As February winds down, this week’s round of #NewMusicFriday choices illustrates the diverse range that Already Heard covers.
It sees releases from melodic death metal veterans Darkest Hour, who return with their 10th full-length – ‘Perpetual | Terminal’. Dallon Weekes AKA I Don’t Know How They Found Me encompasses everything from art-pop to alt-rock, and R&B to post-punk on ‘Gloom Division’. Timelost are sure to capture some folk’s attention. Their new offering, ‘Drained’ sees the Philadelphia trio embrace a less-is-more brand of ’90s alt-rock. Whereas Glitterer evolves from being Title Fight’s Ned Russin solo project to a full band. ‘Rationale’ shows promising results with fully-realised ideas, yet retains Russin’s lyrical vulnerability.
On the homefront, Gen and the Degenerates deliver a fun, and lyrically progressive collection of indie rock/post-punk with ‘Anti-Fun Propaganda’. While our European neighbours in Germany produce to notable releases. The first from emerging melodic emo/rock Shoreline, who release their Pure Noise debut (‘To Figure Out’) today. While Munich trio Blackout Problems take a diaristic approach on ‘RIOT’, combining it with a brash alternative rock sound.
There are also new releases from Canadian hard rockers Royal Tusk, founding KISS member Ace Frehley, deathcore titans Job For A Cowboy, and Swedish metallers Amaranthe.
Shoreline – To Figure Out
As Pure Noise Records’ first mainland European signing, Germany’s Shoreline join a roster of stellar emo, punk, and hardcore. However on the evidence of ‘To Figure Out’, they will feel right at home. Its 13 tracks sees the quartet expand their sound both melodically and in density.
Tracks like ‘Pen Name’ with its breezy, upbeat tempo, and the sonically-induced, post-punk stomp of ‘Health’ allow Shoreline to provide catchy earworms. The same can be said for late album highlight, ‘Loose Contacts’, which along with ‘Needles’, are self-assured examples of emo-tinged pop-rock. ‘Reviver’ misleads you with its light keys and Hansol Seung’s rapid vocal display, before giving way to rigid guitars and domineering drums. It considerably exemplifies Shoreline‘s musical scope. However, it organically (and confidentially) brings it all together.
Elsewhere, ‘Darius’ thrives with rumbling bass and Hansol Seung’s throat-shredding shouts of “well if it works, it works out”. Guitars ring out on ‘Green Plant‘, yet don’t cloud the environmentally-conscious lyricism on offer. ‘To Figure Out’ is littered with self-awareness. ‘Seoul’ documents Seung’s acceptance of his identity as an Asian-German citizen; “It’s a power not a weakness”. His optimistic (and introspective) mood continues on ‘Workaround’, reflecting on the notion of family and friends going into different stages of their lives, amid the musical backdrop of jangly guitars and a disco tempo.
Overall, ‘To Figure Out’ sees Shoreline slightly stray from their emo origins with moderately strong results. There’s enough evidence to call their venture towards a more melodic sound a success, yet sensibly keeps one foot in their emotive songwriting pool. Now three albums deep into their career, Shoreline are arguably still finding their sound but have certainly found their voice.
Gen and the Degenerates – Anti-Fun Propaganda
The world is ending, Gen and the Degenerates are having a party, and you’re invited. Their Liverpudian’s debut full-length, ‘Anti-Fun Propaganda’, may have an anxiety-ridden spine yet it’s complemented by a vibrant mix of post-punk and indie rock.
Throughout Genevieve Glynn-Reeves (aka Gen) is charismatic. Along with her Degenerates, the collective put their tongues in their cheek. Whether that’s on the carefree title track, the grungy social media mocking ‘That’s Enough Internet For Today’, or the music industry bashing on ‘BIG HIT SINGLE’. For the most part, there’s a feel-good factor to ‘Anti-Fun Propaganda’. ‘Girls’ is a feisty, bass-stabbing celebration of queer feminity with whirlwind guitars in its mid-section. Later on, ‘Famous’ is executed with a snarling coolness. However, there is a serious side to Gen and the Degenerates.
‘All Figured Out’ captures the sense that we should accept what we have, as Gen’s vocals smoothly soar. The interlude offering ‘Plan B’ provides a momentarily acoustic respite, allowing Gen to reflect on their former selves, sacrificing them for her ambitions. Undoubtedly, it is the album finale, ‘Jude’s Song’, that sees Gen and the Degenerates at their most poignant. Although it’s a slight stylistic departure with its piano-led base, breezy guitars, and slow-burning build, the sentimental tribute to Gen’s late Auntie somehow works. The track’s grandiose indie-rock execution, allows the quintet to showcase their individual skills.
For all the charm and jovial shine presented on ‘Anti-Fun Propaganda’, Gen and the Degenerates have produced a forward-thinking, socially conscious, and versatile debut. One that struts with confidence. From the infectious ‘Kids Wanna Dance’ to ‘Post-Cool’s glistening satirical quips, to the sass-laden ‘Famous’, to its heartstring-tugging conclusion.
What is out on #NewMusicFriday?
Darkest Hour – Perpetual | Terminal
I Don’t Know How They Found Me – Gloom Division
Timelost – Drained
Gen and the Degenerates – Anti-Fun Propaganda
Glitterer – Rationale
Shoreline – To Figure Out
Jazmin Bean – Traumatic Livelihood
Blackout Problems – Riot
The Body & Dis Fig – Orchards of a Futile Heaven
Ace Frehley – 10,000 Volts
Royal Tusk – Altruistic
Job For A Cowboy – Moon Healer
Amaranthe – The Catalyst
Guiltless – Thorns
On The Ropes – On The Ropes
Heedless Elegance – The Dream Within
A Burial At Sea – Close To Home
Big Deal – Beyond Repair
CrossChains – Deathgrip
Guerilla Noir – Пил
Hungover – When It Touches The Heart, Everything Resolves
Inferious – Salt Your Earth
North Sea Echoes – Really Good Terrible Things
Nowhere Left – Places We Couldn’t Belong (Deluxe Edition)
Set For Tomorrow – Initiation
’92 – ’92
Amigo the Devil – Yours Until the War is Over
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.
