With spring turning into summer, June sees a range of noticeable releases being unleashed with albums with Four Year Strong, Refused, and Man Overboard being just some of those names.
However here at Already Heard, we’ve picked out five other releases that we think you should be listening to in the coming weeks. Take a look at our choices and let us know what you think on Facebook and Twitter.
Sorority Noise – Joy, DepartedSorority Noise’s ‘Unforgettable’ was anything but that, and they’ve come back charging like a freight train with ‘Joy, Departed’. It’s not often I get to call musical endeavours beautiful, but I think that perfectly sums up this record. Each song on ‘Joy, Departed’ is as honest as can be. Emotionally driven and dynamic – this record could be the one that pushes Sorority Noise to the forefront of their genre.
Stand-out tracks for myself include ‘Fluorescent Black’, ‘Nosley’ and ‘Using’. This record is an honest representation of addiction and mental health, often taboo, and rarely understood, but Sorority Noise manage to capture every moment and every struggle with the authority of people who have been there or at the very least, understand from a second hand perspective. Honestly? Just listen. There’s only so many words and phrases I can use to describe this record, but everything I can say will fall short of the impact it’ll actually have on you. (RK)
‘Joy, Departed’ by Sorority Noise is released on June 16th (US) / June 29th (UK) through Topshelf Records.
Sorority Noise links: Website|Facebook|Twitter|Bandcamp
Citizen – Everyone Is Going To HeavenAfter teasings fans with two online single releases, Citizen are set to release their sophomore full length ‘Everybody Is Going To Heaven’ later this month. Providing the follow up to their stellar debut ‘Youth’ is no mean feat but judging on what has been released thus far, we are in for a real treat.
‘Cement’ gives us the first good glimpse of the new Citizen. They have swapped the reverb laden layered guitars of ‘Youth’ for a more angular and driven sound. The intro thuds along like a Deftones track before the fuzzy guitar riff kicks in, taking this straight into 90s grunge territory. This complete change in tone might take many fans by surprise but after further listens it definitely starts to make sense. Much like Turnover did on their last record, Citizen have fully broken free from their pop punk shackles. Whilst being less accessible than previous work, ‘Cement’ provides a new level of songwriting way beyond anything the band has written before.
Second teaser track ‘Stain’ continues from where ‘Cement’ left off. The huge bass tones, dissonant riffs and angst ridden vocals are all here in force. If ‘Youth’ was Citizens’ ‘Devil and God’ then ‘Everyone Is Going To Heaven’ is set to be their ‘Daisy’. The weird album that might take a few listens, but will still end up a classic. I for one am very excited. (AM)
’Everybody Is Going To Heaven’ by Citizen is released on 23rd June on Run For Cover Records.
Citizen links: Facebook|Twitter
Desaparecidos – PayolaAfter splitting in 2002, shortly after the release of their landmark debut ‘Read Music/Speak Spanish’, few could have predicted the return of Conor Oberst’s politically and socially motivated indie-punks some 12 years later. Yet, after some spectacular reformation shows, the group is back and as focused as ever.
Bristling with anger and rage, yet keeping the social content front and centre, expect an album to get lost in and muse over for months to come. In fact, I’m gonna put it out there; this is an album which will feature prominently on many end of year lists. It’s not just a welcome return, it’s an incendiary one… (RM)
‘Payola’ by Desaparecidos is released on 23rd June on Epitaph Records.
Desaparecidos links: Website|Facebook|Twitter
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin – The High CountryIt’s crazy to think that Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin’s excellent debut ‘Broom’ came out over a decade ago, but since then the Missouri upstarts have carved out an excellent niche of quirky, catchy three-minute indie-pop songs.
The follow-up to 2013’s glorious ‘Fly By Wire’, ‘The High Country’ is the group’s most upbeat collection of songs to date. Big choruses, huge harmonies and just a sprinkling of Strokes style drive and Shins style pop nous ensures ‘The High Country’ is also their most rounded album so far. When they said they were ‘Warm & Powerful’>I all those years ago, they weren’t lying. (RM)
‘The High Country’ by Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin is released on 2nd June on Polyvinyl Records.
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin links: Website|Facebook|Twitter
Creepoid – Cemetery Highrise SlumPhiladelphia’s Creepoid release their third LP through Geoff Rickley’s Collect Records. They’ve released the single ‘American Smile’ and if it’s an indication of what’s to come, then we can expect the record to be consumed with the darker side of shoegaze.
Also offered ahead of release is another single ‘Dried Out’, which manages to tinge the indie-rock quartet with a gloomy, Cobain-esque vocal and fuzz fuelled guitar leading to a grungy and convincing offering. Creepoid’s previous releases have been incredible in calibre, so I expect nothing less from ‘Cemetery Highrise Slum’, especially after what I’ve heard so far. Be sure to check this out. (RK)
‘Cemetery Highrise Slum’ by Creepoid is released on 22nd June on Collect Records.
Creepoid links: Website|Facebook|Bandcamp
Words by Rob Mair (RM), Rosie Kerr (RK) and Andy McGonigle (AM)
