Singles of the Week (44//23)

1) Cruel - Common Rituals

 

News from Chicago, Illinois post-punk / indie-rock band... 

 

'Common Rituals' — the debut EP from Cruel — emerges from Chicago’s rich DIY scene. 

 

Band members Michael Schrieber, Jen Ashley, Jack Kelsey, and Brent Favata each have their own trail of projects, but together Cruel strikes an electric alchemy. The four tracks on 'Common Rituals' inject confident melodies into the city’s long tradition of fuzzed-out indie rock; intuitive riffs are nuzzled in each track, begging to be left on repeat. To help achieve their fully-formed sound, Cruel enlisted studio stalwarts Jack Henry (Friko, Free Range, Horsegirl) to record/mix and Greg Obis (Stuck, Lifeguard, Deeper) to master. The resulting EP is one of Chicago’s most assured debuts to materialize in recent memory. 

 

Michael Schrieber - vocals/lyrics/guitar 

Jen Ashley - bass 

Brent Favata - drums 

Jack Kelsey - guitar 

 

Recorded/mixed by Jack Henry Mastered by Greg Obis 

 

released October 31, 2023 

 

(EP - Angel Tapes / Fire Talk)

2) We Are Not Our Bodies - Eternal Dawn

 

 

News from Yonkers, New York post-hardcore punk band... 

 

We Are Not Our Bodies is thrilled to announce the release of our latest album, "Eternal Dawn," which is out now. 

 

Recorded at Timber Studios in August 2020 and June 2021, this album showcases our exploration of heavy music, blending elements of post-hardcore, shoegaze, and screamo. We are excited to finally share this musical journey with the world. A huge shoutout is due to Adam Cichocki at Timber Studios for his exceptional work in recording, mixing, and mastering the record. His mastery in the studio pushed us to create a mature sound that we're immensely proud of, and we're honored to have had the opportunity to work with him. Additionally, we want to express our deep appreciation to Piper Ferarri for creating the striking album artwork for both the singles and the record. Inspired by brutalist architecture, the art perfectly encapsulates the massive sound that you'll experience when you listen to the album. We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has already listened to our other singles: "Heavy Sun," "Mirrors," and "Cicada." Your support and feedback have meant the world to us, and we can't thank you enough for being a part of this journey. We poured our hearts and souls into crafting "Eternal Dawn," and we hope you can feel the passion and dedication in every riff. So, without further ado, listen to "Eternal Dawn" on your favorite streaming platforms, and let us know which song resonates with you the most! All songs & lyrics written and performed by We Are Not Our Bodies, 

consisting of: John Casale, Christian Costa, John Paul Molina, Andre Salazar Recorded/ Mixed/ Mastered at Timber Studios by Adam Cichocki Album art designed

by Piper Ferrari 

 

released October 31, 2023

 

 
(EP - We Are Not Our Bodies)

3) Tvam - Costasol

 

 

News from Manchester, UK synth / shoegaze / post-punk project Joe Oxley... 

 

TVAM returns to the sun lounger to deliver a horizontal view from the pool of self-reflection. Joe Oxley, a.k.a. TVAM, offers “Costasol began life as two atmospheric interludes that I wrote for my last album, High Art Lite. Over time these ideas took on a life of their own and demanded that I take another look at them. I slowly began putting the pieces together and ended up with a track which became much more than the sum of its parts”. The resultant Costasol is a song about longing, loss and regret wrapped-up in heatwave bass and shimmering guitars, all perfectly enhanced by Mona’s dreamlike vocal. 

TVAM self-released his much-acclaimed debut Psychic Data in the autumn of 2018, something of a cult-classic, the album joined the dots between Suicide’s deconstructed rock ’n’ roll, Boards of Canada’s irresistible nostalgia and My Bloody Valentine’s infinite noise. High Art Lite, released in October 2022 took a different tilt to its predecessor by emphasising the immediate and the personal. The colours were blown-out and the brightness was cranked up. It’s in this world where TVAM’s new Costasol EP exists. Full of colour and noise, with a vibrant, distorted palette. Though the title track may find a home at some pool-side retreat, the subsequent tracks return to TVAM’s claustrophobic realm. Ephemerol evokes its own mutant groove, part ‘Midnite Vultures’ Beck, part ‘Pretty Hate Machine’ Nine Inch Nails, with Heart Attack and VHF rounding off this bold, bright, brief encounter. Music & Lyrics - Joseph M. A. Oxley Produced by - Joseph M. A. Oxley & James Trevascus Mixed by James Trevascus Mastered by Grant Berry Players: All - Joseph M. A. Oxley (Electric guitar, Synthesiser, Keyboard, Organ, Drum machine, Drum samples, Electronics, Vocals) Costasol (as above) and - James Trevascus (Synthesiser, Timbale), Ellie Gray (Vocals). 

 

releases November 3, 2023 

 

(EP, 12" vinyl - Invada)

4) Karma Kid - Break Away From What You Know

 

 

News from London electronic / house / UK garage Artist, remixer, DJ and producer Sam Knowles goes by the name of Karma Kid. 

 

released 3 November 2023 

 

(EP - Method)

5) Futureheaven - Imber

 

 

News from Sydney, Australia shoegaze / dreampop band... 

 

Recorded/mixed and mastered by James Christowski at Blankspace Studio - Sydney 

 

released November 1, 2023

 

 
(digital - Futureheaven)

Bloc Party - So Here We Are (2023 Video)

The film sensitively depicts the modern teenage experience – from that feeling of freedom felt up and down the country as the final school bell rings, to the multitude of ways young people are using technology during this daily window of time, including the challenges faced. Using real people rather than actors, the brand campaign, which portrays the lived experience of young people in 2023, is accompanied by So Here We Are, a track many modern-day parents will associate with their own teenage years, highlighting the power of music to speak to different groups of consumers. Kele Okereke, lead singer, Bloc Party, says, “When we released So Here We Are back in 2005 it was our biggest single so far, so for it to find a new audience 18 years later with the advert and this beautiful new video is really exciting and I think quite unique.” Kelly Engstrom, brand and demand generation communications director, EE adds: “We are delighted that Bloc Party is using our film Freedom as the official music video for So Here We Are. As part of new EE’s ambition to be the most personal, customer-focused technology brand, Freedom uses real people to portray the real-life experiences and challenges of teenage life. Set to Bloc Party’s iconic track, the film will resonate with people of all ages up and down the country as they reflect on their teenage years, while also highlighting new EE’s commitment to providing learning tools for all”.

 
(video - EE)
 

vinyl:
Momma / Narrow Head - split (7")
The Pleasure Dome - Insane​/​Love is Dead (7")
Vega Rally - This Moment (12")
EPs:
To Be Gentle - No One Is Home /EP/
Holy Hour - She Held Burning Lilies /EP/
Fleuro - Hollow / Buried /EP/
Tonal Chroma - Offering /EP/
Paul Odir - Deconstruct /EP/
RINSE - sinkerº /EP/
digi single, video:
Cloud Nothings - Final Summer
Stay Inside - Sweet Stripe!
USA Nails - Feel Worse
WOAH - In Your Eyes
Found Space - What's Yours Is Mine
Trophy Grief - Wired
Marnie Stern - Til It's Over
The Year In Pictures - Marble Run (ft. Oliver Beardmore...)
Footballhead - Habits
Majesty Crush - Cicciolina / Sunny Pie
YEAHRS - Smokescreen
ARSE - Kaputt.
GLAS NOST - Narcissist
Pet Symmetry - Big Island
Vyva Melinkolya - 222
Taleen Kali - Spirit Plane (Male Tears Remix)
CIEL - Shut In My Body
Apartamentos Acapulco - Ya No Tengo Palabras
Hey Calamity - Save Your Pity
Eye Flys - Sleep Forever
Get Wrong - Too Late To Hide
Total Chroma x Carrellee - Mind in Stasis
Ciaran McAuley - Love Wins (Alex M.O.R.P.H. Remix)
Joao - Dreamt
Pink Mario - Elgin Cathedral
Panther Modern - Full Capacity
Twin Tribes - Monolith
Tiësto - Rule The World (Everybody)
Nation of Language - Spare Me the Decision (Sextile Remix)
Working Men's Club - Widow (Gabe Gurnsey Remixes)
The Chemical Brothers - Goodbye
MGMT - Mother Nature
Honesty - Nightworld
Mo Dotti - For Anyone And You
New Rebel Cult - To Be in the Right Mind
SEE TAI - Hey Boy
TOLEDO - Jesus Bathroom
Koalra - Disasterclass
A Certain Someone - Pathetic Fallacy
Egyptian Blue - A Living Commodity
Fucked Up - Spot the Difference
body / negative - Everett (feat. Midwife)
The Beatles - Now And Then