SOMETHINGGOOD

Songs of the Week: April 25, 2019 edition -- feat. @grizzlycoast, @charlybliss, @Pipblom, @jointruthclub and @ReigningSound1

“Half-Light Boy” by Grizzly Coast

Independently-released

Grizzly Coast — the musical project of Toronto-based indie rock musician Alannah Kavanagh — is building toward the release of an as-yet-unnamed LP later in 2019. New track “Half-Light Boy,” which follows 2018 debut single “Zuzu’s Petals,” shines a light on Kavanagh’s poetic roots.

Songs of the Week: April 12, 2019 edition -- feat. @courtneymelba, @bigthiefmusic, @PetiteLeague, @versingseattle ‏and @5occercousins #indie #newmusicfriday

“Cattails” by Big Thief

4AD

Warm up your tear ducts: a new Big Thief album (U.F.O.F.) comes out May 3. “Cattails,” the latest single, has raised my expectations to Yeezus-level.

“Everybody Here Hates You” by Courtney Barnett

Milk! Records

Reigning best songwriter in the world Courtney Barnetthas released a predictably-amazing…

Songs of the Week: April 5, 2019 edition -- feat. @666wychelm, @BILKBANDPAGE, #Tempertwig, @illuminatihotts and @NoVioletUK

I’m a little behind. The past two weeks I’ve been out exploring the American southwest with my betrothed, which gave me plenty of time to sample new music but little opportunity (or reason) to post about it here.

This is the first in a series of packed posts to come over the next few weeks.

“1983” by Wych Elm

Post Mortem Records

Wych Elm’s debut EP Rat Blanket came out on my birthday and the…

I’m dumb. Here I was in December, praising the debut LP from power pop dynamos Des Millions but completely oblivious to the fact that one of its founding members – Jimmy Montague – had released a more intimate (and equally-impressive) new album under his own name just one month earlier.

Montague’s solo record – Last Dog on Earth – is a compelling counterpart to Des Millions’ bombastic POWERin…

Songs of the Week: March 1, 2019 edition -- feat. @alberthammondjr @RadicalFace @empathempath #YouShouldGetToKnowUs (via @DesertMine) and @clubnightband

Before diving into the Songs of the Week, I wanted to note that Milwaukee band The Bbys — featured in yesterday’s Hear This Now post — have just released their new EP The Sauce. I listened through for the first time this morning and it’s a huge step forward for the band musically. The year of hard work that went into it obviously was not in vain.

Go check out (or better yet, buy) the album on…

Now Hear This: "The Dagger" by @TheBbysMusic

An underappreciated aspect of independent music: it doesn’t take so fucking long to put out a record. This is pertinent to indie punk act The Bbys of Milwaukee, who impressed with their 2018 self-titled debut and already are back at it, releasing an exceptional follow-up EP called The Sauce. It comes out tomorrow (February 29).

The Bbys — currently composed of Dylan Shanahan (bass), Jackson…

Song of the Week: February 22, 2019 edition -- feat. @ANDTHEKIDSmusic @poisonmoonrecs @Superdestroyed @the_zells @whatis36

“Butterfingers” by And the Kids

Signature Sounds Recordings

Massachusetts-based And the Kids‘ stellar LP When This Life Is Over came out today. In a crowded field of great records so far this year, this one stands out for its thumping dream pop melodies and expert songcrafting. You should listen to the entire record, but if you’re too busy, at least check out the kick-ass single “Butterfingers.”

“…

Song of the Week: February 15, 2019 edition -- feat. @JonnyShitbag

“I’ll Try To Make It” by Jonny Shitbag & The Smokes

Independently released

This week, all the shine goes to returning heroes Jonny Shitbag & The Smokes and their new single “I’ll Try To Make It.”

It’s a rattling, lo-fi gem underscoring the scuzzy brilliance of this Glasgow-based indie band that released a potent pair of albums in 2018: You Could Not Have Given the Slightest of Fucks (which premie…

Songs of the Week: February 8, 2019 edition -- feat. @lucydacus, @charlybliss, and @recordsettertx (via @weretryingrec)

“Capacity” by Charly Bliss

Barsuk Records

Charly Bliss‘ 2017 debut Guppy was an instant classic — a thrilling, pitch-perfect collection of 90s-owing grunge pop that never felt like a rehash.

This week we got a sign of things to come from the New York power-poppers with synth-heavy new track “Capacity,” the first single from their forthcoming sophomore LP Young Enough. The album comes out May 10.

“…

Songs of the Week: February 1, 2019 edition -- feat. @DudeYork, @smallforwardla and

“Kind of Funny” by Small Forward

Independently released

Small Forward‘s Affections, released in 2017, is one of the strongest EPs in recent years. I hear a little bit of that magic in the Los Angeles quartet’s latest single “Kind of Funny.” It sure seems like a new Small Forward album is on the way (considering the similar artwork for this track and December single “Tearjerker,”), but nothing’s…

Songs of the Week: January 25, 2019 edition -- feat. @otobokebeaver #khmirth @BurlyMusic @abjectsband @arnold_parmesan, plus a @manmanbandband playlist

2019 isn’t messing around. We’re only 25 days in and I count four new albums that probably would have cracked my top 20 list from last year:

The self-titled and star-making debut from Toronto dream pop quartet Tallies;

Deerhunter‘s annihilation-pondering pop turn Why Hasn’t Everything Already Disappeared?;

Power Chords, Mike Krol‘s seething power pop opus (which dropped TODAY via Merge Records);

SOMETHINGGOOD proudly premieres the enchanting new single from Australian-born artist Alanna Eileen (@alannaemusic). Listen to "April," from her forthcoming album Artifice, now.

SOMETHINGGOOD is delighted to premiere the enchanting new single from songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Alanna Eileen — which comes from the Australian-born artist’s forthcoming album Artifice.

With gentle guitar lines and simple synths, “April” is a delicate, folk-inspired track that shines a light on Eileen’s gorgeous, silvery vocals. She provided context for the song in an e-mail:

I wrote…

Songs of the Week: January 11, 2019 edition -- feat. @mikefredkrol, @girlpool and @DeerhunterMusic (plus quick shout-outs to @ANDTHEKIDSmusic and @TALLIESband)

SOMETHINGGOOD will have a massive Songs of the Week update next week using a bunch of news tracks released in the new year. This week, however, I’m (quickly) highlighting the albums I’m most excited for in the opening months of 2019 – including the latest from Deerhunter, Mike Krol and girlpool.

Not featured – but close to my heart – is the forthcoming LP from Massachusetts indie band And the Kids

Songs of the Week: January 3, 2019 edition -- feat. @5occercousins @KidlatPunch @oceanpotionband ‏

“Everything About Everything” by Soccer Cousins

Gentle Reminder

Blog-wise, I did fuck all the past two weeks so I have a little catching up to do. The first Song of the Week for 2019 was actually released in the first week of December 2018, by New York indie rock trio Soccer Cousins. Per the band, it’s about “the pursuit of knowledge while realizing you’re behind the times.”

“Everything About…

Before moving on to my top 25 albums of the year, bear in mind that I consume albums in an archaic fashion: I pay for them (often beautiful vinyl versions); listen to them all the way through, in sequence, over and over and over again; and completely fall in love with them. These are the records that had my back during a dreadful year.

#25

Love in the Time of E-Mail by Antarctigo Vespucci Polyvinyl Records

#24

Freedom’s Goblin by Ty Segall Drag City

#23

Hope Downs by Rolling Blackouts Coastal FeverSub Pop

#22

Somewhat Literate by Retirement PartyCounter Intuitive Records

#21

Feelin’ Freaky by Falcon Jane Darling Recordings

#20

Plays With Fire by Cloud Audio Antihero

#19

Uncle, Duke & The Chief by Born Ruffians Paper Bag Records

#18

The Diet by Cullen OmoriSub Pop

#17

ocala wick by gobbinjrTopshelf Records

#16

Kill the Lights by Tony Molina Slumberland Records

#15

Francis Trouble by Albert Hammond, Jr. Red Bull Records

#14

Numbskull by The Band Ice Cream Urban Scandal Records

#13

Forth Wanderers by Forth Wanderers Sub Pop

#12

POWER by Des Millions Independently-released

#11

Twin Fantasy by Car Seat Headrest Matador Records

#10

boygenius by Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus Matador Records

I have no hesitation putting this EP ahead of so many great full-length albums released in 2018. Look past its six-song tracklist and you’ll see this debut offering from indie super-group boygenius — comprising Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus — has more creative energy than almost anything else on this list.

And how could it not? Baker, Bridgers and Dacus are all indie superstars in their early-20s, all entering the height of their powers after releasing career-making solo records in 2017 and 2018. And those six songs? They’re not just throwaway tracks — they’re some of the best songs any of them have ever written. But more impressively to me, they’re not simply Baker, Bridgers or Dacus solo tracks with three-part harmonies jammed in — the trio put tremendous care in crafting something completely original and beautiful.

For more on boygenius, read my post (and listen to the playlist) from a few weeks back.

#9

Clean by Soccer Mommy Fat Possum Records

Nashville-based songstress Sophie Allison delivered an indie rock classic on her new LP Clean, defying critics of her preceding record Collection. In fact, this might have been a motivating factor: at a recent Soccer Mommy show at D.C.’s Black Cat, Allison noted her (somewhat feigned) surprise when a reference to Collection drew a healthy cheer from the sold-out crowd.

For context, Collection marks Soccer Mommy’s transition from DIY bedroom pop project to full-fledged indie rock band, and set the mold for an amazing follow-up. On Clean, Allison’s singing and songwriting are bolder, the sound is more robust, her full band is on-point — and — now the future looks very bright.

#8

Where We Were Together by Say Sue Me Damnably

I play Korean guitar pop band Say Sue Me’s debut LP a lot. It’s meticulously crafted, expertly performed and infectiously-fun — until the final track, when everything the quartet built comes tumbling down in a brilliant and emotional album-closer, “Coming to the End,” which is punctuated by a jaw-dropping extended guitar solo.

Like, I can’t hype up this solo enough — it emotes in the same way as the saxophone in “Jungleland” and or the slide guitar in “Layla’s” coda. It’s simultaneously thrilling and gut-wrenching as you hinge on the solo’s every twist and turn, set against pounding drums and crashing cymbals. It’s my favorite musical moment of 2018.

#7

Lush by Snail Mail Matador Records

Before hearing Snail Mail AKA Lindsey Jordan’s debut LP Lush, I scoffed somewhat at Pitchfork Senior Editor Ryan Dombal’s assertion that the record “encompasses the once and future sound of indie rock.” Not that I wasn’t already impressed with Snail Mail’s preceding, self-recorded EPs — made before the Maryland native turned 18 — but that’s a BIG statement for anyone.

After hearing the album, though, I was like “Yep! Good call!”

“Pristine” is one of the record’s best tracks, but it’s also a fine description for Lush itself — every sound is polished and precise, but never manufactured; while Jordan’s songwriting already rivals the best in the game. And I’m not going to do that “for her age” bullshit — Jordan is a tremendous talent that’s touring her ass off, headlining shows around the world. We’re past that.

#6

Fall Into the Sun by Swearin’ Merge Records

One of the most pleasant surprises of 2018 was the reformation of Swearin’ — which disintegrated in 2015 after the break-up of the band’s two creative forces, Allison Crutchfield and Kyle Gilbride. The Philly-based outfit initially pledged to forge on following the split, but that obviously proved difficult in the short term.

Fast-forward a few things and seemingly things are okay, both on- and off-stage. Musically, Swearin’ has never sounded better: Fall Into the Sun recalls the frantic guitar rock of the band’s 2012 and 2013 LPs, but there’s a new maturity in the sound, as well as an optimal balance between Crutchfield and Gilbride’s contributions.

#5

Tell Me How You Really Feel by Courtney Barnett Milk! Records

Courtney Barnett had a tough act to follow preparing the sequel to her magnificent, Obama playlist-residing, superstar-making first LP: 2015’s Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit. And she succeeded — however the intense pressure to meet astronomical expectations, which Barnett refers to on the record, seemingly took its toll.

Tell Me How You Really Feel is dark. It’s the album where Barnett stops being whimsical and starts getting real. No more missed connections at the YMCA pool — on the first three singles alone we find our hero battling misogynist shitheads online and in real life (“Nameless, Faceless”), calling for an emotional break (“Need A Little Time,”) and trying to cope with isolation/loneliness (“City Looks Pretty”).

#4

Historian by Lucy Dacus Matador Records

Remember Lucy Dacus from #10 on this list? Well, she released an even better album on her own earlier in 2018. Historian, the (fellow) Virginia native’s second record, is a star-making solo effort on which Dacus called all the shots.

Between this and boygenius, Dacus used 2018 to cement her status as one of the indie rock’s greatest talents. An artist wise beyond her years, Dacus is the only singer-songwriter I’ve ever felt comfortable comparing to Joni Mitchell — which is among the highest praise I can think of for any artist.

#3

POST- by Jeff Rosenstock Polyvinyl Records

Jeff Rosenstock set the bar high and early, releasing his stellar solo debut on New Year’s Day and never looking back. That I’m still listening to the former Bomb the Music Industry! frontman’s album in mid-December is a feat in and of itself, but POST- earns #3 on this list due to Rosenstock’s unbridled exuberance, anthemic scream-alongs and dinosauric riffs. Fuck, even the song’s ballad (SOTY candidate “9/10”) has energy coursing through its wall of sound.

#2

Slow Buzz by Remember Sports Father/Daughter Records

If it weren’t a complete cop-out, the debut LP from Philly pop-punk band Remember Sports would be #1B on this list. I can’t really find a flaw across its 12 perfectly-sequenced tracks — each and every one of which has a place and purpose (as well as killer riffs and rapturous drumming). Guitarist and singer Carmen Perry’s brutal and brilliant lyricism is Slow Buzz’s secret weapon as she brilliantly lays bare the emotional toll of falling in and out of love.

#1

LONER by Caroline Rose New West Records

Not everyone struggles on their second album. Some, like the wildly-creative Caroline Rose, use it as an opportunity to completely reinvent themselves artistically. Rose released her folksy, roots rock-inspired debut I Will Not Be Afraid in 2014 but ultimately wasn’t satisfied with it — any anything. She described the situation (and more) to Pitch Perfect PR:

“I was 24, lonely, and realizing life might actually be as hard as people said it was. Gandalf had yet to raise his staff and part the seas for me,” she says with a straight face. “I felt a bit disillusioned with my music; it didn’t sound like my personality. I hadn’t dated in years, I was going to lose health care. I felt detached from the modern world.”

So what did she do about it? “I joined Tinder. I turned 25 and rented my first real apartment and painted it bright colors. I started socializing more and little by little, weeded out all my clothes that weren’t red. I embraced my queerdom. I had a girlfriend, we traveled the country, we broke up. I discussed politics, capitalism and Rihanna. For better or worse, I became a member of the modern world. Turns out the modern world is terrifying.”

Rose got more personal and aggressive in her musical approach and tried to be more sonically diverse with her new work. She also injected humor into the mix — leading directly to essential LONER tracks like “Bikini” and “Money,” but also giving her music a lighthearted, fun spirit as she creates vivid scenes and characters. Folksy, roots rock turned into decadent indie pop heavy on guitars, keys and synths. So yeah, she found her sound. And it’s unlike anything we’ve ever heard before — that’s why she gave it a name: “schizo drift.”

LONER is my favorite album of 2018. Rose recently posted on social that she’s beginning work on the follow-up — let’s hope it’s [adjusts tie] more of the same.

Hate reading? Follow the “Songs of SOMETHINGGOOD” playlist on Spotify and you never have to come back — but I’d appreciate it if you did.

https://open.spotify.com/user/somethinggoodmusic/playlist/1XgOCb4C0QVky14Qdj9mxL?si=UIsabN7NRD20Vdsi3lYEew

Song of the Week: November 28, 2018 edition -- feat. @ANDTHEKIDSmusic, @The_High_Loves and #Somedays

With the final month of 2018 on the horizon, here are the latest Songs of the Week. I’m hard at work on my year-end albums list, so no bonus content this week. But if you haven’t already, do check out SOMETHINGGOOD’s latest playlist — “Bridgers, Baker, Dacus & BLANK” — which has a few ideas for indie super-group boygenius.

“Champagne Ladies” by And the Kids

Signature Sounds Recordings

Massachuse…

Bridgers, Baker, Dacus & BLANK: a SOMETHINGGOOD #playlist -- feat. @xboygeniusx

boygenius is THE story of the year when it comes to independent music. For the uninitiated, boygenius (their capitalization, not mine) is the super-group comprised of three dynamic female singer-songwriters — Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus — who are, interestingly, at the same station in their budding solo careers.

All three are in their early-20s. Each released an acclaimed,…