Holy hell, hat tip to my buddy Tony in NYC for telling me to check out Pom Pom Squad. "Heavy, Heavy" is an instant top songs of 2019 contender. The energy at the end made me repeat the song three times before I could get up.
If Savages,-inspired punk isn't your thing, check out their beautiful slower love song "Cherry Blossom" below.
I only recently heard Wombo for the first time, when they opened up for White Reaper at their sold out Metro show last month. The second the Louisville trio of Sydney Chadwick, Cameron Lowe, and Joel Taylor hit the stage, they caught my ear with a sound that reminded me of so many of my favorite bands while also having a distinctive and unique twist of their own.
Described as “avant-pop / post-punk / whatever-rock” in their Facebook bio, Wombo doesn’t just stick in one lane on their 2017 debut album Staring at Trees. The band released a follow up single “Sad World” in October 2019, and here’s hoping we’ll get even more new tunes in 2020!
Tune into that latest single and “Claire’s Lair” from their first album below.
Straight out of Nashville's rock scene, Bully spent the better part of the last decade touring around the world, but always had a special place in their heart for Chicago.
"But I'm just a circle in Logan Square, spinning around in my underwear," lead singer Alicia Bognanno howls on standout track "Milkman."
With two albums under their belt, the last one coming out in 2017, look for the band to release new music in 2020.
Enjoy the brief, powerful track "I Remember" below along with "Milkman."
Motel Breakfast is Jimmy Drenovsky, Mick O'Donnell, Conor Brennan, Jesse Nasadowski, Drue Devente. Photo by Maddie Houlihan
Ahead of Motel Breakfast’s self-titled album release on February 7th, we’re giving you the first listen of the debut record’s second single, “Tell Me.”
Talking about the single’s origins, the band says it was the first song written as a five-piece after bassist Drue Devente joined in 2018. “It’s the most collaborative song we've written to date. Starting with the goal of writing an interesting and dynamic 3-chord song, it became something that Mick, Jesse, and Jim workshopped into rough form during a weekend at Mick's cottage.” The group then brought the song to Drue and Conor to continue developing it. “It continued to change as everyone put distinct fingerprints onto the piece and it worked its way into live sets. This final form came into being with help from our friend Sam Veren on trumpet, and the studio guidance of producer Andy Goitia,” vocalist and guitarist Jimmy Drenovsky says.
The whole album is a culmination of three years of writing, performing, and recording throughout the Midwest. Every song on the self-titled album was recorded analog in the summer of 2019, with the sessions split between Treehouse Records in Chicago and Williamson Magnetic Recording in Madison. “The aim for the album was to capture the energy and chemistry of our live performance in the same way rock bands have done for decades — straight to tape,” the band says.
Get your first listen of “Tell Me” below, and keep an eye for it on all other streaming services tomorrow, January 3rd.
Let’s close out 2019 with sold good ol’ dream pop from the Brooklyn-based Barrie. Singer, songwriter and namesake of the project Barrie Lindsay is joined by band members from different cities around the world to bring her narratives to life.
Although Barrie just released their debut single “Canyons” in early 2018, they have already gained tons of traction from their first full-length album Happy to Be Here, which dropped in May 2019. Barrie has already followed up the album with some additional singles “Human Nature” and “Drag” in October, so it likely won’t be long until we’re graced with even more music from them!
Listen to “Darjeeling” and “Talo Uno” by Barrie below, and make sure you snag your tickets to the Winspear Review at Lincoln Hall on January 10th. Barrie will be playing alongside Divino Niño, Major Murphy and more!
Thumbnail image by Alex Bandoni
The Garrys was another band I stumbled across during my time at Iceland Airwaves this year, and I’m so glad that their description on the festival app caught my eye. “If Ed Sullivan went on a date with the Spice Girls, they would eat ice cream sandwiches and dance to the Garrys,” their description read…and who wouldn’t be intrigued by that?
I showed up to their set at Kex Hostel early and was not disappointed at all by how accurate that blurb in their bio had been. The trio of sisters hailing from Saskatoon put a dash of cheeky attitude into their perfect mix of 1950’s rock and doo-wop influence, and their sibling harmonies placed a cherry on top of their smooth style.
So far, The Garrys have released two albums— Surf Manitou in 2017 and Warm Buds in 2016 and I can’t wait to hear what they have in store next. Be sure to follow them for the latest updates, and listen to “In This Dream” and “Manitouna” below.
Thumbnail photo by Gina Brass
Inspired by the lack of winter here in Chicago, we head down under for this edition of AAOTD where it actually is summer.
Loose Tooth are a three-piece indie band signed to Courtney Barnett's Milk! Records. All three members contribute to vocals, something I think more bands should consider.
Dive into non-single "You Want It" and first single off their debut LP "Keep On" below.
If you woke up and received a new stereo system for Christmas, this post is for you.
You may know Cullen Omori as the lead singer of former Chicago band Smith Westerns (RIP), but it's a crime of epic proportions his work hasn't gotten the credit it deserves since he went solo in 2016.
Debut album "New Misery," where Omori plays every instrument, is incredible. Judging by Twitter, it seems like Omori has followed his brother's lead and went back to school at Northwestern. It makes sense to have a backup plan when you spent your traditional college years touring the planet. Nonetheless, I hope Omori keeps making music in 2020.
He remained honest on second Sub-Pop release "The Diet" and subsequent single "Happiness Reigns" provided one of the best music videos of 2018. Dive into it below along with one of my favorite songs of the decade "Sour Silk" and first single "Cinnamon."
Let's crank up the gain on Christmas Eve and get a little heavier with L.A. rockers Moaning. Their debut self-titled LP flew under the radar, but it shouldn't have.
As someone who can't stand metal but loves punk more than life itself, it's all about being melodic when things get heavy.
"Do you care 'cause I do?/Are you there 'cause I am?... Don't go," lead singer Sean Solomon pleads to a lover who is moving on.
The trio signed to Sub-Pop in 2017 after "Don't Go" was released as a demo. It's easy to see why the iconic label signed them.
When most think of South Korean music, they think of K-pop. Say Sue Me is here to change that.
Started as a surf rock band in 2014, they just wrapped up their first ever North American tour and have already made waves in their country. The band was reportedly the second most nominated act at the 2019 Korean Music Awards, taking home two awards.
Most of their tightly-knit songs revolve around love, an obvious theme in music, but they pull it off in a fresh way. Check out standout track "But I Like You" and new single "Good People" below.
Just last month, I had the fortune of visiting Iceland for the first time and while I was there, I attended Iceland Airwaves festival. Set up much like SXSW festival in that it takes place at different venues around the city with some official and unofficial shows, Iceland Airwaves provides the perfect opportunity to discover new artists in the beautiful city of Reykjavík. One of my favorite new discoveries during my time at Airwaves was Icelandic musician Axel Flóvent. From the second I heard the harmonious layered vocals on his most popular song “Forest Fires,” I was mesmerized by Flóvent’s sound. “I Painted you a picture/Picture full of light,” he sings on “Forest Fires,” foreshadowing the picture he is able to paint for listeners with his lyrical storytelling.
On Flóvent’s latest single “Tourist,” released at the end of November, we’re greeted with distant, distorted guitars that will whisk you off into another world. The dynamic song features a built up chorus that keeps your lured in.
So far Flóvent has only released a couple of EPs and stand alone singles, but make sure you follow him for updates on new releases and potentially an LP in 2020. He will also be embarking on his first North American tour in 2020 opening for Radical Face, including a stop in Chicago at Thalia Hall.
Thumbnail photo by Clara Schicketanz
I recently stumbled across the Australian singer songwriter Alice Skye while skimming through the list of showcasing artists slated to perform at SXSW Festival 2020. After only the first few guitar strums of Skye’s most streamed song “Friends with Feelings,” I was hooked by the mellow melody and the delicate yet warm quality of Skye’s vocals that enveloped my ears. “I’m trying real hard to make friends with my feelings /But I’m not sure I want to get to know them at all,” she sings about the all too-relatable fear of opening up and being honest with yourself.
“Friends With Feelings” acts as the title track for Skye’s 2018 debut album, which delivered the equally as wonderful singles “Poetry by Text” and “60%” In the short time since I came across Skye’s music, her entire album has gone into my regular listening rotation and I can’t wait to hear what her next release brings as a follow up to Friends With Feelings. If you’re making your way to SXSW in March, make sure to add her to your schedule too!
Thumbnail image by Michelle Grace Hunder
Let's head across the pond today on AAOTD! Gaffa Tape Sandy has been plugging around Britain's garage rock scene for the last few years. I'm surprised they haven't blown up to the level of Shame. “Apologize to me!” Kim pleads on their best track "Beehive."
Then take their first ever single from 2016, "Smart Dressed Guy." It would be impossible not to move your head up and down if you were seeing that song live. Be sure to also check out the EP "Spring Killing." If you like what you hear, Gaffa's debut LP "Family Mammal" dropped this year.
Maybe James Murphy was talking to future Aria Wood when he proclaimed "Heard you want to make a Yaz record" in 2005's "Losing my Edge."
The talented Australian has only released two singles, but damn they are infectious. "Do you, do you, do you, do you feel it now?" Wood asks as a bevy of synths play in "Two Minute Noodles."
It's unique and something Wood alludes to by mentioning she's just "trying to make new sounds that no one's heard before."
In "Alien," Wood's lyrics are depressing but you can't help but dance. No word on if Wood plans to turn these singles into an LP next year, but the talent is definitely there. Dive in below.
Sure, it's not too hard to see comparisons to Lana Del Ray, but Los Angeles-based artist Alexandra Savior is so much more than that.
Gearing up for the release of her second album "The Archer," which is supposed to drop sometime in the new year, Savior has already released four singles.
Sometimes you have to shoot your shot and that's exactly what Savior did. The Portland native sent demos to Arctic Monkeys' lead singer Alex Turner and he was impressed enough to start working with Savior on her debut album "Belladonna of Sadness."
It's a great LP that appears to be influenced by the 'Monkeys' most underrated album "Humbug." At just 24, Savior is just knocking on the door of her potential and that's evident with the string of singles released this year. The standout is "Howl," which was released within the last month.
Dive in below along with first single "Crying All The Time." The infectious songs are forecasting that "The Archer" will end up on many "best of" lists to start the decade.
Thumbnail photo by Dana Trippe
Born in India and raised in Zimbabwe, London-based artist Rina Mushonga has been grinding since 2014 to complete the release of her debut album "In a Galaxy." It was definitely worth the wait.
With a following in the Netherlands due to her college experience there, it seems like Mushonga is relatively unknown to music lovers and that's a shame.
A true hallmark of a great album is when non-singles sound just as good, if not better, than planned singles. That's the case with Mushonga. The second song on her LP, "Good Vacation" is one of the most infectious songs I've heard in the last five years.
With only 42,000 streams on Spotify, it blows my mind that Mushonga has stayed under the radar. Especially when lead single "Atalanta," released in 2017, shows the multi-faceted talents of Mushonga. Dive into both songs below. Let's hope 2020 is year the music world wakes up to how talented Mushonga is.
Some songs you hear and immediately think, "How is this person not selling out venues across the country?"
Self-described as "sad jazz for cowboys," My Friend Alan's 2018 debut EP “Everything Hurts (All the Time)” got its start on Soundcloud. The five-song EP is a project from Alex Kasvikis, the bassist of L.A.-based band Daisy.
Single "Falling" was one of my favorite songs of last year and features delightful saxophone under lyrics of an unraveling relationship. "Meet Me in the City" is a little less intense, but aims straight for the heart. "Darling, why don't you meet me in the moonlight? Because we're both growing old and I don't want to waste another darlin'," Kasvikis pleads on the standout track.
It seems 2019 has been quiet for My Friend Alan, but let's hope a debut LP is on the way because sad jazz for cowboys needs to become an official genre in the 2020s.
Photo by Sean Kelly
Today we’re sharing the first look at Fauvely’s music video for “Good News,” from the band’s 2019 EP This is What the Living Do.
For the music video, the band teamed up with Sean Kelly and Remsy Atassi of Emulsion Lab to shoot the project on an Eclair NPR Ultra 16mm vintage camera, which interestingly is the same model that was used for Texas Chainsaw Massacre. “We've more or less adopted a deer as the Fauvely mascot and wanted to run with this theme, albeit in a really silly way. Our music can be on the sadder side…“Good News” is essentially a tongue-in-cheek anthem of self-defeat, so it was nice to do something absolutely ridiculous to off-set this,” says Fauvely’s lead vocalist and songwriter Sophie Brochu.
Tune into the new video below, and make sure you catch Fauvely at The Empty Bottle on Sunday, December 8th with Say Sue Me.
Photo by Victor Von Goethe
Today we’re premiering the brand new video for “Glutton” by The Tomblands. The single drops ahead of their new EP GNAW, which is slated for release on Halloween.
Talking about the new single, the band says “Glutton” began with an opening riff that snowballed as they continued to build on it and gain momentum. “When we got to adding lyrics, we got really Cronenberg-y with it. The song became about a massive, all-consuming blob organism that consumes everything it touches but doesn’t really see any ethical quandary in that, it just sees it as a natural kind of assimilation,” they add.
For the “Glutton” video, the band wanted to channel the same goofy and campy energy of their past music videos, while also showcasing them performing. “We landed on the head-to-head ‘Tomblands vs. Evil Doppelgangers’ concept because we were able to get access to this huge school auditorium space and wanted a fun way to use it,” they say about the video’s plot. “Then we brought on our friend David Arias, who hadn’t done that many videos before, but had absolutely killed all the stuff that he’s done for his band Avantist and a few other artists around town. We pretty much gave him total creative control and he ran with it, taking it in some Edgar Wright-y directions while throwing in a lot of his own lo-fi style. The shoot itself was a hectic two-parter, but we got it done with the help of Morgan Cieselski (the videographer) and a bunch of other friends who showed up last minute to be in the crowd.”
Check out the premiere of the cinematic saga below, and catch The Tomblands’ next show on November 15th at Liar’s Club.
Sunshrine is Bryson Foster, Jeramie Anderson, and Ryan Simpson
Today, we’re sharing the first look at Sunshrine’s complete video album for Dream Milk, which was directed by Sunshrine and Kelsey Gould.
In the days leading up to the premiere, the band teased the video album with clips for individual songs, like “Will You Give it Away?” and “Salty Lace.” The songs and their corresponding videos are a “culmination of directionless creativity,” the band says. “We did what was easy and fun and this is what came out. After all the content was compiled we saw a story…we saw a drama, and it needed to be shared with the world,” they add.
Sunshrine’s next show is on October 18th in Lawrence, Kansas— Keep up with them Facebook and Instagram for more updates, and watch the video album in full below.
