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.

GOLD CAGE | “Repeater Kimber”

Los Angeles’ Gold Cage aren’t in any sort of rush, content to float around with minimalist atmosphere, and yet their music feels urgent all the same. Set to release their debut album, Social Crutch, in late March via Felte Records (Lushes, Odonis, Odonis), our introduction to their sound came courtesy of “Repeater Kember,” the record’s patient first single of post-punk tinged slowcore. The song slowly rattles open, with a rhythmic crack reminiscent of True Widow, before a warbling layer of feedback wriggles itself into droning existence, providing a warped and surreal base line for the airy duel vocals to rest upon, a drifting wave of noise that feels strung beautifully between the song’s gentle bloom. The whole thing eventually bursts into the blown out catharsis, and there’s a feeling of hypnotic relief, like it’s a moment that’s been building your entire life. Go ahead, give it a try.

HOLIDAY MUSIC | “Humming”

Following one-off singles in both 2018 and 2019, Austin’s Holiday Music are set to release a new full length in February. Certified Ailments is out on the 20th via Super Wimpy Punch (Dust From 1000 Yrs, Birthday Ass, Blue Ray) but we’ve already shared the exceptional “Wonder” and “Moves” on the site prior to the record’s announcement. With “Humming” though, it’s official, the album is on its way and we’re eagerly awaiting its arrival. “Humming,” the record’s opening track takes Mike Hlady and co.’s warped psych blueprint and swirls it into an accessible introduction. With a driving hook and a kaleidoscope of auxiliary rhythms, Holiday Music paint with swaths of bent distortion and illuminating lo-fi garage-psych charm.

ISS | “Too Punk For Heavy Metal”

Total Punk Records (Brandy, Foster Care, Civic) have been building their hand-stamped 7” series for eight years now, including Musk, Rik & The Pigs, Patsy and more. With the 70th edition of the series just around corner, the label has decided to put it to an end (though the label itself will continue) and they’re going out with a blistering new song from North Caroline’s ISS (ex-Whatever Brains). Apparently ISS took this an opportunity to hilariously air some grievances toward Total Punk’s owner, with a good nature at passed up offers and non-responsive emailing (lyrics printed right on the cover as a kicker). It’s a great example of the punk’s bands abrasive sample heavy punk, full of tongue in cheek disgust, aggressive noise punk, and a krautrock groove that feels violent in the hands of ISS.

MELKBELLY | “LCR“

Let’s all collectively agree, Chicago’s Melkbelly are one of the best bands on the planet (this planet or otherwise) and their latest album, PITH, is easily among the most anticipated of the year. Due out in April via Wax Nine / Carpark Records, the band sound as explosive as ever, picking up where the incredible Nothing Valley left off, combining colossal rhythms with sludgy guitars and sweetened pop melodies. It’s always an equal mix of menacing fury and bubblegum hooks with Melkbelly, a band that has combined the two better than most, with an ease that never feels forced or wonky. “LCR” is primal pop with drummer James Wetzel shinning on a complex and pummeling assault that never relents. The shifting framework and agitated stampede of the kit blends seamlessly with Miranda Winter’s sugary vocals and the twin guitars that feels part dirge, part power-pop, and part post-hardcore. It’s a welcome return from one of our absolute favorites.

PEEL DREAM MAGAZINE | “Pill”

Following a great debut album and a strong interstitial EP, Brooklyn’s Peel Dream Magazine have announce their next full length, Agitprop Alterna, due out early April via Slumberland Records (Lake Ruth, Failed Flowers, Wildhoney). “Pill” is the first single from the record, a song that takes the band a step away from their dream pop haze and into the thickened fog of perfectly executed shoegaze. The guitars and synths blend together with the warm vocal melodies, every element of the song is brilliantly layered to the point of symbiosis, with the construction still clear and radiant. It’s a delicate procedure to create something this swarming and this resonant, something Peel Dream Magazine are doing better than most in their niche.

SHELL OF A SHELL | “Away Team”

While the first single from Shell of a Shell’s upcoming full length Away Team took an immediate route toward hooks and catchy guitar riffs, there’s something very special about when the band travel a more circuitous path. The record’s title track is more of a slow burner, an intricate journey through the minds of a fictional member of the Heaven’s Gate cult. The song builds slowly but the dexterity of the rhythm section is fully combustible from the start, forever building toward an enormous crescendo that truly uses every moment to gain in momentum and catharsis. Every time it seems it can’t possibly build upon this… SOAS just keep pushing it further. By the time the track comes to an end you just want to listen again because hearing is believing.

Further Listening:

Fuzzy Meadows: The Week's Best New Music (January 27th - February 2nd)