So many artists, so many songs, so little time. Each week we review a handful of new albums (of all genres), round up even more new music that we’d call “indie,” and talk about what metal is coming out. We post music news, track premieres, and more all day. We update a playlist weekly of some of our current favorite tracks. Here’s a daily roundup with a bunch of interesting, newly released songs in one place.
JOYCE MANOR – “I KNOW WHERE MARK CHEN LIVES”
Joyce Manor have shared the third single from their anticipated new album I Used To Go To This Bar, “I Know Where Mark Chen Lives,” a nod to one of Joyce Manor’s friends and musical influences, Mark Chen of Summer Vacation and Winter Break. It sounds like classic Joyce Manor and it’s another promising taste of this LP.
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MANDY, INDIANA – “CURSIVE”
Mandy, Indiana’s anticipated new album URGH is out in February, and they’ve given us a second preview with “Cursive.” “‘Cursive’ is probably our most collaborative track to-date,” synth player Simon Catling says. “Whilst Scott and Valentine often offer the initial impetus behind most of our songs, ‘Cursive’ was built up from a number of Alex’s rhythmic sketches and my bass sequence. Valentine added her vocals later and Scott worked to sculpt these elements together. It was exciting having everyone bring their own ideas to the table from the off, throwing them together and seeing what could come out of it — a bit of a step into the unknown for us as a band.”
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FINAL GASP – “THE APPARITION”
Boston death rock revivalists Final Gasp have announced their sophomore album, New Day Symptoms, due February 27 via Relapse. The band’s debut album found them proudly wearing influences like Samhain and Killing Joke on their sleeves, and “The Apparition” picks up where that LP left off and takes a step forward.
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GEOLOGIST – “GOVERNMENT JOB”
“20 years ago, I left a government job to do Animal Collective full time,” says Brian Ross Weitz, aka Geologist. “That might sound like a no-brainer trade, but there are days I don’t know about that. I liked the job and think there is honor in many government jobs – especially living in DC now as I watch so many crucial ones being eliminated with little reason beyond cruelty and greed. I got to be part of many beautiful things in music, but if I still had the job I’d ideally be part of a solid foundation that lets others experience and do beautiful things themselves. So for the song ‘Government Job’ I stripped away all the hurdy gurdy parts from my live set and gave the electronic foundation to Adam, Emma, and Merrick to express themselves on top.” Geologist’s solo debut is out January 30.
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THE FORMAT – “RIGHT WHERE I BELONG”
The Format’s first album in nearly 20 years, Boycott Heaven, arrives later this month, and they’ve shared another single, acoustic folk track “Right Where I Belong.”
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POOR BAMBI – “THIS ONE IS FOR FREE”
Norwegian psych-punk trio Poor Bambi will release their debut album, Skyscrapers Soaring, Yet We’re Drowning, on February 6. “This One Is for Free” was inspired by the original British punk scene.
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GUV (EX FUCKED UP) – “CHASIN’ LUV”
Onetime Fucked Up guitarist Ben Cook drops his new album as GUV on January 30 and here’s a jangly earworm from it to tide you over till the whole thing drops.
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MUSIC CITY – “PRETTY FEELINGS”
Irish singer-songwriter Conor Lumsden makes glammy, stomping powerpop as Music City, and is about to unleash his debut album, Welcome to Music City, on February 6. “‘Pretty Feelings’ is about giving in, letting yourself disintegrate into particles of light in the presence of love,” Conor says. “Look, that feeling doesn’t come along too often, maybe a few times in your life, if you’re lucky. So you might as well enjoy it!”
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CHINESE AMERICAN BEAR – “NO NO YEAH YEAH (不不好啊好啊)”
“This song came about one day because we were joking about wanting to write a song using only ‘No’ and ‘Yeah,'” say Seattle duo Chinese American Bear of their new single. “Can we make a song with such simple lyrics, be engaging and fun still? It felt like the ultimate test. We obviously failed because we added some other lyrics. haha. But it was fun writing with those constraints because it forced us to get creative with different melodies. It’s easier thinking of melodies when you don’t have to think about the lyrics, so it lent itself to that well. We came up with too many melodies in the end, and had to whittle it down. There are so many melodies and rhythms flying around all the No’s and Yeah’s. It feels jam packed, but the arrangement is sparse to help combat the busyness. Just a thumping bass synth, heavily processed drums, and some glittery stuff here and there. Bryce’s favorite part of the song is the little reverb’ed out bridge into the last verse. The chord progression changes for the last verse, just that once, and it’s really pretty for a moment, then transitions out of it quickly. Our next challenge will be to write a song with only one word!”
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THE MOLOTOVS – “GET A LIFE”
Sibling garage rock duo The Molotovs will release new album Wasted On Youth on January 30 and here’s an attitude-filled preview.
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HEAVENLY – “EXCUSE ME”
Twee icons Heavenly will release their first album in nearly 30 years in Febraury and here’s a winsome preview.
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MEMORIALS – “CUT GLASS HAMMER”
MEMORIALS, the duo of Verity Susman (Electrelane) and Matthew Simms (Wire / It Hugs Back), have announced their second studio album and this is the second single.
Looking for even more new songs? Browse the New Songs archive.