The Alt Weekly Roundup (11/14)
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.
Garb – Stiff as a Feather
Carrying on the legacy of bands like Sean and Castor is Garb, whose second record Stiff as a Feather is a gorgeous slice of slowcore. It pairs nicely with Duster’s latest Together for the soundtrack to a gray evening drive.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
Barbed Wire – “Pictures”
Barbed Wire’s new single “Pictures” seems aptly named, as the tune opens in a sweeping, cinematic style before blasting off into the group’s riffy, raw emo. “Pictures” alternates between impressive instrumental runs and more drawn out vocal sections, each transition seeming to raise the stakes and intensity of the song, pushing to the end as Andrea Boiani belts out, “I think we lost it all” over a hammering attack from the instrumentals.
Aaron Eisenreich | @slobboyreject
DOGxTEETH – DOGxTEETH
DOGxTEETH certainly has bite, releasing an audaciously layered soundscape to leave you emotionally heightened with their first self titled EP. Glitchy intensity and trance-like screaming lyrics has the duo’s almost fifteen minute EP go by in a flash. If you enjoy HEALTH you’ll love the edge of “REVERENCE,” my choice track.
Anne Hurban | @fyrbrdtransanne
Funeral Homes – Blue Heaven
Funeral Homes’ sophomore album Blue Heaven perfects the dreary shoegaze sound they cultivated on Lavender House. It’s got clear shades of the ‘90s greats—the riffs in “Seraphim Sight” and “777” could’ve been ripped straight from Loveless—but packaged in a rainy, energetic collection that feels true to Funeral Homes. 2022 has seen no dearth of great shoegaze records, and Blue Heaven is only the latest.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
The Holophonics – “Weirdo with a Capital Oh?!”
The Holophonics’ “Weirdo with a Capital Oh?!” is a burst of energetic ska-punk in the best sense of the term, taking elements from both genres—sharp horn hits, smooth organ interludes, crunchy distorted guitars, snotty vocals, anxiety-riddled lyrics—and melding them together perfectly. Anyone who grew up on the widespread ska-punk of the 90s and early 2000s will likely feel right at home with “Weirdo with a Capital Oh?!” but the tune is far from revivalist, as The Holophonics use these familiar sounds for jumping-off points for their unique and explosive expression of the genre. Their new record LAVOS is out next month on Bad Time Records.
Aaron Eisenreich | @slobboyreject
Narrow Head – “Moments of Clarity”
From the art to the sound Narrow Head’s really committing to the ‘90s alt rock vibe. The Texas band has been at the forefront of the grunge revival for years, and their newest single capitalized on that in a big way. “Moments of Clarity,” the first cut off their upcoming third LP Moments of Clarity, builds off the heavy, gritty foundations of 2020’s 12th House Rock and injects a little more melody, recalling the best songs on Jar. The result is a massive earworm as good as anything out of early ‘90s Seattle.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
Ben Quad – “You’re Part of It”
Absolutely slathered in breakneck riffs, Ben Quad’s I’m Scared That’s All There Is from June is surely one of the top emo records of the year, and the band just dropped another masterclass in shredding with the single “You’re Part of It.” There’s a lot thrown in here and everything hits the mark—running from the twinkly opening to the mindbendingly acrobatic riffs in the verses to the heavy ending with the vocalists splitting the line “we’re just waiting / for all of this to fall apart,” Sam Wegrzynski’s voice devolving into a raspy, cutting scream.
Aaron Eisenreich | @slobboyreject
Tuxis Giant – “The Valley”
With the energy of Pedro the Lion’s most bombastic music (it’s all relative!) Tuxis Giant’s new track “The Valley” boasts some folk rock sway and a generous helping of feedback for a perfect autumnal single.
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.
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