With Outbreak Fest (review coming soon), Glastonbury, and the UK General Election out of the way, it’s time to put the spotlight on this week’s round of new releases. As you can expect during the middle of festival season, “major” releases can be thin on the ground. However, there are still a handful of noteworthy releases.
For starters, Enter Shikari delivers a collection of remixes, past singles, and BBC live session cuts on ‘Dancing On The Frontline’. They’re joined by several other UK names looking to grow with new music. Eastbourne-based Amongst Liars drop their second album, ‘By Design’, and with it an arsenal of bold post-grunge/alt-rock songs. South London punks Honey Joy are back for a third outing as ‘III’ demonstrates a short and sharp collection of melodically rich indie-indie punk. Emerging Leeds group Pop Vulture showcase their angular, off-kilter mix of noise-rock, and post-punk with flourishes into kraut and post-rock on ‘Another Success’. Finally, Birmingham newcomers Terminals provide plenty of potential on their debut outing – ‘Baptise’. You can read more on that below.
Elsewhere, there are releases from Kasabian, Wess Meets West, Sumac, The Wytches, Sleepwalk, Skinny Lister, and more.
Terminals – Baptise
Following on from a handful of singles, Terminals hired an Air BNB to record what would become their debut EP – ‘Baptise’. Consisting of four tracks with an interlude (‘Rise’) sandwiched in between, the Birmingham trio demonstrate an assured sound that is equally wide in its scope as it is layered. From the moment Joe Cooper’s drums accompany James Whitehouse’s steely guitar on ‘Swim’, there’s a sense of raw grandeur. While James Cohu’s bass provides that extra bit of bite to proceedings.
‘Depths’ blends with Whitehouse’s chugging guitars with his atmospheric vocals that consistently impress. It creates an alluring sound that emphasises Terminals layered sound, yet is soon brought back down to earth with a rumbling bass in the middle. Following ‘Rise’, ‘Big Sky’ rides on a wave of harmonious shoegaze, sending you into a hypnotic haze. Furthermore, Whitehouse’s towering vocals equally elevate the track.
The title track closes the EP and sees Terminals again blend heavy, slightly grittier, elements with soft moments. More importantly, it allows the trio to thrive, both individually and as a collective, providing a dynamic and down-tuned finale. Additionally, it leaves you wanting more than the four songs on offer.
Nevertheless, Terminals are a band to be excited about. Sure, they were their influences proudly yet their execution is far beyond their two years together. ‘Baptise’ is both musically and lyrically cohesive. Whitehouse’s introspective words take you on a journey of disillusion, love, and comfort, adding to the atmosphere he and his bandmates conjure up. While his acrobatic vocal performance also has been noted.
What is out on #NewMusicFriday?
Enter Shikari – Dancing On The Frontline
Honey Joy – III
Terminals – Baptise
Kasabian – Happenings
Amongst Liars – By Design
Pop Vulture – Another Success
Sumac – The Keeper’s Tongue
The Wytches – Replica
Wess Meets West – Anclas
Sleepwalk – Out Of Focus
Skinny Lister – Pub Shed Bootleg
Vulvodynia – Entabani
Orden Ogan – The Order Of Fear
Visions Of Atlantis – Pirates II – Armada
Kissin’ Dynamite – Back with a Bang
Muted Color – Take I Lovely You
Truck Violence – Violence
Rhinestone Pickup Truck – Self Deprecation At Hourly Rates
Lost In Between – Dissension
LIE – L.R.H.C.
in\error – Cherry Rain
Isle Of The Cross – Faustus The Musical
Gaijin – Death And Rebirth
DeadWax – DeadWax
Earthists. – Hypermetal
Cause For Conflict – Blood Sport
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.
