As summer comes to an end with the late August Bank Holiday Weekend, along with the Reading and Leeds Festival, there’s quite a bit to talk about when discussing this week’s #NewMusicFriday releases.
The new albums from Stand Atlantic, Zeal & Ardor and Mothica, along with the debut EP from Poppy Wizard are discussed in detail below. In addition to those releases, Cassyette follows a very active touring and festival cycle with her debut album – ‘The World Fucking Sucks’. Illumanti Hotties returns with ‘Power’. It sees Sarah Tudzin serve up a light, digestible set of indie pop-rock songs.
Elsewhere, All Time Low “do a Taylor Swift” and re-record some of their most well-known hits on ‘The Forever Sessions Vol. 1’. Similarly, metalcore mob Miss May I celebrate the 15th anniversary of ‘Apologies Are For The Weak’ with a whole bunch of their mates making cameos; Silent Planet, The Word Alive, August Burns Red, and more.
When it comes to celebrations, you can’t ignore the 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of The Get Up Kids‘ seminal record, ‘Something to Write Home About’. Ahead of its physical release next month, it hits DSPs today paired with a host of previously unreleased demos; altered lyrics, time signatures, and raw acoustic four-track tape recordings.
Lastly, there are releases from Nile, Rising Insane, Spring Silver, Simone Simons, The Oklahoma Kid, Alleviate, and more.
Stand Atlantic – Was Here
Once upon a time, Stand Atlantic were bright pop-punk hopefuls that set standards high with their 2017 ‘Sidewinder’ EP and following debut full-length, ‘Skinny Dipping’. Yet in the six years, and two more albums, since, the Aussie outfit have certainly evolved. Album number four, ‘Was Here’, sees them at their angriest, loudest, and most diverse. Throughout singer/guitarist Bonnie Fraser explores a range of emotions; rage, insecurity, and overall soul-searching having gone through “a very hard part” of her life. It’s this narrative that anchors ‘Was Here’ as the quartet jumps between pulsating alt-pop (‘Girl$’ with PVRIS & Bruses), charismatic synth rock (‘Sex on the Beach’), and hints of nu-metal (‘War Zone’).
While stylistically they flirt with other genres, Stand Atlantic‘s ability to deliver bold hooks firmly remains intact. The insomnia lyricism of ‘Freakin’ Out’ is complemented by a booming percussion courtesy of Jonno Panichi. ‘Love U Anyway’ is succulently summery with its stripped-back tone, allowing Fraser’s vulnerability to take the spotlight. Later on ‘G.A.G.’ takes a similar route, allowing the quartet to thrive in a more familiar pop-punk skin with added synths. ‘Kissin’ Killer Cobras’ bubbles with angst and distortion before delivering one of the album’s catchiest choruses. The heavy stakes are ramped up on ‘Criminal’ sees Polaris’ Jamie Hails turn up, countering Fraser’s bouncy melody.
At 15 tracks deep, ‘WAS HERE’ has plenty to offer and even though there are signs of fatigue, Stand Atlantic just about does enough to pull off the musical risks they take. Their approach is executed with complete confidence, resulting in more hits than misses. The variation rarely sounds forced, allowing Fraser’s personable words to sound organic.
Zeal & Ardor – GREIF
With a title inspired by a mythical hybrid creature “that sticks to the man” who gets paraded through the streets of frontman Manuel Gagneux’s hometown of Basel, Zeal & Ardor‘s fourth full-length is the project’s most collaborative effort to date. In the past, Gagneux has been at the forefront, pulling the strings on an avant-garde brand of metal mixed with blues and soul. This has been complemented by themes such as African American slavery, religion, racism, segregation, and cultural appropriation.
The outing sees Gagneux, along with Tiziano Volante (guitar), Marc Obrist (vocals), Denis Wagner (vocals), Lukas Kurmann (bass), and Marco Von Allmen (drums), lean into alt-rock while maintaining a sense of intense anticipation. Whether that’s on ‘Fend You Off’s eroding keys twinkling away, or ‘Kilonova’ treading with a prog-infused funk groove, Zeal & Ardor routinely have a flair for creating compelling anticipation. You even hear it when they revert to the oppressed and ominous sound of ‘Go home my friend’ or ‘369’ with chanting vocals and hand claps.
‘Clawing out’ chugs along in a bleak manner, as Von Allmen’s drums threaten to take the train off the tracks. ‘Disease’ swaggers in its desert rock skin yet it’s one of the least effective numbers here. In contrast, ‘Thrill’ does embrace the style well with a strong hook. ‘Sugarcoat’ broods with fuzzy guitars and groovy rhythm that exemplify Zeal & Ardor‘s melodic capabilities.
On every record he’s put out under the Zeal & Ardor guise, Manuel Gagneux isn’t afraid to get personal. On here, ‘Solace’ his words are eloquent and guilt-stricken. “Do you think it painless, Not to know what day it is? Is this really all?” he sings against a foreboding musical backdrop. Likewise, album closer ‘to my ilk’ is Gagneux at considerably most introspective. Rooted in gospel music, it’s a poignant finale. Whereas ‘Hide in Shade’ is a late highlight, taking those familiar Z&A traits and pairing them with scathing black metal screams.
Although ‘GREIF’ may not be as straightforward as past Zeal & Ardor releases, there is evidence of a well-balanced mix of experimentation and cohesion.
Mothica – Kissing Death
There’s a dark grandeur to Mothica‘s alt-pop style as the Oklahoma native delivers her third album, ‘Kissing Death’. Her tales of mental health struggle and suicidal ideation are countered by luscious, pulsating soundscapes and towering melodies. It allows McKenzie Ellis to create a dramatic and concise narrative while comfortably leaning into an assured sound.
‘Doomed’ highlights the autobiographical nature of Mothica‘s songwriting, reflecting on living in the suburbs, and being drawn to darker things in life, despite her religious upbringing. ‘Curiosity Killed The Moth’ shimmers with strong storytelling, before ‘Red’ prospers in its pop-rock skin. Throughout, there’s an expected slickness that somewhat hinders Ellis’ storytelling. While the sultry ‘Afterlife’ and goth club made ‘The Reaper’ wrap themselves in a synthetic skin, her authenticity just about remains. Likewise, ‘Oblivion For Two’ pulsates with a glacial coolness.
The cathartic nature of Mothica is what makes ‘Kissing Death’ an appreciative record. Like many, she uses her songwriting as therapy sessions to reflect on the past. Although her presentation, even with a series of cinematic dark rom-com videos, doesn’t make her entirely stand out in the field of alt-pop artists, Mothica is heading in the right direction.
Poppy Wizard – Holy Spirit Gang
After first coming onto my radar in April, emerging German group Poppy Wizard release their debut EP this week. ‘Holy Spirit Gang’ is five tracks of shoegaze-drenched alt-rock that comfortably sees the quartet deliver plenty of promise. On ‘H.S.G.’, guitars ring out and twist against Hendrik Dyga’s brief hardcore barks. ‘Drowning’ fittingly wallows in washed-out guitars with a strong alt-rock undercurrent.
Even though their influences are worn proudly, songs like ‘Drowning’ and ‘Lately I’ve Been Caught Up’ have a magnetism. Likewise, ‘On Your Plate’ carries itself with a playful guitar melody and a dense, driving rhythm section. Additionally, the closing track ‘Bedridden’ is underpinned by a swirling energy.
Ideally, ‘Holy Spirit Gang’ just does enough to keep your attention, yet it can be forgiven for Poppy Wizard for not wanting to be more adventurous on their first outing. Their style neatly borders on the past and present, and you hope on this evidence, that in the future they can organically grow, allowing them to broaden their horizons.
What is out on #NewMusicFriday?
Stand Atlantic – Was Here
Zeal & Ardor – GREIF
All Time Low – The Forever Sessions Vol. 1
Mothica – Kissing Death
Cassyette – The World Fucking Sucks
Illumanti Hotties – Power
The Get Up Kids – Something to Write Home About (25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)
Miss May I – Apologies Are For The Weak (Re-recorded 15th anniversary)
Poppy Wizard – Holy Spirit Gang
Spring Silver – don’t you think it’s strange?
Rising Insane – Wildfires
Within The Ruins – Phenomena II
The Oklahoma Kid – Featherminded
Simone Simons – Vermillon
NILE – The Underworld Awaits Us All
Alleviate – DMNS
Fleshgod Apocalypse – Opera
Uniform – American Standard
ORME – No Serpents, No Saviours
Dead Karma – The Space Camaro
The Oozes – Gelatinous Man
Hillsboro – White Trash
Showoff – Haverstraw
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.