The Alt Weekly Roundup (5/6)
Posted: by The Editor
The Alternative Weekly Roundup is a column where our staff plugs a variety of new releases in a concise, streamlined format. Albums, singles, videos, and live sets. Check back each Monday to see what we were jamming the week prior.
Lester — We Could Have Been Anywhere
The latest mini-album from Philly shoegaze act, Lester, melds My Bloody Valentine guitar depth with crushing alt-rock leads and occasional grunge-pop melodies. Its first substantial track, “Untld”, contains a monumental gush of distortion that’s legitimately worthy of comparison to the genre’s royalty, whereas the pained vocal hooks that eek through the mix in a track like “folds” are distinct to the modern era. This is a terrifically produced and exceptionally performed shoegaze record that demands the ears of anyone who’s looking to develop or enhance their tinnitus.
Eli Enis | @eli_enis
Sarchasm — Beach Blanket Bummer Pop
Sarchasm‘s latest record Beach Blanket Bummer Pop is chock full of punchy riffs. Seemingly influenced by bands like Prince Daddy and the Hyena and Remo Drive, it touches on an array of issues plaguing us, from social justice to existential dread.
Bineet Kaur | @hellobineet
The Sonder Bombs — “I don’t have one anymore”
“Moving forward from here I think you should stay clear of me / Moving forward from here I think you should fear me.” I’ve been a huge fan of The Sonder Bombs since they released their debut full length, MODERN FEMALE ROCKSTAR, last year. The new track, “I don’t have one any more,” is commanding with powerful vocals and defiant hooks about not letting anyone stand in your way or taking up your time when they have no place to.
Lindsy Carrasquillo | @lindsy_carr
Bad Books — “I Love You, I’m Sorry, Please Help Me, Thank You”
Bad Books, a project consisting of Kevin Devine, Robert McDowell, and Manchester Orchestra’s Andy Hull, released their first new songs in seven years. The first, “I Love You, I’m Sorry, Please Help Me, Thank You”, is a sharp limerick about fatherhood that’s written and sung by Devine. The other, “Lake House”, is an immersive, moving and personal endeavor led by Hull. These two singles are from their forthcoming album III which has a digital release date of June 14, and a physical release date coming June 21.
Tyler Holland | @InTyler_WeTrust
Knope — Picture Perfect
The latest release from Northern Virginia group Knope, Picture Perfect, is an example of emo that’s complemented by its mathy roots instead of being consumed by them. While the lyrics are plentiful, the tracks don’t feel overly wordy or verbose. Some standout lines are, “I always hoped you wouldn’t notice how much time I’ve wasted on lonesome nights inside,” and, “so thank you / For the toxic, backwards, miserable youth / That you put me through / Cause I can say I’m better than you.”
Ellie Hart | @ellie_hart_tho
Open Mike Eagle & Phonte — “Woke As Me”
“Woke as Me” is taken from rapper/comedian Open Mike Eagle’s new Comedy Central series, The New Negroes, but the track’s video is a standalone masterpiece. It sees Open Mike and rapper Phonte dueling each other in a barbershop to determine who’s woker, dropping clever lines about gender neutral pronouns and Impossible Burgers. The video is embellished with Mortal Kombat-style graphics, so, like everything OME does, it’s as funny as it is perceptive.
Eli Enis | @eli_enis
Bad Religion — Age of Unreason
Age of Unreason is the 17th album from Bad Religion, who stick to their catchy, fast-paced punk formula that’s kept them relevant for 40 years. One of the best qualities of Bad Religion is that you can jump into any era of this band and immediately get into what they’re doing. They continue to prove why they are the best “whoa-oh-oh”ers in the game, while outshining their peers and hanging with contemporaries.
Tyler Holland | @InTyler_WeTrust
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