Ahead of it they already shared two tracks and here’s number 3. CROWN OF HORNS is a terrifically catchy tune. You can sing/whistle/hum along. Of course, they threw a couple of piercing guitar solos for their die-hard fans in the mix.
Band: CANYONS AND LOCUSTS Who: Two-piece act, Justin Keane (vocals, guitar) and Amy Young (drums, backing vocals), from Boston, MA. Fueled by the current chaos of the world and an urgent need to be part of the conversation, the two took the indie rock foundation they built in previous bands and upped the ante by adding new levels of noise via pervasive, edgy guitar sounds, low and thundery drumbeats, and emotional vocals.
The extra “o” in the title’s “Soo” is certainly deliberate, as it’s a shoutout from the noise-rock duo to Sault Ste. Marie, the international border cities of Michigan and Ontario – dubbed the “Soo” – that have a special place in the heart of Justin Keane.
Keane: “For my work, I am part of a mentoring group based out of Sault Ste. Marie,
and through that group I’ve met some of the coolest and nicest people in my life. One of the things they mention is that while the winters can be pretty long – and rough, but also beautiful – the summers are so lovely and the time when many folks take to their cabins and camps and cottages for vacation. So, thematically… it’s just about that cycle of going inward in the winter and outward in the summer – going ‘Soo All The Way.’”
TUTV: Soo All The Way is a mean motherrocker that easily could have been on an early Sonic Youth or Dinosaur Jr album. Distorted guitars, raw and rough. Sturdy drum hits. Expressive and punchy vocals. DIY rock ‘n’ roll at its razor blade sharpest. Hells bells.
It’s true what they say
it’s soo all the way
every winter’s a lie
set for the fourth of july
it’s free now
you go all the way
it’s free now
and it’s over in time
it’s true what you read
the soo is all i need
it’s free now
you go all the way
it’s free now
and it’s over in time”
Wolfe about the puzzling piece: “Finding yourself again after a long era of being part of something toxic. Making a split with someone after 10 years, 20 years, 30 years — there’s going to be some high highs and low lows as you begin to process it all.”
Seasoned punk idols GREEN DAY have been producing badass riff-rattling anthems for almost 4 decades now (since 1987). And as American idiot Trump and his ignorant MAGA followers are rearing their ugly heads non-stop, the always critically/politically loud and clear outspoken Californian trio can’t just go away and lay at their pools 24/7.
And they don’t and won’t. New album – their 14th – SAVIOURS is out now.
NME: “The pop-punk icons’ 14th album finds them wiser, more subtle,
but still up for a romp. Their best work since ‘American Idiot’”. Score: 4/5.
TUTV: Green Day do again what they do for almost 40 years. Writing/recording/releasing barbed wire punk havoc for massive moshpits. Saviours is another GD album by numbers with a series of punked-up sucker punches by numbers and some slow ones hear and there. A bit like AC/DC’s MO.
In this already historic American election year lots of those sucker punches will be needed to stop Donald Duck Trump and his far-right MAGA movement. And that’s why I love Green Day, they always get up, stand up and fight for their right to go after corrupt politicians. Knock them out, boys.
Key singles/clips: One-Eyed Bastard / The American Dream Is Killing Me / Dilemma
Artists: PRETTY AVERAGE Who: Musical act born from the lifelong musical collaboration of Candy Bassas (vocals and guitar) and Sergi Cabanes (lead guitar). After relocating to Berlin from Barcelona, the duo formed a four-piece band in late 2021, which takes inspiration for its noisy-yet-ethereal sound from artists such as Galaxie 500, Spiritualized, New Order, the Cure, and Lou Reed.
New single: ENTWINED
Track from their upcoming debut EP, titled All I Wanted, out on 2 February.
TUTV: A tenacious tandem of bass and drum take care of this striking song’s backbone beat all the way through. From the kick-off Entwined has the impact of a sonic magnet.
Its ongoing groove creeps under your skin without asking. Scorching, shoegazy guitars
add some more electricity and quirky vocals (made me immediately think of the singer
of former Irish indie band JJ72) create a spooky atmosphere. Give it a couple of spins
and you’re hooked.
About the DIY video: “It was a cold morning that conveys a very passive but yet cinematic picture. A repetitive element pictured in the video is fired candles, a symbol of divinity. We
love the confusing lens we used in this video combined with the slow tempo, hypnotic.”
Artist: HAZE (Ghent, Belgium) Who: Musical project of Belgian singer-songwriter Mirabelle van de Put.
After years of playing bass and doing backing vocals with several bands
she decided to pursue her own dream pop journey.
Haze will release her sophomore album, titled OUT OF SIGHT,
in less than a week, on Jan 24th. Keep your ears peeled.
Press info: “On her second album, “Out of Sight,” Mirabelle shifts her focus
towards experimenting with sound and samples. Eager to explore what is just
out of reach. Everyday sounds are skillfully distorded and artfully woven into
the music, avoiding sterile and predictable tones in favor of organic, slightly
off-kilter sounds.”
A glinstering dream pop musing featuring sparkling guitar and
smooth bass play, and van dePut‘s enticing voice takes you on
a soothing trip that flares up now and then.
