The Alt Weekly Roundup (8/31)
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.
Kairon; IRSE!—”an Bat None”
I clicked on Kairon; IRSE! on Bandcamp because I saw the cover of their upcoming album Polysomn and thought it looked cool. I played their single “an Bat None” and was instantly floating through a dreamscape of blissed-out shoegaze and psych. With ethereal vocals, crashing drums, spacey synths, and fuzzed-up guitars the Finnish band create a galaxy of sound that I want to float in for a while.
Jami Fowler | @audiocurio
Hands Like Houses—”The Water”
I wasn’t even sure I was listening to Hands Like Houses when I first pressed play on “The Water.” The band traded in their crunchy, aggressive alt-rock for anthemic and radio-friendly pop rock, and it’s one of the most graceful transformations I’ve heard in a long time.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
Pierre—Pre-Deliriant
Starring songs that could either be for fans of Title Fight and Beach Goons, respectively, Pierre takes a genre joyride in their ten minute, five-track EP Pre-Deliriant. It fits together impeccably well—I don’t have a goddamn clue how, but the ride is smoother than even the sweetest sportscar.
Olivia Keasling | @residentkilljoy
Hollyy—”Wondering Why”
“Wondering Why” is a retro tune that would’ve been suited for a roller rink in the ‘70s. It moves smoothly, emanating swank and joy.
Bineet Kaur | @hellobineet
Gardenhead Records—Pandemic Artist Relief 2
Gardenhead Records has been doing some great work during the pandemic, putting out relief compilations of dope exclusives from artists to try and raise some money for them. The newest is no exception, featuring winners from Glass Beach, Tiny Blue Ghost, Jimmy Montague, and more.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
All Poets & Heroes—”Wine Song”
Death Cab have been in the collective consciousness lately, from Ben Gibbard’s quarantine live streams to the 15th anniversary of Plans. But for those seeking a more contemporary offering, Syracuse three-piece All Poets & Heroes breathe new life into ambient rock with a folk twist. “Wine Song” is the band’s last single from Occhiolism, their new LP coming October 13. Lest anyone try to confine All Poets & Heroes to the singer-songwriter genre, they throw in a discordant Radiohead vibe for a song that defies oversimplification.
Michelle Bruton | @MichelleBruton
Ruston Kelly—Shape & Destroy
Ruston Kelly is one of my favorite new singer-songwriters. Shape & Destroy, his sophomore LP, is his best work yet, a collection of bright and moving alt-country songs about the path to sobriety. Like most of the Alternative’s favorite stuff, you can both sing along and cry to it.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
Dikembe—”All Got Sick”
Though Dikembe wormed their way into our hearts with their grunge lite sensibility and tongue-in-cheek song titles, surprise LP Muck finds them decidedly more heavy and serious—and also at their best. Though borne out of tragic circumstances, with frontman Steven Gray grappling with his mother’s death, the album pushes the band into their next evolution. “All Got Sick” is what was always simmering under the surface for Dikembe—a grungy bass line, howling guitar riff, and showcase for Gray’s vocals combine to create a track both catchy and pensive.
Michelle Bruton | @MichelleBruton
Caterpillars—Where Shadows Go to Speak
If you’ve not heard Caterpillars, I’d say you can think of them as Circa Survive in an alternate world where they were raised on Knapsack and Texas Is the Reason. They’ve got that band’s proggy tendencies and sense of space and atmosphere, but with more of an anthemic emo veneer overtop of it. If this sounds at all appealing to you, the bands fourth LP Where Shadows Go to Speak just dropped and is certainly worth your time.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
The Alternative’s ‘New Music Friday’ playlist
Each week our editor Lindsy Carrasquillo compiles a playlist of songs our staff has been jamming. We’ll post it on Fridays on Twitter and then include it in each edition of the ‘Weekly Roundup’ to make sure you don’t miss all of the great music we’re recommending.
The Alternative is ad-free and 100% supported by our readers. If you’d like to help us produce more content and promote more great new music, please consider donating to our Patreon page, which also allows you to receive sweet perks like free albums and The Alternative merch.
