New Music Radar
New Music Radar for October 18th, 2023
Invisible Low End Power – Spaceprints
The long-awaited and highly anticipated album Spaceprints from Invisible Low End Power hits every note of a melodic rock groove from beginning to end. This transcendent LP is experimental and transcendent in all the right places but grounded in an euphonious fashion that feels like some sort of religious experience. Project mastermind Wolfgang Zimmerman makes a record that isn’t ‘show-offy’ in its nature but hypnotizes the listener to sink them into every track. Spaceprints comes across as heavily production-oriented with spacey synths, alluring distorted guitars, and techniques similar to the telephone effect: Tame Impala has a reputation for using this technique. The last track “Cicadas” feels like pure ecstasy coming from Wolfy, as this record has been in the works for many years– and didn’t disappoint.
On The Playlist: “Cicadas”
Contributed by Sarah Grace Sherbondy
Spaceprints by Invisible Low End Power on Spotify
She Returns From War – “Edgefield”
She Returns From War releases the third and final single from their upcoming sophomore album Ruthless, due out November 10th. The album caps off a monumental year for one of Charleston’s most prolific songwriters, co-headliner of Extra Chill Fest 2023, and longtime friend of Extra Chill.
See my full article about “Edgefield”
Contributed by Chris Huber
“Edgefield” by She Returns From War on Spotify
#GxldApproved: Cap – “Came In”
It’s always a pleasure to cover artists that are absolute FYE, however they only drop every blue moon…but when they do, it’s always worth the wait. Cap aka Cap Grizzlee aka Drumgod just released his single “Came In”. Possibly one of the smoothest trap songs I’ve heard in a minute. The beat sounds like a slowed bad and bougie with a saucy loop of violin, 808’s, snares and kicks. Cap hovers on the beat, giving us luxury trap, style switches, and a ‘shoulder shimmying’ hook-the perfect recipe for a southern trap anthem. I became a fan of Cap after last years release “Cap’n Bluus” feat rapper and Band Up creator Nimo Bluus. Tap in!
Contributed by Thaddeus Adams
Boygenius – The Rest
Supergroup Boygenius released a new EP, The Rest, last week, just six months after the debut of their first full-length album, The Record. The project is composed of four completely fresh songs, and though the celestial harmonies of the three women (Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus) lend a touch of their familiar misty melancholy, the overall nature of the EP feels more triumphant, perhaps a consequence of the heights the band has recently achieved. The opening track, “Black Hole,” begins with one repetitive piano note, Baker’s vocals gentle yet clear-eyed. Diaphanous background production and building instrumentation create a sensation that is tender but not downtrodden as Bridgers and Dacus add their voices to the soundscape.
On the playlist: “Black Hole”
Contributed by Kate Bryan
The Rest by Boygenius on Spotify
#GxldApproved: The KYI & Rural Resonance- “Let Go”
KYI’s newest single, “Let Go,” produced by Rural Resonance, is a unique musical journey that encapsulates the essence of self awareness and introspection. With contemplative lyricism and a touch of poetic soul-searching , KYI delves into his own internal conflicts and unveils his newfound awareness of the importance of ‘letting go’ in order to embrace the present moment. The song’s choppy, almost bel canto syllabic structure, combined with KYI’s unique delivery, intertwines seamlessly with Rural Resonance’s lively production, creating a smooth and infectious groove that lingers in your mind. With each verse, KYI’s words paint a vivid picture, inviting listeners to join him on this introspective voyage of self-discovery. “Let Go” is a youthful anthem that resonates deeply and leaves an indelible mark on the soul.
Contributed by Thaddeus Adams
“Let Go” by The KYI and Rural Resonance on Spotify
Duff Thompson – “Shapeshifter”
Montreal-based songwriter Duff Thompson released a new single, “Shapeshifter, on October 13th. His songs display a compelling, unpolished purity, direct in their sensitivity yet complicated in the way that the spectrum of human feelings is unmappable. “Shapeshifter” is no exception. The track features raw acoustic guitar, Thompson’s vocals reverberating as he sings “Water is flowing in the wrong direction / And it don’t seem as strange anymore.” The song calls to mind artists like Jackson C. Frank in its simplicity and jagged emotive quality, but with offbeat production choices and a modern sense of irony.
Contributed by Kate Bryan
“Shapeshifter” by Duff Thompson on Spotify.
Massie – Grady Says Serotonin
The newly formed power pop trio Massie evolved this year from the sprightly punk scene of D.C. and just released their first EP Grady Says Serotonin. Mixed with empowering feminine vocals and prominent elements of late 90s alternative rock, this debut EP shows off the group’s unique three-part harmonies and punchy lyricism with hints of vulnerability. Grady Says Serotonin is pop-sensible but shows the band’s wide range of grunge in an angsty, confident manner. This is one of those records that could’ve been featured in a movie like Freaky Friday with bits of garage grit and a rebellious vibrancy that’s invigorating to the newer wave of punk music.
On The Playlist: “Once In the Mouth”
Contributed by Sarah Grace Sherbondy
Grady Says Serotonin by Massie on Spotify
Eyedress, Mac DeMarco – “My Simple Jeep”
“My Simple Jeep” was released this week, making it the second collaboration this year by Eyedress and Mac Demarco. These two personalities blend effortlessly with Eyedress’ eerie whispers and Demarco’s carefree melodies. This seems to be an era of experimental collaborations for Mac but still maintains that classic chill in its purest form of using phrases that could represent something abstract or direct– do one of these guys own a Jeep? I portray this tune as having meaning in its simplest form; a laid back boppy track meant to showcase Eyedress’ sonic-lofi sound with Mac’s goofy and straightforward blurbs.
Contributed by Sarah Grace Sherbondy
“My Simple Jeep” by Eyedress and Mac DeMarco on Spotify
Eyedress “My Simple Jeep” feat Mac DeMarco (Video)
Rachel Chinouriri – “The Hills”
English indie pop artist Rachel Chinouriri dropped a new song, “The Hills,” last week. The track is a reflection on identity and the notion of belonging. In addition to showing Chinouriri’s smooth vocals at their most vibrant, “The Hills” features sharp electric guitar and a bold, anthemic sound with a charging beat. “When you don’t belong / the hills will know / it’s visible,” Chinouriri remarks of spending time in LA, rather than her London home. The song is a welcome new addition to Chinouriri’s catalog, showing the artist can infuse the soft amiability of her voice with an almost defiant sense of power.
Contributed by Kate Bryan
“The Hills” by Rachel Chinouriri on Spotify
Car Seat Headrest – “We Looked Like Giants”
Car Seat Headrest rips of a cover of Death Cab For Cutie’s “We Looked Like Giants”, off their 2003 album Trasatlanticism. It was released as part of a dual single release with The Beths, who covered the Postal Service track “Brand New Colony”. This is what happens when Death Cab goes on Tour with the Postal Service and a bunch of millennial indie rockers feel nostalgic about it. As a millennial music writer, you won’t find me complaining.
Contributed by Chris Huber
“We Looked Like Giants” by Car Seat Headrest on Spotify
The Beths – “Brand New Colony”
The Beths pair their Postal Service cover “Brand New Colony” with the Car Seat Headrest release of “We Looked Like Giants”. Enjoy a modern indie rock twist on songs that helped spawn the genre as we know it.
“Brand New Colony” by The Beths on Spotify
Contributed by Chris Huber