#NewMusicFriday: January 17th 2024

While last week’s round-up saw a handful of notable releases, today’s #NewMusicFriday is a quieter with just a few noteworthy releases. Amongst them are the new releases from Aussie melodic indie-rockers Dear Seattle and the dynamic return of prog-metallers Eidola.

Elsewhere, UK rockers Tigress continue to soldier on with their second album ‘Are You B-O-R-E-D?’. North Carolina’s Never Home returns with a hook-filled collection of pop-punk with ‘Beautiful Years’, and German rockers Emil Bulls expand last year’s ‘Love Will Fix It’ record.

If you’re looking for a fill of hardcore, you can check out new releases from Day By Day and Shutdown. While Drop It First‘s ‘Fundamentals’ thrives with an abundance of skate-punk energy.

Dear Seattle – Toy

Having made a splash in their homeland of Australia with 2022’s ‘Someday’, Sydney outfit Dear Seattle goes through creative maturity on their third outing – ‘Toy’. However, that doesn’t mean their knack for delivering anthemic Aussie indie-rock has disappeared. Far from it, the quartet have paired a reliable sound with introspective lyricism.

Thoughtful songs on themes such as self-doubt, grief, loss, personal recovery, and being honest thread ‘Toy’ together. Early on, ‘Promise’ hones in on the constant theme of navigating relationships. Here vocalist Brae Fisher is guilt-riddled, taking the blame for making his relationship hit rock bottom. It’s supported by an uplifting brand of emo-rock, with big harmonies. Likewise, ‘Counting Hours’ ruminates on the harsh realities of love and the complexities of being in a relationship can have. It’s aided by a distinct hook of “love’s so sweet and I’m so sour”. Songs such as the introspective pairing of ‘Courtney Love’ and ‘Evergreen’ maintain the momentum with energetic and vibrant instrumentation.

While ‘We Were So Close’ is drenched in nostalgia and regret as Fisher reflects on a friend who he’s grown apart from. It’s a relatable theme. We’ve all had that friend who we’d thought be by our side for years to come, yet as Fisher realises friendships become a victim of time.

Even though the lyrical narration is concise, it’s not always executed effectively. Tracks such as ‘Sungazer’ and ‘Cut My Hair’ shine with anthemic quality on the surface but struggle to expand the themes of personal frustrations, coming off as repetitive. However the latter, along with ‘Elastic’ and ‘Idc’, allows Dear Seattle to lean into 90s alt-rock territory with a carefree approach.

Despite Fisher’s songwriting being somewhat restricted by the introspective approach, it doesn’t hinder Dear Seattle from producing a satisfying collection. It flourishes through a persistent melodic vigour. While Fisher delivers plenty of hooks, he’s aided by his bandmates. Jeremy Baker’s basslines provide a steady foundation, while Lewis Armstrong’s drumming injects energy. Furthermore, Lachlan Simpson’s lead guitar work elevates the melodies with texture and vibrancy.

As songwriters, Dear Seattle have matured organically. By pairing it with a driving and bright sound, ‘TOY’ gives the quartet a strong foundation to build on, delivering a record with longevity and relevance.

Eidola – Mend

The idea of doing double albums always seems ambitious, no matter how diverse or grandiose a band’s sound is. However, Utah outfit Eidola seem to have the confidence to pull it off. After all, their back catalogue is littered with complex compositions. Add to that a tendency to use philosophy, theology, history, and literature as thematic influences in their dynamic brand of progressive metalcore.

‘Mend’ is the second part of a two-album arc. Part one, ‘Eviscerate’, was released last year and emphasised Eidola‘s heavier sound, ultimately serving as the “darker” side with ‘Mend’ to be considered as its “light” counterpart. If you delve a little deeper into ‘Mend’s themes, you’ll explore a deep-rooted lore that stretches back to the beginning of their discography. This conceptual depth is reflected in the band’s sonic landscape. Yet, newcomers won’t feel alienated by the colourful sounds that sees Eidola deliver on the promise of being “light”.

‘Prodigy’ is breezy and spacious with a carefree groove that allows accessible melodies to shine, giving it a plucky trap R&B tone. Throughout frontman Andrew Michael Well displays silky vocals that are complemented by kaleidoscopic instrumentation. Tracks such as ‘Empire of Light’ benefit from the frantic fretwork of guitarist Sergio Medina and Skylar Caporicci, and Matthew Hansen’s vivid percussion. ‘My Father’s House’ contains a sturdy chorus that elevates Eidola‘s layered sound. While ‘Kaleidoscope’ guitars twist and turn around with dense urgency.

For the most part, it makes for an admirable yet unspectacular first half to ‘Mend’. Undoubtedly, Wells has the vocal chops to carry the soaring melodies on show. Whereas as a collective, there’s vigour and an abundance of talent involved. However, you can’t help but feel Eidola lack a unique trait to stand out from their peers. Considerably, and somewhat purposely, ‘Mend’ suffers from the heavy punch that its processor thrived on. ‘The Faustian Spirit’ is one of a few moments where they thrive in bouncing heaviness, with ‘Godhead: First Temple’ also tethering to ignite. In contrast, there are moments such as the synth pulsating ‘What It Means To Be Alone’ and the melodically soaring ‘Restore Me’ which prove to be ineffective.

Despite their lore and lyrical and musical depth, ‘Mend’ is positioned to be Eidola‘s yin to ‘Eviscerate’s yang yet lacks consistency. It questionably suffers from lightweight production that lacks a punch, and a tendency to explore clean, soaring melodies. However, the handful of noteworthy tracks have enough about them to make ‘Mend’ more than an epilogue to ‘Eviscerate’. 

 What is out on #NewMusicFriday?

The Maine – Dyed
Dear Seattle – Toy
Eidola – Mend
Tigress – Are You B-O-R-E-D?
Never Home – Beautiful Years
Pitter Patter – Kraken at The Seams
Emil Bulls – Love Will Fix It (Deluxe Edition)
Coldstate – The Heinous
Day By Day – Dust and Ashes EP
Shutdown – By Your Side
Drop It First – Fundamentals
Shedfromthebody – Whisper And Wane
Sarcator – Swarming Angels & Flies
Lilac Kings – The Weight Of Things
Grave Digger – Bone Collector
Blood Lemon – Petite Deaths
CKRAFT – Uncommon Grounds
Decultivate – Decultivate
Marlaena Moore – Because You Love Everything
Pigeon Pit – Crazy Arms
The Aurora – Dalton Minimum
Häxkapell – Om jordens blod och urgravens grepp

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.