New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
We are proud to be able to premiere the first single, “A Simple Thing”, from the new EP, “EP 2”, from Kid Bear. This is the Americana Rock group led by the vocals and guitar of Matt Neuroth, along with David Jamison, Dave Mendez, Erik Vaveris.
Kid Bear is celebrating the release of “EP 2” on September 5th at Fitzgerald’s with The Claudettes.
Cousin Stizz deploys hypnotic beats to entrance listeners and lures them into a world crafted by his unquenchable thirst for glory. The Boston-based rapper is spinning his brand new record, Trying To Find My Next Thrill, a thirteen-track statement super-charged with punchy basslines, killer features, and honeyed R&B undertones. The beat of "Perfect" (feat. City Girls) slithers into the ears with menace as Cousin and City Girls spit a venomous romance that will paralyze you. The features continue to dazzle with "Toast 2 That" (feat. Freddie Gibbs), a bravado-spiced track that keeps the bars steady and the flow fueled-up, always ready to explode. Cousin Stizz is putting a rich R&B glaze over the captivating trap music that artists like Valee are championing in Chicago, creating a special brand that is uniquely his. The release of the new record has us anticipating New England show announcements this fall, fans will surely demand them. As we wait, we are streaming the booming album-opener “Meds” below. – Rene Cobar
The full-length debut from lylyly is scheduled to arrive in November. The group recently shared a video for its new single, “I Thought That I Was Dying (Same As Yesterday),” which was directed by Bob Sweeney. The piano-anchored track captures an overwhelming sense of stress and gloom that won’t let go. Releasing those internalized stressors hopefully serves as a relief of pressure in which others can relate to. lylyly is also set to perform on Friday, September 13 at Anthorna Gallery, with goodnight/goodluck, A Day Without Love, and Little Church.
Eric Wallgren has released the first single, “Burning City Gasoline”, from his forthcoming EP, “The Flowing Burial Ground”, which is due out September 9th. This is Wallgren’s second album and follow-up to his 2018 debut “Delicious”.
You can catch Wallgren on September 17th at Tonic Room with Will Orchard, Kachi, and The Bascinets.
Future Silence has a released a video for the second single, “The Near Miss”, from their forthcoming self-titled debut EP. which is due out September 13th via Australia’s Half A Cow Records.
Future Silence is the work of Kirk McMahon (guitars, keyboards), Rose Schubert (drums), and Shannon Roberts (vocals, lyrics).
Sex No Babies is the experimental Hip Hop trio of Rahim Salaam (Vocals, Lyrics), Bento (Production, Vocals), and Matthew Gladly (Synth, Bass, Vocals). Last year they released their debut single “Bob Ross”, and returning this month with the first of three EP’s called “Scene One"
You can catch Sex No Babies at Cole’s on September 6th for a free show with Crown Larks and Sophagus. They will also be performing on September 17th at Empty Bottle with Little Church, Daymaker, and Shi La Rosa.
photo by lena jackson
We recently shared a rad, new collaboration of Moor Mother with Zonal, the duo consists of God Flesh/Jesu’s Justin K. Broadrick and electronic producer Kevin Martin (The Bug, King Midas Sound). The Philly genre-bending artist also just announced the release for Analog Fluids Of Sonic Black Holes. The solo follow-up to Fetish Bones is scheduled to arrive on November 8 via Don Giovanni Records. And with its lead single “After Images,” electronics and spiritual samples are tuned in as a bombarding, percussive beat announces its advent. Camae Ayewa’s confident, commanding vocals serve as an urgent warning.
I found myself singing along to the chorus the very first time I listened to Spooky Mansion’s “Real Jerk," the new single from the Bay Area transplants who have found asylum in L.A. For the video’s release, the soulful garage-rock five-piece partnered with French artist Bleu Garou, pairing intricate and comical cartoons with a story of misplaced feelings in a world filled with irrational choices. “Misunderstood/ What we meant when we said taking a break, I thought we could be free,” vocalist Grayson Converse sings, which sounds like a sentence taken straight from the Friends episode “The One Where Ross And Rachel Take A Break."
Spooky Mansion releases their debut album, That’s Me! on October 28th, so stay tuned. Kayla Hay
Post-Rock group Sleepwalk has released a new split single with Wet Tropics. Their contribution is called “Swivel” and it a beautifully atmospheric rocker. This is the first new music from the group since their 2018 bed album, Splatter.
Sleepwalk is the work of Ryan Davis (Guitar/Vocals), Mike Kennedy (Guitar), Dave Jedlecki (Bass), Steve Burton (Drums).
The eclectic Anna Rose is back with a single reminiscent of some classic alt rock, pre-grunge tunes of the late ’80s/early ’90s. After an atmosperic verse, “Broken Is Beautiful” holds nothing back as it bombards the listener with fuzzy guitars, a sonorous bassline, and Anna’s fierce vocal delivery. The track’s soulful melody gives an old-school tenacity that sets it apart, and Anna’s lyrics perfectly fit the anthem chorus. The single is a preview of her upcoming album The Light Between, set for release October 4th. Rose will be touring most of the fall, with stops in cities like Tucson and Chicago already scheduled. We are streaming “Broken Is Beautiful” below for your enjoyment. – Rene Cobar
Somber strokes of guitar and a light dusting of drums develop the intimate closeness of “Inp,” the first song on Bad Heaven Ltd.’s sophomore album Strength. Amid an overarching sense of loneliness, the power and positivity of personal connection remains as John Galm (ex-Snowing) suggests, “…and I know that evening’s empire won’t absolve this place. I’ll burn three cigarettes, and you can call it sage. I’ll sigh a benediction after all its praise for thee.”
In contrast to the previous calm, “Almost” immediately rushes and rumbles creating a chaotic, contemplative intensity that then gives way to melancholy strings and a gentle, folk-oriented rumination. “Alex is lonely. They think that their body is worthless. It’s hard to stay hopeful, when you think that you lack a purpose.” There’s a refined elegance as the instrumentation gradually builds with a beautiful release that also seemingly serves as a tribute, rekindling the opening theme: “It’s almost better now.”
With the album’s title track, Galm exudes optimism in the moment of declaring, “Lucky and bored in love with you, it’s reasonably fine. I was not true. Try to be more. We’ll see it through.” The recording is punctuated by a demonstrative blaze of guitar, while “Stick Around” revisits the desire for existential meaning and purpose, bridging the divide and connecting on “…you and I,” and then transforming into an intimate, rejuvenating harmony of a duet, with the addition of keys/synth to retain an ethereal quality.
“100” delves into the weight of despair and loneliness within desolate surroundings. However, despite the frustration depicted in the dreary, folk/Americana setting, a glimmer of hope remains. “Fuck your landlord, it’s not their home. I live for you and for you alone.” In opposition, “Cross” serves as a cheerful song of appreciation for the person that’s always there for you. “I love you like a brother. It never ends. See you every weekend my only friend.” That breezy buoyancy is joyously interrupted by an instrumental foray.
The single, “Bed,” sinks into the sadness of depression and the desire for relief. Those quiet contemplations are infused with the force of unrestrained feedback, before acoustic guitar and piano delicately intertwine on “Forever,” describing a cherished relationship. “I just hope that you’re in my life forever. I thank every lucky star that you were born.”
Strength explores the difficulties that life can present and the redemptive qualities of having someone to rely on. They are two things that don’t always coexist together, but have found each other on this powerful release. – Michael Colavita
Kwote (aka Edwin "Kwote1" Alvarez) of Tunnel Movement fame recently released a new album called “List Worthy?”. This is the first new music we have from Kwote since 2016’s “VENT”, and much needed statement from one of the city’s veterans.
The premise of the album and it’s title is asking the question is Kwote “List Worthy” as an emcee, and it is clear we should all reply with a resounding “Yes!”.
