{"id":94141,"date":"2023-07-21T10:00:19","date_gmt":"2023-07-21T09:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/?p=94141"},"modified":"2023-07-21T00:46:41","modified_gmt":"2023-07-20T23:46:41","slug":"newmusicfriday-july-21st-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/newmusicfriday-july-21st-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"#NewMusicFriday (July 21st 2023)"},"content":{"rendered":"

This week’s #NewMusicFriday is an eclectic mix of releases.<\/p>\n

First of all, Yellowcard<\/strong> return with a si year hiatus with\u00a0‘Childhood Eyes’.<\/em> There are\u00a0also albums from several burgeoning British bands; As December Falls<\/strong>,\u00a0\u00a0Saint Agnes<\/strong>, and\u00a0James and the Cold Gun<\/strong>. While\u00a0Bloc Party<\/strong> follow up their run earlier this year opening for Paramore with a new EP, and\u00a0“Britpop” icons\u00a0Blur<\/strong> reconvene for their first full-length album since 2015.<\/p>\n

If you’re looking for some revivalist rock, then\u00a0Greta Van Fleet<\/strong>‘s third outing will surely fill that spot. For the instrumental prog connoisseurs, Bristol instrumental post-math rockers\u00a0Maebe<\/strong> is sure to meet your guitar wizardly needs.<\/p>\n

When it comes to metal releases, you can check new music from\u00a0Teeth<\/strong>, SOiL<\/strong>,\u00a0Johnny Booth<\/strong>,\u00a0Voivod<\/strong>, and\u00a0Salem Trials<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Yellowcard
Photo Credit: Acacia Evans<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Yellowcard – Childhood Eyes<\/h2>\n

Six years on from calling it a day, and having made a fleeting return to the UK this past May to mark 20 years of ‘Ocean Avenue’<\/em>,\u00a0Yellowcard\u00a0<\/strong>are now looking forward.\u00a0‘Childhood Eyes’<\/em> sees the quartet return with good intentions while never shredding the traits that have made them so beloved.<\/p>\n

At their core, the five songs on offer are emotionally open-hearted with pulsating and anthemic execution. Straight away\u00a0‘Three Minutes More<\/em>‘ (with a guest spot from Vic Fuentes of Pierce The Veil) <\/a>and its title track serve a punchy pair of catchy pop-rock. The former thrives with a pounding tempo and some intricate guitar work. Whereas the latter firmly fits the\u00a0Yellowcard<\/strong> template, but you won’t hear me complaining.<\/p>\n

‘Hiding in the Light’<\/em> is carried with an edge due to its sturdy bass line and muted guitars, while Sean Mackin’s violin adds a succulent quality to the track. Whereas\u00a0‘Honest from the Jump’<\/em> allows Ryan Key’s vocals to truly shine with an abundance of soaring lines. It’s backed by a sonic tone that makes the track sound even bigger, which truly pays off in its conclusion.<\/p>\n

With the help of Chris Carrabba (Dashboard Confessional),\u00a0‘The Places We\u2019ll Go’<\/em>\u00a0 ends the EP on a sombre and reflective note. Drenched in lyrical optimism, it sees Key and Carrabba question what could have been while realising how quickly time flies. Conducted with heart-wrenching tenderness, it’s a sober but fitting finale.<\/p>\n

Although\u00a0‘Childhood Eyes’<\/em> has a tendency to lean on tried-and-tested traits of\u00a0Yellowcard<\/strong>‘s past, it still makes for a welcomed return. Four of the five songs are boldly delivered with urgency, played by a band reinvigorated and excited to play together again. ‘Childhood Eyes’<\/em> is sure to excite and entertain longtime fans, while also being a reminder of their melodic prowess to casual listeners.<\/p>\n

\"As
Photo Credit: Jay Sanderson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As December Falls – Join The Club<\/h2>\n

For close to a decade, Nottingham’s\u00a0As December Falls<\/strong> have been riding the independent wave, gradually making a name for themselves in the UK and Europe.\u00a0 In recent years, that rise has gone into overdrive with various, noteworthy festival spots and more recently, winning the ‘Best UK Breakthrough Artist’ award at the Heavy Music Awards. Now they’re unleashing their third full-length –\u00a0‘Join The Club’.<\/em><\/p>\n

On the surface,\u00a0As December Falls<\/strong> do the usual sugary pop-rock\/pop-punk thing with precision. The hooks are catchy and Bethany Hunter has a distinctive and fitting voice. Tracks like ‘Carousel’<\/em>, ‘Mayday’,<\/em> and ‘Little by Little’<\/em> are insanely addictive, thriving with plenty of energy. Elsewhere,\u00a0‘I Can\u2019t Sleep’\u00a0<\/em>shows ADF<\/strong>‘s ability to inject some rock-laden edge to their hooks, mainly thanks to Timmy Francis’ heavy guitar.<\/p>\n

One issue that As December Falls<\/strong> (and bands of their kind) fall into is an inability to produce a consistent set of songs that offer depth. Songs such as ‘Alive’<\/em> and\u00a0‘Go Away’<\/em> do thrive and keep the momentum going yet are easily forgettable. ‘Leave’<\/em> manages to put things back on track with strong guitar work before\u00a0‘Tear It Out’<\/em> delivers one final punchy, energetic blast. While\u00a0‘Home’<\/em> ticks off the expected acoustic ballad box with ease.<\/p>\n

For a band that has seemingly been doing it their way and succeeding,\u00a0‘Join The Club’<\/em> isn’t quite the breakthrough\u00a0As December Falls<\/strong> may be hoping for. At first, it’s a brash set of catchy pop-rock but on further inspection, it comes off as formulaic, even at times, bloated. Undoubtedly, there is potential for ADF<\/strong> to prove me wrong and continue to their rise, as there certainly is a market that will eat up what ‘Join The Club’<\/em> has to offer.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Photo Credit: Scott Chalmers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Saint Agnes – Bloodsuckers<\/h2>\n

Having joined the ranks of Spinefarm Records (Atreyu, Black Veil Brides, Sleep Token, Creeper), ferocious four-piece Saint Agnes<\/strong> are back with their second full-length. Titled\u00a0‘Bloodsuckers’<\/em>, it sees the East London group in a confrontational mood, especially frontwoman Kitty A. Austen. Over the course of its 11 tracks,\u00a0‘<\/em>Bloodsuckers’\u00a0<\/em>takes in elements of punk, metal, grunge, and industry.<\/p>\n

Early on Kitty sings and snarls, leaving a strong impression. From the roaring punk stomp of ‘Bloodsuckers’<\/em>, the buzzy ‘Animal’<\/em> (even with its pig noises) and the heavy groove-laden ‘I Mean Nothing To You<\/em>‘,\u00a0Saint Agness<\/strong> quickly set the standard high.\u00a0‘Outsider’<\/em> serves its purpose as being a rallying call for the unwanted, with a Rage Against The Machine-esque guitar solo thrown in.<\/p>\n

Then ‘This Is Not The End’<\/em> stops you in your tracks. It’s a raw, confessional number that strips back Saint Agnes<\/strong>‘ brand of chaos to the bare bones, allowing Austen to reflect on the sudden passing of her mother. Likewise, the sludgy\u00a0‘At War With Myself’<\/em> echoes the trend that Kitty and company prosper when they reign things in.<\/p>\n

For the most part, the remainder of ‘Bloodsuckers’\u00a0<\/em>is packed with high-octane numbers that neatly weave in various styles.\u00a0‘Middle Finger’<\/em> twists and turns with thick chords before ‘Body Bag’<\/em> pulls in Mimi Barks for a quick trap-infused, metallic blast. It ends with\u00a0‘Forever and Ever’<\/em>; its bleak ska-like pacing, dark, reverbing drums, and scratchy guitars create a stirring and haunting finale.<\/p>\n

While acts such as Nova Twins, Wargasmand Vukovi have shown to be equally dynamic, in Austen,\u00a0Saint Agnes<\/strong> have a magnetic vocalist who displays plenty of attitude and emotion. Even though it might not be enough to stand out from the pack,\u00a0‘Bloodsuckers’<\/em> is a noteworthy step in the right direction.<\/p>\n

What is out on #NewMusicFriday?<\/h2>\n

Yellowcard – Childhood Eyes
\nAs December Falls – Join The Club
\nBloc Party – The High Life
\nBlur – The Ballad Of Darren
\nGreta Van Fleet – Starcatcher
\nSaint Agnes – Bloodsuckers
\nJames and the Cold Gun – James and the Cold Gun
\nThe Criticals – Front Door Confrontations
\nMaebe – Rebirth. Relive. Repeat.
\nJohnny Booth – Moments Elsewhere
\nSOiL – Restoration
\nTeeth – A Biblical Worship Of Violence
\nVoivod – Morg\u00f6th Tales
\nOxbow – Love’s Holiday
\nIzzy Mahoubi – How To Run EP
\nForlorn – S\u00e6l
\nRezz – It’s Not a Phase
\nSalem Trials – Nocturnal Creation
\nSomnuri – Desiderium
\nJuly Crowd – Seat of Your Pants
\nBaby Got Back Talk – Wince, Repeat
\nLittle Falls Trophy – Dutch Motel<\/p>\n

If you think I’ve missed something or have a new album\/EP\/song to tell us about, tell us about it here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n