Today, South African-born, Brooklyn-based artist Sulene released her new EP, he•don•ic on Trash Casual. The five songs on the EP dive deep into her struggles with alcohol addiction, depression, and hedonic pleasures, and finding a way out of these destructive cycles. Sulene’s dark lyricism is juxtaposed by dancey, sexy beats strewn with synth and guitar that she describes as a “gothic disco party”. This vulnerable-meets-underground club aesthetic is found on songs like “identity crisis” and “photo booth”, both questioning bad habits she’s encountered in her life. Written at the start of the pandemic, closer “diner coffee” brings a more slowed down, sullen moment to the record as Sulene states “I promise to be useful” – a nod towards needing to create while blocking out depression.
For Sulene, writing he•don•ic was a painful and difficult process, but also one that allowed her to experiment with music in a new way. Exploring a darker side of her character and production, Sulene wrote, recorded, and produced the entire EP out of her apartment in Brooklyn, NY. She also delved into filming and editing her own music videos and artwork, giving a full 360-degree view of her newest art. With the release of the he•don•ic EP, Sulene has broken new ground as an artist, bringing an experimental and refreshing take on pop music. You can stream he•don•ic here nowand purchase the EP on vinyl here.
Speaking on the release, Sulene stated: “he•don•ic explores my relationship with hedonism and addiction. Lyrically it speaks an uncomfortable truth and sonically it makes me wanna be in the club; a contradiction I find intriguing.”
Check out the Cover Art and Tracklisting below.
1. identity crisis 2. photo booth 3. i still think you’re so fake 4. whiskey.weed.sex.candy. 5. diner coffee
Anna Shoemaker is sharing a new remix of her single “Feels Like,” done by 1 Trait Danger, the satirical electronic side project of Car Seat Headrest’s Andrew Katz. On the new “Feels Like” remix, 1 Trait Danger infuses Shoemaker’s slow-burning indie-pop track with pulsating electro production, elevating the single into the perfect “crying-in-the-club” banger.
Following her 2020 sophomore EP, Everything Is Embarrassing, Shoemaker released“Feels Like” in November to praise from Under The Radar, who called it “a blend of pop theatrics and unguarded honesty.” She rounded out the year with the release of “Silver Cowboy Boots,” which received press support from Refinery29, LADYGUNN and MTV, and is currently streaming on Spotify’s ‘Fresh Finds’ and ‘Fresh Finds Pop.’
The 26-year-old New York-based, Philadelphia-born singer/songwriter first made her mark as a Soundcloud sensation with her viral mashup of Kendrick Lamar’s “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe” and Chance the Rapper’s “Cocoa Butter Kisses,” which she recorded on her bedroom floor. The song, which now has over 894K streams, caught the attention of fashion mogul Steve Madden, who signed her to his record label, 5Towns Records. Shoemaker’s debut EP, East Side, was produced by GRAMMY-nominated producer JT Daly and released on 5Towns Records in 2018.
In 2020, with a newly inked deal with BMG, Shoemaker released her sophomore effort, Everything Is Embarrassing, as well as a handful of new singles. Despite only being a few years into her career, Shoemaker has already been praised by the likes of Billboard and Refinery29, opened for Julia Michaels and Bishop Briggs, and sold out her own headlining gig at Mercury Lounge.
Listen to “Feels Like (1 Trait Danger Remix)” on all streaming platforms via the following link.
Watch the “Feels Like (1 Trait Danger Remix)” music video below.
“It’s time to hit the reset button,” says Eric Hausser of the US punk band Counterpunch, when he looks at the hate and strife over religion, gender and sexuality. With their new songs, Counterpunch write a commentary on the society around them. Their metal drenched Skate Punk, inspired by the Fat Wreck era of modern punk rock had them tour around the world alongside some of the biggest names of the scene.
The new tracks “We, The Role” and “Handbook For The Recently Debriefed” make up the band’s new 7″ and are the first new Counterpunch songs since the band’s 2014 album “Bruisers.”
Thousand Islands Records (North America) and SBÄM Records (EU) will release the limited 7-inch double single on January 29th, kicking off 2021 with just the right amount of Skate Punk.
“Handbook For The Recently Debriefed” will be available to stream on all digital streaming sites on December 15.
Check out the Cover Art for ‘Handbook For The Recently Debriefed’ below.
Pre-Save ‘Handbook For The Recently Deceased’ here.
Eleri Angharad has released her latest single New Sinvia streaming/digital download platforms. The Swansea based siren’s latest single sees her explore her sultrier pop side, observing the story of two strangers beginning a love affair.
Inspired by her legendary hometown venue Sin City, Swansea; New Sin showcases Eleri’s pop susceptibilities as she continues to explore her artistry. Stepping away slightly from her country roots sound, Eleri proves that she’s just as comfortable writing a moody, sexy and alluring pop banger. From the get go, her softly provocative vocals take you on a journey building from an almost whisper in your ear to an eruptive passionate chorus.
The lyrics pack that same dreamy imagery that her songs have become known and loved for. New Sin makes you a fly on the wall inside the hallowed walls of Sin City, as you watch the drama of two lovers intertwine and begin a forbidden love. The eerie and seductive production adds to this evoking lyrical story with a heart-thumping beat from long-time producer Lee House (XY&O, Catrin Finch).
“New Sin is about the thrill of two lovers, locking eyes and beginning a steamy love affair. I’ve spent many a night out in Sin City and always catch myself observing and soaking in the atmosphere, capturing snapshots of peoples’ lives, in-between a few drinks and dancing – of course.
It’s a love lesson to characters that should know better. Does it become a one-night stand or blossom into something more? I’ll leave that for you to decide.” Eleri teases.
We don’t need reminding that 2020 has been extremely difficult for independent artists but, Eleri Angharad released her single Blank Walls back in April. Since then it has racked up over 150,000 streams on Spotify alone; her biggest success to date! Backed up with positive critical success from influential new music blog Fresh on the Net, hailing the track as ‘Kacey Musgraves meets London Grammar.’
The track gained playlisting on numerous influential and sought-after digital playlists. She also created her own her own weekly lives series, Eleri’s Sunday Sessions, a collaborative stream with artists from across the globe.
“I wanted to do something different with a live stream, that would interest people and be more fun for me. So, I created the Sunday Sessions where I invite another artist to come and perform songs alongside me, then we discuss them, what influences them and check in with their lives. We’ve been connecting different music lovers with artists they’ve never discovered before. It’s also led to some exciting collaborations, which you might hear in the future….”
These will also return in coming months, with some new and exciting guests planned.
BBC Radio Wales’ Eleri Sion felt transported to the music city by exclaiming “Didn’t we step into Nashville there!” Straight after airing it on her daytime show. Eleri Angharad also managed to squeeze in 3 complete tours covering the UK and mainland Europe over 39 dates, two sell out launch parties in Cardiff and Swansea all to support the release. This was following on from her previous success of her first Welsh language single Dal Fi, A-listed on BBC Radio Cymru and her music has also been played on by Tom Robinson on BBC 6 Music.
Now, I have to say this track is just something so refreshing and Eleri is an artist unlike anyone I’ve come across recently. The blend of easy listening with mysterious pop tones is infinitely superior than anything by the most popular tracks you come across at the moment and one artist that takes you on a journey with her music, something that seems to be missing at the moment. I hope there’s more material similar to this coming soon because her alluring approach is one that’s underrated and one we need at the moment in music.
EKTOMORF return to their musical roots and are Reborn under the sign of thrash metal after 26 years of existence. With their debut on Napalm Records, the Hungarian power machine transports the genre into a promising, modern era and sets itself free from any pigeonholes.
Since their debut, Hangok (1994), the four-piece around singer/guitarist Zoltán “Zoli” Farkas has regularly delivered new power to their devotees. Only three years after the release of their chart-breaking full-length, Fury (2018), Reborn ignites a blazing fire with its heavy sound and harsh lyrics that will burn any genre limitations to the ground. Their 15th studio album breathes the spirit of the “Big Four” – Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax and Megadeth – while at the same time, beginning a completely independent new chapter of EKTOMORF.
With the first single and album title track, “Reborn”, EKTOMORF rings in a new era during their 25th year of existence by returning to no-frills-required, brain-searing thrash metal. The first single off the new album kicks in like a wrecking machine and takes no prisoners from the first second on!
Frontman Zoli Farkas on making Reborn: “This album was written in some very dark times of my life. When you listen to Reborn, you can hear it in the crushing, heavy riffs as well as within the melancholic, beautiful melodies and honest lyrics. Reborn is the album I worked on for the longest period in my career, there are a lot of new ideas in the songs that EKTOMORF has never executed before, intertwined with the roots of the band’s sound. I’m very proud of it. I hope it will give you what it gives to me.”
Check out the Cover Art, Tracklisting, Stream of the music video for ‘Reborn’ as well as Pre-Orders for the record below.
Ebullition
Reborn
And the Dead Will Walk
Fear Me
Where the Hate Conceives
The Worst is Yet to Come
Forsaken
Smashing the Past
Pre-Orders are available via Napalm Records Webstore.
NJ punks Lost In Society are on a tear lately. While COVID has stalled plans for many bands, it has only fueled the fire for the 4-piece.
Last month, on Joe Strummer’s birthday, the guys released a 3-song the Clash tribute EP titled ‘Casbah Club’, and now they’ve just announced plans to release a new 5-song EP titled “Love And War,” which will be out on October 2nd via Wiretap Records.
The politically-charged first track, “We Want Change,” is now streaming everywhere.
Singer/guitarist Zach Moyle says, “We Want Change basically encapsulates our current frustration and outrage at what is going on in our country right now. We’re seeing a system that supports violence against marginalized groups and doesn’t hold their peers accountable for their actions. This song is a call to not be silenced, or intimidated. We stand with these movements as allies, and this is our way of showing our support.”
Lost In Society will play their new EP in full during a just-announced full band Livestream event taking place on September 13 at 6pm est on the Facebook page of beloved Denver, CO live music venue, the Blue Bird Theatre.
Bassist Nick Ruroede explains, “One of our buddies in Denver reached out to us and mentioned Bluebird was doing these cool Livestreams so he ended up connecting us and we were able to put something together. Like everyone else we miss playing live so we’re pretty excited for a full band live stream.”
New York Pop-Punks State Champs have announced the details of an upcoming 6 Track Unplugged EP.
It’s set to be released on August 14th 2020 via Pure Noise Record, which will feature stripped down versions of four new tracks as well as two off their 2018 record, ‘Living Proof’.
The Cover Artwork, Track listing and Pre-order options can be found below.
01.) A Thousand Hearts 02.) The Recipe 03.) 10 AM 04.) Crying Out Loud 05.) Criminal 06.) Dead And Gone
Up and coming hardcore group Sharptooth have shared details surrounding their new record, ‘Transitional Forms’, which follows their debut from 2017, which was ‘Clever Girl’.
The record is set to be released on July 10th 2020 via Pure Noise Records.
Lauren Kashan (Vocals) has said the following on the upcoming release.
“Sonically, if ‘Clever Girl’ was a Velociraptor, ‘Transitional Forms’ is a goddamn Tyrannosaurus Rex. This record is so much heavier and darker than its predecessor, and, I think, a significant maturation of our sound.”
Check out the cover art, full tracklisting, the lead single of ‘Say Nothing (In The Absence OF Content) and the Pre-order options below.
01.) Say Nothing (In The Absence Of Content)
02.) Mean Brain
03.) Life On The Razor’s Edge
04.) Hirudinea
05.) The Gray
06.) Evolution
07.) 153
08.) The Southern Strategy
09.) M.P.D.B. (Manic Pixie Dream Bitch)
10.) Nevertheless (She Persisted)
Everyone gearing up for Marilyn Manson’s upcoming record, good news! It’s a step closer to being released as the record is now finished!
Posting to Instagram to share the news in a comment on Shooter Jenning’s post: “Just waiting for this finished masterpiece to be released”, to which Manson put: “Love my Shooter, Misty & Pancake. Finished masterpiece album. And Matt Mahurin. Shit is gonna get real.”
The release will mark Manson’s first since 2017’s Heaven Upside Down’ and will follow the single, ‘God’s Gonna Cut You Down’ which you can listen to below.
In addition, Manson released a teaser back in February, which you can see below.
Following on from her self-titled EP, A.A. Williams has announced the details of her debut record.
The record, titled as ‘Forever Blue’, will drop on 3rd July 2020 via Bella Union.
Below, you can view the cover art, tracklisting and listen to the lead single off the release, ‘All I Asked For (Was To End It All)’. The video is compiled of animated drawings by Craig Murray where it shows a blend of goth and post-rock in such an appealing way.
Hermosa Pier are an Indie/Pop band from the West Midlands, UK. Their sound is based around a solid rhythmic foundation, catchy and engaging guitar parts, and a strong female lead vocal. The band’s rock, blues, jazz, funk, and 80s pop influences lend themselves to the band’s original sound.
Building on from their 2019 single release in the form of ‘Doing Fine (which does feature on this EP) the Midlands Indie Pop band come forth with their debut EP, ‘Word’s To Myself’.
The band opens up with ‘Out Of Sight, Still On My Mind‘ which lands on a smooth verse which holds up with Holly’s vocals as the track continues to compliment the 80’s influence. Here it becomes apparent in a way that just instantly works for the band. Moving straight into ‘Passing Tide‘, it’s quite an enjoyable slow burner on the EP which leads you into a calm notion where the streamlining of the tracklisting shows how the band are thinking and builds on your expectations.
Going into the third track, (the already pre-released in 2019) ‘Doing Fine‘, is masterfully enjoyable and demands to be repeated. In addition you hear Kate’s bass come into full fruition to leading into the fourth track in ‘Words To Myself‘. This time, it’s Dom’s time to shine where his guitar solo (at 2 minutes and 35 seconds in) is quite amazing and haunting to elevate the track to be the strongest out of the five.
For the last track, ‘Dreaming Without You‘, they try to come away from anything that remotely seems similar to this EP as if they were throwing the rule book out on their own genre which does seem to work slightly but what I’m surprised the most by is how fluid the combination is for a band on their first EP where they provide a maelstrom of sounds to smooth things out.
Though Less than a year has passed between the single and this debut EP, Hermosa Pier have emerged to drive fans to want more and whilst it remains to be seen as to how this will hold up, there’s a strong promise on what’s on show here.
The Full tracklisting, EP Artwork and preview of the EP can be found below.
Night People isn’t just one album which could make You Me at Six the band they are today, it could be the one to give them a right as legends.
Night People is the London band’s fifth studio album with it on track for a the number one spot in the album charts. Armed with producer Jacquire King, they pack a punch on an album which gets 2017 off to a fantastic start for the genre.
Night People’s opening and title track is one everyone was talking about to the end of 2016. which the intimate UK tour, it was sure to be adding another crowd pleaser to the band’s arsenal on their set lists. This track sets the tone for the entire album with a mix of shredding guitars and honest lyrics which makes it one of the grandest Albums ever made by the British band.
The Title track aside, other new material including Plus One and Make Your Move proved that they could still make records to be proud of; where these can prove they can step up the venues and hopefully turn them into festival headlines.
Two words come to mind when I hear this record though; maturity and progression. Coming off the back of Cavalier Youth, it makes that record seem a memory in Track 9; Spell It Out. It’s nostalgia will remind listeners of Crash from Sinners Never Sleep but also reminds myself of Writing on the Wall by Sam Smith. They’re embracing the future and now there won’t be any looking back with the release.
With this being the first major release of the year for the Rock genre, it looks to be the start of a bright year; especially since they’re currently sitting at number 1 in the midweek album chart.
There are still two days for HMV indoor signings taking place
Jan 11 – Leeds and Manchester
Jan 12 – Middlesbrough and Newcastle
Listen to: Plus One, ,Make Your Move, Spell It Out.
Almost Anything Music 