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.
Rex Tycoon – “On and On”
Rex Tycoon’s “On and On” eases in with a staggering bass line and greasy guitar riff that feel appropriate to the Friday night/sunny morning saunter in the lyrics. With the straightforward chorus you could sing along to on the second pass, the aimless wanderer lyrics, the willingness to lead the lead guitar wander a bit, and the absolute crunchiness of it all, Rex Tycoon seem to be leaning into what they do best here.
Aaron Eisenreich | @slobboyreject
Pretty Bitter / Flowerbomb – Take Me Out
DC indie rock / post-punk bands Pretty Bitter and Flowerbomb have teamed up for a new split, each contributing two killer songs. On the closing title track, both bands combine their powers for a jangly, twangy sendoff that absolutely sounds nothing like either of them on their own.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
Public Opinion – “Drawn From Memory”
A punchy headbanger, Public Opinion’s “Drawn From Memory” hits the rock and roll lizard brain in the same way the early 2k garage rock revival did. Not that Public Opinion necessarily sounds like The Vines, but you also wouldn’t be upset if they somehow toured together. A more contemporary reference point might be Militarie Gun, particularly in the way the bass sticks out in the mix during the verses occasionally cut with sparse lead riffs–which makes sense as MG’s Ian Shelton serves as co-producer for Public Opinion’s upcoming Painted On Smile, out September 6th.
Aaron Eisenreich | @slobboyreject
Yon Loader – “Tied Up In”
Yon Loader’s excellent self-titled album comes out this fall, a great slice of emo that should appeal to fans of recent work from Mt. Oriander or Tiny Engines labelmates Flight Mode. The album’s new single is “Tied Up In,” which finds the New Zealand project at its noodliest as the song slowly unspools over its five minutes.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
I Love Your Lifestyle – Summerland (Torpa or Nothing)
As the best bands do, I Love Your Lifestyle seem to take a step forward in refinement with each release while never losing that initial spark that made them great from the start. Summerland (Torpa or Nothing) is their most polished record production-wise, but the group doesn’t sound penned in or hampered by the slicker sound, delivering some of their strongest and most intricately structured songs to date. The decision to split the record in half linguistically is bold (side A is in Swedish and side B in English, with “the turning point” fittingly being the first words you hear in English on “Lucking Out”) and unworldly Americans would be incredibly foolish to skip over the first half as they’d be missing some great tunes. It’s a decision that speaks to the band’s continued growth and comfort within the sound they built up—a comfort that no one could argue has led to complacency after listening to Summerland (Torpa or Nothing). The pre-release single “Givet” is a strong standout of side A, while it’s “Fickle Minds” on side B that demands to be considered amongst the group’s finest.
Aaron Eisenreich | @slobboyreject
Ninth Cage – Ninth Cage
Ninth Cage features members of Year of the Knife, but don’t expect that band’s ferocity. Ninth Cage is more Jimmy Eat World or Piebald than bonecrushing hardcore, but the riffs and Madi Watkins’ vocals translate extremely well.
Zac Djamoos | @gr8whitebison
The Alternative’s ‘New Music Friday’ playlist
Each week we compile a playlist of songs our staff has been jamming. We post it on Fridays on Twitter and then include it in each edition of the Weekly Roundup to make sure you don’t miss any of the great music we’re recommending.
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