We're All Gonna Die. Things Will Be Fine.
The Playlist
Most Anticipated
There's literally nothing I could be more excited for today than metalcore band Underoath's new album: Voyeurist. Holy shit, this is the best they've sounded in over a decade. I hope there's a way to safely see them tour this record, cause this is wall to wall rippers and I want to crowd surf goddamnit.
If there was anything else today that could copy that excitement, it'd be a new full length record from progressive pop bluegrass outfit Punch Brothers. Punch Brothers is the project from Chris Thile, Gabe Witcher, Noam Pikelny, Chris "Critter" Eldridge, and Paul Kowert. If any two of these worked together, it'd be newsworthy, but the fact that they've been working as a collective for so long is genuinely magic. Bluegrass is richer for having these people grouped together representing the genre.
Oh, and if you were worried about Hell on Church Street copying the songwriting flops that plagued 2018's All Ashore! you have nothing to worry about here. Chris is back in fine form writing the type of songs that you'll be holding on to until the next record forces you to move on.
Have mercy on thy people, Lord.
Punch Brothers - Pride of Man
The Rest Of The Crowd
Speaking of Chris Thile, did y'all know that he's played mandolin on Dolly Parton records? Okay, it's a weak segue, but let's talk about the fact that Dolly's here with a single previewing her upcoming book's companion album! It's a mystery novel written with James Patterson and I honestly don't know how I feel about the book side of this project, besides that Dolly should be allowed to do literally anything and everything that brings her joy.
Big dreams and faded jeans
Fit together like a team
Always bustin' at the seams
Dolly Parton - Big Dreams and Faded Jeans
The opening riff of this Knuckle Puck track really got me feeling those Relient K vibes and the rest of the track didn't really stray too far. Feels like mmhmm is fresh and I'm a teenager who's fucked up on Mountain Lightning and stolen M&Ms.
Going from this into ambient mastermind Brian Eno is a little bit of whiplash, but this colalb with Samuel Aguilar is so hauntingly beautiful that you'll catch yourself on the way down. And it goes beautifully into Brian's brother's debut single from his debut solo record! Roger Eno's given us The Turning Year, a beautiful cello and piano driven piece that washes over you like a wave.
Now, time to eat your veggies. Have some Korn.
Anaïs Mitchell's new song On Your Way (Felix Song) is an ode to a musician friend that she hustled with early in her career who passed unexpectedly back in 2020. It's fucking gorgeous and I love the way that Mitchell tells stories. I hope there's a way for Felix to be aware of this even in death, cause it's a wonderful tribute.
Sandra McCracken is a hymn writer whom I deeply admire. To see her paired with Men At Work's Colin Hay on this lush little track titled Most of the Time is a true treat for me.
I've long been a fan of Cordae and H.E.R., so seeing the two of them together on Cordae's new record that's out today made me very happy. I'll be giving this one a good hard listen later this week. Oh, and he's got a Tiny Desk out today!
If you don't know Stromae, he's a Belgian... rapper? singer? songwriter? Whatever he is, he's been previewing some new singles in French and they're captivating. Go dive in and I promise you'll be rewarded richly. This upcoming album's way high on my radar. If you know French, CW on this one for depression and suicidal thoughts.
The Lumineers have a new album today, if you've been missing the indie folk that made the mid-late 00's so insufferable. It's a quick 30 minute listen, so get on it and give them a fair shake. I love this shit.
Okay, I know I'm showing my age here, but I fucking love MUSE. I don't understand how Matt Bellamy's voice is still so good, but he's a fucking goddamn golden god and I'll fight anyone who tries to argue. The new single has all the weight of Absolution and I fucking love this. Plus, there's a metalcore-adjacent bridge?!? I can't wait for the record.
Shut off the lights
We don't need them to dance
Bastille - Shut Off The Lights
I don't know if I have the vocabulary to describe why Cautious Clay's new single grabbed me, but it's vocally rich, shows a ton of restraint, and breathes all the way through in a way that makes me feel like a more whole person than who I was prior to hearing it. Is that weird to say?
The new album from Earl Sweatshirt is out, which many of you will consider one of the highlights of the week. He's never grabbed me, though, so I'll just leave it there.
Indie pop quartet Lucius just announced a new LP coming out in April. I'm expecting four singles, given how far out that is, and you fuckin' bet I'll put every one of those in your ears. This is the indie pop era of my life and I will not be ashamed of that. Fuzzy overdrive solos for days.
There's a new album by - can I call them indie legends? - indie legends The Wombats. I've been waiting for this one, but honestly there are so many albums out today that I'm excited about that I fear I won't be able to give this what it deserves. Remind me next time we have a slow week that I wanted to come back to this, yeah?
Fueled By Ramen rockers Against The Current have a new single today celebrating the start of the new League of Legends season? I'm not entirely sure what's happening here, but the song's pure radio rock bliss in the vein of what PVRIS used to do.
FKA Twigs has her first mixtape out today! I picked out a track featuring shygirl, an English rapper from collective NUXXE. It's light, it's bouncy, and it feels like a great step forward for FKA Twigs.
Today's Dose of Fuckery comes from Guerilla Toss's track Cannibal Capital. It's a weird electronic art-rock track!
I didn't know Placebo before this week, but I'm glad I've stumbled upon them. Signed to Rise Records, this duo has a very indie meets post-hardcore vibe that kinda reminds me of what we'd get if we merged mewithoutYou and Neutral Milk Hotel. I really like this one.
I never really understood why everyone was crazy for grungy post-hardcore outfit Drug Church until I saw them live, but holy shit this band is incredible on stage. As you listen to World Impact, try to envision what this show looks like and I guarantee you'll love it way more than if you go in dry.
One of my rules for myself is that I'm done writing this newsletter by the time that I have to go to therapy at 1:00. There's a lot of playlist left, but I've got to move on with my day. Enjoy the rest of this!