Start the Week Over takes it back to basics with a heavy-handed drum beat, a rowdy bassline and fiery power chords that morph into energetic solos. A welcome throwback to pop punk’s glory days, the music of the Boston group has enough lively hymns to elicit images of groups like New Found Glory and Good Charlotte playing to countless screaming fans. While the Warped Tour heyday of beer tents with no line and acrobatic fans may be over, pop-punk music always delights. Start the Week Over’s new single "Daisytop" is a reminder that good music doesn’t need to be overprocessed, sometimes it just needs to come from the heart. The band will be playing Outpost 186 in Cambridge on August 1st. We are streaming "Daisytop" to get you pumped for the show. – Rene Cobar
WateRR “Sunday Breakfast”
WaterRR (aka Rashid Hadee) has released a new concept album called “Sunday Breakfast”. Complete with an orange juice colored cassette (only 30 copies), the album covers all of bases from “Wake N Bake” to “Biscuits” to “Avocado Toast” to “Blueberry Blunts”. This is all a part of good breakfast, kids tested head approved, and total fire.
WateRR has been prolifically as of late, dropping “The Dispensary” back in February and also dropping a collaborative album with Detroit’s Ty Farris this month called ”Bulls vs Pistons”.
New Track: “Higher Than A Flying Cloud Castle Made of White Light” – Pretend Collective
Pretend Collective’s self-titled debut album is scheduled to arrive on September 13 via The Giving Groove. The ensemble recently shared a new single, “Higher Than A Flying Cloud Castle Made of White Light”. A multidimensional, sonic tower arises as hypnotic, vocal harmonies unfold. It’s a graceful, psych groove that draws the listener in and suggests that you should stay for a while.
Rob Love “Leverage”
Emcee and Producer Rob Love dropped his debut EP called “Leverage” earlier this month.
Love has been releasing a string of single over the last couple of years, including the 2017 hit “Let Me Know”, but this is his first EP, and first new music since 2018’s single “Boy Meets World”.
Ex Okays “Good/Old Days”
Ex Okays have released a new EP called “Good/Old Days”. The group released a single called “Involvement” earlier this year, but this is the first album from the group since 2017’s “Friends” EP.
Ex Okays is the work of Aidan Cahill, Dominic Folino, Doñovan Thomas, Elias Snyder, and Johnny Cummings.
You can catch Ex Okays on July 27th to celebrate the release of their EP at Nude Beach (you need to DM the band for details) with French Police and Town Criers.
Rogozo’s dual album is a sonic journey worth taking, performance set for 08.02
Boston’s Rogozo has a brand new double record out titled Nine Lives/Eight Lives and boy does it offer an escape from life’s asphyxiating routine. The ambiance in the opening track "Nine Lives" alone is enough to relax the brain’s neurons and secrete euphoria. The listener can be lost in the suppleness of the string instruments and keys that open the song and lead toward an intriguing marching drum build-up. The song then cascades the mind into a lake of majestic vocal chants, blinding drum fills, and flourishing guitars. The record continues its art-rock flexing to flash stylish guitar solos and Queen-like enthusiasm in its performance. "Animals" in particular is a cross between the most prominent rock forms of the ’70s: punk, glam, and psych merge for a riveting experience. "The Psychic" fast-forwards to the ’80s for an electro-tune that displays a furious pace, a smooth bassline, and charming vocal harmonies. "Red City" has a lush piano riff that contrasts with the song’s aggressive tone. Rogozo has crafted a sonic journey that is deserving of praise, in its execution as much as in its creativity. The Thunder Road Music Club will be hosting Rogozo on Aug 2nd for a performance sure to be a good time. With so many tracks to choose from, we have to go with the pop-punk tinged "Dream" streaming for you below. – Rene Cobar
07.27: Damned Rivers play No Billiards to support new LP “The Pugilist”
Damned Rivers touch their music with flavors of Americana, indie rock, punk, and soul to create a blend of genres which evoke memories of Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen, and Tom Petty. Fans of those classic rockers, as well as newer indie legends such as The Menzingers, will enjoy Damned Rivers’ debut album The Pugilist, which the band released earlier this month. The album tells the tale of a boxer near the end of his career, with each song diving deeper into the boxer’s understanding of his life-changing situation. Songwriter Ian Mauldin used inspiration from his own hardships during one of the most difficult years of his life to write the story of the boxer. The Pugilist is Damned Rivers’ first since their debut EP in 2015; go listen to the band perform tracks from the album at No Billiards in East Nashville on July 27th. Take a listen to "Prizefighter" below. – Will Sisskind
New Buddy Leezle EP Available for Streaming & Purchase
Vapor, the new EP from Buddy Leezle, recently entered the equation. Produced by Wiardon, these tracks ooze with a composed, dramatic intensity, complemented by the boom bap. It’s a reminder of an old school, timeless sound and style. Go on, and breathe it all in.
Alex Blocker “Moonlight Palace”
Violinist, Producer, and Vocalist Alex Blocker has released a new album called Moonlight Palace. The album blends elements of Hip Hop, Soul, Synth Pop, and Experimental Electronic music create a world and sound that for Alex’s vocals to explore.
The album opens with “Small Town Romance” and this week Alex released a themed lyric video the track.
New QQQ Tape Available for Streaming & Purchase
Shriveling is the new tape from Philly sound sculptor QQQ. Synth-saturated, electro beats generate movement within a mysterious, mercurial setting. Sonics build creating darker corners to explore. You can experience it all live this evening at Johnny Brenda’s, where he’ll be supporting Mark Redito.
DioMara, Snack Cat, Vocateurs play The Revolution, Vol. 41 on 07.27
This Saturday, July 23rd at 10 PM, The Revolution series will return to National Sawdust with another set of NYC based artists: Vocateurs, Snack Cat, and DioMara. Vocateurs is a brand new Brooklyn-based (by way of Florida) band blending soul and indie rock elements – they are so new they don’t even have a demo out yet! Snack Cat is a collective of musicians combining elements of jazz, blues, soul, and funk; their sound bases its foundation on an intriguing trombone/keys/electric guitar interplay. DioMara, a Panamian-American R&B singer, bears a stage presence that matches her soulful tunes, and she’s also the founder of a women’s charity event series called WNDR WMN.
Coming from three very different backgrounds, these artists and their music are a testament to NYC’s cultural, ethnic and artistic diversity – don’t miss their performance this coming Saturday! Tickets are here. – Susan Moon