featuring Greg Mendez, Mo Dotti, Alien Nosejob, Tapir!, & more
An overwhelming amount of music is released daily, and we're here to help you weed through it all. Every week, we share select releases we are all looking forward to and personalized picks from a few of our editors.
Welcome to our New Releases to Check Out guide featuring the most notable music released the week of September 20.
And don't forget to check out our YouTube, where DeVán reports on the latest music news every Friday.
BLIGATORY Picks
Mo Dotti - opaque
Noise Pop, Dream Pop, Shoegaze
Self-Released
write-up by Peter Doherty
Los Angeles' Mo Dotti jolt out of deep sleep and slip into their debut album opaque. Crusted eyes and last night’s dreams remain fresh in the mind. A liminal air lingers. A sweet day lays itself out ahead.
Mo Dotti thrive in the bittersweet on their debut. The spaces in between. They turn the harsh hum of existence into a bearable reality. Something to exist beside rather than in opposition to. The caustic amongst the crystalline; the smooth amongst the rough; the clean amongst the dirt and all the other relative opposites that can be drawn. Swells of sweet ferocity produce peach-fuzzy bubbles. Cotton-mouth, cracked lips. Dry eyes and sticky fingers. Glistening in the cool morning sun. The glimpses of infinite passersby's eyes. Wavey reflections. Formative feelings. The soul’s expanse. A freezeframe of the stretched present—here, now, forever. Pause the videotape. Savour the surroundings. Breathe its essence. Alive in the eternal now, for now at least.
“I can't feel my face. What did you say?”
The self-released opaque is out now. Additionally, Peter’s full-length review of Mo Dotti’s latest is up on his website; read it here.
Greg Mendez - "First Time"
Indie Folk, Singer-Songwriter
via Dead Oceans
write-up by Dominick Baglivo
After releasing his breakthrough self-titled record last year, Philadelphia’s Greg Mendez returns with his new single “First Time.” A sorrowful, piano-driven ballad, the latest track is another shining example of Mendez’ poignant and evocative songwriting.
“First Time” is taken from Mendez’ freshly-announced EP First Time / Alone. In addition the new EP, Mendez and his new label home Dead Oceans have announced a reissue of Greg Mendez.
First Time / Alone is out October 18, and the S/T reissue will arrive December 6 via Dead Oceans. Mendez is currently wrapping up a few shows in the Northeast with Angel Olsen that will conclude September 27 in Northampton, MA. Starting in D.C. on October 17, Mendez will hit the road with Allegra Krieger for nine more shows before the month’s end. Find more information and get tickets here.
Atticus' Picks
2nd Grade - “Made Up My Own Mind” / “Out Of The Hive” / “Airlift”
Power Pop
via Double Double Whammy
I have a feeling “power pop” is going to be the next cliche, oversaturated genre tag that no one wants to get labeled as, even if they rightfully are making powerful pop. Maybe it already is, but 2nd Grade’s new three-pack seems like an exceptional display of pop—with a bit of power in it. We also hear some lo-fi textures on “Out of the Hive” and a taste of the group’s softer side to close it out with “Airlift.”
The Philadelphia-based five-piece just announced their fourth album Scheduled Explosions, which will be released on October 25 via Double Double Whammy. Similar to their fantastic 2020 debut, Hit to Hit, the upcoming project will contain 24 tracks…yet two of their new singles don’t clock in at over two minutes. Either way, the album’s Bandcamp pre-order is tagged as “power pop,” so at least they aren’t too proud to admit that yet.
Pi'erre Bourne - "Blocs"
Melodic Trap
Self-Released
As of right now, this song is only available via Pi’erre Bourne’s Instagram, accompanied by a full music video. It’s unclear why this is the case, but Bourne seems to be returning from a short hiatus with solo material ready to go. Clocking in at over five minutes, Pi’erre is in form with a classic melodic, auto-tune-laden flow over an airy beat swamped with 808s (they’re a bit overpowering, but maybe it’s just the poor Instagram audio quality). While “Blocs” isn’t a top-tier Pi’erre Bourne composition, it’s an exciting step towards another solo project, possibly The Life of Pi’erre 6? Hopefully, we’ll hear more soon from the renowned producer/rapper.
SBTRKT - "ALL THE TIME"
Future Garage
via SAVE YOURSELF Recordings
In a week that includes a nearly-decade-long comeback from the legendary producer Jamie xx, it’s pretty easy to miss a random release from fellow established electronic Englishman SBTRKT. If you had been paying attention though (full discretion, I hadn’t), you would have witnessed many similarly packaged singles dropping, starting on June 6. You may have even noticed the lone single “Miss The Days” in June 2022, containing the same cartoon cat thing pointing at you from within a record sleeve. What is this dude trying to say?
Well, a few weeks back, SBTRKT made a post on Instagram revealing that all of these tracks are part of a series, and a compilation titled RUFF & READY VOL. 1 will be the result. With no date set, there is no telling when this project will fully materialize. But for now, the sample-heavy dance groove and slightly ominous chords of “ALL THE TIME” can handily build up some hype.
Bon Iver - "S P E Y S I D E"
Indie Folk, Singer-Songwriter
via Jagjaguwar
Eem Triplin - "CRAZY H*ES"
Melodic Trap
Self-Released
Theo R - "Collapse"
Indie Folk
Self-Released
Dominick's Picks
Alien Nosejob - Turns the Colour of Bad Shit
Garage Rock, Garage Punk
via Total Punk (US) / Drunken Sailor (UK) / Anti Fade (AUS)
Under the name Alien Nosejob, Australian musician Jake Robertson (of Ausmuteants, Frowning Clouds, Heirophants, & more) delivers more ratty and upbeat garage punk on Turns the Colour of Bad Shit.
The Alien Nosejob repertoire continues to expand rapidly with the release of Robertson’s seventh solo record. It was only ten months ago that he released The Derivative Sounds of…Or… A Dog Always Returns to its Vomit.
Turns the Colour of Bad Shit is out now via Total Punk (US) / Drunken Sailor (UK) / Anti Fade (AUS).
Tanukichan - Circles (EP)
Shoegaze, Noise Pop
via Carpark Records
Oakland-based singer-songwriter Hannah van Loon releases a new EP titled Circles. After three projects in collaboration with Chaz Bear/Toro y Moi—including 2023’s GIZMO—van Loon ventures in a new direction alongside producer Franco Reid.
A collection of five swirling, powerful, and sparkly shoegaze tracks is the run-down. Circles is Tanukichan’s first release with Carpark Records and it’s out now.
Ain't - "Teething"
Post-Punk, Indie Rock
via fear of missing out records
London five-piece Ain’t share their second single to-date with the splitting and dynamic new track, “Teething.”
Speaking on the single, the band says:
“Teething is definitely our creepiest song – Ed wrote it ages before Ain’t and the lyrics ‘you don’t even notice me from the window’ encapsulates the whole premise of the song neatly. It’s about vying for someone’s attention when they couldn’t care less – and how the sting of that rejection isn’t so much a sting, but a persistent throbbing, like toothache.”
“Teething” is out now via fear of missing out records.
CLASS - "Scared to Care"
Garage Punk, Egg Punk
via Feel It Records
Launching the rollout of their third LP, Tucson, Arizona’s CLASS share the raucous, classic garage-punk sounding “Scared to Care.” The new album from CLASS, A Healthy Alternative, is out October 4 via Feel It Records.
Drug Church - "Slide 2 Me"
Post-Hardcore
via Pure Noise Records
In July, Albany post-hardcore group Drug Church announced their fifth album, PRUDE, alongside lead single “Demolition Man.” They’ve also shared “Chow” and “Myopic” from the album, with the latter released last year before any news.
This week, the band returns with the fourth and final advance track, “Slide 2 Me.” The track chugs along in typical Drug Church fashion, with a first-person retelling of a botched liquor store robbery steering the narrative.
PRUDE is out October 4 on Pure Noise Records.
Thirdface - "Meander"
Hardcore Punk
via Exploding In Sound Records
“Meander” is the latest absolute ripper from Nashville hardcore band Thirdface. A scorching, stomping, and scowling cut—it is also the lead single from their new album, Ministerial Cafeteria.
About the new track, bandleader Kathryn Edwards says:
“The lyrics kind of represent a bit of a shift from primal anger at any and all external aggressors found in the first album to what I think are the two central themes of this album: an introspective exploration of mental health issues and skepticism towards societal structures and authoritative powers.”
Ministerial Cafeteria is the follow-up to the group’s 2021 debut, Do It With A Smile. It is out November 1 via Exploding In Sound Records.
Peter's Picks
Ramper - Solo Postres
Post-Rock, Slowcore
via Humo Internacional
Granada's Ramper made waves in my mind in 2020 with the release of their debut Nuestros mejores deseos. Four years removed and Ramper set sail with album number two.
Ramper’s captivating knack for elongating the changing seasons into sonic form tells me—us—that great care, love, and attention to detail goes into these songs. With the patience to build comes the power to last. Gentle strength. A peaceful mindset on stormy seas. This could be the end, but that's alright. Wave after crushing wave. Soft souls. Emotional beings brew, stew, and suffer beneath the calm. Calm but confident. Confidence in the self defies confidence in everyone and everything else.
A must for fans of post-rock and slowcore type material, Solo Postres is out now via Humo Internacional.
Fuzz Lightyear - "My Body"
Noise Rock, Garage Punk
via Nice Swan Records
Leeds up-and-comers Fuzz Lightyear sign to Nice Swan Records and release their debut single on the label with "My Body."
Frontman Ben Parry had this to say about the new song:
“’My Body’ asks to what extent is your mental self yours, and how much of yourself is everyone else. I wanted to look at the line between myself and everyone else around me - how much my environment effects my thoughts, and vice versa.”
Live dates for Fuzz Lightyear are spread out across the remainder of 2024. Cities include Sheffield, Manchester, Leeds, London and Middlesborough.
Stalled - "Map Out the Cut"
Slowcore, Post-Rock
via Pleasure Tapes
Chicago-based band Stalled sit on the more sluggish side of post-hardcore. Slow to burn and slow to build, Stalled grip life with heavy hands and even heavier hearts. Yearning angst sits at the centre of the band’s essence.
Stalled released one of my favourite EP's of 2023 in the Contentment EP. They've released a handful of singles since to keep their names on the minds and mouths of those in the know. "Map Out the Cut" is one of said singles.
Stalled's debut album, Dust Inside a Dream is out October 22. A limited run of tapes will be available via Pleasure Tapes.
Tapir! - "Nail n a Wooden Trunk"
Indie Folk
via Heavenly Recordings / [PIAS]
Tapir! started off 2024 with one of the best projects to come out this year: The Pilgrim, Their God and the King of my Decrepit Mountain. Now, closing in on the latter stages of 2024, Tapir have released a couple of singles—including "Nail in a Wooden Trunk," which nicely continues their debut album's lineage of folky, artsy fondness. Acoustic guitars and beautiful lyric lines meet to form swaying yet stern pieces of vibey vulnerability.
“Do you wanna be on the same team, or do you wanna play a game?”
Is there more to come from the Tapir! camp in 2024?
"Nail in a Wooden Trunk" is available via Heavenly Recordings and Play It Again Sam.
Comments