Tommy Leahy Latest Lists

Latest List (04/01/16)-Black Mountain, Explosions in the Sky, & More!

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Black Mountain–IV
Genre: Progressive Rock, Stoner Rock, Space Rock
FFO: Black Sabbath, Blue Cheer, Wolfmother

Vancouver hard rock outfit Black Mountain lay all of their strengths on the table for their fourth LP.

IV  blends the cutting edge stoner rock riffage of the self titled, the progressive nature of  In the Future, and the catchiness of Wilderness Heart adding a spacey, synthesized layer providing the record with its own unique flavor.

Hop unto the Black Mountain spacecraft, strap in your seatbelts, and embark on the voyage amoungst the stars that is undoubtedly the band’s strongest release to date.

 

 

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dvsn–SEPT 5TH
Genre: R&B, Ambient
FFO: The Weeknd, Boys II Men, The Space Jam Soundtrack, Inc., How to Dress Well

Talk all the smack you want about Drake, but there is no denying the production on some of his tracks are top knotch. “Hold On, We’re Going Home” is a specific tune that comes to mind, and the man behind that single goes under the alias Nineteen85.

dvsn is Nineteen85‘s baby, and his debut offering easily surpasses his peers. SEPT 5TH is the most honest, compelling R&B effort I’ve heard since Black Messiah coupled with a beautifully layered performance and textured atmosphere.

Allow dvsn the opportunity to seduce your ears with its sexual magic.

 

 

 

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Explosions in the Sky–The Wilderness
Genre: Post Rock
FFO: Mogwai, Caspian, If These Trees Could Talk

The Austin, Texas post rock ensemble we all know and love has returns from their five year break (soundtracks excluded) with their best album in years.

The Wilderness shows the hard-working quartet rebuilding their sound and achieving creative direction providing clever crescendos, euophoric ambience, and subtle sprinkles of electronica.

 

 

 

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Graves At Sea-“The Curse That Is”
Genre: Doom Metal, Sludge Metal
FFO: Ahab, Amon Amarth

Portland’s Graves At Sea unleashes a vicious storm of brutality with their debut LP The Curse That Is.

This nautically themed doom metal outfit is anything but corny with their metaphorical presentation.

Expect a tidal wive of sludgey riffage to sink your ship and send you to the ocean’s deepest depths.

 

 

 

 

 

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The High Violets–Heroes and Halos
Genre: Dream Pop, Shoegazing, Alternative Country
FFO: Coteau Twins, Mazzy Star, Secret Shine

The High Violets is a Portland Dream Pop quartet formed from the ashes of The Bella Low in the late ’90s.

Immerse yourself in their new, dreamy, reverb-drowned LP titled Heroes and Halos channeling the beautifully etheral vocal performances of the Cocteau Twins with the hazey riffage of the legendary Kevin Shields.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Kyson-“A Book of Flying”
Genre: Indie, Folk, Ambient, Electronica
FFO: Bon Iver, Volcano Choir, Fleet Foxes

German producer/vocalist/musician Jian Kellet Liew (aka Kyson) crafts a beautiful sophomore LP using his beautiful whispery vocal performance as the the foundation for dreamy, thought-provoking, folk-based ambience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Japanese Breakfast–Psychopomp
Genre: Indie Rock, Pop
FFO: Petal, Adventures, Little Big League

I was first introduced to the beautiful solo project of Michelle Zauner (Little Big League) via her split with Foxing a few years back.

Japanese Breakfast channels Zauner’s vibrant emotion in a more intimate way taking on more laid back, dreamy, poppy songwriting truly allowing her musical and vocal talents to shine in ways that wouldn’t necessarily correlate with her emo outfit.

 

 

 

 

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Mamiffer–The World Unseen

Genre: Post Rock, Ambient, Drone
FFO: Sigur Ros, Godspeed You! Black Emperor

Mamiffer is a Post Rock duo consisting of married couple Faith Coloccia (Pyramids, Everlovely Lightning Heart) and Aaron Turner (Isis).

The two piece implements every honed skill from their previous endeavors creating a piano-driven, droney monolith.

Coloccia‘s angelic pipes soar over the atmospheric instumentation like a graceful and majestic eagle in flight on Mammifer’s fourth LP. The World Unseen serves as a great addition to any post rock junkie’s record collection.

 

 

 

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Mike and the Melvins–Three Men and a Boy
Genre: Sludge Metal
FFO: The Melvins, godheadSilo, Faith No More

Following the breakup of 90’s noise rock duo godheadSilo, frontman Mike Kunta befriended and hit the road with sludge metal legends The Melvins to occupy his time.

A collaborative album resulted from this friendship but was unfortunately shelved.

16 years later, Three Men and a Baby finally sees the light of day combining Kunta’s uniquely sporadic vocal presentation with The Melvin‘s signature crushing riffage.

 

 

 

 

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Teen Suicide–It’s the Big Joyous Celebration, Let’s Stir the Honeypot 
Genre: Indie Rock, Noise Pop, Alternative Rock; Lo-fi
FFO: Elvis Depressedly, Ariel Pink, Sufjan Stevens (early)

The 26 track farewell monolith from Maryland’s Indie trio Teen Suicide proves to not disapoint.

Sam Ray and the boys craft a very intimate album full of warm, raw, meditative, bedroom songs that suprisingly pull its weight for seventy full minutes crossing many genre bridges avoiding filler at all costs.

 

 

 

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Tombs–All Empires Fall
Genre: Experimental Metal, Black Metal, Post Punk
FFO: Darkthrone, Sisters of Mercy, Bathory, Bauhaus
With musicians rotating under his command, Mike Hill has lead the batallion of Tombs to craft album after album of unique metallic experimentations.

All Empires Fall introduces the addition of synthesizers and Post Punk/Goth Rock influences whilst keeping a solid footing in traditional Black Metal.

It is refreshing; must-listen for metal heads of any variety.

 

Tommy Leahy Latest Lists

Latest List (03/25/16)-Beastmaker, Deardarkhead, Domo Genesis, & More!

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Bayonne–Primitives

Genre: Electronic, Synthpop, Indie Rock, Chamber, Ambient

FFO: Animal Collective, Sufjan Stevens, Passion Pit

Roger Seller’s debut LP Primitives under the moniker Bayonne is a multi-textured, carefully sketched out landscape of synth-layered ambience. It flows cohesively and maintains a unique intimacy most new artists lack.

Primitives impressed me on almost every level in terms of new releases.

 

 

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Beastmaker–Lusus Naturae

Genre: Doom Metal, Stoner Metal, Psychadelic Rock

FFO: Black Sabbath, Uncle Acid & The Dead Beats, Pallbearer

Sabbath worship has become a genre in and of itself, but it is rare for young band to pull enough creative energy to stand out in this retro-sounding category.

Frenso, California’s Beastmaker proves to be that needle in the haystack with their debut LP. Lusus Naturae blends the youthful energy of modern Doom while still managing to create a 70’s-era sound.

I highly recommend this release to any metal head that wonders what Black Sabbath would sound like if they dropped Master of Reality in 2016.

 


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The Body/Full of Hell–One Day You Will Ache Like I Ache

Genre: Industrial, Drone, Powerviolence, Grindcore

FFO: Dead in the Dirt, Thou, Nails, Godflesh

Only one mere week after dropping No One Deserves Happiness, The Body is back with a collaboration featuring Maryland’s Full of Hell.

This release combines the droney, industrial direction of The Body with Full of Hell‘s ferociously fierce take on noisey powerviolence.

One Day You Will Ache Like I Ache is a tough listen at first and will cause your ear drums to ache if you aren’t prepared.

 


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Cobalt–Slow Forever

Genre: Black Metal, Sludge Metal, Experimental

FFO: Neurosis, Panopticon, Deathspell Omega

Colorado’s Experimental Black Metal project Cobalt has been through a lot the past few years.

They gave their previous, decade-long frontman the boot after he delivered a series of both misogynistic and homophobic comments and remarks towards other bands.

In 2016 such a disgusting act is undoubtedly career suicide (lookin’ at you, Whirr), but Cobalt manages to pick up the pieces, obtain superior frontman, and release their strongest album yet.

Slow Forever keeps a solid footing in traditional Black Metal while skillfully pulling influences from all over the board including folk, sludge, and blues.

 

 

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Deardarkhead–Strange Weather

Genre: Psychadelic Rock, Instrumental

FFO: Mogwai, Diiv

Previously known as an established shoegazing act, New Jersey’s Deardarkhead made the decision to morph into an instrumental project following their lead vocalist’s departure.

Unlike previously mentioned instrumental bands, Deardarkhead keeps things short, sweet, yet interesting.

The loss of a frontman generated pressure for the trio to create atmospheres and soundscapes far more captivating than their previous works. Long story short: they pulled it off.

Give Deardarkhead a try if you’re looking for vocal-free tunes that are not necessarily cenetered in long, build ups.

 


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Domo Genesis–Genesis

Genre: Hip Hop, R&B, Rap

FFO: Tyler the Creator, Frank Ocean, Earl Sweatshirt

Odd Future veteran Domo Genesis turns over a new leaf with his debut full length.

Genesis is a fun, honest, r&b-laced release setting him apart from the unfair comparisons to his fellow OF brothers seven years in the making.

 

 

 


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Horrified–Of Despair

Genre: Melodic Death Metal

FFO: In Flames, Hypocrisy, Asphyx

Hailing from the UK, Death Metal quartet Horrfied channel the sound of Sweden with their sophomore LP.

Of Despair keeps a solid footing in the debut’s brutality, but also experiments with melodic riffage keeping the band’s sound fresh as ever.

 


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Lody Kong-Dreams & Visions

Genre: Sludge Metal, Punk Rock, Noise Rock

FFO: Sepultura, Soulfy, Cavalera Conspiracy

The Cavalera family proves their mastery of the metallic art again and again via their many closely linked projects.

The torch has been passed off to the next Cavalera generation with Lody Kong.

Both Igor and Zyon Cavalera make their father proud with their debut full length blending elements of sludge metal, punk rock, noise rock, and grunge.

 


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Night Moves–Pennied Days

Genre: Psychadelic Rock, Alternative Country

FFO: Youth Lagoon, Portugal The Man, Mazzy Star

Minneapolis duo Night Move‘s sophomore effort is a pleasant offering of soothing psycadelia with a folky twang.

Pennied Days illustrates well-constructed, etheral pop tunes exploring the realm of laid back future folk.

 

 

 


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Plague Vendor–Bloodsweat

Genre: Noise Rock, Punk Rock

FFO: Refused, The Chariot, The Jesus Lizard

Epitaph’s Plague Vendor returns for an eleven song collection of dirty, gritty, punk rock anthems.

Bloodsweat lives up to its name showcasing the group’s hard work and effort towards creating an album that matches the intensity of their live shows.

 

 


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Rorcal–Creon

Genre: Black Metal, Doom Metal, Sludge Metal, Drone, Experimental

FFO: Deafheaven, Amenra, Oathbreaker, Cursed, Totem Skin

Swiss black metal quartet Rorcal‘s fourth LP is a melodic, deeply layered concept album centered in Greek tragedy.

Creon consists of four movements spanning across fifty minutes of ferocious, soundscapes. Each epic movement deals with the death of an iconic Greek character with Creon serving as their link.

Prepare your eardrums to embark on an intense adventure with a unique, mythological narrative at its core.

Tommy Leahy Latest Lists

Latest List (03/18/16)-The Body, Boris, Daddy, & Koi Child

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The Body–No One Deserves Happiness
Genre: Doom Metal, Industrial, Noise
FFO: Thou, Sandworm, Neurosis

I discovered the Rhode Island-based bearded duo The Body via their collaborative effort with Louisiana’s Thou.

The strength and diversity and of the multi-layered You, Whom I Always Hated compelled me to discover the unique yet entirely different angles the two bands take on Doom.

The Body applies an industrial-heavy formula in their latest LP making a gross, pop-influenced, noisey mess.

No One Deserves Happiness is a remarkably distinctive experience that your ear drums must be prepared for. There is spine-chilling elegance to be found in the crushing muck and mire.

 

 

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Boris/Merzbow–Gensho
Genre: Noise, Drone Metal
FFO: Sunn O))), Earth, Jesu

Gensho is the name given to the newborn baby of happily married Boris and Merzbow.

Gensho is a two part mammoth of a pill that is all but easy to swallow, combining the sludgey, experimental avant-garde stylings of Boris with the harsh, ear-piecing drone Merzbow is known for.

There is even a beautifully haunting cover of “Sometimes” by My Bloody Valentine found within Gensho‘s noisey walls.

 

 

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Daddy–Let Me Get What I Want
Genre: New Wave, Post Punk
FFO: The Smiths, The Cure

When I first heard the Slowdive-esque single “Lime Green Dress” and was informed James Franco was the mind behind it, I just simply couldn’t believe it.

I struggled associating the comedic celebrity with such poetic, hazy, post punk. But alas, Daddy is the shared art project of THE James Franco and his college buddy Tim O’ Keefe.

Their debut LP, Let Me Get What I Want, is so heavily inspired by The Smiths, they even managed to get Andy Rourke to provide bass duties. This strange debut is beyond worthy of a spin if you’re ready for it.

 

 

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Koi Child–Self Titled
Genre: Jazz, Hip Hop
FFO: Hiatus Kaiyote, The Roots, Kamasi Washington

After receiving the attention of Kevin Parker from Tame Impala fame, the seven piece jazz/hip hop outfit from Australia known as Koi Child had the opportunity to open a few shows for them.

Parker saw so much potential he even produced their self titled debut which hit stores this week. Sharp flow backed by free jazz instrumentation filled with seamless sax solos make this the feel good album of the spring you must check out asap.

 

 

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The Magnetic North–Prospect of Skelmersdale
Genre: Folk, Post Rock
FFO: Sufjan Stevens

The Magnetic North is the brainchild of England’s Simon Tong with the assistance of his chums Gawain Erland Cooper and Hannah Peel.

Their sophmore effort Prospect of Skelmersdale is a beautiful, orchestral concept album centered in Tong’s upbringing.

The utilization of authentic orchestral instruments aids the album creating vibrant, captivating soundscapes sucking listener’s into Tong’s world.

 

 

 

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Telstar Sound Drone–Magical Solutions to Everyday Struggles
Genre: Psychadelic Rock, Shoegazing, Drone
FFO: Creepoid, Swervedriver

Copenhagen’s Telestar Sound Drone proves with their sophomore LP they are forced to be reckoned with.

Isolated in the confines of a World War II air raid shelter, the three piece spend long nights crafting what we now know as Magical Solutions to Every Day Struggles.

The album is a multi-layered, tranquil, hazy, yet unrelentlessly loud monster that bites hard when threatened. Immerse yourself in this bipolar piece of unique, droney instrumentation.

Tommy Leahy Latest Lists

Latest List (03/11/16)-Brian Fallon, Into It. Over It, Killswitch Engage, & More!

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Draugnim–Vulturine
Genre: Black Metal, Symphonic
FFO: Moonsorrow, Dark Forest

Finnish Pagan Metal trio Draugnim strike again releasing their first LP in six years.

Vulturine is a passionate pilgrimage traveling through darkened forests of pagan folklore, channeling vast atmospheric soundscapes, balanced production, and topped with slight, subtle sprinkles of symphonic elements.

 

 

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Brian Fallon–Painkillers
Genre: Alternative Rock
FFO: The Gaslight Anthem, Bruce Springsteen, Lucero

2014’s Get Hurt is regarded by many fans as The Gaslight Anthem‘s weakest offering despite showing Brian Fallon at his most emotional, blunty lamenting the pains of his recent divorce to paper.

Gaslight went on hiatus soon after and now we see Mr. Fallon therapeutically writing the album he was meant to.

Painkillers channels the Petty, Dylan, and Springsteen vibes we all know and love from Gaslight but applies it to a more intimate stripped down formula keeping fans in check with the artist’s emotional journey.

 

 

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Flatbush Zombies–3001: A Laced Odyssey
Genre: Hip Hop, Rap
FFO: Joey Bada$$, Vince Staples, Action Bronson

Flatbush Zombies is an unconventional NYC hip hop trio consisting if Meechy Darko, Zombie Juice, and producer Erick “The Architect” Elliot.

The group’s debut LP 3001: A Laced Odyssey takes a leap forward from their prior mixtapes in terms of production, atmosphere, sharp flow, and lyricism. The colossal, drug-induced debut channels the previous absurdities anchored in nonsensical immaturity, and steers it towards clever, subtle wordplay.

 

 

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Gadget–The Great Destroyer
Genre: Powerviolence, Grindcore
FFO: Napalm Death, Pig Destroyer

Swedish Grindcore quartet Gadget have been around the block more times than you would think releasing numerous LPs, EPs, Splits, and Demos since their inception in 1997.

Prepate yourself for the high-speed, dirty, sonic onslaught of their comeback LP The Great Destroyer out now on Relapse Records.

 

 

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Heck–Instructions
Genre: Noise Rock, Post Hardcore
FFO: Everytime I Die, The Dillinger Escape Plan, At the Drive In

Known for their humble beginnings as Baby Godzilla, the Nottingham noise quartet were recently forced to change their band name due to an imperative demand from Japanese cinema.

They now return as Heck armed with a fresh full length. Instructions is an intense, noisey, mathy rock n’ roll ride that rocks hard all the way through.

 

 

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Holy Wave-Freaks of Nurture
Genre: Psychadelic Rock
FFO: Deerhunter, MGMT, The Beatles

Austin, Texas’ psych rock outfit Holy Wave returns for round three with their latest LP.

Freaks of Nurture is a reverb-drowned lullaby with soft, whispery vocal work gliding peacefully throughout plains of clean, lush, riffs that will lead your mind to drift into uncharted dimensions of time and space.

 

 

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Into It. Over it–Standards
Genre: Indie Rock, Emo
FFO: American Football, Death Cab for Cutie, Owen

Evan Weiss invites us back into his serenading world of emo/indie rock goodness with his third full length Standards.

Weiss continues upon his successfully executed formula of balancing technical, upbeat, mathy indie rock while kissing the feet of Ben Gibbard with his soulful ballads.

Into It. Over It has never been an act associated with wheel reinvention, but Weiss‘ superb instrumental talent and sincerity shape him into an artist you dont want to overlook.

The tracks found on Standards are delicately alluring and showcase a hard-working young man proudly wearing his heart on his sleeve and seeking more mature artistic routes for his work.

 

 

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Killswitch Engage–Incarnate
Genre: Metalcore
FFO: Overcast, All That Remains, Slipknot

Any Killswitch fan could argue for hours over the age-old Jesse vs. Howard debate, but I’ll cut to the chase: I’m a Jesse guy. That being said, you probably imagined my delight when Disarm the Discent was announced.

Hard to believe it’s already been three years since Jesse’s triumphant return, and luckily the latest offering from the Massachusetts Metalcore pioneers does not disapoint.

Killswitch Engage has never been a band to experiment much with their sound and if anything, Adam D and the boys have always simply yet sucessfully created an intense backdrop for either Howard or Jesse to shine.

Why fix what isn’t broken? Incarnate shows the group at their most heavy, choatic, and abrasive and show little signs of slowing after an almost two decade career.

 

 

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Obsidian Kingdom–A Year With No Summer
Genre: Experimental Rock, Progressive Metal, Black Metal, Noise Rock
FFO: The Ocean, Sunn O)))

Spanish quintet Obsidian Kingdom steals the prize for the most unique release of the week.

The group’s sophomore offering strangely combines piano-driven, progressive, industrial rock ballads with groovy death riffs and blackened drone. Listen for yourself.

 

 

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Panopticon/Waldgeflüster-“Split”
Genre: Black Metal, Folk
FFO: Wolves in the Throne Room, Ash Borer

The latest split between Austin Lunn‘s baby Panopticon and Germany’s Waldgeflüster shows both acts channeling their similar strengths in perfect harmony.

Both sides of the split beautifully exemplify that black metal and folk go together like peanut butter and jelly.

Tommy Leahy Latest Lists

Latest List (03/04/16)-Church of Misery, Day Wave, Wolveserpent,& More!

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Baby Birds Don’t Drink Milk–Burritos
Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Ambient
FFO: Animal Collective, Deerhunter, My Morning Jacket

Allow Baby Birds Don’t Drink Milk to wrap you in their warm, silken blanket of thought-provoking ambiance.

Burritos is a crafty collection of acoustic-driven cavernous chants reminiscent of early Animal Collective.

 

 

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Bigs Ups–Before a Million Universes
Genre: Post Hardcore, Alternative Rock
FFO: Slint, Shellac, Fugazi

New York’s Post Hardcore hooligans Big Ups have returned with a volcanic LP erupting with razor sharp intensity comparable to the likes of Slint‘s landmark Spiderland.

Give this album a spin if you long for a wild ride of seemingly nostalgic post hardcore goodness.

 

 

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Black Beach–Shallow Creatures
Genre: Garage Rock, Noise Rock, Punk Rock, Lo-fi
FFO: Ty Segall, Fuzz, Jesus Lizard

Local garage rock trio Black Beach prove their worth and capture the vibrant nature of their live performance with their debut LP Shallow Creatures.

Hailing from Middleborough, Massachusetts, these guys have come a long way from their humble beginnings covering Blink 182 to the raw, punk-driven, fuzzy rock n’ roll you hear today.

Make sure you grab this LP and catch them in an intimate live setting before they skyrocket into the successful state they deserve.

 

 

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Church Of Misery–And Then There Were None
Genre: Doom Metal, Psychedalic Rock
FFO: Black Sabbath, Boris, Electric Wizard

Tokyo doom rockers Church of Misery flaunt their profiency of gritty sabbath worship with their latest LP.

Nothing necessarily new here but nevertheless And Then They Were None showcases Tatsu Mikami’s preeminence in combining psychadelic rock and harsh doom.

 

 

 

 

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Day Wave–Hard to Read EP
Genre: Indie Rock, Dream Pop
FFO: Diiv, Turnover, Beach Fossils, Wild Nothing

Oakland, California’s Jackson Phillips has returned to serenade you with his sophomore EP Hard to Read.

Phillips continues to expand his established craft of ripe, tender, dream pop influenced indie rock similar to the soundscapes painted by groups such as Wild Nothing or Turnover.

Hard to Read is a smooth selection of soothing seduction catering to any human with functioning ear drums.

 

 

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EERA–Self Titled EP
Genre: Indie,Folk
FFO: Chelsea Wolfe, Daughter

I implore you all to immediately listen to this Norwegian songstress’ debut four song offering to the world.

Eera applies a sonically layered, bassy take on chamber folk to serve as an accurate dark setting for her alluring vocal performance.

 

 

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Guerilla Toss–Eraser Stargazer
Genre: Funk, Punk Rock
FFO: The Donkey Kong Soundtrack

If you’re looking for something musically that is truly creative, refreshing, and unorthodox, this is the album for you.

Guerilla Toss is an extremely bizarre combination of punk and funk that producing tunes that could properly function as the soundtrack to a Donkey Kong game.

Known primarily for their eccentric live shows, the strange New York ensemble manages to capture every peculiar characteristic of their performance on their latest LP.

 


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Inverloch–Distance|Collapse
Genre: Doom Metal, Death Metal
FFO: diSEMBOWELMENT, Mournful Congregation

It’s been four years since Australian Doom quartet Inverloch dropped their Dusk|Subside EP.

Distance|Collapse is a ferocious beast woken from a long hibernation refreshed and ready to annihilate everything in it’s path.

Inverloch features ex members diSEMBOWELMENT so their mastery of balancing speed, atmosphere, and doom-laced Death metal comes as no surprise.

 


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Kendrick Lamar–untitled unmastered.
Genre: Hip Hop, Rap
FFO: Freddie Gibbs, Lupe Fiasco

When Kendrick Lamar recorded last year’s hip hop masterpiece To Pimp a Butterfly it is believed the process took him three years to fully record and that up to 60 songs were tracked.

This week, Kendrick decided to suprise the world and drop an 8 song EP containing some of these forgotten songs encompassing free jazz, funk, and soul-laced hip hop.

 

 

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Sound of Ceres–Nostalgia for Infinity
Genre: Dream Pop, Ambient
FFO: Cocteau Twins, Candy Claws, Purity Ring

Sound of Ceres is a new, Colorado-based supergroup featuring members of Candy Claws, Apples In Stereo, and The Drums.

Their debut Nostalgia for Infinity is an artistically-layered achievement featuring “orbits” of both spacey and dreamy soundscapes.

 

 

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Smoke DZA–He Has Risen
Genre: Hip Hop, Rap
FFO: Big KRIT, Wiz Khalifa

The latest LP from New York recording artist Smoke Dza contains authentic, tight flow as well as atmospheric top knotch production delving into elements of jazz, soul, and funk.

 

 

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Wolveserpent–Aporia:Kala:Ananta
Genre: Drone, Black Metal, Doom Metal
FFO: Sunn O))), Jupiter

The latest release from Relapse‘s Wolvserpent is a single track spanning across 40 minutes of vast, atmopsheric terrains.

This epic piece is filled with movements and crescendos as horrifying and spine chilling as they are beautiful.

 

 

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Yeti Lane–L’aurore
Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Shoegazing, Electronic
FFO: Deerhunter, MGMT

French psychrock duo Yeti Lane follow up 2012’s The Echo Show with the monstrous, reverb-drowned LP L’Aurore.

The two piece continues to demonstrate their profiency with both electronic and guitar-heavy instrumentation releasing a droney, psychadelic, shoegaze influenced monolith of an album.

 


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Yndi Halda-Under Summer

Genre: Post Rock, Emo

FFO: Caspian, Foxing, American Football

Under Summer is the sophomore LP from England’s post rock act Yndi Halda ten years in the making.

It is a simplistic, yet multi-layered work of art making an abundant yet skillfully carried out usage of string sections helping to create its beautiful, thought-provoking tone.

Vocals are used this time around but serve as an instrument in itself blending comfortably into the record’s ambience.

Tommy Leahy Latest Lists

Latest List (02/26/16)-Black Cobra, Death Index, Entombed A.D.

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Black Cobra– Imperium Simulacra
Genre: Sludge Metal, Doom Metal
FFO: High on Fire, Eyehategod
With four incredible full lengths under their belts, Sludge/Doom duo Black Cobra illustrate once more their mastery of the metallic craft.

Imperium Simulacra is nine savory, sensational, and sludge soaked songs that may cause severe neck injuries from the head banging that is guaranteed to ensue.

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Death Index– Self Titled
Genre: Post Punk, Goth Rock, Hardcore Punk
FFO: Merchandise, Heat Dust, The Smiths

Deathwish Inc.’s Death Index is the new side project from Morrisey-worshiping Merchandise frontman Carson Cox and served as the most delightful musical surprise this week.

The project began as the brain child of Marco Rapisarda (Archaic, La Piovra) seeking a vocalist for his uniquely grim take on hardcore punk.

When combined with the forces of Cox, the project took an even more remarkable turn utilizing a baritone vocal style far removed from the signature Merchandise approach delving into elements of Goth Rock and Post Punk. Immediately add this two piece sensation to your list of bands to check out for an experimental release that will appease punk rockers searching for something different and new.

 

 

 

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Entombed A.D.-Dead Dawn
Genre: Death Metal
FFO: Entombed, Obituary, Carnage

With 4/5s of the classic Entombed lineup at its disposal, Entombed A.D. is more Entombed than mid 2000s Entombed was Entombed.

It’s got the speed and intensity of Left Hand/Clandestine era brimming with melodic solo work, and the cutting groove of Wolverine Blues with heavy dosage of death n’ roll.

Your enjoyment of this album is largely dependent on your relationship with the previous Entombed incarnation’s catalogue.

For those unfamiliar with the group: it is solid Swedish Death Metal at it’s finest.

 

 

Tommy Leahy Latest Lists

Latest List (02/19/16)-Animal Collective, Moodymann, The Starting Line, & More!

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Aluk Tolodo–Voix
Genre: Experimental Rock, Kraut Rock, Post Rock
FFO: Menace Ruine, Gnaw Their Tongues

The latest LP from French Occult rock trio Alux Tolodo is a very unique and meditative release.

The various member’s past involvement in the Black Metal scene becomes quite apparent throughout the six tracks of vast atmospheric soundscapes centered in busy instrumentation.

If you are looking get lost in a captivating experimental masterpiece full of unexpected twists and turns give this record a listen.

 

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Animal Collective–Painting With

Genre: Psychedelic Pop
FFO: The Beach Boys, Panda Bear, Delorean

Avey Tare, Panda Bear, and Geologist return once more with their tenth LP under the Animal Collective moniker.

Painting With takes the abrasive instrumentation found on both Strawberry Jam and Centipede HZ, but applies a more accessible vocal approach similar to the likes of the critically acclaimed Merriweather Post Pavillion.

While this release may serve as the group’s most linear album to date, it consists of twelve dense, fun, and catchy tunes that won’t leave your head and you won’t want them to.

 

 

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Golden Daze–Self Titled
Genre: Indie Rock, Dream Pop, Shoegazing, Psychedelic Rock
FFO: Diiv, Mac DeMarco, Turnover

Golden Daze is a young, LA-based psychedelic rock duo that deserves a listen from you immediately.

The band’s debut self-titled LP pulls from both shoegazing and dream pop influences to create rich, smooth soundscapes channeled through ambiance and pure euphoria.

If you’re having a bad day, tracks like “Never Comin’ Back” and “Lean In” are guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

 

 

 

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Living Hour-Self Titled
Genre: Dream Pop, Shoegazing, Psychedelic Rock, Surf Rock
FFO: Wildhoney, Cocteau Twins, Slowdive

Winnepeg quintet Living Hour’s debut LP is a celestial collection of eight dreamy tunes encapsulating all of the greatest aspects of modern dream pop and shoegazing.

With its dense texture, lush atmosphere, and overall relaxing nature, this self-titled record is a summery delight that could potentially grace your year end list.

 

 

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Moodymann–DJ Kicks
Genre: Hip Hop, Electronic, House
FFO: Theo Parish, Carl Craig

House music legend Kenny Dixon Jr. aka “Moodymann” has released his first officially licensed Mix CD and it proves to be nothing short of spectacular.

The gargantuan 30 track album spans across the genres of soul, r&b, disco, techno, latin, downtempo, synth pop and many more.

Sampled artists artists such as Flying Lotus, Jose Gonzales, Dopehead, Yaw, Little Dragon, and the list goes on.

Check out this hot new release and allow Moodymann to show how to truly work the turntable.

 

 

 

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Purling Hiss–Something
Genre: Rock, Lo-Fi
FFO: Dinosaur Jr.

If you are looking for some hard-hitting lo-fi rock n’ roll tunes similar to the likes of Dinosaur Jr, Philadelphia’s Purling Hiss has the ideal EP for you.

The Something 7” shows Mike Polizze channeling the legendary J. Mascis in the best possible way with four reverb-soaked pop tracks that will have you tapping your toes and humming along from start to finish.

 

 

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Rev Rev Rev– Des Fleurs Maguiques Bourdonnaient

Genre: Shoegazing, Noise Rock, Psychadelic Rock
FFO: My Bloody Valentine, A Place to Bury Strangers, Jefferson Airplane

Italian shoegazers Rev Rev Rev have returned once more for a wonderful sophomore LP.

Des Fleurs Maguiques Bourdonnaient harnesses both Loveless-esque swirling, harsh, droney sonic walls and Jefferson Airplane psychedelia.

Laura Iacuzio’s ethereal vocalwork serves as an instrument in itself pounded deep underneath layers of reverb and distortion but decipherable enough to create beauty in the madness.

 

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Sioux Falls– Rot Forever
Genre: Indie Rock, Emo, Folk Punk
FFO: Modest Mouse, Weezer, Joyce Manor, Tiger’s Jaw

Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Sioux Falls is a new three-piece indie rock outfit that sounds like Modest Mouse, Weezer, and Joyce Manor had an incredibly awkward three way.

Rot Forever functions as the trio’s massive debut spanning across seventy minutes of raw, abrasive, emotional ballads that will please any fan of the previously mentioned three bands.

 

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So Pitted–neo
Genre: Punk Rock, Noise Rock
FFO: Black Flag, Nirvana

Named after the popular YouTube video featuring a young teen boasting of his surfing escapes utilizing bizarre slang to a news reporter on live television, So Pitted is a noise punk trio from Seattle that’s beyond ready to melt some face.

The group’s debut on Sub Pop is a noisy assault in the ear drum channeling Bleach era Nirvana and early Black Flag.

 

 

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The Starting Line–Anyways EP
Genre: Pop Punk, Alternative Rock
FFO: Taking Back Sunday, The Early November

Don’t pretend you live in a world where Say it Like You Mean It wasn’t your middle school anthem.

There was something about Kenny Vasoli’s nasily voice and catchy hooks that told us what we thought about when we gone and so alone.

Before we knew it, The Starting Line was gone but nine years later we have a three song EP that surprisingly illustrates how the Drive Thru veterans managed to stand the test of time.

Anyways is a brief yet fun, light-hearted pleasure of a listen as well as sneak peak to a potential long-awaited fourth album.

Tommy Leahy Latest Lists

Latest List (02/15/16)-Magrudergrind, Pinegrove

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Magrudergrind–II
Genre: Grindcore, Powerviolence, Hardcore Punk
FFO: Agoraphobic Nosebleed, Dropdead, Napalm Death

It’s been seven years since Magrudergrind’s self titled LP and II picks up exactly where it left off.

There are no warnings or introductions to the chaotic adrenaline rush that is about to blast through your veins.

The latest record from the DC godfathers of grind is a collection of no-nonsense power violence tracks that will sonically plunge you into the darkest depths of the earth and will do anything in its power to prevent you from coming up for air until its abrupt completion.

 

 

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Pinegrove–Cardinal
Genre: Emo, Indie, Alternative Country
FFO: Wilco, Bright Eyes
Montclair, NJ’s Pinegrove is bringing a new genre to the kids with their Run For Cover debut Cardinal.

In the past, I have described the septet’s sound to be similar to the likes of what Bob Dylan’s music would sound like if he was born in the 90′s.

Cardinal boasts eight songs of solid Alternative Country tracks with enough of an emo/indie rock flavor to keep the fans of Wilco, Lucero, or Dawes equally as content as fans of Bright Eyes or Death Cab For Cutie.

It’s refreshing, emotionally, soulful, feel-good tracks with a twang that do anything but overstay it’s welcome.

Tommy Leahy Latest Lists

Latest List (02/05/16)-Diiv, Massive Attack, Say Anything, & More!

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Aksumite–Rubber Room
Genre: Black Metal, Hardcore Punk
FFO: A Pregnant Light, Sandworm

A Pregnant Light’s Damian Master teams up once again with drummer Tim Lenger under the Aksumite monkier for a rock hard LP that starts the month off right.

Rubber Room channels the unique approach to the Black Metal genre Master has gained a reputation for but transfers the creativity to the shared realm of hardcore punk and rock n’ roll.

The two piece fires out hard-hitting rock n’ roll anthems with the progressive “A Void, Love” serving as the album’s fulcrum creating a well-structured and unique release that illustrates the mastery behind the writing of Damian Master.

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Diiv–Is the Is Are
Genre: Indie Rock, Post Punk, Dream Pop, Kraut Rock
FFO: Beach Fossils, The Cure
With each passing moment, 31-year-old New York Indie rocker Zachary Cole Smith comfortably slips more and more comfortably into the “tortured artist” archetype.

His struggles with substance abuse are no secret, he has achieved quasi-celebrity status due to his public relationship with pop singer Sky Ferreira, and the pressure of his follow up to Oshin were seemingly self-inflicted due to promises of gargantuan proportions.

Is the Is Are proves to be a fitting title for the abstract seventeen tracks of both dream pop and shoegaze influenced post punk comparable to the likes of The Cure. It goes without saying that fitting seventeen tracks on one record is an intimidating ordeal and an overall risky move for an indie rock album in 2016, but Smith somehow manages to keep the filler to a minumum. Even the 17-second abrupt instrumental “(Fuck)” serves its purpose ushering the listener into the final act of the record.

Ferrieira takes on vocal duties on “Blue Boredom” suprisingly channeling strong Sonic Youth vibes that work strongly in the context of the album, and serves as more than just a forced couple cross promotional tactic (I’m looking directly at you, Max Bemis). Is the Is Are isn’t the mangnom opus Smith promises, but it is a dazzling release filled with ethereal vocals and dreamy guitarwork backing the memoirs of a tortured soul.

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Ghostlimb–Difficult Loves
Genre: Post Hardcore
FFO: Graf Orlock, Trap Them
Ghostlimb is a Californinan Post Hardcore trio fronted by Justin Smith of Dangers and Graf Orlockfame.

Known for their ability to balance both abrasiveness and melody, Ghostlimb’s sound has a far more aggressive punch than most of their genre peers lyrically rooted in history and politics while still maintaining a melodic foundation comparable to acts such as Hot Water Music.

 

Looking for some solid, pissed off punk rock? Listen to Ghostlimb.

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Massive Attack–Ritual Spirit EP
Genre: Trip Hop, Hip Hop
FFO: Portishead, Bjork, Sneaker Pimps
While Portishead may take credit for the popularity of “Trip Hop”, Massive Attack had a more piviotal role in pioneering the genre with their 1991 debut Blue Lines.

Following up 2010′s Heligoland, Ritual Spirit serves as eighteen minutes of straightforward, dark production featuring verses from Roots Manuva, Azekel, Young Fathers, and a strong comeback from Tricky.

This release will leave fans wanting more but serves as a beyond adequate musical snack to tithe fans over until the duo’s next LP.

 

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Say Anything–I Don’t Think It Is
Genre: Emo, Pop Punk
FFO: Motion City Soundtrack, mewithoutYou, Front Bottoms, Tiny Moving Parts

It seems over the years that the more mental and emotional stability Say Anything frontman Max Bemis maintains, the more unsastisfied fans become.

We all thirst for a return to the glory days of ..Is A Real Boy when Mr. Bemis reached rock bottom wallowing in depression, substance abuse, anxiety, and a diagonsed case of bipolar disorder.

Since gaining an emotional footing and becoming a born-again family man, the only things Say Anything (or dare I say “The Max Bemis Show”) have managed to contribute to the music world have been empty promises and wasted hype.

Suddenly on February 4th, 2016, Bemis decided to tweet: “You know what? We’re gonna stream our whole new record tonight and drop it on Friday. Enjoy.”

The complete apathy displayed in both the album art and the previously mentioned tweet paints a vivid portrait of what I Don’t Think It Is truly encapsulates.

The latest Say Anything album is a raw, fun, authentic, and all but accessible return to form showing Bemis at his most abrasive to date.

If this record wasn’t what the fans wanted, I don’t know what is.

 

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Seven Sisters of Sleep– Ezekial’s Hags
Genre: Sludge Metal, Doom Metal
FFO: Early Graves, The Secret

You can always rely on Seven Sisters of Sleep to create a truly devasting sludge-influenced hardcore record and with Ezekial’s Hags they do just that.

The evil-sounding riffs, the pummeling double-kick drumwork, thunderous bass lines, and the agonizingly brutal vocal performance serve as equally pivotal components to a full work of art encompassing the darkest aspects of humankind.

Bang your head hard to this new, crushing, doom-ridden epic.

Tommy Leahy Latest Lists

Latest List (01/29/16)-Basement, Conan, Milk Teeth, & More!

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Basement–Promise Everything
Genre: Alternative Rock
FFO: Jimmy Eat World, Superheaven, Title Fight

Hailing from Ipswich, England, Run For Cover’s star child Basement have returned from their brief slumber with their third LP Promise Everything.

The band’s sound treads far more melodic territory this time around with simplified riffs and catchy choruses that may bring early 2000’s alternative rock bands to mind such as Jimmy Eat World or Incubus. While the instrumentation may seem more on writing autopilot this time around, it serves as the ideal backdrop for Andrew Fisher’s fantastic vocal performance appearing to rely more upon expanding the creativity behind his pipes rather than his signature emotional outbursts.

Promise Everything is by no means ground-breaking, but it is a solid ten tracks of fun “alt-rock” anthems that will have you reminiscing the days of rushing home from a long day of middle school to have Carson Daly deliver the 411 on the latest in music and pop culture.

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Black Tusk–Pillars of Ash
Genre: Sludge Metal, Stoner Metal, Punk Rock
FFO: Kylesa, Baroness, Mastadon

In 2014, Black Tusk’s bassist Jonathan Athon passed away due to injuries inflicted in a horrible motorcycle accident.

The future of the band was not necessarily clear, and the two remaining members certainly needed time to mourn the loss of not only their band mate but their dear friend.

Pillars of Ash chronicles the final recordings with Athon and these tracks prove to be just as fun, fast, and crushing as you would expect.

The fifth LP from the Georgian gentlemen of sludge is a fast-paced punk rock/stoner metal adrenaline rush that refuses to give the listener any resting time.

 


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Conan–Revengeance
Genre: Sludge Metal, Doom Metal
FFO: Bongripper, Cough

2016 has been an incredible year to fans of sludge metal and it’s still only January!

Liverpool, England’s doom trio Conan has arrived to seal the deal with their latest and most hard-hitting LP to date. Revengeance is a monstrous beast that shakes the earth with each thunderous step, sending powerful sonic shock waves guaranteed to violently rip the listener’s face directly off of his or her’s body (metaphorically speaking).

The compact, fuzzy riffs and ear-piercing battle cries of Jon Davis blend well with the muddy bass, and earth-shaking drumwork on this mammoth of an LP. Be prepared for a record so heavy that it has its own gravitational pull.

 

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Chthe’ilist–Le Dernier Crépuscule
Genre: Death Metal
FFO: Convulse, Demilich

With their recent signing to Profound Lore Records, Quebec’s own Chthe’ilist is a band you should be watching very closely if you consider yourself a fan of death metal.

Le Dernier Crépuscule serves as the band’s debut LP and what is accomplished in this mammoth of an album is leaps and bounds beyond what most modern acts of the genre manage to accomplish throughout the entirety of their careers.

The production is carnivorous, the instrumentation is as deeply rooted in superb musicianship as it is in generating a dark atmosphere, and the vocal performance sounds like a demon called upon from the deepest depths of hell.

Chthe’ilist may wear their influences on their sleeves, but their mastery of the death metal art makes them a standout band in 2016.

If you are looking for an album as musically impressive as it is horrifying, Le Dernier Crepsuscule just may survive on your year end list.

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Florist–The Birds Outside Sang
Genre: Indie, Folk
FFO: Told Slant, Kimya Dawson, Bright Eyes

Despite her young age, Emily Sprague’s writing comes across as anything but youthful and jovial.

Sprague was struck in a hit-and-run cycling accident a few years back that left her incapable of any movement in her left arm with a very long and slow recovery process ahead of her. These experiences, however, did not overwhelm the young artist with pessimism and grief.

The Birds Outside Sang is an ode to the beauty in the mundane things in life that often go unnoticed unless our mortality is compromised. If you are looking for a beautiful “morning album” similar to that of Kimya Dawson or early Bright Eyes, The Birds Outside Sang will help you to appreciate the little things we often overlook.

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Milk Teeth–Vile Child
Genre: Punk Rock, Emo, Indie Rock
FFO: Fucked Up, The Pixies
2016 a good year to be Milk Teeth.

With the recent announcement of their upcoming tour supporting Citizen and Turnover coupled with the release of their debut LP, the Bristol-born punk rock four piece appear to have a bright future of promise.

Vile Child is a strong debut boasting a refusal to be pigeonholed to any particular genre or style by a young band brimming with youthful energy. Punk, Emo, Post Hardcore, Grunge, and many other influences make their presence known like a revolving door, but are executed smoothly and work well in the context of the album.

Milk Teeth’s debut shows a band that hasn’t quite fully found their own musical identity but chooses to rock hard with what they’ve got, and the bold effort truly makes it worthwhile.

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UXO–Self-Titled
Genre: Noise Rock, Stoner Metal
FFO: Unsane, Today is the Day,
Queens of the Stone Age

UXO is the new brainchild of both Unsane’s Chris Spencer and Today is the Day’s Steve Austin and it is LOUD.

This noise rock/stoner metal supergroup annihilates everything in its path with its rock hard riffage and split vocal duties between each band’s respected frontman that prove to be any noise rock fan’s wet dream.

If you are a fan of either Unsane or Today is the Day, UXO is exactly how would expect the two bands to sound combined into one single unit.