Review: Arcane Ghosts – Distant Youth

I’d like to introduce everyone to a great Alternative rock band called Arcane Ghosts. On their latest EP, called Distant Youth, they capture the spirit of the glory days of the pop-punk genre, all paired with breakneck hooks, impeccable band chemistry, and pop sensibilities to make sure these five songs stick in your head for days on end. The band is comprised of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Jason Diaz, Steven Wolwyn on bass and backing vocals, and drummer Eric Mitz. With a sound that fits somewhere between Midtown, The Starting Line, and The Early November, Arcane Ghosts could very well be the next exciting band to take this scene by storm.

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Quit Yourself – “Strung Out and Grinding Your Teeth” (Song Premiere)

Quit Yourself

Today I’d like to introduce everyone to a great up and coming emo band called Quit Yourself. This Buffalo, New York-based band is sharing their new single called “Strung Out & Grinding Your Teeth.” The song comes from their new EP It Gets Worse Before It Gets Worse. Recorded and mixed by Chris Ploss and mastered by Paul Leavitt, the emotional and heartfelt song speaks to the struggles of the human experience. The music is both raw and authentic, with lyrics that are both thought-provoking and deeply moving. The EP is dynamic and reminiscent of early 2000’s emo, blended with bits of pop-punk and indie/post-hardcore.

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The Scary Jokes – “Uzumaki” (Song Premiere)

The Scary Jokes

Today I’m thrilled to bring everyone the latest single from synth-pop artist The Scary Jokes called “Uzumaki.” The song is about vivid dreams of past failed relationships, wanting everything to be okay, as well as the painful realization of reality when you wake up from dreaming. With a sound truly to their own, The Scary Jokes make a solid impression on the “bedroom pop” genre. The Scary Jokes shared:

”Uzumaki” was inspired by having recurring dreams about people you’ve had a falling out with. You just want things to be okay like they are in the dream but you wake up and you’re still not friends with that person. When I have dreams like that, all the context for why we’re not friends anymore is inaccessible in that moment. But as soon as you wake up and have some clarity, everything comes rushing to the forefront of your brain. I often get frustrated by the senselessness of making an enemy. I don’t want to have enemies; I want to be friends with everyone. “Uzumaki” is about those feelings being at odds with each other.

The song comes from their forthcoming LP, Retinal Bloom, out everywhere music is sold on May 26th.

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Review: The Bouncing Souls – Ten Stories High

Has there ever been a more reliably enjoyable punk rock band over the past three decades than The Bouncing Souls? The band has returned with their 12th full-length studio album, called Ten Stories High, and they sound as energetic and focused as ever. On the title track, lead vocalist Greg Attonito explained, “During the studio sessions we realized we wanted a song to summarize the process and tell the story of the project. One afternoon during the session we came up with the title ‘Ten Stories High’ and matched it up with a melody that Pete and Bryan had recorded earlier on their phones. We really liked how the title added imagery of ten people in a ten story building living out their own external and internal experiences. It was a perfect summary to the project. After a few hours of tinkering with the music and words we had our title track for the record!” The band will be embarking on a comprehensive US tour with Anti-Flag starting this April, and with a slick new record in their repertoire, it will be a show you don’t want to miss.

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Sid Seth – “Hopeless War” (Song Premiere)

Sid Seth

Today is a great day to share the latest single and lyric video from singer-songwriter Sid Seth called “Hopeless War.” With a sound that fits somewhere between the classic soul/pop of Stevie Wonder and the modern flair of Harry Styles, Sid Seth is really coming into his own on songs like this. I was also able to catch up with this artist for a brief interview below.

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Review: Fall Out Boy – So Much (For) Stardust

There’s something to be said for the ability to come full circle to where it all began. Fall Out Boy have returned with their eighth studio album, So Much (for) Stardust, on the label that started the entire hype train, Fueled By Ramen. From being the band that arguably got their biggest break from a “You Hear It First” MTV vignette that showcased the band’s raucous live shows and built up the anticipation for their Take This To Your Grave album. The rest was history, as the band would reach atmospheric success on their major label debut From Under The Cork Tree, which would go on to sell over two million copies in the U.S. alone. The funny thing about the “reinvention years,” or the post-hiatus albums that came after Folie à Deux, is that this new record is the perfect balance between the two “versions” of Fall Out Boy. It has the charm of the early albums, paired with the studio experimentation of the post-hiatus LPs, all honed into a crisp delivery courtesy of veteran producer Neal Avron. From the homage of getting their “elder-emo status” on the music video for “Love From The Other Side,” to the most recent single being the most logical progression from “This Ain’t A Scene…” to now. So Much (for) Stardust achieves the near-impossible: it satisfies both longtime fans and FOB-newbies into a crowd-pleasing package of songs that tug on the heartstrings of emo kids everywhere.

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Animal Sun – “Horror Show” (Video Premiere)

Animal Sun

Today is a great day to share the latest single and music video from Animal Sun called “Horror Show.” On this song that fits somewhere between the stylings of the early Killers paired with Payale Royale, Animal Sun make their mark on the Alternative Rock scene. Lead vocalist Steven Blake shared:

”Horror Show: describes the inner workings of our darkest thoughts that grow so deep they almost become like a toxic romantic partner. This ‘entity’ whispers perversions devisiously in our ears, warping reality and everything we once knew into nothing more than a living hell, a ‘Horror Show’ if you may. We deem it more appropriate to laugh through it all. There’s no fighting it anyway.

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EG Vines – “The Swim” (Song Premiere)

EG Vines

Today is a great day to share the new single from rock band EG Vines called “The Swim.” With a sound that sways somewhere between the blissful pop rock of the Gin Blossoms, to the lofty arena pop of Arctic Monkeys, EG Vines may just be one of the best kept secrets in rock. The bands shared:

’The Swim’ is a song about making yourself into the person you want to be, and finding a better path forward. Getting over that feeling of ‘not this shit again’ when you continually fuck things up and just can’t seem to get out of your own way. This song is that light bulb moment when you find a better way. As with most songs on our new album, Dance Moves, it started with the band in a room and stream-of-consciousness lyrics. John Rodrigue started this one out with an uptempo drumbeat and Ben Cunningham and I pushed our guitars to dirty-as-hell while I rattled off the melody.  Throw in a few hand claps and some background ‘ahhs’ and you’ve got a 3-minute, feel-good rock & roll song.

If you’ve been looking for that next great band that checks all the boxes, look no further than EG Vines.

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Todd Morse – “Time Stopper” (Album Stream)

Todd Morse

Today I’m thrilled to share with everyone the new EP from Todd Morse called Time Stopper. This release will be on legendary label Manic Kat Records, and features some great songs from Morse tinged with punk, pop, and a plethora of anthemic moments. Morse shared, “Signing with Manic Kat has inspired me to become more prolific which is what I needed. I try to live in the moment as much as possible these days but I do want to leave a musical legacy. Sometimes you have those moments in life where it feels like time stops and I live for that. Songs can hit you that way. I hope I create that moment for someone.” Todd Morse may have just crafted the next great punk record.

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Interview: Whitehall

Whitehall

Recently I was able to catch up with Charleston-based indie rock band, Whitehall, to chat about their upcoming new LP Maizy, out everywhere music is sold on May 5th. Whitehall is Paddy Mckiernan (Vocals/Guitar), Avery Green (Guitar), Brennan Clark (Bass), and Davis Rowe (Drums). I asked the band about their approach to writing great singles like, ”Pull,” as well as what they hope others will take away from listening to their music. The band has toured with pop-rock giants like the Goo Goo Dolls, and appear poised and ready for their moment.

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Alexander Wren – “Full Time Blues” (Song Premiere)

Alexander Wren

Today is a great day to share the new single and lyric video from Alexander Wren called “Full Time Blues.” For those unfamiliar with this talented artist, he fits somewhere in the same vein as Mt. Joy and Father John Misty, with a sound that truly must be heard. The song comes from Wren’s forthcoming LP To Whom It May Concern, that will be out everywhere music is sold on May 19th. Alexander Wren shared, “In an industry filled with sad indie artists, I think that I want to continue leaning into this more Fauvist corner of music. This traditional side with excitement and energy. This narrative side of music that isn’t only about angst and failed religion. This side of music that just feels classic–that transcends daily struggles and makes you want to go out on the weekend.” Get ready to discover music’s next big indie artist.

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TELECOM – “Ramon” (Video Premiere)

TELECOM

Today I’m thrilled to introduce everyone to TELECOM, the solo project of Brooklyn-based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Sean McVerry. On his electric new single called “Ramon,” TELECOM wears his Brit-pop influences proudly on his sleeve in a song ready for your next playlist. I was also able to catch up with McVerry for a brief interview about this new single below.

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Review: PHNTMS – “Heat of the Moment”

Pop rock band, PHNTMS, have returned with a new, vibrant single called “Heat of the Moment” that features The Chain Gang of 1974. The new song was produced by Courtney Ballard (Grayscale, Armor for Sleep) and is dripping with dark synths, paired with vocals by Kamtin Mohager (of The Chain Gang of 1974). What PHNTMS do best on this track is pay direct homage to 80’s electronica bands with a twist of modern flair in the guitar parts to keep things feeling fresh.

The song opens with syrupy-thick synths before breaking away into a great guitar riff by Adam Jessamine. The second verse of, “So when did love become so deceiving? / Something I can’t define / You’re playing tricks in my mind / Face it, we are simply just human / And this is not apathy / Just let me go and get high / Oh my my,” tackles the difficulties of navigating a one-sided relationship. The anthemic chorus is well-constructed, and if the song has any faults, it’s that it ends too soon. “Heat of the Moment” is sure to be stuck in your mind for days on end.