Spring started at 10:46 EDT today, which, regardless of what it feels like outside, means that things can only get better, right? Right? Maybe New Music Friday will speed things along. I’ll skip talking about the new BTS album because they don’t need my help. Meanwhile, this week’s album recommendations are very much on the heavy and dark side.
Singles
1. Death Cab for Cutie, Riptides (Anti-)
Death Cab for Cutie will release their first album (and 11th overall), I Built You a Tower, on June 5. And for the first time in 20 years, they’re an indie band after having left Atlantic Records. This one came together fast, with sessions taking just three weeks. A tour begins on May 29, which will bring them to Toronto on July 19. Sadly, it’s the only Canadian date on the schedule.
2. Everlast, Stones (Martyr Inc. Records)
Everlast (aka Whitey Ford aka Erik Schrody) first came to our attention as the frontman for House of Pain. Then he had a huge hit with What It’s Like in 1998, a song that’s still a staple of alt-rock radio. He’s been very quiet since 2018, but he’s finally on track to return sometime this year with a new album. Stay tuned.
3. Muse, Be With You (Warner)
After teasing something new on social media for the past month, Muse is back with another big of space-themed modern prog. This is the first single from The WOW! Signal (great astronomical/cosmological/alien contact reference; Matt Bellamy really wants to believe that someone is Out There). This will be the first bit of proper material from Muse since 2022. And get this: They announced this single via a partnership with a company called Sent Into Space. A specially-designed tablet was carrier 33 km into the atmosphere to do…well, I’m not sure. (And it wasn’t really space; the Kármán line, the place were space begins, is at 100 km. But never mind. The album lands June 26.
4. Stuck on Planet Earth, High Vibration (Coady/Anthem)
I’ve been following Stuck on Planet Earth (est. Vaughn, Ontario, 2007) for years now. For the uninitiated, they’re a three-piece and since 2018, they’ve been signed to Anthem Records (Rush’s label) where they released their debut album in 2020. Let’s see where they go next.
Albums
1. Dawn of Ashes, Anatomy of Suffering (Metropolis)
I know the days are getting longer, but when it finally does get dark, you might want to check out this new album from LA’s Dawn of Ashes, an industrial band that’s been around since 2000. This is their 15th studio album of dark’n’heavy electro.
2. Exodus, Goliath (Napalm Records)
More heaviness. Exodus, the Bay Area band who is currently on tour with Anthrax and Megadeth, is up to their 13th album. It’s also the first record to feature one-time ex-vocalist Rob Dukes since 2010. Let there be riffs! Thrash thrash thrash!
3. Girl Scout, Brink (Human Garbage Records)
Something new and fresh. Girl Scout is a four-piece from Stockholm, formed in 2020 who met at the Royal College of Music where they were studying jazz. The pandemic was on, so what else was there to do? (Remember, Sweden didn’t go into much of a lockdown.) The two EPs they’ve released so far have been very well received, so expectations for this debut album are pretty high.
4. Ladytron, Paradises (Nettwerk)
Originally formed in Liverpool in 1999, this electronic trio has just released their eighth album. Producer Brian Eno is a big fan (maybe because their name comes from an early Roxy Music song when Eno was still a member.) Looking for something that blends everything from synth-pop to new wave? This might fit the bill.
5. Poison the Well, Peace in Place (Sharp Tone)\
Florida metalcore. It’s their first album from this five-piece in 17 years, so yeah, it’s a comeback record that’s been described as “emotionally heavy.” Come for the riffs, stay for the unexpected melodic parts.
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