The Alt Weekly Roundup (9/27/21)
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.
Deathcrash – “Horses”
Deathcrash has been quietly one of the best bands in slow core for the past couple years — emphasis on ‘quietly.’ The band’s newest single “Horses” is a great taste of exactly why: moving at a glacial pace, it unfolds delicately and serenely, managing to be deeply engaging without ever building towards release.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
Lou Roy – “Valkyrie”
From the bottle-percusion beginning I knew Lou Roy’s single was going to be something different. Co-produced by Illuminati Hotties, “Valkyrie” showcases Lou’s unique voice, and her syncopated delivery kept me mesmerized. As Lou says, “female figures in Norse mythology who ride horses through the sky with big, long swords and are very sick,” and this song is perfect for any emotional vendettas you have. Just sing along to “Slay all those fuckers who have hurt me in the past” and you’ll feel better.
Jami Fowler | @audiocurio
Flower Crown – Heat
Flower Crown’s new record Heat is a hazy half hour of catchy, reverb-drenched pop tunes. The synths and jangly guitars mesh well with the wide-open sound of the drums, creating a lush atmosphere — it’s definitely an album to play through headphones. “The Billy” and “See You There” stand out on side one, but it’s the unexpected waltz of “All That You Need” and the cinematic “Through It” that really bring the record home. Final track “King Cool” is a quintessential album closer and should be an absolute banger live.
Aaron Eisenreich | @slobboyreject
Aeon Station – “Queens”
I wish I could say I’m surprised we aren’t getting that new Wrens album, but I am glad to see we’re still getting pieces of it. Kevin Whelan’s portion of the record is coming out this December, titled Observatory. The first taste of that project is out now, and it’s called “Queens,” and it’s an excellent slice of melodic indie rock that feels like a perfect continuation of his old band’s sound.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
Viva Belgrado – PARALELOS/MERIDIANOS, Vol. 1
Viva Belgrado’s really honed their moody post-hardcore of late; last year’s Bellavista was a masterclass in textured, nuanced aggression like La Dispute’s been working towards since Wildlife. The trend continues with Paralelos/Meridianos, Vol. 1, a two-song EP that shows off their range in less than eight minutes.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
Guppy – “Aliens”
Guppy’s new single sounds as fun as their animated video is. “Aliens” starts off with country western mosey and then turns into a super catchy riot of a garage ripper about meeting aliens when they finally make contact. Vocalist J. Lebow’s humor is evident when they sing, “I’ll tell them all about love, about how I lost it, then they’ll get so bored they’ll get back on their rockets,” but I think if they show the aliens this video, they might want to stay.
Jami Fowler | @audiocurio
Mini Trees – Always in Motion
I’ve long felt that the ambient indie rock of From Indian Lakes deserved a bigger audience, and it seems I’m not the only one. Mini Trees’ debut LP Always in Motion taps that same atmospheric and ethereal well, but adds some full-bodied pop sheen for good measure, and the result is breathtaking. There’s a single dull track for the album’s full half-hour run – not even a dull moment! – and some of the prettiest vocal melodies I’ve heard in quite some time to boot.
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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