Another month has passed and another mass of releases have hatched from their shells and stepped out into the world. As always, I’ve rounded them all up and passed judgement upon them (a harsh thing to do to newborn songs, I know, but this is a harsh world).
AS IT IS IDGAF
As It Is are a band I have adored since 2017 when I spent £11.99 for a physical copy of their sophomore (and best) record okay. The Great Depression was a good album but inferior to their previous output and IDGAF seems to be continuing that sound: the more hardcore leaning As It Is, though this time seasoned with vibes of Yungblud and Machine Gun Kelly. The verses have pop vibes akin to The Used’s recent output (and executed almost as perfectly) and the chorus launches into a pit anthem. In reality, you can’t complain. Another As It Is record will be good for the soul.
SLEEPING WITH SIRENS Bloody Knuckles
I didn’t think How It Feels To Be Lost aged as well as Madness or Let’s Cheers To This, but it had a few standouts and showcased the band re-discovering their hard(er)core roots. Deluxe edition single ‘Talking To Myself’ continued that self-rediscovery, and so does ‘Bloody Knuckles’. It’s far from the band’s best, but it’s a powerful and punchy punk-leaning anthem with a huge chorus and a killer breakdown, showcasing the band on fine form.
ANGELS & AIRWAVES Euphoria
I’m in the minority when I say Blink-182 are better with Matt Skiba, but this is a hill I will die on. Vocally, Skiba is superior to DeLonge and it’s those vocals that let down AVA. Musically, the band seem to be reaching into experimental territories, but the vocal quality holds the track back, leaving it to be nothing more than average. If you’re an Angels & Airwaves fan, you’ll dig it. If the band have yet to win you over, they won’t do it here.
BEARTOOTH Fed Up
Since their near-flawless debut, Beartooth have been very hit and miss. Vocalist Caleb Shomo is oftentimes the redeeming quality on otherwise average songs, and that’s what’s happening here. This is a good song, but not exactly a unique one. The riff is (head)banging and Shomo, again, injects aggression into the track, but it still just feels a little flat. Not good, not bad. I generally enjoy Shomo more on other people’s songs (see The Used’s ‘The Lottery’ or Silverstein’s ‘Burn It Down).
RISE AGAINST Talking To Ourselves
The dispatch email for their new album Nowhere Generation is sitting in my inbox and their final pre-release single ‘Talking To Ourselves’ has me staring out of the window awaiting delivery. This track wouldn’t have sounded out of place on Endgame: the punk composition does not hold them back and prevent them from unleashing an anthemic and catchy chorus. This is a band I have come to trust to release good tunes – I even enjoy 2017’s Wolves a hell of a lot – and this does not disappoint. Roll on Friday!
TRASH BOAT Don’t You Feel Amazing?
These guys seem to be pushing themselves and are exploring new territories with varying degrees of success. Don’t You Feel Amazing? is interesting. The sound manages to be simultaneously raw and synthetic. This is certainly a unique track, one that will grow on you after multiple listens – but do NOT expect to be blown away first time.
KK’s PRIEST Hellfire Thunderbolt
Since splitting from Judas Priest and speaking out on his distaste on some of the members and creative choices, K.K Downing has been musically quiet. That ended with the announcing of KK’s Priest, his own band made up of himself, former Priest vocalist Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens, and a plethora of talented musicians, making the band essentially a supergroup. ‘Hellfire Thunderbolt’, the first single from their forthcoming full-length Sermons Of The Sinner, isn’t too bad. It sounds exactly like Judas Priest (which is basically what it says on the tin) but with a weaker vocalist. Come on, there’s a reason the ‘Ripper’ Owens Judas Priest years aren’t popular – it isn’t because Rob Halford isn’t behind the mic, it’s because the songs aren’t very good. This is okay, a good addition to any metal playlist, but it’s a Judas Priest B-side. I look forward to the full album release, it may win me over.
BUCKCHERRY Hellbound
The title track from their forthcoming album, ‘Hellbound’is infinitely better than the awful lead single ‘So Hott’. There’s some tasty AC/DC vibes in that riffing and it’s impossible to not tap your feet to the beat. The chorus could go a little longer, lift a little higher, but it does the trick and sticks in your head. These guys are past their best, but not past putting out good quality rock songs.
RIVER BECOMES OCEAN If I Go, I’m Goin’
These heavy-hitters slowed the pace and emphasised that emotional melody on latest single If I Go, I’m Goin’. This song is gorgeous. It’s a slow burn with pop elements, but intricately composed and flawlessly executed. The chorus is cinematic, like the closing credits of a heart-wrenching film. Brilliant.
SETTLE YOUR SCORES 1999
All easycore skins are shedded, this is pure pop punk. However, it’s also the best pure pop punk I’ve heard in some time, sounding like a mix between Blink-182 and Yellowcard. This is an irresistible sing-along track with a huge chorus, perfect as the sun goes down on Slam Dunk festival. “I wish the good days were like a mixtape that I could just rewind”. An absolute masterclass.
ESTROGENTS Leather Jacket
From pop punk to punk, Estrogents are a young band staying true to punk’s roots. Dirty riffs, early Green Day-esque vocals and infectious quality, knitted together with a chunky solo, these guys know what’s what and how to do it. ‘Leather Jacket’ is the third, final and best single from their forthcoming self-titled full length.
THE DIRTY LOW DOWN Worst Way
These guys promised this track was their best and holy hell did they deliver! This song is insane. The guitars seem to have a mind of their own, partying on in the background behind some of the catchiest vocal lines of the band’s career. This track has about three hooks! Everyone brought their A-game to this. The Dirty Lowdown have taken themselves to another level.
WES HOFFMAN Far From Yesterday
That traditional pop punk sound is like gospel to Wes Hoffman, and he has sought and achieved mastery of it. This is another delicious number, well executed and irresistibly infectious.
THE FRST Small Talk
Merging genres seems to come easy to The FRST on their new single ‘Small Talk’. A memorable and irresistible chorus, a soaring solo and tasteful electronic elements make this song a unique and unmissable listen. I really hope this pandemic isn’t the death of small talk, but at least this song has come out of it. You’ve gotta find the silver linings in dark times, and this song is one.
ÅLESUND Pressure Point
With gorgeous vocals and immaculate craftsmanship, Ålesund have made themselves ones to watch. ‘Pressure Point’ is no different and showcases the band on fine form, an intricate composition, an atmospheric and cinematic soundscape. Absolute beauty.
LIAM SULLIVAN My Father’s Island
After postponing his release of a new single called ‘Jerusalem’ due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis, Liam Sullivan instead offered up ‘My Father’s Island’. A slow-paced, singer/songwriter sounding track, Sullivan is proving his songwriting prowess with seeming ease. This track is gorgeous, each plucked acoustic note is hauntingly beautiful, and the lyrics sound as if he is speaking directly to you. This is masterful.
STRAYFARE Use Your Boomerang
This is real dirty bedroom punk and shows Strayfare pushing themselves musically and vocally, expanding into more unique and more interesting territory. The DIY sound works well here and there’s clear growth from their debut full length. This is an artist I am keen to keep an eye on and, if gritty, dirty punk is your thing, you should too.
Listen to all these songs and more on the Love It To Death playlist HERE
Love It To Death 