#NewMusicFriday: October 4th 2024

Where do we start with this week’s list of #NewMusicFriday releases? It’s considerably one of the most jam-packed round-ups I’ve written. With Balance and Composure, Trash Boat, Sugar Horse, Bicurious, and Drug Church being just some of today’s new releases, you can read my detailed thoughts on these releases below.

However, there’s so much more coming out today. Fever 333 return with ‘Darker White’, their first proper album in five years. It proves to be an intense and dizzying mix of rock, hardcore, punk, and hip-hop. With the ever-dynamic Jason Aalon Butler at the forefront, he’s backed by a bombastic trio of drummer Thomas Pridgen, bassist April Kae, and guitarist Brandon Davis.

Then there’s Chubby and the Gang. The brainchild of Charlie Manning, he serves up an onslaught of oi! punk rock’n’roll on ‘And Then There Was…’ At sixteen songs deep, Manning offers plenty of scope as he bellows throughout a blend of ’70’s punk, classic rock, Americana (via-London’s pub scene) and hardcore.

Leicestershire up-and-comers Mouth Culture continue to gain momentum with new EP, ‘Whatever The Weather’. The trio’s brand of melodic rock is sure to fill the void from the soon-departing You Me At Six. For those wanting some cinematic instrumentation, then look no further than ‘///Light’ by Civil Service. The Manchester post-rockers deliver a detailed and immersive debut album, sure to please fans of 65daysofstatic.

Elsewhere, Mastodon celebrates 15 years of ‘Crack The Skye’ and Sylosis surprised us yesterday with a five-track EP called ‘The Path’. There are also new records from Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Allt, A Place To Bury Strangers, Baby Schillaci, Fervents, and Blood Incantation.

Balance and Composure – with you in spirit

Returning with their first album in eight years, Balance and Composure‘s comeback sees them somewhat pick up where they left off. Although 2016’s ‘Light We Made’ leaned into experimentation, their fourth album ‘with you in spirit’ is more aligned with 2011’s ‘Separation’ and 2013’s The Things We Think We’re Missing’. Yet this isn’t a band relying on former glories as ‘…Spirit’ captures B&C at questionably their most lyrically compelling, if not blunt.

Frontman and central lyricist Jon Simmons creates a narrative full of self-reflection. It’s complemented by a set of songs that are drenched in absence and emotion. It’s a mood that ‘restless’ provides straight away as Simmons ruminates; “Nobody knows where I’ve been. Nobody’s seen me since then. Nobody is needing a friend.”

As the album settles into itself, tracks such as ‘ain’t it sweet’ and ‘any means’ pour out with brooding bass lines and ringing guitars as Simmons’ luscious (and thoughtful) melodies wrap themselves around driving and distant emo-rock. The latter is executed with a sense of comforting familiarity, leaning into atmospheric depth that others don’t quite pull off as well.

Partly thanks to Will Yip’s layered production, B&C are able to create captivating atmospheres. Whether that’s on the evocative ‘cross to bear’, ‘lead foot’s emotional rawness, or the pensiveness pairing of ‘sorrow machine‘ and ‘a little to myself’. Their execution is concise while simultaneously evolving their sound palette. For example, ‘cross to bear’ broods along with Matt Warner’s bass lines as Erik Petersen and Andy Slaymaker’s guitars melt on top.

‘closer to god’  serves as a late highlight for a variety of reasons. For starters, it pinpoints Simmons’ contemplative narrative wrestling his faith in a finely poetic manner. “I’ll never know how it feels. You’ve got a reason for everything” he sings amongst an alluring and impactful chord progression. While his insecurities are driven home on the title track.

Despite their absence, there continues to be a magnetic quality to Balance and Composure‘s sound. Even though it more often than not wallows in a morose tone, it elevates the raw emotional tug that Simmons and company can implement. ‘with you in spirit’ proves to be a lyrically stirring and musically rich and layered return.

Trash Boat – Heaven Can Wait

Much like their peers in Boston Manor, Trash Boat have long evolved from their youthful pop-punk days, graduating to something more diverse. Album number four, ‘Heaven Can Wait’, is a shapeshifting and dynamic collection that examines internal and external chaos and delusion.

The introductory duo of ‘Watching Heaven…’ and ‘Burn’ ignite with blaring guitars and penetrative drums as the St Albans quintet are the latest group to pay homage to Deftones stylistically. Yet its frontman Tobi Duncan who continues to be Trash Boat‘s lyrical drive. Having suffered long-term mental health issues in the three years since ‘Don’t You Feel Amazing?’, Duncan declares “I don’t wanna be here / Where? Anywhere” during ‘Burn’s opening lines.

His inner turmoil is scattered throughout ‘Heaven Can Wait’. ‘Better Than Yesterday’ leans into his contemplative mindset with an airy intro, before giving way to swirling guitars and “woah-ah” backing vocals, all the while he watches his “passion die”. Whereas ‘Break You’ strikingly exemplifies his internal angst, backed by siren guitars, rapid drums and chugging riffs.

He’s not afraid to pour out his angst at external causes too. From foreboding environmental catastrophe on ‘Are You Ready Now?’ to the venomous ‘Be Someone’ with its hefty swing at violent resolutions, with help from I Prevail’s Eric Vanlerberghe. Whereas ‘The Drip’ sees Duncan take on capitalism while admitting he’s selfish and “a prick”. ‘Liar Liar’ sees the intensity turned up a notch with its nursery rhyme opening being dominated by razor-sharp guitars and Duncan fires his lyrical malice at ‘podcast bro’ culture.

Undoubtedly, ‘Heaven Can Wait’ is threaded by a relentless lyrical fury that rarely lets up. It’s backed by a thoroughly bold and sonically rousing sound, yet isn’t consistently effective. The later offering ‘Delusions Of Grandeur’ is brash with an earworm melody of a chorus. However, after the likes of ‘Break You’ and ‘filthy/RIGHTEOUS’ serve up chaotic whirlwinds, ‘Delusions Of Grandeur’ shows signs of fatigue.

It’s somewhat difficult to position Trash Boat off the back of ‘Heaven Can Wait’. It certainly sees them return with a purpose and message, yet few moments hint of longevity. Duncan and his band have aspirations to sell out stadiums, yet you can’t imagine ‘Heaven Can Wait’ pointing them in that direction.

Sugar Horse – The Grand Scheme Of Things

At this time of year, music fans and critics are beginning to think about their end-of-year lists. And then some bands deliver a record that makes you reconsider your entire list. That’s the position Sugar Horse find themselves in with the release of their second album, ‘The Grand Scheme Of Things’.

Recorded in a derelict church in Bristol, its creation came as singer Ash Tubb began grieving the passing of his father. As a result, there is a cathartic cloud that soars above this hour-long journey. Never ones to be boxed by genre, Sugar Horse embrace post-rock, post-metal, doom, and dream pop with ease to create a compelling, at times stunning, record.

‘The Grand Scheme Of Things’ opens proceedings by easing in with soothing synths, pensive guitars, and distant, tribal drums building an airy atmosphere. As Tubb’s grief-drenched words push through the mire, the gradual build delivers a gorgeous and emotional soundscape. ‘The Shape Of ASMR To Come’ is equally mournful with cries of “Hallelujah” yet Martin Savage’s pounding drumming injects it with a monumental feel.

It quickly comes to fruition that the Bristol quartet have mastered their ability to build suspense through a blend of ethereal and doom-laden soundscapes. One moment you’re getting lost in ‘Corpsing’s euphoria, the next being pulled down by ‘Mulletproof’s sharp descent. Whereas the pairing of ‘Spit Beech’ and ‘New Dead Elvis’ utilises both quiet and heavy elements with precision. The former pulsates with a hellish fever before the latter sees Sugar Horse at their most visceral. Later on, ‘Office Job Simulator’ arrives with a cinematic scope yet thrives through its thunderous density. In contrast, ‘Jefferson Aeroplane Over The Sea’ is considerably the album’s most harmonious offering. Swirling with atmospheric instrumentation, it exemplifies ‘The Grand Scheme Of Things’ cathartic nature.

‘Space Tourist’ brings things to ahead as Tubbs’ character comes to the realisation that he’s on his own. Its first couple minutes are gentle but sharp guitars stick a dagger into its atmospheric tone. As Chris Howarth’s rumbling bass and Jake Heal’s crushing guitars segue into a 20-plus minute sustain shimmering with shifting distortion. It’s a diverse move that borders on hypnotic and wasteful. However, it’s a minor criticism of a potent record.

While considerably a slight side-step from the somewhat abstract approach we’ve come to expect from Sugar Horse, ‘The Grand Scheme Of Things’ mostly benefits from its linear execution, aside from the excessive finale. Both musically and lyrically, it finds a balance between the light and the dark with neither side outstaying its welcome. Although their song titles continue to lean into their underachieving mentality, Sugar Horse should no longer feel like to be the “butt of the joke” as ‘The Grand Scheme Of Things’ deserves plenty of praise.

Bicurious – Your Life is Over Now…

Having built a solid through their DIY mentality for the best part of eight years, Irish duo Bicurious have levelled up by joining with renowned independent label, Big Scary Monsters for their second full-length. Besides its gloomy title, ‘Your Life Is Over Now…’ sees Gavin Purcell and Taran Plouzane deliver a melodically strong offering.

Where 2021’s ‘(re)constructed’ emphasised Purcell and Plouzane’s musicianship, this outing sees the duo explore their songwriting ability. However, their musical strength is never sacrificed. Toeing the line between alt-rock and math-rock with hints of post-rock, Bicurious’ harmonious charm is reminiscent of Biffy Clyro and Press to MECO. Songs such as ‘Uncle Kevin’ and ‘Monday Afternoon’ are bold in their melodies and instrumentation. It makes for an exciting listen.

For all their towering melodies, there’s still a ruggedness to Bicurious. Album opener ‘Coming Around’ begins drenched in fuzzy feedback, and soon thrives due to the first of many sharp riffs. ‘Gutless’ explodes in its chorus with jagged guitars and upbeat pacing. ‘Magic Marker’ reigns in the heaviness, allowing a softer Bicurious to emerge before building to a grandoise finale.

The closing handful of tracks steamrolls their way through with consistent vigour. ‘Blind’ maintains the pair’s acute heavy sound with soaring harmonies battling twisting riffs. becoming one of the highlights here. Likewise, ‘Irish Summer Day’ surges with density, only to momentarily slow things down spaciously. The penultimate track, ‘Acrylic Fences’, captures their muscular sound perfectly with its tight rhythm, chugging guitars, and buoyant hook.

It may have taken 18 months, three countries, five recording studios, and a helping hand from a crowdfunding campaign, but it’s been worth it. Bicurious and ‘Your Life is Over Now…’ is a thoroughly enjoyable album that grows with every listen. While musically not as quite as diverse as before, it’s made up for by a tight, consistent batch of songs.

Drug Church – PRUDE

Five albums deep into their career, Drug Church know not to fuck around by serving up a digestible melodic punk record in 28 minutes. With Patrick Kindlon’s distinct part-spoken, part-sung vocals at the forefront, ‘PRUDE’ sticks to a recipe that tells vivid tales of missing kids, drug-reliant cousins, and a mix of sardonic and emotional observations.

It’s held up by an almighty punchy sound that becomes a relentless force. Sometimes it comes from the thunderous rhymic pairing of bassist Pat Wynne, and drummer Chris Villeneuve, or from Nick Cogan and Cory Galusha’s textured and distorted guitars. Yet there are welcomed melodic moments. ‘Hey Listen’ rings out with melancholy guitars as Kindlon reminisces looking at a missing persons bulletin at a nearby Walmart. ‘Chow’ sees him share some wisdom as he advises ” Don’t break your neck, Jumping into people’s lives” against a rugged backdrop.

Furthermore, ‘Yankee Trails’ captures Kindlon’s emotional side, showing distress towards a cross-country drug-dependent friend. It’s paired with one of ‘PRUDE’s anthemic moments; “He says hey why don’t you Get yourself new trouble He says hey life is long Why not spend it fucked up”.

With a well-balanced mix of texture, density, and proven storytelling, ‘PRUDE ‘ neatly packages Drug Church‘s strength into a tight-knit ball of punk-driven and dulcet hardcore. Paired with attentive and empathetic songwriting, it’s a solid outing from the Albany, New York group.

What is out on #NewMusicFriday?

Balance and Composure – With You In Spirit
Fever 333 – Darker White
Trash Boat – Heaven Can Wait
Sugar Horse – The Grand Scheme Of Things
Sylosis – The Path
Drug Church – Prude
Chubby and the Gang – And Then There Was…
Bicurious – Your Life is Over Now…
Godspeed You! Black Emperor – NO TITLE AS OF 13 FEBRUARY 2024 28,340 DEAD
Mastodon – Crack The Skye (15th Anniversary)
Mötley Crüe – Cancelled EP
Mouth Culture – Whatever The Weather
Allt – From The New World
Civil Service – ///Light
Ceres – Magic Mountain (1996—2022)
A Place To Bury Strangers – Synthesizer
Baby Schillaci – The Soundtrack
Whitey – Mental Radio
Fervents – Plastic Snake Factory
Blood Incantation – Absolute Elsewhere
Human Impact – Gone Dark
Wind Rose – Trollslayer
The New Roses – Attracted To Danger
Texas Hippie Coalition – Gunsmoke
Casual Male – Casual Male
Canyoneer – Disarmer
The Native Howl – Sons Of Destruction

If you think I’ve missed something or have a new album/EP/song to tell us about, tell us about it here.

If you’re looking for the latest tracks focusing on rock, punk, hardcore, metal, emo, and everything in between, then check out our ‘Newish Music’ playlist on Spotify or Apple Music.