Band: CHARM SCHOOL Who: No wave post-punk crew from LA via Louisville.
Actually, seasoned multi-hyphenate artist Andrew Sellers
and his longtime collaborators.
They released their debut album Debt Forever last year.
New Track: SKADENFREUDE PLOY
Title track from their upcoming 4-Track EP.
It’ll land on February 20th. More infohere
EP artwork
Sellers: “Charm School’s job is to infiltrate, radiate, negate and fascinate. To wield
a real-flame torch among the droves of the lost who don’t even know they are lost.
A soundtrack to the true full-live-birthing of our status as second-world juggernauts.
This is what we rock to in Our Own Private Albania, as our elders and leaders prove decisively that they learned nothing but nothing in their times on our planet.”
TUTV: Rowdy riffage dominates this red-hot-blooded sucker-punch, assisted
by a ruthless rhythm section going apeshit now and then, a schizo sax in the
back, and an agitated vocalist. All together they produce a kind of filthy groovin’
hullabaloo.
Fire your shrink and let Charm School screw up your mind. Helter skelter.
Artist: MAVIS STAPLES Who: Legendary soul/blues/rock voice who, along with family, had a long and
greatly accomplished career under the name ofThe Staple Singers (1948-1994).
She’s 86 now, singing and swinging like a 36-year-old.
Band: CHARM SCHOOL Who: The latest project from singer-songwriter Andrew Sellers
who, originally from Louisville, has paid his dues in both the
NYC and LA DIY music scenes.
A stunning steamroller that gets under your skin faster than
you can say “this is bloody bonkers “. Its red-hot-blooded rush
doubles your adrenalin production on the spot. Blimey. Ecstasy.
Track: ACETA
From their debut EP,
that’ll land in February.
Aceta speaks to someone overwhelmed by anxiety. Someone feeling stuck, unable to
move forward, and uncertain about why. The song aims to bring comfort, offering a
reminder that doubt is a natural part of life and that it’s important to embrace these
turbulent phases, as they always pass with time.
Imagine Idles, Yard Act and Kneecap
throwing punches at each other.
Mind-blowing uppercut. Wowzers.
Band: MARSEILLE Who: Juvenile rock wolves
from Derbyshire, UK.
New single: HISTORY
The song is a love letter to the
dreams we all had as children.
TUTV: These young British gunslingers echo the early hopped-up days of global rock champs Oasis. They have the Gallaghers‘ sassy swagger, cocksure verve and champagne supernova groove. And the vocalist is Liam‘s son, well he could be.
They look cool, they act cool and they sound supersonic cool. They don’t look
back in anger, they want to conquer the future. D’ you know what I mean?
. Instagram – Echo Bass Records
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Track: AN ARTIST IS AN ARTIST
Their first single in 3 years and according to
a press message “the surprising first taste of
what’s to come from the band in 2025”.
An Artist Is An Artist is an instant striking stroke pushed by a mind-boggling
speedy velocity, Skin‘s hyperactive rapping, a paranoid saxophone and a
flabbergasting chorus. Not the titanic bombast we’re used to. Mind you,
still loud enough to wake your neighbours. Fucktastic flare-up.
Band: CHARM SCHOOL Who: The latest project from Andrew Sellers who, originally from Louisville (KY),
has paid his dues in both the NYC and LA DIY music scenes, and his various bands
have played with seminal acts like Joan of Arc, Grizzly Bear & At The Drive-In.
Track: WITHOUT A DOUBT
Cut from their upcoming LP, titled ‘Debt Forever‘,
out on January 24th. More info here.
Album artwork
Sellers about the track: “It’s by far the most pensive, melancholic song on the record, and it seems fitting that it’s coming out right now, amidst all the turbulence in the world. The main theme of this new record is financial uncertainty (or just uncertainty in general), so the main thing I remember about this song is the refrain “Please don’t let me run out of money” coming out randomly during practice one day.”
Interpol guitar echoes are the backbone of
this glorious mid-tempo gem. Close your eyes
and lose yourself in this riveting masterstroke.
The song was inspired by a bet Hersh had with a guy for
a dollar that revolved around the idea that the seasons
don’t change us.
Kristin Hersh strums her acoustic guitar
as she did/does her wayward way for years
now, on this sonic hypnotizer. It gets under
your skin without asking permission.
Instagram – All Albums
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Band: CMON CMON Who: Brussels/London-based indie rock trio,
who started to realize their childhood dream
in their 40s.
It’s the second shared song from their upcoming, new EP, titled Headwind.
It follows CC’s excellent 2023 debut album The Crack And The Light.
Striking artwork by Belgiandesigner Lisa Van de Vyverwith
cover images by Swedish photographer Moa Karlberg.
Turn Off The Lights is exhilarating guitar pop that sticks
on the spot. It has all the entertaining ingredients to be
added to your on repeat list.
An effervescent flow, a dominant and steadfast drum beat, an awesome guitar solo, romantic vocals, blithesome harmonies and a resonant chorus. Sonic warmth in winter.
CC hit the bullseye again!
Band: SNAPPED ANKLES Who:London-based synth mavericks, incorporating
elements of performance art and art rock. Masked
and dressed up as threes on stage.
Track: SMART WORLD
Third single from their new upcoming album Hard Times Furious Dancing. Out on
28 March.
Snapped Ankles never let you down
when you love to sway yourself gaga
to electro dancefloor uplifters like
this acid house one.
Band: RATTLE Who: Musicians Katharine Eira Brown and Theresa Wrigley formed in
2011 after meeting on the live circuit whilst both playing in other bands.
Artist: ERIC SCHROEDER Who: Very productive San Diego-born songwriter
and multi-instrumentalist who released no less than
5 albums in just 4 years and a new one is waiting
in the pipeline.
Track: EMILY
Piece from his new, forthcoming LP
named Cat’s Game out on April 11.
The lyrics speak to a lost love, as he sings, “I long to be where the colors tease, and her love concedes” with wounded swagger benefitting the paradoxical paradise of psychic devotion. There’s a unique form of bittersweet American poetry in Schroeder’s ability to make you feel the weight of longing with every lancing line.
A guitar-infused reviver from start to finish.
Catchy as hell. Emily will bounce around in
your head for quite a while.
Depeche Mode vibes, a touch of New Order and Bauhaus echoes.
Apocalyptic danger in the dark. The world is in a really bad place.
Have a last doom and gloom dance before it’s all over.
Artist: TRISTAN ARMSTRONG Who: Skilled composer and lyricist finding beauty in the quotidian struggles of urban life. His music combines a sense of earnest romanticism and poignant introspection, with a guitar-centric aesthetic.
Track: THE LONELY AVENUE
A cathartic release of rock-and-roll energy inspired by the dualities
of urban life and a longing for home. Written during his early days
in Toronto after moving from Vancouver Island.
Expect a tsunami of riffs and a pulsating
bass engine juiced with avid vocals.
Artist: MR BILLY FRITZGERALD Who: Dublin-based solo artist writing lush indie-pop songs
that simultaneously bathe in the faded light of heartbreak
while pulling you on to the dancefloor.
Track: LET US BE (SINGLE)
Song from his upcoming debut album,
titled ‘A Grand Romantic Gesture’, out on
Feb 20th.
Lyrically the track explores the theme of being with someone when everyone else thinks it’s a bad idea. Billy draws on his own experience, while growing up and learning how to be in a relationship and developing those tools, inevitably and regrettably, people get hurt along the way. Here he delves into this, as he declares love and devotion while facing down the barrage of words against the union. A true Romeo and Juliet story.
Tremendous intro. Infectious upper
juiced with sparkling guitar play,
a puissant, foot-tapping drum beat
and intensive vocals.
Track: HERE WE GO CRAZY
Title song of his upcoming,
15th longplayer.
Mould about the album: “On the surface, this is a group of straightforward guitar pop songs. I’m refining my primary sound and style through simplicity, brevity, and clarity. Under the hood, there’s a number of contrasting themes: Control and chaos, hypervigilance and helplessness, uncertainly and unconditional love.”
In order to not miss a beat TURN UP THE VOLUME scans the musical horizon
daily, for 10 years now in 2025, to pick ace tracks and add 10 new rad ones, every
week, to the one and only JUKEBOX that matters.
ALL TOGETHER
.
This week’s 10 fresh ones. TRACK BY TRACK
Press photo by Destiny Robb
Band: CHARM SCHOOL Who: The latest project from Andrew Sellers who, originally from Louisville (KY),
has paid his dues in both the NYC and LA DIY music scenes, and his various bands
have played with seminal acts like Joan of Arc, Grizzly Bear & At The Drive-In.
Track: WITHOUT A DOUBT
Cut from their upcoming LP, titled ‘Debt Forever‘,
out on January 24th. More info here
Album artwork
Sellers about the track: “It’s by far the most pensive, melancholic song on the record, and it seems fitting that it’s coming out right now, amidst all the turbulence in the world. The main theme of this new record is financial uncertainty (or just uncertainty in general), so the main thing I remember about this song is the refrain “Please don’t let me run out of money” coming out randomly during practice one day.”
Interpol guitar echoes are the backbone of
this glorious mid-tempo gem. Close your eyes
and lose yourself in this riveting masterstroke.
Artist: ERIC SCHROEDER Who: Very productive San Diego-born songwriter and multi-instrumentalist
who released no less than 5 albums in just 4 years and a new one is waiting
in the pipeline.
Track: EMILY
Piece from his new, forthcoming LP
named Cat’s Game out on April 11.
The lyrics speak to a lost love, as he sings, “I long to be where the colors tease, and her love concedes” with wounded swagger benefitting the paradoxical paradise of psychic devotion. There’s a unique form of bittersweet American poetry in Schroeder’s ability to make you feel the weight of longing with every lancing line.
A guitar-infused earworm from start to finish.
Catchy as hell. This classy cracker will stay with
you for a long time.
Artist: MR BILLY FRITZGERALD Who: Dublin-based solo artist writing lush indie-pop songs
that simultaneously bathe in the faded light of heartbreak
while pulling you on to the dancefloor.
Track: LET US BE (SINGLE)
Song from his upcoming debut album,
titled ‘A Grand Romantic Gesture’, out on
Feb 20th.
Lyrically the track explores the theme of being with someone when everyone else thinks it’s a bad idea. Billy draws on his own experience, while growing up and learning how to be in a relationship and developing those tools, inevitably and regrettably, people get hurt along the way. Here he delves into this, as he declares love and devotion while facing down the barrage of words against the union. A true Romeo and Juliet story.
Tremendous intro. Infectious upper
juiced with sparkling guitar play,
a puissant, foot-tapping drum beat
and intensive vocals.
Artist: ANDY BELL Who: Veteran musician best known as a member
of British shoegaze old-timers Ride and temporary
bassist for Oasis.
Track: I’M IN LOVE…
His cover of The Passions’ sweet 1981 tune I’m In Love With A German Filmstar.
It features Dot Allison & Neu!’s Michael Rother. It’ll be on his 5th solo longplayer,
named ‘Pinball Wanderer’, out on Feb 28.
Bell: “I went through a stage of playing
the guitar part for that song at every
Ride soundcheck.”
“’Dream Pixel’ is about what we all see in our dreams; the colours, sounds
and occurrences that are often too surreal to put into words and leave you
questioning how the subconscious can paint such a vivid, psychedelic picture.”
Combining 70s inflected, layered vocals with psych-tinged, Gordian instrumentation that darts and weaves around broken beat rhythms, the track throbs with moments of intense saxophone, distorted guitars, mangled electronics, trembling synths, and reversed vocals. It’s another valiant testament to the band’s conscious effort to continually challenge their songwriting, told via Dan Carey’s explorative creative filter.
Album artwork
It’ll be part of the band’s debut album All In The Game, out 7 March.
Mesmerizing psych-pop jam
going left/right, driven by
a multi-instrumental groove.
The capricious saxophone
finale messes up your mind.
The slowly haunting, intoxicating and hypnotizing progression
at play here, the psychedelic orchestration and ghostly vocals
combine for an enticing experience.
Band: MY MORNING JACKET Who: Renowned pop-rockers
from Louisville, Kentucky.
Track: TIME WAITED
Piece from their new, 10th LP, named IS.
It arrives on 21st March.
This melancholic ballad
stirs heart and soul.
Magnific return.
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Artist: PERFUME GENIUS Who: The musical moniker of acclaimed Iowa
singer-songwriter and visual artist Michael Hadreas
Track: IT’S A MIRROR
Lead single from his new 7th LP, baptized Glory,
and out on March 28th. More info here.
“I wrote ‘It’s A Mirror’ while stuck in one of these isolating loops, seeing
that something different and maybe even beautiful is out there but not quite
knowing how to venture out. I have a lot more practice keeping the
door closed.”
PG’s vulnerable vocals
star once more in this
smooth muse.
