Birthright–Let Me Down Easy
Genre: Post Hardcore, Melodic Hardcore, Screamo
FFO: Touché Amore, Being As An Ocean, Worthwhile
Baltimore-based Melodic Hardcore act Birthright present a stunning debut encompassing melody, passion, and beauty.
Let Me Down Easy tugs at this heart strings with its unparalleled, explosive emotion and deserves your attention immediately.
Black Thought-Streams of Thought Vol. 1
Genre: Hip Hop, Rap
FFO: The Roots, Mobb Deep, 9th Wonder
After over three decades of fronting the legendary “jazz rap” act The Roots, Tariq Trotter (most commonly known as Black Thought) decided 2018 was the year to present his very first solo release.
Streams of Thought Vol.1 boasts the layered complexities the Philadelphia-based MC is known for including multi syllabic rhyme schemes and emotionally and politically-charged lyricism.
Additionally, 9th Wonder does a fantastic job with the production on this one capturing the essence of the Roots‘ sound while maintaining its own identity.
Haunted Horses–”Cold Medicine”
Genre: Post Punk, Industrial Rock, Noise Rock
FFO: A Place to Bury Strangers, King Krule, The Body
Seattle-based Experimental Rock group, Haunted Horses, offer an EP one could describe as Post Punk but executed in a very uniquely, not accessible way. The vocals match up to the genre quite well but the instrumentation here basks in ugly, Industrial-esque noise more similar to bands such as The Body.
Don’t get me wrong. “Cold Medicine” is an awesome EP, but it’s not necessarily something you can dance to.
Jo Passed–Their Prime
Genre: Indie Pop, Psychedelic Rock
FFO: Silversun Pickups, Beach House, The Dodos
Sub Pop presents yet another band to watch out for. The Canadian Rock outfit known as Jo Passed offers a debut LP filled with rough-around-the-edges, reverb-soaked, dreamy guitar pop.
Their Prime entertains the listener with many twists and turns matching a sugary sweet vocal performance with guitarwork shifting from easily accessible to ear-grating noise (in a good way.)
Protomartyr–Consolation EP
Genre: Post Punk, Noise Rock, Art Rock
FFO: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Parquet Courts, Iceage
Detroit-based Post Punk act Protomartyr follow up 2017’s Relatives In Descent with four of the strongest songs they have ever written.
The band’s trademark gloomy, introspective style remains as focused as ever on Consolation and features additional vocal duties from Kelly Deal (The Breeders) for two of its four songs.
Stream Below!
Sun June–Years
Genre: Indie Pop, Alternative Country
FFO: Norah Jones, Mazzy Star, Mojave 3
Sun June is a delightful-sounding musical collective from Austin, Texas with a debut LP in dire need of your eardrums’ attention. The quintet’s subtle, gentle yet powerfully effective instrumentation serves as a beyond fitting backdrop for the charming, beautiful vocal performance by front woman Laura Colwell.
Years is a charming record I strongly recommend to all.
Please stream below.
Wand–Perfume
Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Noise Rock, Garage Rock
FFO: The Beatles, Ty Segall, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
California rockers Wand step up to the plate again with a new EP encompassed by a nostalgic 60’s era Psych sound sprinkled with numerous modernized, more abrasive tendencies. Perfume finds a well-executed balance of upbeat, noise-fueled bangers and feel-good, accessible tunes that will remind many of Lennon and McCartney’s writing style.
Wand is a perfect band for fans of any era of Psych Rock.
Check ‘em out below.