The Wolff Sisters have added another layer to the appeal of their latest single "Drive." The folk-rock track, released last summer, now has a music video to accompany the imagery it already evoked. The grainy music video, which was shot using Super 8 cameras, is the band’s first, and it does a great job of showing the group in its most natural elements: both jamming away in an intimate-rustic space and also wandering among New England’s unrivaled natural landscapes. What is most revealing about the images, and the music they accompany, are the messages of serenity, perseverance, and friendship they communicate. The Wolff Sisters have proven in more than one occasion that they are in tune with New England’s deep folk traditions, and we throw a thumbs up to that. Both "Drive" and its video are the first offerings from the band’s newly released album, Queendom of Nothing, already listed as one of The Boston Globe’s Top 15 Fall Albums. The group will be performing at Three Squares in Needham, MA, on November 16th. We are excited to premiere the band’s first music video below; enjoy the ride! – Rene Cobar, photo by Denis Semenyaka
Ratboys “Alien With A Sleep Mask On”
Ratboys announced this week that they will be releasing a new, Printer’s Devil, on February 28th via Topshelf records. To coincide with the announcement they released the album’s first single, “Alien With A Sleep Mask On”, below.
The release event for this album will take place on February 28th at Lincoln Hall and tickets for the show go on sale tomorrow, November 15th.
Baron Von Future
Chiptune master Baron Von Future (aka Bobby Shields) has released a self-titled EP. The fun and excitement of this artist is typically in his live performance, but on this project he has managed to capture a lot of that energy and noise.
Wolf Jett releases new music video and announces tour
Santa Cruz-based Wolf Jett (the solo project of Chris Jones, formerly in Scary Little Friends) just released the video for their song “One Sweet Day.” It’s a folk gospel song with some killer slide guitar, that upright bass and catchy melodies. Recorded live at the Hill House with a no-shoes vibe, this song is a nice little taste of what’s to come on Wolf Jett’s upcoming tour. First up they’re playing at the Miner’s Foundry in Nevada City on November 29. Check out the rest of their tour fall tour dates and cozy up to catch them. -Lucille Faulkner
Tatum Gale’s “Blue Haze” is a spooky, seasonal bop
“Blue Haze” is the latest “end-of-summer glassy groove” from New York synth outsider Tatum Gale, and while billed as a seasonally-apt slow jam when it came out in September, it’s spooky, dark drops resonate just as closely during these sub-30 November nights. Between its hazy chords and spacey percussive backbone, the track endows the listeners with a sense of distance, making it perfect listening for a small kickback among close friends or a dissociative episode in the club. Gale’s additional ability to inject indietronica into a future-funk bop gives “Blue Haze” a sound that’s accessible as it is groovy; stream it below to get your weekend started right. —Connor Beckett McInerney
JATK debuts with a thrilling power-pop self-titled album
Boston’s answer to your power-pop cravings is Matt Jatkola, now known to some as JATK. The New England singer-songwriter has released his debut self-titled record today, and we can tell you it is some gloves-off, punchy power-pop for your ears. “How I Feel Inside” lets the distorted guitar power chords rip, and they are dirty-good against the reverb-heavy vocals that are delivered with enough glamour and enthusiasm to animate even the most resistant audience. The anthems continue between the eruptive drum fills of the track “Angry Anchor,” which culminates with an exquisite, heart-accelerating build up. For bass fanatics, there is “Come Inside Your Room,” where the low-end is silky smooth and robust against the revved up electric guitars a la White Reaper X New York’s Big Huge. The final track, “Nüebella Satan,” is fast and furious, deliciously lo-fi, and a fitting finale for an album that never drops below the speed limit. Stream our favorite track from the record below to jolt your day up just a lot. – Rene Cobar
The Sheaks
The Sheaks recently released their debut single, “Revenge Is A Song Best Played Loud” b/w “Manchester”.
This is the Alt Rock of Matt Sheaks (Rhythm guitar/Vocals), Will Sheaks (Lead guitar/Vocals), Chris Cortez (Bass/Backup vocals), and Justin Moore (Drums).
Loser Company’s “Blueberry Skies” is a psych-tinged, indie rock gem
"Blueberry Skies," Loser Company’s latest single, opens on a blissful tone, floating like a nostalgic reverie. A psychedelic whimsy immediately invites with a wondrous glow, but the songwriting duo of Will Saunders and Mas (Masato) Kihira present a setting that is far more grounded than it appears at first glance. "Smiling wide under blueberry skies / Pretendin’ everything’s fine," Saunders sings in a coarse, gruff manner, letting us assume that there’s a troubling back story behind his otherwise colorful imagery. And it’s a joy to behold—accented by a mid-tempo piano vamp and Saunders’ histrionic guitar work, the duo’s sprawling pop opus brings us back to the days of indie-rock giants like Built to Spill and the Elephant 6 collective, all while propelling the genre forward.
"Blueberry Skies" is the first single off Loser Company’s forthcoming EP of the same name, releasing December 7 on all streaming platforms. Catch the band perform at Harvard & Stone on November 17. Juan Rodríguez
The Early November deliver emotionally driving earworms on “Lilac,” play Anchor Rock Club 12.31
United as a band for nearly two decades, New Jersey’s The Early November has released seven albums over their prolific career, with their most recent effort Lilac dropping in September. The album begins with “Perfect Sphere (Bubble),” a driving earworm of a tune with clear vocals that recount the experience of always being there for someone who is perpetually unavailable, described as remaining “up in the air.” This bittersweet piece creates a sense of comfort as the vocals endow the listener with feelings of being kept close and safe—at an emotional distance. Generally, The Early November’s gentle vocals and easygoing instrumentation, combined with a harmonized vox creates a sense of forlorn melancholy, the outfit seemingly able to recall elements equal parts sad and sweet. Each of their records creates a different emotional environment, but every one is able to incorporate immaculate songwriting and fierce, driving instrumentals. Stream it below, and them at Anchor Rock Club (in Atlantic City) for their New Year’s Eve bash. —Karigan Wright
Health&Beauty “Rat Shack”
Health&Beauty has released a second single, “Rat Shack”, from their forthcoming album, Shame Engine / Blood Pleasure, which will be released via Witchita Recordings on November 22nd. The first single, “Recourse”, was released back in September, but visual appeared last month and can be viewed below. This is the band’s second album on the label and 7th over all.
This is the group founded and permeated by the mind and voice of Brian J Sulpizio.
You can catch Health&Beauty on November 18th at Empty Bottle with Jessica Risker and J.R. Bohannon.
Engine Summer “Under The Sea”
Engine Summer has released another new single, “Under The Sea”, which comes closely on the heels of last month’s single “Night School”.
You can catch Engine Summer tonight, November 13th, at Sleeping Village with Strange Foliage and Stuyedeyed.
Deep Fake
Post-Punk trio Deep Fake are preparing to release their self-titled debut EP on November 16th.
This is the work of Kate Walsh (guitar/vox), Kaaren Fehsenfeld (dums), and Crispin Torres (Bass).
You can catch Deep Fake on November 16th at Cafe Mustache with Les Vikq and Unmanned Ship.