Kwaku’s devilish flow kills pretenders with high precision in his new single “Ties.” The Boston-based rapper is ruthless in his calling out of opportunists and lukewarm supporters, blasting them to smithereens with street probity and a booming low end. Kwaku rides the beat with style, not needing speed to break necks and blow minds, his words penetrate his targets like flaming daggers. “Ties” is the second single released by the hip-hop artist in two months, showing his intent to stay busy through the summer and get some truths out in the process. Kwaku recently showcased his style at O’Brien’s Pub and now looks poised to excite with new material at his next gig. Check out “Ties” for your daily dose of reality. – Rene Cobar
Chicago
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tobi lou “Waterboy”
tobi lou has dropped visuals for his latest single “Waterboy”. lou has become known for blending his fantastic sense of humor with serious beats and a flow all his own.
The video is visually stunning and features an array of easter eggs as Lou drops names like they are water.
This is single is just the first track lou has planned for this summer and follows the special Mother’s Day single “Like My Mom” from last month.
NYC
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Singer/songwriter Sabine Holler spills her heart out in “Mother of Transition”
Sabine Holler isn’t afraid to speak from her heart in her EP Mother of Transition: songs like “Everything I Want To Be” spill confessions to the tune of gorgeous guitar arpeggios and string-instrument embellishments. Holler can switch her vocal approach with ease from tender in “Filtered My Voice” to fierce in “Hanged Woman,” the last song boasting a killer drum beat. The artist seems entirely at ease in her indie-pop tunes, displaying the confidence of leading women of the genre such as Lorde and St. Vincent. “First Memory” is the singer/songwriter’s raging battle from the record, augmented with distortion, and streaming below, for your enjoyment. – Rene Cobar
Chicago
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The Limbos “Freshly Squeezed Radio”
Have you ever imagined what it would have sounded like if the ghost of Ian Curtis had been tapped to front Squirrel Nut Zipper instead of who ever it is that fronts Squirrel Nut Zippers? If you have, or even if you haven’t, you need to hear the latest EP, "Freshly Squeezed Radio”, from The Limbos.
The Limbos blend Post Punk and Swing like no other band we have heard. They are Ryan Miera (Keyboards, Guitar, Lead Vocals), Drew Current (Drums, Vocals), Chris De Salvo (Bass, Vocals), Geno Alesandrini (Trumpet, Vocals), Mathew Solomon (Trombone, vocals), Matt Riggen (Tenor Sax, Vocals), and Joe Foster (Bari Sax, Vocals).
“Fresh Squeezed Radio” is the groups third EP and follows 2018’s “Results!”.
New England
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Worshipper kills the shadows of metal’s past in new album, plays ONCE 06.21
The glory of heavy metal in the late ’70s and throughout the ’80s casts a large shadow on the genre today, making it difficult for groups to rise to the occasion. Allston’s Worshipper pays tribute to the grandeur of the past while also shining brightly enough to kill the shadows. In Worshipper’s latest record Light in the Wire, the band brings the goods: yes, there are screaming electric guitars, agile drum fills, and soaring vocals but there are also bright synthesizer flourishes and gentle acoustic guitar overtures. The acoustic strings and synthesizers are in full display in the album’s title track; they shine brightly among the power chords, passionate vocals, and steadfast rhythms, they summon the great power-ballads of the past for a modern audience. Worshipper will be playing at ONCE in Somerville on June 21st, bringing the old and the new aspects of metal to light. "Light in the Wire" is streaming below. – Rene Cobar
Chicago
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Short To Ground “Cleanse”
Industrial duo Short to Ground recently released a new EP, “Cleanse”. The EP, their first in eight years, presents a nostalgic nod to the ’90’s Industrial sound complete with the dirty, club ready remixes.
This is the work of industry veterans Brian Twadell (Vocals, Programming) and Sean Czaja (Guitar, Keys, Programming).
Philadelphia
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New Baroness LP Available for Streaming
Gold & Grey, the fifth album from Baroness and first with Gina Gleason (on guitar and backup vocals), officially arrives on Friday, June 14 via Abraxan Hymns, but it’s available for streaming now via NPR’s First Listen. A calculated, explosive sound provides a melodic heaviness that stretches the parameters. Some songs capture an anthemic aura; simultaneously, others bring you in close in a pensive, personal manner. It’s a sonic journey of epic proportions.
Nashville
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D.D. Island releases summer-soaked debut LP “Lost Dog”
Summer approaches, and D.D. Island’s new album Lost Dog marks the occasion with tracks full of bandleader Brandon Rhodes’s chilled-out arrangements and lyrics. Rhodes emerged into the Nashville scene with the release of the EP Last Summer in 2018, and this summer, the singer-songwriter continues to bring light into the world through grooves like "Sawtooth Sunshine", the first single from Lost Dog, which makes for perfect beach hammock music. Rhodes will take D.D. Island in its full band setup on a brief tour later in June to promote Lost Dog. Take a listen to "Sawtooth Sunshine" below. – Will Sisskind
NYC
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Eighty Ninety kick off their 2019 right with new single “10K Summer Nights”
Eighty Ninety paints a vivid portrait of a loved one long-lost in its new single “10K Summer Nights” which boasts airy vocals that dance around an upbeat sonic atmosphere decorated with bright guitars. The duo’s layered arrangements allow the listener to become engrossed with the story told by the lyrics. By the time the tight rhythm section kicks in on the second verse, you are hooked in true pop fashion. The track is kicking off 2019 for the two brothers (Abner and Harper James) who are planning to release their sophomore EP later this summer. The Brooklyn-based act is right at home alongside major indie-pop artists of the moment like Billie Eilish, helping wave the flag of a genre that’s perfectly in season. The music is relaxed, filled withrhythm and evocative messages, it’s got plenty to keep you listening. – Rene Cobar
Philadelphia
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New Track: “Coasters” – Service Dog
Bethlehem-based quartet Service Dog recently shared a new single, “Coasters”. The recording captures a confessional, personal-note tone. Guided by acoustic guitar, a sense of regret/disappointment is expressed as lingering communication breakdown is felt. The isolated feelings are intensified by the use of harmony in the chorus, which is further elevated by the tightly woven guitar patterns. The song appears to let go and move forward, but the emotive pain resonates.
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Chicago
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Mocrep “I Like My Friends”
Parlour Tapes+ recently released the debut album, I Like My Friends, from experimental collective Mocrep. This album is both challenging and rewarding, electronic and Americana, strange and traditional. You have the straightforward Pop of “Phantom Love” or the meditative country twang of “Cold Pillow” or the disco thump of “All I Need” mixed with the ambient spoken word of “A Love Below” and the jazz of “The Way You Comb Your Hair”.
The 18 track album really defies classification but is compelling from start to finish. Mocrep is the work of Amanda Bailey, Owen Davis, Alex Ellsworth, Zachary Good, Deidre Huckabay, Lia Kohl, Jenna Lyle, Zach Moore, Andrew Tham, Chris Wood, and Ryan Zerna.
L.A.
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Listen to Good Days’ bopping new single, “Blue”
Good Days’ "Blue" sounds as wholesome as their origin story—songwriters Eric Ronick and Michael Cannova met at the Lower East Side in New York when they discovered they both had shared likeminded musical interests. The indie-pop duo both have an affinity for a beachy, classic oldies sound, something they bring back to life on their joyful new single. The piano-led track opens with their prominent dual harmonies—and keep it that way for about a minute—capturing a vintage L.A. pop groove that carries on into the very end. If there’s a restorative effect to "Blue," well, that’s intentional, as they wrote its infectious bopping beat with three phases in mind—focus, escape, and love.
"Blue" is the latest reveal off Good Days’ singles collection ROYGBIV, which you can listen to now via their official soundcloud. Juan Rodríguez