The Alt Weekly Roundup (4/13)
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.
Gay Meat—“L’Oreal”
Leave it up to Museum Mouth’s Karl Kuehn to slap a smirking L’Oreal pun into the hook of a song about wishing for death. “L’Oreal” is the second single from his Gay Meat solo project and it’s a lo-fi pop song with airbrushed synths, clopping digital percussion, and Kuehn’s breathy voice. Think Elvis Depressedly crossed with early Perfume Genius–so, yes, very good.
Eli Enis | @eli_enis
Momma—”Biohazard”
On the heels of their sophomore record, LA’s Momma have shared “Biohazard”, a leering slice of indie rock. With lyrics full of visceral imagery, occasional screams, and a sinister guitar tone, it’s the sonic equivalent of being followed at night.
Eric Bennett | @seething_coast
Nana Grizol—”Future Version”
Nana Grizol’s “Future Version” is everything you could want from the indie-rock veterans (featuring members of Defiance, Ohio and Neutral Milk Hotel) all in under two minutes. South Somewhere Else is their most Nana Grizol record yet, and “Future Version” is a perfect introduction.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
The Mountain Goats—Songs For Pierre Chuvin
Songs For Pierre Chuvin is the first boombox-recorded Mountain Goats release in over 18 years, and the haunted ambiance that technique brings to John Darnielle’s sharply detailed songwriting still maintains its blurry, fuzzy power. “Exegetic Chains” closes out the new tape with a hushed assurance; little callbacks to some of the band’s most famous songs (“make it through this year/if it kills us outright”) breaking through the whirr like transmissions from a quiet, safe place.
Jordan Walsh | @jordalsh
Charli XCX—”forever”
When Charli XCX announced she was going to put together an entire album during quarantine, I expected it to be good. I didn’t expect first single “forever,” ostensibly thrown together in a couple of days, to be one of her best songs yet. But it’s an absolute earworm and, in retrospect, I never should’ve doubted Charli.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
Laughingstock—”Something Lite”
Laughingstock are a band from Bellingham, Washington that play lackadaisical emo through a jangly indie-rock lens. They’re putting out a new album later this week and their latest single is called “Something Lite”, which kind of sounds like Bayside during its climax and Real Estate during the verses.
Eli Enis | @eli_enis
Gardenhead Records—Pandemic Artist Relief: Music in the Time of Covid-19
Gardenhead Records’ inaugural release is an appropriate one: it’s a compilation to benefit artists who had to cancel shows due to the coronavirus. Not only is it a good cause, but it’s a good comp too. A nice who’s who of up-and-coming indie rockers including Equipment, Jordana, and Swim Camp.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
Keep—Keep
Keep shared a collection of overcast, stormy songs that emanate a medley of goth, post-punk and grunge influences. The lyricism is ghastly and cinematic, like the line “I stumble over eggshells ‘til I fall on your grave” from “Pendulum.”
Bineet Kaur | @hellobineet
Burgundy—Wither
Lancaster, PA, alt-metal four-piece Blurgundy released their second EP this week, the devastating Wither. It’s a definite step up from last year’s self-titled EP, and the addition of post-rock atmospherics is a big reason why.
Zac Djamoos |@gr8whitebison
Phoebe Bridgers—”Kyoto”
Phoebe Bridgers was supposed to go to Japan to film the video for “Kyoto” last month. That didn’t happen due to, well, you know. Instead, the video for the soaring new single features Bridgers and her bandmates playing around with a green screen. “Kyoto” is a rare upbeat number from Bridgers and features horns from Bright Eyes’ Nathaniel Walcott.
Eric Bennett | @seething_coast
Stay Inside—”Void”
Brooklyn’s Stay Inside released a hell of a debut record this week, but I want to single out “Void,” which slips and slides between heavy post-hardcore screaming and dire, downtrodden emo with some spoken word sprinkled in between. It’s got the ambition and sincerity of something from Thursday’s Full Collapse, and it hints at a similar power.
Jordan Walsh | @jordalsh
The Beths—”Dying to Believe”
Bright and jaunty, The Beths’ “Dying to Believe” sounds like a sped-up Ratboys song. The video for it features a montage that’s reminiscent of a prior era.
Bineet Kaur | @hellobineet
2nd Grade—”Velodrome” / “My Bike”
Philadelphia darlings 2nd Grade have released the double lead single from their Double Double Whammy debut, and a wholesome video to go along with it. “Velodrome” is an upbeat little tune with guitars as cheerful as its vocalist. “My Bike” is more of a slower burn about all the things possible while riding said bike.
Eric Bennett | @seething_coast
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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