by Dan Goldin (@post_trash_)
Welcome to FUZZY MEADOWS, our weekly recap of this week's new music. We're sharing our favorite releases of the week in the form of albums, singles, and music videos along with the "further listening" section of new and notable releases from around the web. It's generally written in the early hours of the morning and semi-unedited... but full of love and heart. The list is in alphabetical order and we sincerely recommend checking out all the music we've included. There's a lot of great new music being released. Support the bands you love. Spread the word and buy some new music.
*Disclaimer: We are making a conscious effort not to include any artist in our countdown on back-to-back weeks in order to diversify the feature, so be sure to check the "further listening" as well because it's often of top-notch quality too.
ALL HITS | “Blockhead”
Portland’s All Hits will release their full length debut, Men And Their Work, on June 26th via Iron Lung Records (Geld, Gag, C.H.E.W.), an immediately engaging feminist post-punk album that should ignite the masses. The record’s lead single “Blockhead” is built on a massive rhythmic groove and dissonant guitars, the snaking bass centric beat is locked allowing the guitars to wander from one corrosive riff to the next while the anthemic vocals chant warnings against the government’s dehumanization of the citizens and the abuse of power that runs rampant. It’s a taut post-punk as vital as they come, perfectly executed and spiraling with tension at uncoils and recoils with ease.
DIRTY PROJECTORS | “Inner World”
To say my knowledge and general familiarity with Dirty Projectors’ music is minimal is probably an understand. The project has been one of experimental pop and indie rock’s leading voices for nearly two decades and for whatever reason, I’ve yet to dig in. However, I am a big fan of Felicia Douglass’ (Gemma, Ava Luna) music and she’s been a member of the band for the past three years. The band are releasing a series of EPs this year, each with one member featured on lead vocals and Flight Tower belongs to Douglass so it’s as good as time as ever to tune in. “Inner World” is the EP’s second single, a lush pop song that opens with a baroque pop intro before sliding gracefully into Douglass and company’s swaying R&B groove, built on acoustics, an electronic pulse that could otherwise be a mbira, and slow programmed beats.
HELVETIA | “Reaktor”
Following Fantastic Life, an exceptional album full of 4-track recordings released earlier this year, Helvetia have announced their lasted studio effort, This Devastating Map. Due out in August via Joyful Noise Recordings (Ohmme, Rob Crow, Deerhoof), it’s everything you can want from a Helvetia release, full of intrigue and wandering bliss. As one of our favorite musicians of the past decade, there’s no end in sight to to Jason Albertini’s (Duster, Built to Spill) sprawling vision for Helvetia, a constantly shifting project that takes experimental lo-fi into brilliantly colored psych directions with a concise glow. First single “Reaktor” is Albertini at his most up-beat (the video follows suit) and it’s great to see him happy, spending time with loved ones, and goofing around when we could all really use a smile. There’s also a solo that rips in a characteristically unconventional Helvetia kind of way.
IRON WIGS | “Problematic“ (feat. Crimeapple)
Earlier this year Chicago MC Verbal Kent formed the great Dueling Experts with Recognize Ali, releasing their self-titled debut, a record full of dusty soul sampled beats that would make any die-hard Wu-Tang fan proud. Now Kent is back with another new group, the mighty IRON WIGS, pairing himself with Vic Spencer and the UK’s Sonnyjim, who also handles the album’s production. Your Birthday’s Cancelled, the trio’s debut album is out later this month via Mello Music Group (Quelle Chris, Che’ Noir, Joell Ortiz) and lead single “Problematic” (feat. Crimeapple) has all four rappers in top form over a jazzy beat, lead by sustained piano that feels like it was found at the bottom of a drink. Each verse comes with a unique delivery, sauntering over the twinkling rhythm and warm sax with hard-nosed hip-hop that floats like it has nowhere to be and is no rush to get there.
VINTAGE CROP | “Gridlock”
Melbourne punks Vintage Crop released the Company Man EP at the very beginning of 2019, a record that was short and sweet, and hung with us until the very end of the year as one of our favorites. They are back with the third full length, Serve To Serve Again, due out this summer via the formidable duo of Anti Fade and Upset The Rhythm. The band’s agitated post-punk is once again swinging against monotonous forces, this time the titular “Gridlock” as the band shout against being stuck in never ending traffic when they could be at home. It’s all rather mundane on paper, but the band bring it to life with uneven riffs that dart around with jagged punk disdain over a beat that glues it all into place.
Further Listening:
DOUBLE GRAVE “The Farm“ | DOUGIE POOLE “The Who’s Who of Who Cares” | FONTAINES D.C. “I Don’t Belong” | GELD “Infrasound“ | INTER ARMA “March of the Pigs” (Nine Inch Nails cover) | JEHNNY BETH “We Will Sin Together“ | JOBS “Brian” | JOHN PRINE “I Remember Everything” | KESTRELS “Grey and Blue” (feat. J Mascis) | LET IT COME DOWN “Songs We Sang In Our Dreams“ LP | MOTH “Ritual” | NEEDS “Split” EP | NEIL YOUNG “Vacancy” | POWER TRIP “Live in Seattle 05.28.2018” LP | SONNY FALLS “People On Porches“ + “Filling In The Blanks” | THE STOOGES “T.V. Eye (Live)” | THIBAULT “Centrelink” | TWICE EYES “It’s On” | ULTHAR “Providence” LP | UNDERER “Miniature Jimmon” | VILE CREATURE “Glory, Glory! Apathy Took Helm!”