Strange Ranger‘s upcoming album, Remembering The Rockets, is slated to arrive on July 26 via Tiny Engines. With the band’s latest single, “Living Free,” daydreaming contemplation hovers as the ethereal keys mingle with the grounded percussion. Nostalgic yet conflicting, scene-setting lyrics suggest a communicative disconnect. Working through that fractured sense of attachment, the instrumentation collides highlighting the tension in our narrator’s thoughts. The band is currently on tour with labelmates, fellow Philly artists The Spirit of the Beehive.
Chicago
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David Darrko “Heaven Tonight”
Romantic Pop artist David Darrko has released a new single called “Heaven Tonight”. This is Darrko’s third new single in the last four months, and perhaps his most cheesy track. However, when you hear him describe the process it at all begins to make sense.
"This past January in Chicago was torture, the bipolar weather made ME bipolar," Darrko explains. "I decorated my apartment even though it was negative 20 outside. I was snowed in and wrote "Heaven Tonight". I needed to create a fantasy for myself to keep from going insane. I couldn’t go out and dance, so I danced at home alone. I also wanted a song that felt like being on ecstasy, without feeling like shit the following three days."
New England
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HEELE releases a sonic monsoon in new EP “Pathos”
The sonic monsoon that is HEELE has positioned project-founder Michael Henss on the lips of several local publications (now including yours truly). It should come as no surprise that the haunting prog rock that is displayed in HEELE’s debut record Pathos has garnished such attention, the music is far too energized to ignore. Pathos is a whirlwind of heavy electric guitar riffs and shell-shocking drums interrupted by brief eye-of-the-storm moments where acoustic strings shine. The music feels like a freeing of sorts for Henss who has played in several bands (Hellrazor, Ungifted, Dead Wives) over the years while working on this personal project since 2015, the music has bubbled beneath the surface long enough, and now it sees the light of day. As groups like The Mars Volta prepare to return, the experimental and progressive rock they have championed seems ready for another vanguard run, and artists like Henss have got a head start. “Losing It All” from Pathos is streaming below. – Rene Cobar
Philadelphia
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New Track: “Useful Information” – Purling Hiss
Interstellar Blue, the forthcoming EP from Purling Hiss, is set to arrive on July 9 via Drag City. Mike Polizze and friends recently shared its lead single, “Useful Information,” an even-keeled, psych-blues sojourn. The track takes you on a languid, muggy stroll in the summer sun, as a bit of guitar-fueled heat blares down upon you. Purling Hiss will be performing next in Philly on Thursday, July 11, with support from Writhing Squares and Long Hots.
Chicago
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Lili Trifilio “Cycles”
Lili Trifilio of Beach Bunny released a beautifully lo-fi bedroom pop solo single called “Cycles” over the weekend.
Beach Bunny is currently on a West Coast tour with PUP and Ratboys, but will be returning home to play Lollapalooza. The band will also be performing at an official Lollapalooza after show at Metro on Aug 1st with Death Cab For Cutie.
Toronto
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Pussy Stench – Dirty New Video “Honey Wine”
Tea time folks…if you don’t want to get dirty then go put on the tea kettle while we talk about Pussy Stench. They are a filthy four piece grunge band showin’ off some heavy riffs. This half male/half female group just released a new video for their track “Honey Wine”. This is a heavy track full of angst. Their grunge attack is abrasive for the bulk of the song but breaks down into a doom inspired, melodic bridge that gives the tune a great dynamic. Pussy Stench will be hittin’ up Duffy’s Tavern in Toronto on June 19th with Specks and Los Senores. – Kris Gies
NYC
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Zyles’ funny new single, “Slow Learner”
The lyrical stylings of Zyles’ new single “Slow Learner” are captivating and funny in an unassuming way. There’s certainly some Flight of the Conchords humor in there, along with a fun and simple synth pop backbone. We’re hoping that if they release a music video we’ll see some of these funny charms in action. Check out the single here and come out for their June 26 show at Brick and Mortar. – Michelle Kicherer, Associate Editor
Nashville
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Pet Envy plays The 5 Spot on 06.29
Pet Envy have been called the most fun live band to come out of Nashville in years; they’ll again expel their infectious energy into the world during a performance at The 5 Spot on June 29th. The band have kept their shows local for the most part throughout their existence, but they have a new anxiety-focused single called "Rerun" which channels that funky groove out to the rest of the world. Pet Envy will join forces with Arts Fishing Club, Bruns, and singer-songwriter Mark Fredson to provide a night full of excellent local music. Take a listen to "Rerun" below. – Will Sisskind
NYC
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Maria Usbeck announces sophomore LP “Envejeciendo”
Based in NYC but born and raised in Quito, Ecuador, Maria Usbeck moved to the states at 17 to attend art school, and found herself fronting the new wave band Selebrities. After five years of singing in English, Maria decided to let her mother tongue speak and began to create music on her own. The tracks on sophomore LP Envejeciendo – out on August 16 – form a concept album exploring the universal obsession with youth and our preoccupation with growing older, and are anchored in Usbeck’s personal experiences with adulthood. After recently forcing herself out of a depressive, aging-induced slump, Usbeck was determined to have fun with the subject matter. The album is peppered with personal anecdotes and nods to her firsthand fieldwork into the aging process. Particularly moving are the samples of a recorded interview with Usbeck’s late Ecuadorian grandmother, who speaks animatedly about her girlhood suitors and imagines what her life could have been had she married someone else. It’s this tone of nostalgic joy, coexisting with curiosity for futures both impossible and unrealized, that runs throughout Envejeciendo.
Chicago
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Pivot Gang “Mortal Kombat”
Pivot Gang have dropped a new Contact directed video for their track “Mortal Kombat” from their debut album, You Can’t Sit With Us.
The song and video both feature a special appearance from the talented Little Rock emcee Kari Faux.
Chicago
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ChaseTheMoney “On The Way” with Valee and Z Money
St. Louis emcee ChaseTheMoney enlisted two of Chicago’s finest, Valee and Z Money, on his latest single “On The Way”.
Valee will be dropping his latest EP, Runnin’ Rich, which will feature Vic Mensa, King Louis, and G Herbo, in the coming weeks. He will also be performing at Pitchfork Music Festival on July 19th.
Z Money recently released a new mixtape called “Shawty Paid” which features contributions from Key Glock, Young Mai, Gucci Mane and Hoodrich Pablo Juan.
NYC
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Shura set to release LP ‘forevher’ on August 16th
Half-Russian, New York-based synthpop artist Shura explores connection, queer love, and musical growth in her sophomore LP ‘forevher,’ set to release this fall. Following her first project, 2016’s ‘Nothing’s Real,’ an indie pop LP that revealed the anxious side of vulnerability and unrequited love, the new record takes a new, decidedly soulful direction. Saxophone-tinged "BKLYNLDN" showcases her musical influences, which include Prince, The Internet, and Minnie Riperton. The project’s first single, "religion (u can lay your hands on me)" is a fun, playful track that compares sex to religion while toying with innuendo. Shura and director Chloe Wallace cleverly use the strengths of the artist’s vantage point in the song’s video, inspired by the religious iconography of HBO’s ‘The Young Pope.’ Walking the line between romanticism and ’80s nostalgia, the clip reveals a perspective on love where weakness and transgression are necessary strengths. The LP, set to drop on August 16th via Secretly Canadian, features co-production from Joel Pott, Jona Ma (Jawar Ma), and Will Miller (Whitney), as well as additional vocals from artists Rosie Lowe, Kerry Leatham, and Reva (Nimmo). ‘forevher’ expands Shura’s stance on queer desire, don’t miss the release party at Music Hall of Williamsburg on October 23rd. – Susan Moon