New Music, Emerging from your Local Scene
Suri released her debut album, “As I Am”, back in 2017, but kicked off 2019 with the release of the album’s title track’s intensely beautiful video. We sadly just discovered both the video and album this week, and honestly felt this video deserves many more than 600 views.
Suri’s most recent single was released a year ago and is called “Need I Care For You”.
Honey Cutt has been keeping busy since the release of its 2019 single “Suburban Dream,” an indie-pop delight with both retro and quite modern colorations. The band toured extensively through July, visiting cities like Indianapolis and Detroit along the way. Kaley Honeycutt, who leads the Boston-based trio, fuels the powerful lyrics of “Suburban Dream” with observations of her time in suburbia. The song may be “tongue in cheek,” according to the band, but it touches on that genuine feeling that anyone who has lived in one place for most of their life can relate to, a sense of wanting to break out. Breaking out is precisely what Honey Cutt is doing: having signed to independent label Kanine Records the band promises a full-length record is coming. The group recently performed at ONCE in Somerville and is sure to keep its momentum going this fall. We are streaming the vibrant single below. – Rene Cobar
Matt Muse has released a video for the track “Myself (Philautia II)” from his recently released EP, Love & Nappyness, that finds himself literally spending time with himself.
Here is how Matt approached the video for one of our favorite tracks from his EP. “The concept of the video is basically me taking the time with Myself to take care of Myself. The version of myself who appears in the beginning is the regular me who needs to take time to work on my insecurities. The second Matt (with the visor and polo) represents the embodiment of the positive traits and characteristics that I struggle to address/big up when I’m down and having low self-esteem. The second Matt is spending the video teaching the regular Matt how to take care of himself (Myself). I directed the video and it was shot by Interwine Productions. I wanted the video to be really funny and fun to watch.”
Dozens have released a new single, “Don’t Look Away”, their first since 2016’s Rare Form LP. This is primarily the work of Kyle Mann, who did release a solo album called Surface last year.
The new single itself has elements ’70’s soft rock in the extremely catchy chorus but weaves its way through various era’s to arrive at a sound all its own.
Vanity Contest is the Electronic Post-Rock of Brady Matteson and May Skomsvold. The duo released their debut album, Breaking Distance, back in May, and are preparing to release a new EP called "Hospice For The Lonely” on October 30th.
Below is this first single, “Coil (The Doomsday Disco)”, from the new EP.
The "pro-bee" quartet of Eleby is back with a new single, called “Glass House”. Airy keys and an ominous bassline converge creating a delicate yet determined dynamic. Hushed vocal layers linger like remnants of a secret whispered. Softly sung, revealing lyrics inhabit an intimate space, before the band locks in for an extended groove to close things out.
What better spot for Fieldings to debut a whole new EP of their wonderfully weird tunes than Rubulad, Brooklyn’s nomadic venue? The trio of soft indie rockers will drop It’s All You, Cookie tonight; its final track, "Soft Shell Crabs", has already seen release – we are streaming it below. It retains the same echoing dreamy goodness as their tracks from their previous album "Soft Tissue", but it sounds as polished as — if not more so than — anything the group has released in their six years of existence. Take a listen to "Soft Shell Crabs" below, and if you can make it to the show, RSVP to Rubulad for the address. – Will Sisskind
Local Emcee and Producer Leland Philpot released his latest mixtape, “Countertrap”, late last month. His production is spot on and infectious while his lyrics range from fun to very introspective. He is clearly a man of strong faith and shares that joy and pain that accompanies that faith.
Philpot will be performing at an End of Summer Party at 47th and Vincennes on August 30th.
It may seem as if Wyatt Blair unlocked his hook-filled guitar pop from a time vault. But upon first listen, the tireless singer-songwriter’s latest single, "Cherry Rose," sounds very much akin to this city’s late-seventies power-pop roots—its crunchy guitars and compressed drum sound could be easily mistaken as a Bomp/Elektra Records long-lost gem. On his forthcoming EP, For the First Time, Blair promises to dig into some personal themes, but "Cherry Rose" serves as a distraction before things get bleak. From beginning to its gradual fade-out, the escapist anthem is pure, gleeful fun.
For the First Time follows Blair’s pair of two full-lengths, Inspirational Strawberries and Smoke & Mirrors. It is out on December 8 via Lolipop Records. Juan Rodríguez
Ann Marie has released a video for the latest single, “Karma”, from her recently released Interscope debut “Pretty Psycho”.
This is just the latest in the line of outstanding singles from the EP that debuted at #5 on Apple Music R&B Charts.
How wonderful it is to listen to music that takes the mind on a pleasant ride down memory lane: if you are having upbeat memories about better times you may be listening to the vibrant indie-pop of Boston’s Lilith. The Allston-based duo that is Hannah Liuzzo and Kelsey Rose Francis flies high in its latest album Safer Off, a posh blend of garage rock and pop that ticks all the boxes of appealing modern music. Do you want dynamic guitar riffs? You got them! Need some sweet pop choruses? Coming right up, friend! From the popping drums of Adam Demirjian to the female harmonies that accentuate each song, if a rich sound is what you crave, the music will satisfy you. The group recently celebrated the release of Safer Off with a performance at Great Scott and is sure to keep the momentum going this fall. We are streaming the cheery track “In Real Life” below. – Rene Cobar
Topshelf Records recently released Queen of Jeans‘s new LP If you’re not afraid, I’m not afraid. Serene, personal narratives reveal intimate, inner workings with a resounding clarity. One becomes swept up by the breezy, beautiful atmospherics. On Friday, September 6, Boot & Saddle will host the trio’s album release celebration, with support from Gladie. (Photo by Bob Sweeney)
