Category: Single Of The Week

Single of the Week: “Good Day” by Seratones

The most effective form of protest is experiencing joy in the face of darkness. I honestly can’t wait for a Single of the Week post to proclaim an expression of pure joy and relief… Until then we have statements like “Good Day” by Seratones. It’s a funky, soulful number really does fire up production of the brain chemical that is the band’s punsake. 

“Good Day” is out there on all the DSPs. Like something physical? Love & Algorhythms, the upcoming full-length that contains “Good Day,” is available for preorder here to be in your hands on April 29th. 

Single of the Week: “Growing Up” by The Linda Lindas

The last year or so have been a whirlwind for The Linda Lindas, the LA band of high schoolers that have been together since they were middle schoolers. They landed on our radar back in 2019, when they managed to open for one of the epic Bikini Kill reunion shows. The band has literally grown up in that time and their songwriting and playing chops keep getting better. Last year’s Racist Sexist Boy was the anthem of the Summer. The single of the week for this week, “Growing Up,” is a power-pop confection that is just the key to dancing your way through the doldrums of post-Christmas winter. 

“Growing Up,” the song, can be enjoyed at your local DSP. The Linda Lindas debut album also called Growing Up, is out April 8th. You can reserve your copy here!

Single of the Week: “Ceci n’est pas un cliché” by Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul

I love dance music. But I need my dance music to feel like it’s made by humans. This track by Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul has a tight, solid groove and an infectious bassline that all sounds and feels like it was made with human hands. They call to mind 00’s legends New Young Pony Club, The Rapture, and yes, even a little LCD Soundsystem at times. (But without all the things that make LCD Soundsystem an absolute bore. Yeah. I said it.) “Ceci N’Est Pas Un Cliche'” is a great song for when you need a great sweat. 

“Ceci N’Est Pas Un Cliche'” is out now in all the usual places. Their upcoming full length record, Topical Dancer, is coming to stores, DSP’s, and your mailbox on March 4th and can be prewhatevered here. Oh, and as regular readers of this site have gotten drilled into their skulls- get yourselves vaxxed and boosted and keep your N95 sealed to your face so you can catch them live this Spring, including a gig at our beloved Popscene on May 18th! 

Single of the Week: “Looking Backward” by Melody’s Echo Chamber

It’s been far too long since we’ve heard from Melody’s Echo Chamber. Her delightful psychedelic pop is kind of a warm, sonic hug. “Looking Backward” features her soulful soprano over layers of harp, funk bass, guitars, strings and electronic elements that manage to send you into space, the mall, and home on the couch with a hot chocolate that may have a microdose of LSD, or might just be made with whole milk. Either way, it’s a pleasant experience. 

“Looking Backward” can be enjoyed right now in all the usual places. It’s the lead single off Emotional Eternal, her full-length album coming to DSPs and your turntable on April 29th. Reserve your copy / prep your playlists here! 

Single of the Week: “Against Face” by Cy Dune

When the world lost Akron / Family’s Miles Seaton last year, we lost one of the greatest noise experimentalists of the modern era. Now, 11 months later, we are getting new music from another member of the Akron / Family, er, family- Seth Olinsky’s new project Cy Dune. The first release from Cy Dune is “Against Face,” a song that has flavors of the experimental layers of his former band, with a garage punk grit and groove that makes you want to both scream and dance. So, please, play it LOUD. LOUDER!!!

“Against Face” is the first single off Cy Dune’s upcoming full-length of the same name, out March 3rd. Preorder & presave details coming soon. Keep an eye out here for more info when it comes! 

Single of the Week: “Why December” by Ignoring Olivia

Oh man. This song is HEAVY AF. Like, not just sonically, but the emotional weight of this song is also intense. Vocalist Maya delivers the lyrics with a passionate wail that harkens back to Mia Zapata of The Gits or last year’s Single Of The Weeker Kim Gordon. The band delivers the kind of dark ferocity the reminds me of Babes In Toyland or Pretty On The Inside-era Hole. “Why December” is just a great song, a great recording, and is exactly what I needed to hear this week. 

“Why December” is out in the world in all of the usual places to stream and download. Their debut album SULKUS is out this February. Keep an eye out here for breaking news on what may end up your favorite record of 2022. 

Single of the Week: “Abstract Blues” by Kim Gordon & J. Mascis (featuring Fred Armisen)

Most supergroups are a bit of a disappointment. However, this track, which is actually a few months old but is finally getting an official release as part of the Sub Pop Single Club this week, really does what you want a supergroup to do- it takes the most complimentary gifts the different artists have and builds on it. Kim Gordon’s exasperated growl blends nicely with J Mascis’ guitar work that’s drenched in both noise AND melody. Fred Armisen is here, but he just stays in the pocket, supporting two bonafide rock legends and not showing off. 

“Abstract Blues” can be streamed in all the usual places. If you are looking for something physical, you can still join the 2021 Sub Pop Singles Club here and get 12 exclusive 45’s. 

Single Of The Week: “Apple Boy” by Mae Mae

Can a song be super snarky and incredibly sweet all at once? Mae Mae may have written the most genuinely realistic love song I have ever heard. It’s tender, it’s sexy, it’s judgemental, it’s full of complex emotions that really wrap up what it’s like to spend time with the one that you have marked “the one.” “Apple Boy” is one beautiful song and I’m happy to share it with you for our Single of the Week. 

“Apple Boy” can be enjoyed in all of the usual places. It’s the second single off Mae Mae’s upcoming EP, Gummy Heart Eyes, coming your way on January 15th. 

Single Of The Week: “Traps” by Bloc Party

Bloc Party’s debut EP can out in 2014. I still remember very vividly the first time I heard it… I was working at a Wherehouse Music location in the Tenderloin. A box of indie label promos showed up, and I opened the box to see what there was. One of my colleagues said, “Bloc Party? I heard they were good. Let’s put that on!” I threw it on and was instantly blown away. They’ve made a few excellent records since then, but nothing quite on that level since then. That is, until “Traps,” their first single in six years. This song is HEAVY. It might be the heaviest, hardest thing they’ve done, well, ever. The drums are ferocious yet nimble, proving to the world that Louise Bartle can, indeed, fill the shoes that Matt Tong left behind so many years ago. 

“Traps” can be found in all the usual places. It’s the first single off Alpha Games, which is due in stores, both physical and virtual, on April 29th. Preorders and presaves can be done here! 

Single of the Week: “Mind Eraser” by Nicole Atkins

My partner and I had a conversation the other night about artists that we were really into for a time, and then just stopped listening to, and now they’ve released more material we aren’t familiar with than are. Nicole Atkins is in that boat for me… I loved LOVED her 2007 record Neptune City. Her follow-up, Digging Other People’s Songs. is a stunning covers collection. In fact, her version of The Church’s “Under The Milky Way” is the definitive version, in my own humble opinion. The next thing I know, 13 years go by, and she’s released a LOT of material during that time that I just ignored. This was a mistake. But I’m making up for lost time now… Her latest single, “Mind Eraser,” is a stunning, potent torch song. It’s also our Single Of The Week. 

“Mind Eraser” is off Atkins’ upcoming live album Memphis Ice, coming to your local on-demand streaming service AND record store on December 10th. Why not prepare for it’s arrival by pre-saving or pre-ordering here? While you are at it, Nicole Atkins is also doing a live stream on release day, so you can enjoy her stunning live set from the COVID-free (hopefully) confines of your home. Order tickets here!