{"id":95108,"date":"2023-12-01T10:00:59","date_gmt":"2023-12-01T10:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/?p=95108"},"modified":"2023-12-01T20:31:48","modified_gmt":"2023-12-01T20:31:48","slug":"newmusicfriday-december-1st-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/newmusicfriday-december-1st-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"#NewMusicFriday (December 1st 2023)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Although end-of-year lists are popping up, and everyone is sharing their Spotify Wrapped and Apple Music Replay stats from the past 11 months, that doesn’t mean that there’s new music. The first #NewMusicFriday<\/strong> of December is packed with new albums and EPs, all trying to end the year on a high.<\/p>\n

Among them is\u00a0Lil Lotus<\/strong> who delivers his second album,\u00a0Nosebleeder’<\/em>. He’s not the only solo artist looking to leave their mark. Former\u00a0We Are The Ocean<\/strong> vocalist\u00a0Liam Cromby<\/strong> delivers a collection of soulful Americana. Former\u00a0letlive.\u00a0<\/strong>guitarist Jeff Sahyoun’s\u00a0Erase Theory<\/strong> return with their second EP this year.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere, Full Of Hell<\/strong> and Nothing<\/strong> team up for ‘When No Birds Sang’,<\/em> bringing together their respective brands of grindcore and shoegaze in the process. Guitar virtuoso\u00a0Plini <\/strong>shows off his versatile skills on\u00a0‘Mirage,’\u00a0<\/em>taking in elements of prog, djent and jazz, If you’re wanting some tech-metal Germany’s\u00a0Unprocessed <\/strong>deliver ‘\u2026And Everything In Between’<\/em>. Also, The Seafloor Cinema<\/strong>‘s self-titled arrives, offering an eclectic mix of sounds; pop, math-rock, EDM and emo.<\/p>\n

\"Lil
Photo Credit: Rowan Daly<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lil Lotus – Nosebleeder<\/h2>\n

Much like Machine Gun Kelly and fellow Boyfriendz member SMRTDEATH, Lil Lotus<\/strong> has transitioned from hip-hop to a hybrid mix that incorporates emo\/pop-punk. As ‘Think Of You Tonight’ <\/em>from 2012\u2019s debut full-length, \u2018Err\u00f8r B\u00f8y\u2019<\/em>, evidently showed,\u00a0Lil Lotus\u00a0<\/strong>is capable of pulling off pop-punk bangers. Now he’s returned with its follow-up –\u00a0‘Nosebleeder’<\/em>.<\/p>\n

With\u00a0Lotus<\/strong> (aka John Elias Villagran III) approaching his thirties, he takes the opportunity to reflect, touching on subjects such as friendships, addiction, mental health, and toxic relationships. While the title track sees him saying goodbye to his L.A. partying days. It loosely ties these 14 songs together with ease. However, their execution is mixed.<\/p>\n

On the surface, Lotus’ hybrid sound is passable, even if at times, comes off as bland and formulaic. Plucky pop-punk mixed with trap beats is a style Lotus<\/strong> is comfortable doing. When you throw in a handful of strong hooks, you’re left with an album that is fine but doesn’t quite reach the levels of being memorable.<\/p>\n

Songs such as the title track,\u00a0‘what a time to be alive’<\/em>, and\u00a0‘play dead’<\/em> are delivered with plenty of energy and emotion. Moreso album highlights\u00a0‘ghost’<\/em> and\u00a0‘when life gives you lemons’<\/em> both benefit from Lotus’ ability to play off a female guest with Alexis Munroe and Sophie Powers respectively adding a favourable dynamic. The downside of these songs is the hollow production.<\/p>\n

On paper, Matt Malpass and Mike Pepe have credible and fitting credentials counting blink-182, Taking Back Sunday and the aforementioned MGK. Yet\u00a0‘Nosebleeder’<\/em> suffers from a lack “oomph” that hinders the soaring melodies and emotional depth from truly shining. Although Lil Lotus<\/strong> doesn’t help matters with the occasional use of auto-tune, and irregular semi-mumbling vocals he utilises.<\/p>\n