Reviews of albums, films, concerts, and more from the Bay Area Music and Movie Nerds
The Linda Lindas keep getting better. “Closer” pushes their usual punky sound to pure, 00’s, rip your heart out and hand it to anyone willing to hold it emo. Lucia de la Garza’s delicate voice blends so nicely with guest singer Hayley Williams’ soulful croon that I’m getting goosebumps listening to this song. Another work of genius from the teenage rock saviors.
“Closer” is the second single off The Linda Lindas upcoming major label debut, GOTTA GET OUT, in stores and online August 28th!
I love a short song. The shorter and more chaotic, the better. So, when Sadie Dupuis (of Speedy Ortiz) decided to release a full album of 1 minutish songs, I was more than excited. The first single off that release is an uncomfortable, noisy affair called “Watermelon Manicure.” It’s amazing, and I’ve listened to it almost 15 times now, and I’ve found more layers to this than your average 15-minute prog opus.
1331 is out July 10th! Preorder here! And our New England friends get the first chance to hear this brilliant record live:
7/9 – Brooklyn, NY @ Union Pool w/ New Idea Society, Russian Baths
7/10 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s w/ Hurry, Dina Hashem
7/11 – Malden, MA @ FACES w/ New Idea Society, Real Beaut
7/17 – virtual @ Blue Stoop – Verse Chorus Voice, a lyrics & songwriting masterclass
7/24 – Somerville, MA @ NICE, a fest w/ Krill, Downtown Boys, Dari Bay, Mal Devisa
I’ve been following Charli xcx for almost two decades now. I consider her a true musical genius, and I’m glad that Brat, one of the greatest records of all time, moved her into arenas and made her a household name. The one thing that I have realized about her is that she’s yet to give us a truly *dirty* song. Well, she’s been holding a LOT back, because “Wink Wink” would make Peaches blush.
“Wink Wink” is the third single off Charli’s upcoming album, Music Fashion Film, out July 24th. She’s also headlining Outside Lands and touring a TON this Fall.
I’m not a “metal” guy. It takes something really special in that world for me to fall for. “Ego” is a Spanish Language, driving, chunky head banger that I’ve been listening to so much that, despite being three weeks old now, it only seems fair to give it the honors that it should’ve gotten right away.
“Ego” is off The Warning’s upcoming album, Everything’s Falling, which is out August 28th in stores and on your local DSP.
Times are dark. It’s refreshing to hear a truly uplifting and joyful song. “Kool Aid” by Debbii Dawson is about the most positive love song I’ve heard in ages. It’s also catchy as hell for a song about life being heavenly.
“Kool Aid” is off Dawson’s upcoming EP, Where Have All The Good Men Gone?, dropping June 26th. Prepare for it’s arrival here!
Sometimes you just need a good, hook heavy pop-punk jam to get through things. You will have those in spades, and “nothing good to cry about” will make you feel all the feels you had when all you needed to get through the hard stuff was the right song.
All you need to learn more about wilt and select your preferred outlet for listening is here.
What can I say? I love a good punk rock mosher. “grin & bear it” by Welsh Riot Grrl act Panic Shack ticks all the boxes- intelligent feminist lyrics, sung with their Welsh accent, and a BPM that gets the heart rate into danger territory. I love them, and love this song. And somehow Super Furry Animals AND Sex Pistols are taking them out on the road next year! Continue reading “Single of the Week: “grin & bear it” by Panic Shack”
I didn’t post this on Friday. Because I knew what was coming. Gen Z’s greatest songwriter, Sabrina Teitelbaum aka Blondshell, had a new single coming down the pike. And it’s a banger. So heavy- both sonically and emotionally. I can’t wait for this record to drop. Enjoy “Heart Has To Work So Hard” NOW!
Fall tour dates HAVE dropped, including an appearance at the historic Castro Theater in SF. Full dates here, including sign up for the May 20th presale!
First of all, it’s been 15 years since the last new music dropped from ANY Beastie Boy. It’s also been 14 years, nearly to the day, since Adam Yauch left this mortal plane. But Mike D gifted us his first solo single today, and it’s a chaotic, jungle-influenced bit of sonic joy. Think DJ Shadow meets AK 1200. Anyways, “Switch It Up” is great.
He’s also playing a few headlining shows, with a show at Sid The Cat Auditorium on Sunday, and Xanadu in Brooklyn May 22nd-23rd.
Sunflower Beam’s Julia Cumming’s solo debut is out today, and the latest single is a heartbreaker AND heartmender. A beautiful song about finding resolution in an old relationship. We’ve all been there, and she captures it in such a lovely way.
Julia is on your favorite DSP and at your local indie retailer TODAY!
