The Faves Playlist - Week of 4/22
New music from Verttigo, Metz, Looney, Michy Tree and more.
Hot Joy - Head out of the Window
St. Louis indie rock band Hot Joy reflects on being on the road via their new single “Head out of the Window.” Band member Austin McCutchen says, “The lyrics for this song became my ode to touring - something I did for the majority of my 20s, that started to slow down more and more before coming to a complete halt. I spent a lot of early 2020 grappling with the feeling that I might never have a career in music and that my best days were behind me. I spent a lot of time really reflecting on everything that I’ve gotten to do and experience through playing music, and how sometimes when it’s week three of a four week tour everything feels terrible and you would rather be anywhere else, but in reality it’s such an amazing and freeing feeling, that not many get to experience, and you don’t realize that until it’s gone.” The track is off the band’s new EP Small Favor, which is available for purchase on cassette via Bandcamp.
Dream/Loss - SECONDS
On “SECONDS” Vancouver post-punk band Dream/Loss remind us to stay present. “Remember when the world shut down and we all swore that we’d never return to the grind? ‘SECONDS’ urges you to ‘take a moment to breathe,’ the band’s vocalist Larissa says. “Honour your time. Respect others’ time. Don’t waste your time.” The track’s guitar textures, driving bass line and pounding drums move us forward, while Larissa’s vocals slow us down to appreciate where we are standing. The band’s new EP Lower Ground is out 5/10.
pia the band - First Place
Detroit-based pia the band has a new EP out titled Getting Better. On “First Place,” the indie rock band, led by songwriter Pia-Allison Roa, examines past relationships. “‘First Place’ is a song about the wrong person and wrong time. And to clarify [it] would never be the person and never be the time,” Pia offers. “Getting Better explores just that: times and experiences in life, the process of getting better. Sometimes that means letting the wrong people enter your life, which ‘First Place’ explores.”
Stare Away - Good Luck Kid
On “Good Luck Kid,” East Coast post-punk act Stare Away questions his own validity. “Consumed with you in my thoughts / Tricking myself into thinking / If I'm a person or not,” he sings. This is the latest in a string of singles released by Stare Away, the solo project of songwriter/musician Benjamin Nelson.
Pamphlets - Rotterdam Verticals
Brooklyn post-punk band Pamphlets is back with the final single from their upcoming album. “‘Rotterdam Verticals’ is inspired by the art collection of the same name by Richard Serra,” the band explains. “Serra once stated that he drew his inspiration from his time working as a steelworker. Our song is a nod to that, focusing its perspective as a blue-collar worker while calling out themes of classism and inequality.” Pamphlets’ debut album Take your Place is out on 5/3.
Donzii - Station
Miami new wave/post-punk band Donzii has released their latest single “Station.” The track reimagines life in outer space. As vocalist Jenna Balfe explains, “I am obsessed with space station scenes in sci-fi shows, like where they are in the “marketplace” or “bar.” So I wanted to make a song that I could imagine playing during that scene.” Donzii is currently on tour supporting LA techno-punk band Sextile. Check out their Instagram for info on the remaining dates.
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On their debut album Ambivert, Houston-based duo Blemishes—comprised of Julienne Ceron and Jessie Huntington—defies easy categorization by blending diverse musical influences and styles. This 50-minute album showcases a spectrum of sounds, from frantic rhythms to gentle instrumentation, reflecting their view of albums as cohesive narratives rather than mere collections of songs. To highlight its various influences, Ceron curated a playlist for us. Read our Q&A with the writer/producer and listen to the playlist.