Best Music of the 2nd Quarter
The Best music from April to June
Well here we are, another three months in the book. Summer has arrived which leaves me a little more time to type during the day while my daughter lays next to me, being subjected to a wide variety of indie, alt-country, hip hop and everywhere else in between. Cameron Winter is the current selection as I begin my typing today, and she appears to be apathetic to it; not crying, not smiling, but sort of grunting like I may be in for a massive diaper change shortly. I hope you are all doing well in your own lives, and thanks for reading.
Dancing in the Club - MJ Lenderman cover of This is Lorelai
It feels like this cover was made specifically for me. I’ve been singing the praises of both artists over the past two years, with MJ Lenderman having my favorite album of the year last year, and This is Lorelai near the top of the year prior. MJ Lenderman countrifies (country-fies? Engages in countrificiation?) the original track, turning it from a bright and popping sound of piano and auto tuned vocals to a pretty straight-forward bluegrass ballad. Both songs are great in their own right, and despite being the same lyrically they feel like entirely different tracks at the same time, which makes this cover so great. If you’re still slacking on listening to either artist, wake up already and jump on the bandwagon.
From - Bon Iver
Bon Iver truly embraced an optimistic sound on Justin Vernon’s newest album, and From is a gorgeous love song. With the distinct guitar sound of Mk.gee starting things off, Vernon embraces writing in a much more straightforward way than his previous work. Where you would listen to a track off of 22 a million or Bon Iver, Bon Iver, lyrics were easy enough to sing too, but even now after listening to the songs for over a decade, I have only a hazy idea of what he’s singing about. On From, Vernon serenades “I got time, I can give you some, I just love when you call me “baby”, and “tell me when the coast is clear so I can kiss you ear from ear.” It’s a refreshing sound and lyrical approach from one of my all time favorite artists, and after listening to interviews and podcasts, it sounds like JV is in a better spot than he has been in a long time.
Medicine for Horses- Viagra Boys
The new album from Viagra Boys is the best album released this year in my humble opinion, and I had a hard time selecting just one track from the non-singles to include in this quarterly update. I settled on Medicine for Horses, which sounds different than almost anything the band has ever released. A somber ballad with the surrealist lyrics the band is so well known for, the song takes you on a journey of almost craving death and being reborn again in the future. Whether the death is caused via car crash, breaking your neck & draining your spinal fluid into a mason jar, or having a horse stomp you on the head, the protagonist yearns for a new life in the future, maybe even on the plains of North America.
Afterlife - Alex G
Alex G is set to release his first album on a major record label after having a staggering amount of success with his lo-fi releases over the last few years. Alex has moved on from the lo-fi sound in his newer releases, but the song writing remains in tact with a stunner of a lead single. Afterlife beings with the prominent strumming of a mandolin, with lyrics focusing on a burst of light leading to second chances and new opportunities. The chorus repeats in my head non-stop throughout the day, and this has easily been my most played song over the last month or so. It’s a beautiful track that is going to stick with me for a long time moving forward.
Metal - The Beths
BREAK OUT THE KIWIS! New Zealand band, The Beths, are back!!! The Beths have been quite possibly the most consistent indie rock band of the last decade, with each recording being consistently great, while making slight modifications on their sound. For their newest single, Metal, they have fully jumped into jangle rock, with light shimmery guitars leading the way throughout the verses. Lead singer Liz Stokes is masterful in writing genuine lyrics, and her voice seems to float over the top of the band. No other band right now is making better call and response music with harmonious melodies either. The backing band provide beautiful harmonies in each chorus and bridge, that adds this to the already stacked repertoire of great songs by The Beths.
BIRDS - Turnstile
The crowd was packed for Turnstile’s recent hometown show in Baltimore. A sprawling crowd with constant flying bodies in the crowd. Circle pits. Free water. Tents fundraising for the homeless in Baltimore. Turnstile is making a name for themselves in lots of different ways, and they’re on the rise to eventually become the biggest rock band of the decade. With their upcoming album Never Enough the band is poised for the mainstream, which many long-time supporters of the band aren’t exactly comfortable with. Turnstile got their big break in hardcore, which isn’t exactly a genre known for its mainstream success. With BIRDS though, you might be confused as to why anyone would be upset. It’s a short, straightforward rocker with heavy guitars and a strong back-end chorus, with frontman Brendan Yates screaming “FINALLY I CAN SEE IT, THIS BIRD’S NOT MEANT TO FLY ALONE!”
Elderberry Wine - Wednesday
Karly Hartzman is just on a song writing streak right now, blending the perfect mixture of indie and Americana. The guitar playing of MJ Lenderman, and inclusion of a steel pedal guitar make this such a great jam with everything perfectly blending together for a great track. Hartzman and Lenderman just had a very public breakup, but they need to keep making music together for the good of all of us. Their harmonies in the chorus hit perfectly and show how good they are for each other’s music. Wednesday just announced an album coming out later this year, and here’s to hoping it is on par with their highly regarded Rat Saw God released just two years ago.
Resident Evil - Friendship
The band Friendship, based out of Philly, writes sprawling plain-spoken tracks that gives me similar vibes to a David Berman, or a Sun Kil Moon. To be fair though, I have only listened to their most recent album, Caveman Comes to Life, which is their 5th, but it’s been scratching an itch for that style of music. The track Resident Evil focuses on something menacing in the air, much aligned with the popular video game franchise itself. The slow build throughout the verse laying out piles of shirts left on chairs, a strange odor being left in the air, and a new roommate being in his house before lead singer Dan Wriggins voice cracks yelling out “Some Shitheads in my room, playing Resident Evil.” It’s been my favorite off their album, but the album as a whole has been growing on me with each listen.
Angel - MSPAINT
THE BOYS FROM DOWN SOUTH HAVE RETURNED! MSPAINT blends hardcore and elements of hip hop with a strong sprinkle of positive mindset into each of their songs. I’m a sucker for a good hook too, and MSPAINT have placed themselves with Militarie Gun and Turnstile as the two bands who have navigated creating catchy hardcore tracks. The song provides the theme of feeling like you’re a burden to those around you, but managing to stay present in the moment, trying not to let yourself get too overwhelmed by any particular moment. This is the first single of a larger EP as the band looks to build upon the success of their standout debut album Post-American.
Hearthrob - Indigo De Souza
The buildup in the chorus for Indigo De Souza’s ‘Heartthrob” is a beautiful thing. With her vocals straining over the occasional strumming guitar, we get to the line “I REALLY PUT MY BACK INTO IT” which is repeated chaotically throughout the chorus. It’s a near perfect rock song, that seems to add a few more indie/punk elements to her music than her previous efforts. How about that album artwork too? Indigo De Souza definitely has her own aesthetic, that adds to her brilliant music.
Groucho Marx - Liquid Mike
The first two lead singles from Liquid Mike’s upcoming album are under two minutes, but both leave an impact. Lead singer Mike Maple pushes his vocals to an entirely new place, hitting some higher notes for an extended period of time. I’m praying for him when he performs this live, because WOW it’s up there. On top of that, the song is another straightforward rock song, which Liquid Mike is doing better than almost any other band out there. The band makes it seem almost too easy to write a rock song. None of the songs are ever overly complex, but they’re just damn good rock songs! Accompanying the two singles came an announcement of a new album, and my Upper Michigan boys are still heading on their trajectory to the top.
Focus - Preoccupations
This song gets me goin. The Canadian boys in Preoccupations are veterans of the post-punk scene, starting off with their critically acclaimed album released under their former name, Viet Cong. Focus is a straightforward rock track that takes the listener down lots of different avenues of sound throughout it’s three and a half minutes. The chorus sounds like it came directly from the 1980s, and back to an earlier age of synth pop, and they navigate it seamlessly. Put this song on during your morning commute to get fired up as you sip your coffee to start the morning.
Hallways - PUP
Pup has always towed the line between being a pop punk and genuine punk rock band, and Hallways probably trends more towards being a pop punk track with great success. In typical Stefan Babcock style, the lyrics are heavy hitters reflecting on the mental health of his protagonist. “I’m losing the will to keep hanging on, but I can’t die yet because who will look after the dog?” Pup are becoming vets in the punk rock world, but it’s refreshing to see that their sound is still holding on as they approach their 40s.