The first #NewMusicFriday of June is led by two of rock heavyweights in the form of Foo Fighters and Avenged Sevenfold. While punk rock greats, Rancid, return with their tenth album – ‘Tomorrow Never Comes’.
A bit closer to home, there are new albums from highly-rated London mathcore collective Pupil Slicer, Brighton trio Tigercub, and “noise-pop” specialists Superlove.
Elsewhere, Wicca Phase Springs Eternal embraces a number of styles on his eponymous full-length, and Aussie trio DZ Deathrays deliver an abundance of good time, riff-laden, and experimental tunes with the ideally titled ‘R.I.F.F.’
Foo Fighters – But Here We Are
I wasn’t planning on writing a full review of Foo Fighters‘ eleventh studio album, but when the album was dropped in my inbox on Thursday (June 1st) and I started to prepare this #NewMusicFriday post, I ended up writing more than I intended. Hence, this full album review you can read here.
To be transparent with you, Foo Fighters are one of my favourite bands. Sure, they’ve had some poor albums but I feel ‘But Here We Are’ lives up to the expectations set by the early singles released before today. There are hints of classic Foos with flourishes of exploration, tied together by a compelling lyrical theme of grief.
Superlove – follow:noise
For this round-up, you’re probably expecting me to write about the other big rock release mentioned in the introduction – Avenged Sevenfold‘s ‘Life Is But A Dream…’. However, that won’t be happening. Frankly, I’ve never been a fan of them. Their brand of heavy metal just isn’t for me and M. Shadows’ vocals irritate the hell out of me. Now I’ve got that off my chest, let us put the spotlight on some promising new music from a band on the rise – Superlove.
Today sees the Bristol trio release their second album in the form of ‘follow:noise‘. While last year’s ‘Colours’ record allowed Superlove to explore their ideas albeit with mixed results, this time sees them consolidating their sound, opting for a guitar-heavy sound.
Throughout there is boundless, vibrant energy delivered from vocalist/bassist Jacob Rice, guitarist Jon Worgan, and debuting drummer Tom Hennessey. Tracks such as ‘Something Good,’ ‘GO!’ and ‘Overdrive’ blast with an abundance of a pop-rock punch, and ‘Upside Down’ shines in its BritRock skin. While ‘Easier’ leaves you in an infectious alt-pop spin.
Sure, there are the slight “hyper” electronic flourishes that give the likes of ‘Gut Feeling’ and ‘Easier’ a well-polished shine, yet you can forgive them for their ability to churn out impressive pop melodies. Whereas ‘Lifeline’ with its triumphant brass bursts, is made for summer.
‘follow:noise’ is rooted in sheer fun and has allowed Superlove to redefine their sound without completely shedding their musical identity.
Pupil Slicer – Blossom
During Already Heard‘s four-year absence, there was a host of bands that emerged from the underground, being praised by numerous websites, magazines, blogs, and any other form of modern communication. In the UK metal media, one band that was heavily praised was Pupil Slicer.
2021’s debut full-length, ‘Mirrors’, was praised for its dizzying mix of mathcore and grindcore, drawing comparisons to Converge and The Dillinger Escape Plan. Now two years on, its follow-up has arrived in the form of ‘Blossom‘.
It’s described as a “science fiction/cosmic horror concept album with central themes of abject despair, reincarnation and a fascination of hell.” Musically, it sees them expand and experiment with flashes of electronica (‘No Temple’) and clean melodies (on the title track). Yet Pupil Slicer hasn’t abandoned their origins, creating an abrasive and chaotic sound that pummels you into submission.
With ethereal soundscapes weaved in alongside hints of industrial, nu-metal and psychedelia being combined with stellar musicianship from the ferocious foursome (vocalist/guitarist Kate Davies, bassist Luke Fabian, guitarist Frank Muir, and drummer Josh Andrews) ‘Blossom’ is an exhilarating blast from a band that is willing to evolve.
What is out on #NewMusicFriday?
Foo Fighters – But Here We Are
Avenged Sevenfold – Life Is But A Dream…
Rancid – Tomorrow Never Comes
Pupil Slicer – Blossom
DZ Deathrays – R.I.F.F.
Superlove – follow:noise
Tigercub – The Perfume Of Decay
Wicca Phase Springs Eternal – Wicca Phase Springs Eternal
Atlases – Between The Day & I
Buggin – Concrete Cowboys
Rival Sons – Darkfighter
Einar Solberg – 16
Various – A Tribute to Blink 182: Fund Music, Fight Cancer
Wasted Years – Restless
Don’t Sleep – See Change
THE ACEs – I’ve Loved You For So Long
DETHRXNER – TAUNT
Spy – Satisfaction
Body Type – Expired Candy
Austin Lucas – Reinventing Against Me!
King Of The Dead – Perdition
Tortured Demon – Rise Of The Lifeless
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.
