New music from Columbia, SC, bands, rappers, more

COLUMBIA — Killer instrumentals, swaggering rap and gentle folk are all on the menu in this month’s edition of Local Frequency.

Here are seven new albums, singles and EPs by Columbia artists to check out:

“Relaxo Beach,” Burrito Wolf

The opening tracks on this all-instrumental gem take chopped-and-channeled surf guitar and weld it to a rhythm section more in the pocket than that last linty breath mint. Then on the fifth track, “Man-Moth,” the band begins to experiment, working in subtle synth percussion and grounding the song with a melancholy rockabilly guitar hook, if that’s possible. The rest of the journey is more eclectic, with menacing vocal samples on “Parklane Plaza” and the hilarious ‘50s-pop pastiche “Everybody Is Going To The Party Tonight,” which has a delightfully weird chorus. No matter how concise they are, instrumental albums can drag on a bit, and even at just 11 tracks, that happens here, too. But overall this is the best local release I’ve heard this year. Hell, it’s one of the best, period.

“Virtual Love,” Murda

I need to know more about Columbia rapper Murda right now, before everyone else finds this guy. On the first track, “DO IT,” the flow is masterful, the tone is authoritative and the chorus hook won’t leave my head. “NICE” throws distortion and a skittering beat behind Murda’s tongue twisting swagger. “ROLLIN” is a mid-tempo stomper, would-be a massive hit with major label muscle behind it. The only time I wasn’t riveted was during the string of “cloud rap” tracks in the middle with droning tones and anesthetized raps. Murda is way too good to be conventional.

“Trouble In The Waves,” The Water Kickers

The Water Kickers is a duo of Kelley and Brodie Porterfield, and it’s one of the busiest groups on the Columbia scene, gig-wise. Its new EP, “Trouble In The Waves,” casts a kind of hypnotic spell on the opening track, “Give Me Some Lovin,” a slow-walking groove buoyed only by banjo, acoustic guitar and mild percussion. The way the Porterfields’ voices blend on the track calls to mind Shovels & Rope in the best way. Then the barbed wire electric riff of “Heavy Heart” kicks the door down on a shambling rocker that kind of sounds like Wilco decided to record a song drunk. “Couldn’t Help But Think Of You” ends the EP on a downcast full-band ballad that just misses the quality of the first two tracks. There’s a lot to like on this EP, though, and it’s not like that final song is weak. It’s just a more conventional tune than the first two and suffers a bit because of it.

“A Cornered Fox Is More Dangerous Than A Jackal,” Cascades

This firefight of an EP kicks off with a quick sample of a light and cheesy ‘70s pop classic. You might want to go ahead and brace yourself while it’s playing, because the title track stomps through the door like Dad after work on Monday. It’s a combo of back-breaking metal rhythms, riffs that will peel skin and the expected throat-shredding metalcore vocals. In terms of brutality, it’s got the goods, but I couldn’t help wishing that vocalist R.C. Salane used his surprisingly melodic other voice, a dead ringer for Tool’s Maynard Keenan. It makes the music more sinister, in a way.

“Clown,” Homemade Haircuts

I’ve listened to this song many, many times, and I still can’t quite tell if it’s about a literal clown who’s complaining about his job or a dude struggling to be taken seriously in his life. Either way there’s a rather angry line about “making your ass laugh” that got one out of me, at least. Musically, it’s a fascinating musical puzzle box with loud, jagged guitars, Beach-Boys vocal melodies and a cool neo-psychedelic fadeout jam. It’s like Weezer went back in time and hung out with Talking Heads. Seriously though, is it about an angry clown? Homemade Haircuts, please reach out.

“Club™,” Ricky™

Yes, both of those words are trademarked. Anyhoo, Ricky™ has created an old-school Detroit techno fan’s dream on this 7-track trip back to the days of “Rave ‘til Dawn.” It’s all relentless dance beats, wiggly synth riffs and undulating bass lines, perfect for a completely non-chemically aided night dancing away under the strobe lights. It’s interesting to hear artists influenced by ‘90s techno and actually get the cold, vaguely European aesthetic right. There’s nothing life-changing here, but every track is well crafted and sleek.

“too hard to forget” and “if i can’t love me,” Katie DeMartini

Yeah, do not be fooled by the innocent-looking photo that accompanies “too hard to forget.” Katie DeMartini ROCKS on this single, a calling card for a new album out now, “nobody’s favorite.” It’s a polished, tight tune with a soaring chorus and aggressive riffs, anchored by a pretty-but-poisonous vocal from DeMartini. It’s also very different from her other new single, “if i can’t love me,” a more mainstream ballad that could fit pretty comfortably on modern country radio. It’s not sticking with me as much as “too hard to forget,” and I’m interested to see if the styles will work together on the full album.