Audio Push–Melange EP
Genre: Hip Hop, Rap
FFO: Smoke Dza, CyHi The Prynce, Hit-Boy
I am a huge fan of Frank Herbert, and Dune references tend to appeal to me heavily. California duo, Audio Push, treat fans to a small batch of tracks packed with tight production and complex bars.
Check out their single “High Note” below.
The Beat Escape–Life is Short The Answer’s Long
Genre: Electronic, Synth Pop, New Wave
FFO: M83, Drab Majesty, Grave Babies
Montreal electronic duo, The Beat Escape, unveil a dazzling debut LP permeating with luscious electronic soundscapes and a grim yet ethereal vocal performance.
All nine tracks are guaranteed to plunge the listener into a deep trance with layers of captivating songwriting and lyricism.
Be sure to stream Life is Short The Answer’s Long below.
Blueprint–Two-Headed Monster
Genre: Hip Hop, Rap
FFO: Soul Position, RJD2, Eyedea & Abilities
Columbus MC Albert Shepard (known better by his stage name Blueprint) once again reaffirms his strong proficiency in melding rapping and producing on his latest LP.
Blueprint explores the nostalgic boom bop sounds of Hip Hop with a modernized twist featuring other legendary acts including Slug of Atmosphere, Aceyalone, Mr. Lif, Wordsworth, and Supastition.
Deeper–Deeper
Genre: Indie Rock, Jangle Pop, Noise Rock
FFO: Diiv, Hoops, Beach Fossils
Chicago collective Deeper unveil a dreamy self-titled debut.
The quartet exemplifies nine solid Indie Rock tracks ranging from clean, jangley leads to noise, drone-fueled movements.
Deeper does not attempt to reinvent the wheel, but rather illustrate strong promise with this solid, fun collection of tunes.
Fotocrime–Principle of Pain
Genre: Post Punk, Synth Pop, Dark Wave, Goth Rock
FFO: Cold Cave, Death of Lovers, Drab Majesty
Former Coliseum frontman, Ryan Patterson, exhibits his range of talent and powerful songwriting with his debut solo record using the newfound stagename Fotocrime.
Principle of Pain tackles Goth-flavored Post Punk complemented by upbeat synth and Patterson’s imposing, baritone vocal display.
Girls in Synthesis–We Might Not Make It Tomorrow EP
Genre: Punk Rock, Noise Rock
FFO: The Clash, Agent Orange, The Wytches
London trio, Girls in Synthesis, offer fans a new EP that matches the explosive intensity of their live performances.
We Might Not Make It Tomorrow boasts four tracks of unforgiving, noise-fueled, abrasive Punk Rock.
Ice Baths–Ice Baths
Genre: Punk Rock, Post Punk, Noise Rock
FFO: Joy Division, Killing Joke, Ceremony
UK Post Punkers Ice Baths storm the scene with a promising, fun debut full of catchy hooks and ambient drone.
If you’re a fan of any of the above bands you owe it to yourself to stream Ice Baths below.
Inner Tongue–Favours
Genre: Pop
FFO: Frank Ocean, Inc. No World, How to Dress Well
In 2013, Vienna-based artist Inner Tongue was diagnosed with a rare vocal cord disorder. After traveling the world in search for a cure, he was able to finally find a surgeon capable of healing his voice.
Following months of recovery and forced silence, Favours marks the top of long-climbed mountain. It is a beautiful, forward-thinking pop album written to reflect the artist’s struggling experience, crisis of identity, and unique methods of experimentation to explore means of providing melody without the use of singing.
reveries–s/t
Genre: Post Hardcore, Screamo
FFO: City of Caterpillar, Touche Amore, Pianos Become the Teeth
With members based out of Boston and New York, reveries is a Screamo/Post Hardcore equipped with a fantastic debut flawlessly channeling passion, anger, and melody.
Be sure to stream the band’s hard-hitting, self-titled debut below.
The Sidekicks–Happiness Hours
Genre: Indie Rock, Indie Pop
FFO: Saves The Day, Tigers Jaw, Modern Baseball
I cannot be the only one who saw sponsored ads featuring this band on my social media timeline for months straight. I briefly remembered them doing a split release with Tiger’s Jaw years back, but have failed to follow them since. After being brutally bombarded by a clip of the “Don’t Feel Like Dancing” music video about four hundred times, I finally decided to give Happiness Hours a spin and I am glad I did.
The Sidekicks channel Pop-infused Rock tunes similar to In Reverie era Saves The Day guaranteed to put you in a good mood even on the cloudiest of days.
Slow Mass–On Watch
Genre: Indie Rock, Post Hardcore, Emo
FFO: Joan of Arc, Tigers Jaw, You Blew It!
Chicago quartet, Slow Mass, unveil a debut LP that provides an entirely new spin on the term “emo.”
Sadness is not the only emotion, and On Watch proudly explores the entire spectrum shifting its writing and sound with each track whilst maintaining a strong, cohesive flow.
Soft Kill–Savior
Genre: Post Punk, Goth Rock
FFO: The Cure, Sisters of Mercy, Protomartyr
Portland collective Soft Kill return with another solid LP to add to their already impressive catalog.
Savior embraces the darker sides of the Post Punk movement with Gothic inspired tracks of dread and despair.