So, over the last few months, the releases on my radar have gone a little quiet. Bar the odd single or live touring controversy (I’m looking at you Healey) it’s been a bit of a quiet time for new music. I recently got a Walkman, an old CD player for my birthday, so listening to full albums instead of a shuffled playlist has been a new and brilliant change, but that walkman experience is going to get a post of its own, so this is going to be mostly about what I'm streaming. On that subject, I thought I’d write something about what I’ve had on repeat as of late, and some songs and artists I think deserve some of the limelight. This is my list of Whats On Repeat Now!
(L.S Dunes - Past Lives album art)
LS Dunes - Past Lives
Now I’ll be the first one to say that Frank Iero’s best project is MCR. Nothing can beat them. They scorched their own path in the alternative punk rock/emo scene and are known to this day as legends of the industry. But, and this is a big but, LS Dunes in my opinion is hot on MCR’s heels. Formed as a supergroup of members across well known hardcore, rock and emo bands, LS Dunes creates a catchy post-hardcore sound without skimping on the brilliant breakdowns, shredding and lyrical brilliance of any of the members past endeavours. Past Lives is an extremely impressive record, from the blasting and impactful Grey Veins to the slow and mournful Sleep Cult, this record proves once again that even if you haven’t heard of them before, it doesn’t mean they should be ignored. New music is also apparently coming soon, along with a brand new single Benadryl Subreddit, so if there was any time to get into Dunes, it’s probably now.
(Promo Poster for Cyberpunk: Edgerunners)
I Really want to Stay at Your House - Rosa Walton, Hallie Coggins
Recently, I got into the game Cyberpunk 2077, and although I know that this blog isn’t about reviewing video games, holy shit what a title. Visually stunning, thematically sound, i can’t urge you enough to go play it if you have the chance. One of the things to come from that game is a standalone anime, Edgerunners, which is also absolutely stunning. One of the musical lynchpins for the entire series is this song, I Really want to Stay at Your House. It’s a perfect blend of hyper pop and electro, with vocoded lyrics and impressive electronic melodies, and I’ve had it on repeat since the end of the series. Not only is it a great song, lyrically it goes hard, and plots out what seems to be a narrative surrounding the fall of a relationship. Just don’t play it around me without me knowing, I might cry.
(Sleep Token - Take Me Back To Eden Album Art)
Sleep Token
No suprises eh? Take me Back to Eden is in the running to be my album of the year, and I mean it. Not only am I enjoying the new stuff, all the old Sleep Token projects have come violently back to me, Sundowning’s beautiful offerings of The Night Does Not Belong to God, Higher and Take Aim, long with the moody grooves of This Place Will Become Your Tomb’s Hypnosis and Atlantic, this band is one to watch right now, no matter what you may think of the faceless quintet.
(Probot - Probot Album Art)
Probot
How the hell I haven’t heard about this before now I don’t know, maybe it’s because the only album ever released was put out less than a year after my birth. A side project by legendary instrumentalist Dave Ghrol, aching for something new and more devoted to his love of heavy metal. He formed a supergroup, swapping out the lead singer at each track, with some serious guest vocal spots, including Jack Black and even Lemmy from Mötorhead. Yup. Serious shit. This record is a bleeding love letter to all things heavy, and I’d thoroughly reccomend if you feel like something a little different, and a little more hardcore than your average metal side project.
(The Wombats - Image courtesy of The Guardian)
The Wombats
This year, I was lucky enough to get to head to Community Festival in Crystal Palace Park, and seeing The Wombats live after listening to them on and off for the past 5 or so years, it re-ignited the love I have for the northern three piece indie sensations. From their new album, with amazing tracks like If you ever leave I’m coming with you and Everything I love is going to die, and the classics Technofan, Cheetah Tongue and 1996, these guys have a serious discography that spans indie styles and trends while staying true to the band and having that same far out lyricism that sets them apart from the crowd. Another band that’s going off at the minute, if you ever get the chance, see these guys live!
So, that's what I've been blasting at the moment, hope everyone is having a restful summer, and that the music is blasting alongside your chosen activities. See you soon, I've got some more reviews coming in the next few weeks - Post Malone and 100 Gecs are up to bat!
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