Alvvays–Antisocialities
Genre: Indie Rock, Jangle Pop
FFO: Best Coast, Angel Olsen, Diiv
Toronto indie pop outfit, Alvvays, follow up their 2013 Self-Titled with a charming, focused sophomore effort.
Frontwoman Molly Rankin enchants the listener with yet another fantastic vocal performance with pristine yet fun instrumentation as its backdrop.
Antisocialities is a bright, summery pop record worth your time for fans of Best Coast.
Dälek-‘Endangered Philosophy”
Genre: Hip Hop, Rap, Shoegazing, Industrial
FFO: Cannibal Ox, Clouddead, Jesu
Jersey-based hip hop group Dälek remain far more obscure than they should be despite six fantastic records spanning across two decades experimenting with Hip Hop/Rap in ways most artists could barely dream of.
Perhaps such obscurity is self-inflicted due to constant genre-blending and boundary pushing dabbling in Shoegazing and harsh, industrial drone.
Endangered Philosophy is a politically-centered record utilizing droney production to invoke a sense of spacious atmosphere.
Florist–If Blue Could Be Happiness
Genre: Indie Folk
FFO: Kimya Dawson, Frankie Cosmos, Told Slant
Emily Sprague returns following up her debut from last year, The Birds Outside Sang, with a strengthened sophomore release once more coping inner pain with the simplicity and beauty of nature.
If Blue Could Be Happiness is a delicate collection of quiet yet intimate bedroom folk tunes ideal for an early morning listen.
Protomartyr–Relatives in Descent
Genre: Post Punk
FFO: Nick Cave, Parquet Courts, Iceage
Detroit rockers Protomartyr emerge once more with a fourth LP maturing their established Post Punk sound.
Mentally prepare yourself before beginning the exploration of vocalist Joe Casey’s brilliant mind as he rants about various topics often alternating between his distinct style and the spoken word nature of Nick Cave.
The Stargazer Lilies–Lost
Genre: Shoegazing, Dream Pop
FFO: My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, Chapterhouse
Pennsylvania trio The Stargazer Lilies deliver a powerful LP this year titled Lost emitting nostalgic vibes towards the genre of Shoegazing.
It is very hard to not draw a direct comparison to My Bloody Valentine but considering Loveless is my favorite record of all time I have no complaints.
Listen to this band.
Unsane–Sterilize
Genre: Noise Rock, Alternative Metal
FFO: Melvins, The Jesus Lizard, Today is the Day
New York noise act Unsane is one of the many bands appearing on these lists with a career spanning several decades still not receiving deserved attention.
Released through Southern Lord this year, Sterilize is the group’s eighth LP and first in five years.
This record is undoubtedly the most poorly named release thus far, because it is dirty, fuzzy, and abrasive as ever.
If you’re looking for harsh noise rock along the lines of The Jesus Lizard but also long for some crushing sludge, start with Sterilize and make your way down through a doozy of a discography spanning almost thirty years.