New music from Marcus Christ this summer brings an exhilarating whirlwind of pop-punk distortion, anthemic energy, softer verses, and a generally creative but angst-driven, impassioned dose of scorn.
Rock
Sonic electronic rock balances ambient escapism and delicate, distinct riffs, with an impassioned and catchy crescendo of a hook. Resonaura blends rock and modern production to utilise contrast and power perfectly well, for the intoxicating highs and lows of Neverland.
Featuring members of the iconic E Street Band and The Avett Brothers, plus a guest appearance from songwriter Marshall Crenshaw, Abnormal Conditions is a collaborative burst of rock and roll euphoria, and was passionately recorded in just two days, at Rhinebeck’s The Clubhouse (NY).
Alternative rock performer, storyteller and multi-instrumentalist Primordial Alien reaches the pinnacle of his creative output this year, delivering an album of conceptual weight, musical diversity, skill, playfulness, genre-fusion and cool but cutting narratives, as we dive into the brilliantly eclectic pop-punk and progressive rock vibrancy and shadows of Casus Belli.
Massive indie riffs and charming, nearly spoken indie vocals build a quirky and captivating alt-rock sound that’s instantly nostalgic. The Orange Blossoms bring unique lyrical musings together with a distinct performative identity and classic rock guitar sounds, for the brilliantly inspiring album Green Light.
An alluring guitar rock trio from Turkey light up a sensational thread of songwriting and organic, honest performance, as their single Bana Bi’ Yalan Söyle promises an old-school anthemic charm and emotional escape that’s addictive; and beautiful to lose yourself within.
Fiercely delivering a slice of iconic indie hard rock, with a twist of alternative grunge and something evocatively soulful, New Zealand four-piece Powder Chutes achieve a near-orchestral fullness with their heavy riffs, guitar solos, and faultless structural unity.
Dark alternative vibes in strong supply but a beating heart of effective, engaging songwriting always provided as the centrepiece – pMad excel themselves with this album, and NineFortyFive is the fascinating and rather addictive new single that’s easily one of the most interesting, ambient and enjoyable post-rock tracks to hit the scene this year.
Blues rock and grunge in the guitar tone and rhythms, post-rock in the echoing, theatrical to gritty vocals, and something like alternative and explosive indie freedom at the forefront. French band Quintana Dead Blues eXperience get the chemistry just right, with the fiercely independent charm and passion of their brand new album Ashes.
Channelling rock sub-genres from throughout the ages, but leading with Sarah Beth Rose on gentle to gritty vocals, along with a clear sense of character and unrelenting passion and pace, Born To Break Even has the anthemic, engaging qualities of bands like Green Day, The Distillers and Lagwagon.
Classic indie rock grooves and good vibes a-plenty rain down from superb Toronto band The Get Alongs this season. Blending the passionate rasp and soulful grit of The Stones with the snappy and anthemic energy of 60s garage rock (and a twist of power pop alongside), Second To None includes timelessly addictive jams like Come … Continued
From the UK creative who dropped the intense genre fusion of Internal Combustion earlier this year, SEDATIVE is an explosive new blend of heavy metal and drum and bass, with haunting hard-rock vocals and intense distorted guitars, all leading through a truly intoxicating realm of terror and inner turmoil.