Our inbox is a Costco of new music, and we’re here to pass the bulk goodness on to you. New music from Dean Sullivan, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Arm the Poor, Daughter of Dawn, Benedikt, Vorstell, Select Few, Cherry Jungle, The Drives and Teren.
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Dean Sullivan – “Overwhelm”
What a beautiful kaleidoscope of a song. Herky jerky strings and guitar, stutter stop drums pushing and pulling against a quietly percolating synth loop, random sounds creeping in and then retreating – and floating above it all ethereal vocals. By far the most creative track we received this week.
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King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard – “O.N.E.”
Goddamnit. Are King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard going to make us like jam bands? Because make no mistake, that’s what they are. Don’t let the short length of this single fool you. Everything about them screams jam band, but fuck, they’re also just SO GOOD. Will our upcoming years include us standing outside one of their shows selling PB&J sandwiches and asking for a miracle? Because it certainly feels like we’re headed in that direction. Anyway, clearly this song is good enough to make us question our possible future self, so check it out, but do so at your own peril!
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Arm the Poor – “American Youth”
And here to pull us back from the existential brink of that last review is the Grade A, straight forward WHOOOAAAAA classic punk sound of Arm the Poor. “American Youth” takes us back to our skateboarding and pit moshing youth and that’s a trip we’re always happy to take. Reminds us a bit of the criminally underrated 90’s midwest punk band The Mullets, a high mark in our book.
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Daughter of Dawn – “Juniper Boughs Collide Upon My Shores”
Much like the title implies, this gorgeous gothy number ebbs and flows like waves upon the beach at night. Serene and relaxing yes, but also with a dark and dangerous undertow deep in the churn. Emma Goldman Grey’s layered vocals swell, envelope and then recede like a spirit moving through you. A love song for the darkest hours.
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Benedikt – “Head on a Spike”
A nine-piece band that isn’t a ska band? Ok, we’re intrigued. Instead of picking it up, picking it up, the group from Norway lays it down with a sophisticated indie folk sound that vibes like a collaboration between Belle and Sebastian and early Bon Iver. Wry lyrics and lovely harmonies make this one stand out from the pack.
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Vorstell – “Universe”
Ambient music is a genre where simplicity and restraint can really pay off, and “Universe” is a perfect example of that. A slowly building wash of synths and a simple chord progression pull you into a lush meditative state and then it’s over before the feeling wanes. Unlike a lot of instrumental artists Vorstell seems to know that leaving the party at the right time is everything, even if that party is as chill as this one.
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Select Few – “Vanish (Life on a Loop)”
This track from Select Few falls somewhere between 90’s alt rock and more spacious moody post rock and just when you think you have it figured out it shifts and reveals a new subtle side to itself. While not as radical in genre mashing as Faith No More, there’s a similar approach of interpreting modern rock through a singular lens.
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Cherry Jungle – “Flush and Plumb”
“Flush and Plumb” is a fun one that sounds like a Kurt Vile song produced by MGMT. It’s a head nodder and a toe tapper and it goes down smooth. I know we should say more, but what more do you need? It’s fun, go listen to it.
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The Drives – “The Comedown”
A big driving Bloc Party-esque rhythm section drives the indie rock sound of “The Comedown” but riding above that pulsating beat is a 2000’s mainstream leaning emo influenced song with layers of melody and straight ahead pop smarts.
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Teren – “Mara”
As has become our tradition, we’re ending the WNAFT with the most interesting submission of the week. This week it’s the Ukranian folk metal of Teren and the song “Mara” – a spiritual successor to The (formerly known as Dixie) Chicks’ “Goodbye to Earl.” Just as System of a Down incorporated the rhythms and melodies of their ancestral Albania into metal to create something unique and utterly awesome, so does Teren bring traditional Ukranian folk songs to full head banging glory. This rips.
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