Horse: Psalms For The Mourning Genre: Doom/Stoner/Punk
Label: Artificial Head
Gretchen’s Wheel: Black Box Theory
Genre: Indie/Singer/Songwriter
Label: Futureman Records
JessLee: Strong
Genre: Country
Label: JessLee
John Parish: Bird Dog Dante
Genre: Indie Folk
Label: Thrill Jockey
Johnny Marr: Call the Comet
Genre: Alternative/Britpop
Label: New Voodoo Records
Leon Vynehall: Nothing Is Still
Genre: House/Electronic
Label: Ninja Tune
Lizzy Borden: My Midnight Things
Genre: Heavy Metal
Label: Metal Blade Records
Madball: For The Cause
Genre: Punk/Hardcore
Label: Nuclear Blast…
Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of June 08, 2018. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff or contributors. As our staff post reviews of these albums, links will appear below the artwork (if we remember…) so that you can read about the release, see how we scored it, and more.
– List of Releases: June 08, 2018 –
Dead Sara: Temporary Things Taking Up Space
Genre: Alternative Rock
Label: Atlantic Records
Dierks Bentley: The Mountain
Genre: Country
Label: Capitol Nashville
Flasher: Constant Image
Genre: Pop Punk/Indie Rock
Label: Domino Recording Co.
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