The first #NewMusicFriday of the month is a fairly strong one with the new album from Boston Manor leading the way. Today also sees Laura Jane Grace & the Mississippi Medicals deliver their debut EP alongside the third full-length from German outfit Future Palace.
For pop-punk fans, the focus is sure to be on blink-182 expanded version of ‘One More Time…’ as they release ‘…Part 2’, While some of the genre’s most notable names have been roped in for Disney’s ‘A Whole New Sound’, as the likes of Yellowcard, New Found Glory, Bowling For Soup and more reimagined some classic Disney movie tracks.
On the homefront, there are new releases from Lakes, downcast, InRetrospect, and I, Conqueror. Whereas Have Mercy and Staind both get in on the “deluxe” act as they expand past albums. For fans of ambient rock, there is ‘Embers’ from God Is An Astronaut. That’s complemented by the debut album from Solars. The Birmingham proggy post-rockers release ‘A Fading Future’ today.
One album which was released earlier this week, ‘Shapeshift’ by Californian group Cheridomingo. Serving up an emotive brand of post-hardcore, the quartet complement solid choruses with electronic and metal flashes. It results in a noteworthy album that shouldn’t go under your radar.
Boston Manor – Sundiver
After the dark comes the light. That’s the notion Boston Manor takes on their fifth record ‘Sundiver’. Serving a conceptual sequel to 2022’s ‘Datura’, it sees the Blackpool quintet in an optimistic mood. From the opening haze of ‘Datura (Dawn)’ to ‘DC Mini’s final moments of acceptance, ‘Sundiver’ is the sign of a band with a new purpose.
While ‘Datura (Dawn)’ shimmers its way through, ‘Container’ soon injects ‘Sundiver’ with energy. Boosted by a radiant chorus, its guitars wind about and swirl as bassist Dan Cunniff and drummer Josh Pugh anchor down the density. ‘Sliding Doors’ sees Dan’s brother, Mike, along with Ash Wilson supply some gritty 90’s alt-rock guitars. Sure, there’s a blatant classic Deftones comparison, yet vocalist Henry Cox is effortless in switching back and forth between distorted screams and rising melodies. ‘Heat Me Up’ complements this with a chorus designed to be sung in unison, serving as a cathartic release.
If you’ve followed Boston Manor‘s evolution from the fringes of pop-punk to being a genre-boundless collective, there’s always been a sense of progression. This has seen them take in different shades in their delivery. This time around ‘Horses In A Dream’ sees them dwell on haunting synths and a favourable groove, before ‘Morning Star’ surfs on a hedonistic drum n bass wave.
Nevertheless, Boston Manor‘s ability to deliver lofty rock songs is their strong point. ‘Why I Sleep’ and ‘Fornix’ serve as a reminder of this. The former thrives on spiky riffs and a gravelly bass, with the former sounding razor-sharp in its intensity. Furthermore, ‘Dissolve’ swells in its funk-laden groove.
‘What Is Taken, Will Never Be Lost’ momentarily slows its pacing down with its twiddling guitars, it maintains the comforting sense of acceptance that threads ‘Sundiver’s lyrical side. Yet as Cox sings “It resets and starts again” on album closer, ‘DC Mini’, there is a mixed sense of solace and finality. It’s here where Heriot’s Debbie Gough chips in with a late cameo as she provides distant screams amongst its shoegaze presentation, providing one of the year’s most effective yet fleeting guest spots.
Boston Manor‘s growing dynamism, thoughtful songwriting, and organic maturity are what considerably carries ‘Sundiver’. It’s these characteristics that lead you to repeatedly come back to the record, revealing more of itself with each playthrough. If anything, ‘Sundiver’ is due to solidify Boston Manor‘s longevity.
Future Palace – Distortion
Berlin trio Future Palace proudly wears their influences as their third album, ‘Distortion’, wraps itself up in the stylings of Spiritbox and Bring Me The Horizon. Metalcore blasts combined with atmospheric synths and a wealth of intense emotion. On paper, it all sounds rather passable yet the German three-piece continues to show promise.
There’s no doubt that Future Palace has the angst and hooks to mix it up with their peers. Both ‘Uncontrolled’ and the crunching ‘Malphas’ soon back that statement up. Vocalist Maria Lessing is dynamic, one moment she’s delivering soaring harmonies, and the next monstrous screams. On ‘Panic Paralysis’, she’s able to deliver a magnetic tale of mental anguish as guitarist Manuel Kohlert and drummer Johannes Frenzel provide a glacial tone in the verses, before erupting in the chorus.
Charlie Rolfe of As Everything Unfolds joins Lessing on the raging ‘The Echoes of Disparity’, teaming up to express their anger on abuses of power in society and the oppression of women. It’s a frantic yet cathartic offering that means ‘Distortion’ has an impressive start. Yet it does have some slight missteps. For example, ‘Dreamstate’ embeds itself into slick alt-pop even with Frenzel’s kinetic drumming and Kohlert’s soaking black breakdown. Likewise, ‘Decarabia’ heavily leans into Future Palace‘s synth-laden side.
Stylistically, they become restricted by their abilities, relying on anthemic hooks, dense flourishes, and overtly produced elements. This means songs such as ‘In Too Deep’ and ‘A Fool on a Devil’s Reins’ don’t quite have the desired impact, despite some impressive and emotive performances. By the time you reach ‘They Take What They Want,’ with its chugging guitars and atmospheric keys, you realise Future Palace fall short on ideas.
Nonetheless, with a narrative that deals with various mental illnesses and personal struggles, ‘Distortion’ is lyrically coherent, allowing Lessing’s emotion to be 100% genuine. It’s this emotion and narrative that drags the album past the finish line of ‘Amethyst’. It probably helped that she was suffering from a root infection after wisdom tooth surgery during the album’s recording; adding to the pain and angst given. She’s backed up Kohlert and Frenzel who are more than capable of adding to the ‘Distortion’s ferocious moments.
Although they’ve pinned themselves to a tried-and-tested formula, Future Palace are heading in the right direction.‘Distortion’ offers just enough to make them stand out from the crowd.
Laura Jane Grace & the Mississippi Medicals – Give An Inch
Not content with delivering a solo album (‘Hole in My Head’) earlier this year, Laura Jane Grace has roped in Matt Patton of Drive-By Truckers (bass), Mikey Erg of The Ergs (drums) and her wife, Paris Campbell Grace (vocals, percussion), to form a new group. Laura Jane Grace & the Mississippi Medicals emphasises Grace’s chameleon ability with ‘Give An Inch’ taking a lo-fi, carefree approach.
Delivering six songs in less than 20 minutes makes this a digestible listen, yet is far from one-dimensional. ‘Razor Blade Blues’ twangs with rockabilly wryness with Ergs rapid drumming and group harmonies. ‘Hoka, Hoka — One, One’ breezes through with a familiar folkiness. Whereas ‘All Fucked Out’ plods along with a cheeky wink, drenched in the sweaty Southern sun. When paired with ‘Fuck You, Just Because’, it’s clear Grace & the Mississippi Medical are letting themselves loose. Serving as a languishing jam, there’s a jovial sense to their delivery. Beforehand, ‘Karma Too Close’ roots itself in well-worn melodic punk rock with a hint of neon synth.
It comes to a head with ‘M*A*S*H’. Bordering on a comedic cut with Grace’s bleak parody of radio commercial blurbs, it accelerates with a country rush and recommends of “killing yourself today”. It’s all very tongue-in-cheek and adds to the carefree nature that the quartet curates on this debut offering.
‘Give An Inch’ is short and fittingly rough around the edges. Although it could be seen as a throwaway side-project, Laura Jane Grace & the Mississippi Medicals allows its main songwriter to cut the emotional ties of her solo work, resulting in a fun, carefree set of songs.
Lakes – The Stitches EP
There’s always been a warming sense of what Lakes do. Ever since emerging out of Watford’s DIY scene, the “glock-rock” group have shown a flair for writing pleasing songs. With an imminent run of shows supporting Pedro the Lion, they’ve decided to surprise fans with this three-track offering.
Welcoming vocalist/pianist Cat Rowland and guitarist Marcus Gooda into the fold, ‘Stitches’ sees Rowland share vocal duties with guitarist Roberto Cappellina. Twinkling guitars segue into a tale of loneliness, yearning for comfort, and anxiety. Backed by bright, jangly guitars, and Matthew Shaw’s penetrating drums, it’s a satisfying opener.
‘Nothing Surprising’ leans into the Lakes of old; twiddling math-rock-esque guitars and reassuring melodies. It’s a breezy and uplifting number that highlights Lakes‘ melodic abilities. ‘Raliegh’ completes the short outing hinting at a bigger sound we’re used to from the sextet. Acoustic strums complement luscious ringing guitars, providing an atmospheric tone. While Cappellina’s words are equally resolute, despite his “fear of losing out” he’s turned a corner and “will be just fine”.
Described by Callellina as “a bridge between classic Lakes and what’s to come”, ‘The Stitches EP’ neatly pulls in elements of Lakes‘ past, present, and future. Underneath the reassuring musical tone are songs that brood on relatable insecure emotions.
What is out on #NewMusicFriday?
blink-182 – One More Time… Part 2
Boston Manor – Sundiver
Various – A Whole New Sound
Laura Jane Grace & the Mississippi Medicals – Give An Inch
Cheridomingo – Shapeshift
Future Palace – Distortion
Lakes – The Stitches EP
downcast – WTF HAPPENED
InRetrospect – AGGRO – THE MIXTAPE
As December Falls – The Live Album
Have Mercy – Still Numb (Deluxe)
Staind – Confessions Of The Fallen (Deluxe Edition)
God Is An Astronaut – Embers
Pure Reason Revolution – Coming Up To Consciousness
I, Conqueror – Hell In My Head
Native James – Rebirth
Kid Brunswick – Dead Forever
Bodysnatcher – Vile Conduct
Dagwood – Pollyanna Visions EP
Solars – A Fading Future
Wolfheart – Draconian Darkness
Gargantura – Primary Pulse
Modern Angst – Part X
Infinite Sleep – Martyrs
Prim – Move Too Slow
Public Opinion – Painted On Smile
Reece Young – Here
Peeling Flesh – The G Code
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.
