Jun 18, 2021 By Mark Redfern Photography by Dennis Morton Danish trio Efterklang have announced a new album, Wildflowers, and shared its first single, “Living Other Lives,” via a video for it. “Living Other Lives” has a Talk Talk vibe. Wildflowers is due out October 8 via City Slang. Søren Lynggaard Andersen directed the “Living […]
12 Best Songs of the Week: Tachys, Ora the Molecule, Wet Leg, Indigo De Souza, and More
Jun 18, 2021 By Mark Redfern Welcome to the 23rd Songs of the Week of 2021. It was a strong week for new songs, so we ended up with a Top 12 and some excellent honorable mentions as well. This is a very Scandinavian Songs of the Week, with artists from Denmark (two of them), […]
Sparks and Edgar Wright Dissect “The Sparks Brothers”
Jun 18, 2021 Web Exclusive By Owen Maxwell Despite a strong, fifty-year career that’s produced 25 albums, pop pioneers Sparks are equally described as being overlooked yet highly influential. From their 1960s debut as Halfnelson and through multiple reinventions they’ve gone from preppy pop, to Queen-style anthems, to electronic music, all with their cinematic kind […]
Dreamers Are Waiting
Jun 18, 2021 Web Exclusive By Hays Davis Dreamers Are Waiting, the first album from Crowded House since 2010’s Intriguer, finds the band freshly crowded with a new lineup and a batch of songs that reflect the band’s maturity, both lyrically and musically. A new Crowded House lineup came together in 2020, two years after […]
Sally Shapiro Come Back From Retirement with New Song “Fading Away”
Jun 18, 2021 By Mark Redfern Swedish duo Sally Shapiro (the project of producer Johan Agebjörn and an anonymous singer who goes under the name Sally Shapiro) have returned with a brand new song, “Fading Away,” despite announcing in 2016 that they were putting an end to the project. What’s more, they are working on […]
Premiere: Gracie and Rachel Debut Reimagining of Their Single, “speak”
Jun 18, 2021 By Caleb Campbell Photography by Gracie and Rachel Brooklyn indie pop duo Gracie and Rachel changed things up last year with their sophomore album, Hello Weakness, You Make Me Strong. With a new producer and more electronic elements added to their billowing baroque pop stylings, the new sound, while potent and moving, […]
Modest Mouse Share New Song “The Sun Hasn’t Left”
Jun 18, 2021 By Mark Redfern Photography by James Joiner Modest Mouse are releasing a new album, The Golden Casket, on June 25 via Epic. Now they have shared the album’s third single, “The Sun Hasn’t Left.” Frontman Isaac Brock seems to be encouraging us to put down our phones and get outside. “Friendships are […]
Twin Shadow Shares Two New Songs – “Sugarcane” and “Lonestar”
Jun 18, 2021 By Mark Redfern Twin Shadow (aka George Lewis Jr.) is releasing a new self-titled album on July 9 via Lewis’ own Cheree Cheree label. Now he has shared two new songs from it, “Sugarcane” and “Lonestar,” the former via a video for it. Check them both out below. Twin Shadow includes two […]
Tachys (Jonas Bjerre of Mew and Tobias Wilner) Share Debut Single “When the World Wakes Up”
Jun 18, 2021 By Mark Redfern Jonas Bjerre of Danish trio Mew has teamed up with childhood friend Tobias Wilner for the new project Tachys and have shared their debut single under that name, “When the World Wakes Up.” The song seems to be asking us what we plan to do when the pandemic truly […]
Premiere: The Crying Violets Debut New Video For “Broken Dreams Club”
Jun 18, 2021 By Caleb Campbell Nottingham-based rising indie pop trio The Crying Violets make anthems tailor-fitted for warm early summer afternoons. Coming shortly after their April single, “San Francisco Blues,” the band returned this month with their latest track, “Broken Dreams Club.” Now the band is back with an accompanying video, premiering with Under […]
Islomania
Jun 18, 2021 Web Exclusive By Gareth O’Malley Considering the fractious circumstances surrounding the breakup of The Unicorns—the project which made way for the formation of Islands in 2005—you could hardly have blamed Nick Thorburn for quietly putting his main musical focus out to pasture. That’s exactly what happened once the Montréal band released a […]
Bre Kennedy Debuts New Single “Control”
Jun 18, 2021 By Caleb Campbell With intricate storytelling, rich pop sensibilities, and startling songwriting, singer/songwriter Bre Kennedy has been quickly making a name for herself in the vein of singer/songwriters like Cat Power, Feist, or Stevie Nicks. Most recently, Kennedy debuted her 2020 sophomore EP, Twenty-Something, and she is now back, building to her […]
Premiere: Fernway Debuts New Video For “Try Smiling”
Jun 18, 2021 By Caleb Campbell Buffalo-based alt rock outfit Fernway has been following up their 2020 EP Welcome To The Ground with a handful of new releases this year, showing off new angles to the band’s melodic takes on alt rock, indie pop, and emo. The band have already shared “XXIII” and “Mountain Climber” […]
James Yorkston – Listen to Our Interview in the New Episode of Our Podcast
Jun 17, 2021 By Celine Teo-Blockey Scottish singer/songwriter James Yorkston is our next guest on the Under the Radar Podcast. He discusses his childhood in Kingsbarns, Scotland, how he got signed to Domino Records, and some of the recurring themes in his music—of loss, mental health, and his disdain for organized religion. Earlier this year, […]
Merrily We Go to Hell
Jun 17, 2021 Web Exclusive By Stephen Danay The year is 2021 and representation in cinema is still a battle being fought. Over the past decade, Hollywood has come to understand that diversity can be commodified as easily as any other demographic or product. Look no further than IP-driven franchises to see assembly line blockbusters […]
Werewolves Within [Tribeca 2021]
Jun 17, 2021 By Kaveh Jalinous Web Exclusive Based on Ubisoft’s virtual reality video game of the same name, Werewolves Within is a horror-comedy exploring the dark sides of ego and identity. The film follows Finn Wheeler (Sam Richardson), a forest ranger who moves to a small town in the middle of nowhere after dealing […]
Social Haul
Jun 17, 2021 Web Exclusive By Jimi Arundell Brand new post punk three-piece Social Haul first impressed when they announced their arrival with lead single “Wet Eyes.” Led by singer/guitarist Leigh Padley, otherwise known as the bassist from TRAAMS, and including drummer Richard Trust plus bassist Daniel William Daws; the lacerating guitars, screamed slogans, and […]
Watch Sleater-Kinney Perform “Worry With You” on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”
Jun 17, 2021 By Mark Redfern Sleater-Kinney recently released a new album, Path of Wellness, via Mom + Pop. Last night they were the musical guests on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where they performed the album’s “Worry With You” with a new live band backing up founders Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker. Watch […]
Water From Your Eyes Share Dreamy New Song “When You’re Around”
Jun 17, 2021 By Mark Redfern New York-based duo Water From Your Eyes are releasing a new album, Structure, on August 27 via Wharf Cat, their first album for the label. Now they have shared its second single, the dreamy horn-backed love song “When You’re Around,” which references the band’s name in the lyrics and […]
Ora the Molecule Shares Video for New Song “The Ball”
Jun 17, 2021 By Mark Redfern Norway’s Ora the Molecule (aka Nora Schjelderup) is releasing her debut album, Human Safari, on July 23 via Mute. Now she has shared another single from it, “The Ball,” via a video that features lots of slow motion shots of her riding a horse (sometimes in reverse), as well […]
Premiere: Paragon Cause Debut New Single “Disconnected”
Jun 17, 2021 By Caleb Campbell Ottawa electro rock group Paragon Cause is quickly following on the heels of their 2020 debut record, What We Started, with an ambitious follow-up, their new record, Autopilot. The core duo of Jay Bonaparte and Michelle Opthof are once again joined by Sune Rose Wagner of The Raveonettes as […]
Diana Ross Announces First New Album in 15 Years, Shares New Song “Thank You”
Jun 17, 2021 By Mark Redfern Music legend Diana Ross has announced her first new album in 15 years, Thank You, and shared its title track. She’s also shared a trailer for the album. Thank You is due out September 10 via Decca. Check out “Thank You” and the trailer below, followed by the album’s […]
Permanent Damage: Memoirs of an Outrageous Girl
Jun 17, 2021 By Frank Valish Mercy Fontenot, otherwise known as Miss Mercy, began her rise to infamy as a member of the GTO’s. Standing for Girls Together Outrageously, the GTO’s were the brainchild of Frank Zappa and released one album on Zappa’s Straight Records in 1969. But Miss Mercy’s story was much more than […]
Premiere: Ridgeway Debuts New Single “Real Blue”
Jun 17, 2021 By Caleb Campbell Southern California shoegaze band Ridgeway is preparing for their sophomore LP, Marlo, coming later this year. Pulling influence from formative ‘90s shoegaze records and from their storming contemporaries like Nothing or Turnover, the band’s latest record looks to push their sound even further than their 2019 debut, Give. The […]
Reason to Live
Jun 17, 2021 Web Exclusive By Carlo Thomas To listen to Reason to Live—the latest album by indie rock legend Lou Barlow—is to listen to a recalibration. Sure, the album centers around the acoustic strumming (“Why Can’t It Wait”) and lo-fi aesthetics (“Paws”) that have become synonymous with Barlow’s solo projects. Ever the self-examiner, his […]
Jessie Ware on “What’s Your Pleasure?”
Jun 17, 2021 By Conrad Duncan Photography by Carlijn Jacobs Issue #68 – Japanese Breakfast and HAIM (The Protest Issue) In an age of social distancing, Jessie Ware’s fourth album, What’s Your Pleasure?, is an epidemiologist’s nightmare; an ecstatic celebration of packed sweaty dancefloors, passionate kisses, and insatiable longing. The disco-inspired record, which landed on […]
Mega Bog Shares Video for New Song “Weight of the Earth, on Paper”
Jun 16, 2021 By Mark Redfern Photography by Adam Gundershiemer Mega Bog (aka Erin Birgy) is releasing a new album, Life, and Another, on July 23 via Paradise of Bachelors. Now she has shared the album’s second single, “Weight of the Earth, on Paper,” via a video for it. Watch it below. Birgy co-directed the […]
koleżanka Shares Video for New Song “In a Meeting”
Jun 16, 2021 By Mark Redfern Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter, guitarist, and producer koleżanka (aka Kristina Moore) is releasing a new album, Place Is, on July 30 via Bar/None, her debut for the label. Now she has shared another song from it, “In a Meeting,” via a video for it. Moore co-directed the video with Mike Fuller. […]
Premiere: Declan Welsh and The Decadent West Debut New Single “Parisian Friends”
Jun 17, 2021 By Caleb Campbell Photography by Sedona May Scottish indie rock quartet Declan Welsh and The Decadent West is perhaps best known for their roaring punk anthems and defiantly left wing values. With tracks like 2017’s “Nazi Boys” the band was born with the philosophy of making their voices heard, loudly and unambiguously. […]
Seconds
Jun 16, 2021 Web Exclusive By Dom Gourlay A name can sometimes lead one into a false sense of security. Take The Death of Pop for instance, a moniker that carries on the fine distinction of mid ‘80s noiseniks Kill Ugly Pop and grebo stalwarts Pop Will Eat Itself. Both were inventively groundbreaking from a […]