Weekly Roundup: October 11th
Featuring Spiritual Cramp, Wet Leg, Big Cheese, and more.
MOSH PITHY:
A curated selection of cool shit for you to listen to.
Circa Survive – “Imposter Syndrome”
On “Imposter Syndrome,” Circa Survive frontman Anthony Green digs deep into his personal demons, casting issues with drug abuse, addiction and relapse against the decline of American Empire. It makes for a powerful slice of yearning, contemporary post-hardcore, and it appears on the band’s forthcoming EP, A Dream About Love, out October 22nd via Rise Records. Watch the sombre black and white video for the single below:
Spiritual Cramp – Here Comes More Bad News
I’ve seen people online describe San Francisco’s Spiritual Cramp as doing what IDLES think they’re doing but better. Now, while I might not entirely agree with that dismissive sentiment, the quintet’s recent three-track EP Here Comes More Bad News certainly makes a persuasive case for their kinetic brand of upbeat, fiery punk rock with a British geezer twist. Taking the piss never sounded like so much fun. Stream the full release here (Bandcamp/Spotify).
Ambleside – “Flipfrown”
Adelaide alternative outfit Ambleside are finally back with an urgent new banger. The track kicks off with a subdued lo-fi intro before punching through with a driving instrumental that splits the difference between their melodic hardcore roots and what I’m calling the ‘Citizen School of Neogrunge Revival.’ It’s a wholesome fit for the young Aussie group, and hopefully a sign of more cool things coming down the pipe. Listen to “Flipfrown” here.
Jocko – Future Form
This was a surprise find that comes courtesy of the good folks over at No Echo. Future Form is the latest EP from Nebraska hardcore quintet Jocko, which I described to a good friend of mine this week as sounding like “Turnstile instrumentals with Rage Against The Machine vocals.” And look, that’s probably a little reductive. But suffice to say, Jocko deliver plenty of bounce and style on this EP, with a little old school NYHC flair for good measure. It’s super fun and well worth your time. Stream the full EP here (Bandcamp/Spotify).
Wet Leg – “Wet Dream”
Prior to writing this, I had no idea Wet Leg were British. So, ah, that’s cool I guess. The indie duo’s latest single “Wet Dream” is a breakup song inspired by Rhian Teasdale’s ex, who texted her about a dream he kept having after their split. It’s a delightfully cheeky pop tune and likely super relatable for anyone who’s had intrusive thoughts or a shitty ex. Listen to “Wet Dream” here.
Big Cheese – Anymore For Anymore?
UK hardcore is simply untouchable right now and Leeds act Big Cheese are ferociously front and centre in this post-colonial, piss ‘n’ vinegar vanguard. Sharing members with like-minded peers Chubby and The Gang and Higher Power, it’s no surprise that the band would produce something as sharp and brash as their recent Anymore For Anymore? EP. If you’re after punk parables of street living and concrete justice, then this is for you. Stream the full release here (Spotify).
Genocide Pact – “Perverse Dominion”
Genocide Pact’s Order of Torment was one of my favourite records of 2018 and a true OSDM standout for the 2010s. So, it’s not hyperbole for me to say that I’ve been anxiously awaiting new music from the DC death metal collective for years now. The group’s self-titled follow-up drops on December 3rd through Relapse Records, and lead single “Perverse Dominion” is just as brutal, pummeling and rhythmically concussive as I hoped. Consider me excited. Watch the performance clip for the track below.
Mondaze – Late Bloom
Between groups like Slow Crush and Grivo, Church Road Records are assembling an impressive global roster with some of the best contemporary shoegaze in the world. Italian quartet Mondaze are another strong inclusion for the label with a diffusive sound that encompasses the more explosive, heavy end of the sub-genre spectrum. The band’s debut studio album, Late Bloom, is set to arrive on December 10th as part of a shared release with Quiet Panic Records. Stream the LP’s pre-release singles here (Bandcamp/Spotify).
Listen to all these tracks and more on the TPD 2021 VIBING playlist, updated weekly.
HEAVY METTLE:
A closer, more in-depth look at a new record that ticks all my boxes.
The World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die – Illusory Walls
In my discussion of Illusory Walls back in August, I mentioned how TWIABP&IANLATD’s name (and its similarly unwieldy acronym) had always been somewhat of a barrier for me. Verbosity is perfectly fine and justifiable but the group’s take on whatever-wave emo just never really clicked for me, in ways that I couldn’t quite place or articulate to any comfortable degree.
Fortunately, I had no such reservations about diving into Illusory Walls. The pre-release singles sounded like an entirely different band altogether: expansive, proggy, somewhat metal at times, and devastatingly earnest in their potent lyrical poeticism. After sitting with this absolute behemoth of a record for a couple of days now, devouring each hour-long sitting at a time, I can confidently say that it’s quickly become one of my favourite albums of this year.
If you want more than just music—a narrative journey of self-discovery, a transportive experience filled with emotional highs, lows and labyrinthian twists—then this LP comes highly recommended.
Stream here: Bandcamp | Spotify
ERRONEOUS BOTCH:
Links to some of my other published work across the Web. Take a look, share if you feel like it, and help a brother out.
