Dan Moffat’s picks:
The Microphones, Microphones in 2020
Notable Track: “Microphones in 2020”
Releasing today Friday, August 7th, Microphones in 2020 sees singer-songwriter Phil Elverum aping 2020 Bob Dylan as he releases just one long song as an “album.” Will he also nab his first #1 single (errr album?) All I know is that it sounds awesome from the teaser released in advance.
Flasher, Constant Image
Notable Track: “Who’s Got Time?”
Check out these grown-up DC punks: Embracing the genre with the maturity to know where to innovate. They write songs full of tension that carry an underlying promise of release that they never quite give away, all the while keeping the listener hooked with a veritable smörgåsbord or post-punk hooks and fills.
Tiny Ruins, Brightly Painted One
Notable Track: “Me at the Museum, You in the Wintergardens”
Starting the album with song Me at the Museum, You in the Wintergardens, Hollie Fullbrook sings “I await the day when I work at the museum/With you across the way in the wintergardens.” These lyrics of unemployment and longing would fit well in present day quarantine. Brightly Painted One from 2014 was also prescient, with gothic and death-y songs like Carriages, that served as a progenitor to the sound that fellow countrywoman Aldous Harding would utilize for success on her breakthrough album Party in 2017. Fullbrook is more down-to-earth than Harding’s aloof persona though, and Brightly Painted One stands on its own as a monument of 2010’s indie-folk aesthetic.
Honorable Mention (but not on BandCamp):
Pixies, Bossanova (vinyl reissue)
Notable Track: “Velouria”
Pixies’ Bossanova is not the most loved Pixies album, with seemingly oxymoronic lyrics for their lead single released at the time, “Velouria.” Watching Frank Black explain “Velouria” here is like listening to three people tell you last night’s dream simultaneously. But the Pixies attraction for me has never been about deep heartfelt lyrics but more their inventive ability to squeeze feelings and rushes of adrenaline/euphoria from subversive pop songs. Bossanova is their last truly great album and I’m excited to check out the new vinyl version released today, Friday, August 7th.
Andrew Bourque’s picks:
Anjimile, Giver Taker (Gold Vinyl Pre-Order)
Notable track: “Maker”
It’s a long-awaited release from one of Boston’s most exciting rising talents, Giver Taker by Anjimile. This indie soul epic boasts standout tracks “Maker” and “1978” and is already garnering critical acclaim and putting Anjimile in a well-deserved spotlight across the country. Pressed on beautiful gold vinyl, you can pre-order your copy now.
Whitney, Candid (Clear Blue Vinyl Pre-Order)
Notable track: “Hammond Song”
Soothe your soul during these turbulent times with the beautiful melodies of Chicago folksy dream pop duo Whitney. Back with their third album and first cover album Candid, the band has covered The Roches, David Byrne, SWV and more on this 10-track LP much to early acclaim. Hear the rest when you pre-order your clear blue vinyl and enamel pin bundle now!
Vundabar, Either Light (Clear Vinyl; Limited to 500 pieces)
Notable track: “Petty Crime”
In between relaxing and checking in with ourselves, we also need to keep the blood pumping and the energy kicked up. Boston indie rockers Vundabar have exactly what we need to break out of that funk with their fourth album, Either Light. Grab the shampoo bottle or blast the aux cord and jam out to tracks “Petty Crime” and “Never Call.” Available now on clear vinyl!
Check out our interview with Vundabar from earlier this year.
Dillon Riley’s picks:
Nahash, Flowers of the Revolution
Notable track: “Changement de Regime”
(reggaeton/dancehall but like also jungle/rave with an anti US Imperialism bend) [SVBKVLT]
Yalc123, Yalc Nitsua Mailliw
Notable track: “Saturday w/U”
(hip-hop/indie pop/house) [Citrus City Records x Very Jazzed]
Dame, Dame
Notable track: “Bubble Baby”
(Boston gothic post-punk) [Beach Impediment Records]
Andrew McNally’s picks:
Backxwash, God Has Nothing To Do With This Leave Him Out Of It
Notable track: “Spells”
Backxwash’s new album God Has Nothing to Do With This Leave Him Out Of It has a lot to unpack in a short amount of time. The Montreal rapper is more influenced by the occult and Black Sabbath than any traditional hip-hop, and works it into horrorcore that doesn’t push any boundaries of good taste. Instead she complements it all with a visceral flow and lyrics that discuss gender and sexuality as much as they do horror and magic.
Control Top, Covert Contracts
Notable track: “Unapologetic”
Control Top’s Covert Contracts was my favorite album of 2019, and I’ve been steadily and annoyingly pushing it for probably a full year now. It’s a debut album but the trio have nailed the intersection between noise-rock and dance-punk with a blistering collection of songs that don’t sacrifice groove for volume. The patriarchy, the 9 to 5 workday and the advertising industry all stand in the crosshairs of the band’s anthemic anger. There’s a rollicking bitterness to these 11 songs that cannot be ignored.
Oozing Wound, High Anxiety
Notable Track: “Surrounded by F*****g Idiots”
High Anxiety by Oozing Wound is one of my favorite metal albums of the past few years, and one that I feel didn’t get enough press. It’s bookended by two of the fiercest thrash songs in a while (“Surrounded By Fucking Idiots” and “Vein Ripper”), and in between them is a collection of more diverse tunes from punk to slow-burners. The band has a sarcastic nihilism to them, sometimes taking aim at their contemporaries but mostly concerned about a cyberpunk future, leveling genuine concerns with tongue-in-cheek jokes. This album is a classic headbanger, with good politics to boot.
Nat Marlin’s picks:
Protomartyr, Ultimate Success Today
Notable Track: “Michigan Hammers”
The songs on this Detroit post-punk band’s newest album pummel the listener in both energy and emotion. Joe Casey, as always, remains one of the best frontmen in post-punk, with a writing style that depicts dour subjects with poetic descriptiveness that rewards close listening. The sequencing is also especially concise and tight for Protomartyr, with the back half of songs creating one of the most stunning sequential runs the group has collected yet.
The Scary Jokes, Burn Pygmalion!!! A Better Guide to Romance
Notable Track: “No Leverage / No Pleasure”
This concept album from New Jersey bedroom twee synth-pop act The Scary Jokes charts two women, one a movie star and the other an ex-journalist, navigating their relationship and their insecurities with romance. What keeps bringing me back to this album are the lush synth melodies and harmonies from vocalist Liz Lehman, with hypnotizing hooks aplenty and each track seamlessly flowing into the next. Highly recommended for fans of late 2000s of Montreal and albums with intricately detailed, compelling narratives.
NAH, Garbage Crap Two
Notable Track: “GC2_004”
One of four releases that Philadelphia drummer/producer/experimenter/electronic beatmaker NAH (aka Michul Kuun) has already put out this year, Garbage Crap Two collects twenty-five demos recorded between April and June, each with something unique to love. Ranging from thirty seconds to three minutes, the demos on this release combine creatively experimental beats with unpredictable plugins and sampling. The collection is pay-what-you-want, but it’s well worth paying whatever you can for these demos for the variety of ideas Kuun showcases here.
Ben Bonadies’ picks:
Katie Dey, mydata
Notable Track: “darkness”
Katie Dey’s latest is a fusion of baroque and glitch pop about finding love in a budding technocracy. It’s isolating and exhilarating, like having the awesome power of the Internet at your fingertips. It promises connection but ultimately leaves you with an empty feeling at a lack of genuine contact. Album opener “darkness” is about the feeling of being known by technology in a way that a human could never recreate. Cell phone face detection mapping the contours of our face with pixel-perfect accuracy, blood tests that detail the intimate nature of our health, orbiting telescopes training their massive lenses on a single face. It’s a love song from the perspective of SkyNet.
Lala Lala & Baths, “€ € € €^^%%!!!!!heaven!!!!!!”
This is the first collaboration between Baths and Lala Lala. A gliding, mid-tempo lope of a song with Baths’ signature organic take on electronic drum programming. The artists’ share of proceeds for the first month will be split between Black AIDS Institute and Restore Justice Illinois.
Night Heron, Forever Ending
Notable Track: “Driving Into Town”
Listen to this jangle-pop LP from a prolific local staple. Acoustic guitars and vocals are given the dream-pop treatment, mixing both to produce a hazy sheen over the whole thing. Very pretty. FFO: Yo La Tengo’s mellow side and Elliott Smith.
Harry Gustafson’s picks:
Dad Jeans, “Wave of Mutilation” (Pixies cover)
A cover of a classic from a once-Boston-based psychedelic genius. You can read Allston Pudding’s original premiere of the track here, or you can just dive right in yourself.
Jymmy Kafka & Rilla Force, Lil Nothin’
An unreal joint effort from an impeccable rapper-producer tandem, this fresh release is just a few weeks young, but is already cemented in our hearts as one of the best local releases of the year. Check out our premiere of Lil Nothin’ and our interview with Rilla Force from last fall.
Boston Chery x Simon Sez, “Cash Shit” Remix [Megan Thee Stallion ft. DaBaby]
We love a good house remix of a hip-hop banger. The best way to turn your hot girl summer into a scorching inferno.
Mira Kaplan’s picks:
Kyle Craft, Full Circle Nightmare
Notable Track: “The Rager”
How did we not know about Kyle Craft earlier? He could command an arena with his voice alone. Sounds like Freddie Mercury and his blonde streaks will blind you by the light. I can’t believe he can sing that loud and open his mouth that wide. A true “Rager” Wowza! Mr. Craft has mastered his craft. Kraft mac n cheese doodles. How does he not play arenas?
Mashed Potato Records Volumes 1 & 2
Notable Track: Twain and the Deslondes, “Run Wild”
Welcome to compilations of collaborative tracks made by a group of fun, pure, wholesome (seemingly) musicians in New Orleans. They sound old-timey, familiar, and just beautiful. There are lots of great bands featured in this project: The Deslondes, Twain, Sabine McCalla, The Lostines, and more. It will make you want to “Run Wild” (favorite track on the record sung by brother Twain.)
Valerie June, The Order of Time
Notable Track: “Got Soul”
A sparkly, soulful, groovy unicorn of a person who has “Got Soul.” This album is perfect to listen to on road trips.
Joey Del Ponte’s Picks:
Sundog, Maintain the Mystery
Notable Track: “Made It Thru”
Hailing from Jamaica Plain, Sundog is releasing their upcoming album Maintain the Mystery on September 4th. The single “Made It Thru” is a sunny and jangly tune and reminiscent of (Sandy) Alex G. I’m a sucker for anything analog so this album has me hyped since it was recorded on a 4-track cassette recorder.
House of Harm, Vicious Pastimes
A digital pre-order is up for House of Harm’s upcoming album Vicious Pastimes. The single is a nostalgic darkwave post-punk trip with a refreshing flair that has me very excited to hear the new album. Don’t miss it when it arrives!
SEED, “Hole” & “Calico”
SEED is one of my favorite bands in the scene right now, and they deserve all the recognition they can get. I recommend grabbing two great singles from the experimental doom quartet, “Calico” and “Hole.” In addition, they have tote bags, notebooks, and t-shirts when you send proof of a donation to Black Lives Matter Boston, Black Visions Collective, Reclaim the Block, or other Black-organized bail or community relief funds.