This bullshit has been driving me insane since it began. Thankfully in between playing Animal Crossing, beating Resident Evil 2 and 3 multiple times, and watching Hello Kitty spinoffs people having been giving me good recommendations on music. Unfortunately since the zine primarily revolves around live music, I feel it would be a waste to make one for, what was a favorite when this blog was active, a playlist. That being said here's some new music released this year and some stuff good for the quarantine. Fuck Donnie T.
The Weekend - After Hours
Genre: R&B Fav Track: Hardest To Love
I usually start with the obvious but there isn't really an obvious one this time. So we'll go with The Weeknd since most know who he is. My dude here just broke my heart once again. I don't know what it is but The Weeknd's voice is just that sweet spot between soothing and emotional. What I love about After Hours though, and I'll probably get judged for saying this, is it has a noticeable synthwave influence that at times just makes me think of darkwave and I love it. The fact that I can make that comparison doesn't even seem right.
The Cure - Bloodflowers
Genre: Gothic/Post-Punk FFO: New Order, Siouxsie and the Banshees
Fav Track: The Last Day Of Summer
It's no secret I love The Cure. The original "sadboi" Robert Smith can never write an album that isn't both beautiful and devastating. Bloodflowers was a later album that probably didn't get as much limelight as say, Disintegration or Pornography, but nonetheless it still has that classic makeup and hairspray 80s aesthetic with songs about heartbreak. I keep finding myself to reach for this one when I bump The Cure lately.
Sallow Moth - The Larval Hope
Genre: Death Metal FFO: Ascended Dead, Spectral Voice, Esoctrillihum
Fav Track: Ancient Grudge
A one man death metal project. Thats all you need to hear. Sallow Moth is the demon risen from the earth by Garry Brents of blackened screamo/grind band, Cara Neir. Nothing impresses me more than when another project sounds entirely different than another without even a trace of it. Sallow Moth is very comparable to dark descent death metal bands and I can easily see it getting signed in the future. So far I'd say this is my favorite death metal release of the year.
Red House Painters - Self Titled
Genre: Indie/Folk/Shoegaze "Slowcore" FFO: Bedhead, Carissa's Wierd, Mount Eerie
Fav Track: Funhouse
The one memory I have when listening to this album is driving into western mass and seeing the mountains and fields. The scenery is perfect with this album. Red House Painters is best known for being one of the pioneers in the "Slowcore" genre and also known for being Mark Kozelek's band before Sun Kil Moon. The fact that its tough to be outside for some this album at least paints a picture in my head to make it feel like I'm there. P.S. if you're into True Widow, you can hear a huge influence from this album ;)
Ringo Deathstarr - Self Titled
Genre: Shoegaze/Dream Pop FFO: Slowdive, Chapterhouse, Wildhoney
Fav Track: I Don't Want To Lose This
I have been waiting eagerly for this one. One day I literally just said "I'm gonna jam Ringo today" only to find out this came out pretty much unannounced a week before. So far this is battling another album for No. 1 of 2020. Undeniable talent from these guys and this was well worth the wait.
Sure - Twenty Years
Genre: Darkwave FFO: Drab Majesty, Ritual Howls, Them Are Us Too
Fav Track: Precious Words
This is the album that is vs Ringo for No. 1. Sure has that sweet heat with the gothic synth and keyboards and almost industrial percussion. Its madness but in the best way. I'm seeing a lot of people get bigger into darkwave so absolutely give Sure your attention.
Mountain Man - Three
Genre: Hardcore FFO: Last Lights, Shipwreck AD, Reign Supreme
Fav Track: Calm
I was heavily impressed by the post metal approach Mountain Man showed in their previous release, and better shown when I saw them with The Body in Wmass. That being said, Three seems to go back to their roots as a hardcore band, is this a bad thing? Absolutely not, I still loved them as a hardcore band, as well as Last Lights. One thing that still sticks out is how they continue to be slightly on the odd side. Still pretty cool and nostalgic sound they went for with this release.
Super Unison - Stella
Genre: Post-Hardcore FFO: Refused, Drive Like Jehu, Gouge Away
Fav Track: Virus
Punch were huge for me in high school and I was sad to see them go, but to find out Meghan went on to be in a new band was like a light in the dark. Super Unison as you could probably tell are heavily influenced by Drive like Jehu but much more...I guess skateable sound. Like I can see most songs on a Tony Hawk game easily. Personally I consider this the best release, very fierce but still a weird punk album (weird in a good way of course).
Denzel Curry - UNLOCKED
Genre: Rap/Hip Hop FFO: Flatbush Zombies, JPEGMAFIA, Lil Uzi Vert
Fav Track: take_it_back_v2
We all know how much I love Denzel. I keep thinking my boy here will never be able to top Taboo but the more music he makes, he seems to just keep doing what he does. Is UNLOCKED better than Taboo? In my opinion probably not, but it has a different style, still insanely ignorant but with the same old school idea like ZUU had. Plus with Kenny Beats featured throughout the whole album, Denzel's voice is constantly chopped and screwed in every song. Bonus points for the modern twist on the artwork.
The Effort - Iconoclasm
Genre: Melodic Hardcore FFO: Modern Life Is War, The Carrier, Killing the Dream
Fav Track: The Price of Medication
This band. This fucking band. The Effort have been one of my favorites in melodic hardcore as well as straight edge hardcore for a long time. This album has helped me through a lot and still does to this day.
Thou - Oakland
Genre: Sludge/Doom/Drone Metal FFO: Lord Mantis, The Body, Unearthly Trance
Fav Track: Smoke Pigs
I pretty much love everything about Thou. They're one of the heaviest bands I've ever seen, they have gothic album art, their lyrics are comparable to a lot of shit, they're vegan, I could go on. Oakland seems like the generic choice to go for but I mean come on can you blame me?
Pummel - Illusion of Choice
Genre: Hardcore FFO: Mental, Hammer Bros., No Option
Pummel may have earned my most written about hardcore band at this point. Well considering everything these guys have done during the quarantine, I think they deserve my spotlight again. Illusion of Choice is one big stab at the government BHC style and from what I understand it's the first song recorded with Seth on bass. Seems like just yesterday Seth was Pummel's biggest fan and look where they are now. Love these guys and will never stop supporting them. You know the first show these guys play after this is over is gonna be absolutely insane.
Midwife - Forever
Genre: Indie/Shoegaze "slowcore" FFO: Drowse, Marissa Nadler, Giles Corey
Fav Track: S.W.I.M.
This one I just can't put down. Midwife is the one woman project of Madeline Johnson that showcases some incredible stuff. At first the music seems slightly simple but in just gets more and more unique the more in depth the listen. various levels of distortion and countless guitar effects usually prove for a good album. I can see the project opening for a band like Russian Circles in the future.
Graf Orlock - Destination Time: Tomorrow
Genre: Grindcore FFO: Pig Destroyer, Some Girls, Ed Gein
Fav Track: A Shocking Interrogation
Ahh Graf Orlock, a band long forgotten. While this band can be dissonant at times they never really stuck out to me as mathcore like most fans call them. Long story short this album is like getting in a brawl with 7 people at once during a movie...like in the theatre. You'll see what I mean when you jam it.
Fearing - Shadow
Genre: Darkwave/Deathrock/Post Punk FFO: Death Bells, Death of Lovers, Night Sins
Fav Track: Pictured Perfect
This album is just amazing. The facts that bands like this are gettng better recognized and also releasing fire after fire really brings a smile to my face. You've herd me use this description before but this is a shades and (vegan) leather jacket band. Gotta love the gothic atmosphere this album gives off, I can only imagine the live visual.
Oranssi Pazuzu - Mestarin Kynsi
Genre: Avant Garde Black Metal FFO: Imperial Triumphant, Waste of Space Orchestra, Krallice
Fav Track: Uusi Teknokratia
Teach me how to pronounce literally any title this band writes and I will pay you. Before you ask, they are Finnish. Now that thats out of the way, ahem, H O L Y F U C K. If you wanna talk about boundary breaking, I don't think I can name 70 percent of the equipment these guys use and its somehow still black metal.
Amygdala - Our Voices Will Soar Forever
Genre: Screamo/Hardcore/Powerviolence FFO: Portrayal of Guilt, Orchid, Ursurp Synapse
Fav Track: It Takes A Village
Something in texas is bringing out some sick screamo/screamo influenced bands. I constantly wonder if Amygdala got their name from the Bloodborne boss or the part of the brain. This album can show a range of influences but the big thing for me is the artwork because it reminds me of the building I live in. Actually kinda freaky because my building was an asylum before and it literally looks like this at night. Anywho, this is definitely one of those albums to jam at night for the full effect. Very Melancholic in an abrasive but also beautiful way.
Best Coast - Always Tomorrow
Genre: Surf Rock/Indie FFO: Wavves, Beach Fossils, Surfer Blood
Fav Track: Master of my Own Mind
Some know and some don't but Best Coast are surprisingly one of my favorite bands. This was the first indie band I really got into and I was devastated that their tour was cancelled. I can appreciate this band even more with the anticipating summer season and working outside in the cold 99% percent of the time just makes me want summer more. Master of my Own Mind is a song I really needed to hear too.
Ripping Corpse - Dreaming with the Dead
Genre: Death Metal FFO: Demilich, Morpheus Descends, Death
Fav Track: Beyond Humanity
Let's take it back to a very influential death metal album/band nobody talks about. Like come on why does nobody talk about these guys?!? Posers.
Publicist UK - Forgive Yourself
Genre: Post Punk/Deathrock FFO: Death Bells, Fearing, Cursed Moon
Fav Track: You Are The Stars
How many non metal albums do you know that were put out by Relapse? Here's one. Surprisingly featuring members of Municipal Waste, Revocation, and Goes Cube. You wouldn't even think members from this band were from metal bands. What an incredible display. I don't know how but listening to this band actually feels like you're listening to an english band from the 80s. Give them a whirl.
Product of Waste - You Won't Take Me Alive
Genre: Hardcore FFO: COA, Wolf Whistle, The Rival Mob
Fav Track: Crook With a Badge
We'll end it with the best hardcore band to come out of Rhode Island. On the days where I do go outside I try to take advantage of it and skate. P.O.W. is always my go to. R.I.P. T :(
Lof-fi Hip Hop beats to relax/study to
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