The Alt Weekly Roundup (2/25)
Posted: by The Alt Editing Staff
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.
Small Talks — A Conversation Between Us
A Conversation Between Us draws a line straight down the middle of rock and pop. Small Talks sound musically and lyrically mature on this record, but save plenty of room for catchy choruses all throughout.
Kayla Carmicheal | @kaylacarmicheal
The Natural 20s — Everyone Will Fall
The Natural 20s’ first proper release Everyone Will Fall is an impressive introduction to the indie-rock band. It’s a mix of emo, pop rock, post-hardcore, and even occasionally post-rock, but it makes for a cohesive and thoroughly enjoyable album.
Zac Djamoos | @greatwhitebison
Greet Death — “Strange Days”
Greet Death return after their wonderfully loud and expansive 2017 LP Dixieland with a song that sounds a little sweet. “Strange Days” jangles in almost joyfully before bursting into the fuzzy wall of guitars that defined their last LP. An anthemic outro of the line, “Now all we seem to love is the darkness,” is a memorable moment that looks forward to a big year for the Flint, MI group.
Jordan Walsh | @jordalsh
Standby — “Librarians in Uproar”
Standby’s explosive new single “Librarians in Uproar” is our first taste of their upcoming record, We Need More Mountains. Dynamic and unpredictable, the track seesaws from a plaintive acoustic ballad to a pop-rock jam and back again without warning. If the album is half as good as “Librarians,” we’re in for a treat.
Zac Djamoos | @greatwhitebison
Active Bird Community — Amends
Active Bird Community is Brooklyn’s sultriest mix of 90’s grunge and contemporary indie rock. They released their latest full length, Amends, last September through Basurk Records, and are bound to take over the airwaves sooner rather than later. With dark tones, poppy hooks, and oddly relatable lyrics, they’re basically Kurt Cobain meets The Obsessives—and I don’t say that lightly.
Emily Kitchin | @deathnap4cutie
twentythreenineteen — To Those Who Stole My Light
If you love twinkly riffs and introspective narratives, twentythreenineteen is the group for you. Giving revival bands a run for their money, they feature a smooth blend of sharp vocals paired delicately with noodly guitars. Their newest EP, To Those Who Stole My Light, is a deliciously creamy broth encapsulating the best of every Philadelphia-based emo band that never quite made it out of mom’s basement.
Emily Kitchin | @deathnap4cutie
New Idea Society — “Now Is Here”
New Idea Society released a surprise new single “Now Is Here” on 2/22 via Sargent House records. Stephen Brodsky (Cave In, Mutoid Man) embraces his softer indie-rock side with the first new material from this project since 2011. The intricate guitars soar as the dual vocals (with Mike Law) soothe. The tortuous rhythm section layer is carried by drummer Alan Cage (Quicksand) and bassist Brain Cook (SUMAC, Russian Circles).
Tyler Holland | @InTyler_WeTrust
Helms Alee — “Interachnid”
Seattle’s post-hardcore/noise rock three-piece Helms Alee released a new single and music video for “Interachnid,” the first track from their forthcoming album Noctiluca out 4/26. The video was made by their drummer Hozoji Matheson-Margullis who showcases her talents behind the kit. She reinforces why she is one of the best drummers in the business, setting the tone and galloping with intricacies throughout. Vocally, it displays the many talents of bassist Dana James, blending with the haunting intonations of Margullis and the deep-chested growls of guitarist Ben Verellen.
Tyler Holland | @InTyler_WeTrust
Kayak Jones — “Lonely Codependent”
Kayak Jones’ gut-wrenching new single utilizes steady guitar riffs and vocals to explore the pain of an enthralling romance becoming uncomfortable. “Lonely Codependent” is about the process of realizing that the person you were once enamored with has become a mere acquaintance.
Bineet Kaur | @hellobineet
Tierra Whack — “Only Child”
Tierra Whack’s latest single is plunky and playful, with a gooey hook and two verses that showcase her rapping dexterity. At three times the length of each song on 2018’s Whack World, she’s able to bask in its traditional, repetitive structure and flex her abilities in a way that suits her. Few artists can conjure this much color with such minimal arrangements.
Eli Enis | @eli_enis
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