Stress Dolls

25 BEST TRACKS OF 2024 (So Far)

Posted on by JL

Already 6 months behind us this year.
Time to look/listen back. These 25
tracks made TUTV’s ears go bonkers.

ALL TOGETHER


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TRACK-BY-TRACK

1. ‘Starting And Staring’ by GUSTAF (NYC)

The swirling 5-piece from Brooklyn led by charismatic frontwoman
Lydia Gammil released their 2nd album Package Pt. 2 last April.

Lead single Starting and Staring is a knockout.

Funkier than the B-52’s in their heyday, and they spin around
with more dash and class than Bodega and Parquet Courts.

Let’s roll.

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2. ‘Mustang’ by KINGS OF LEON (Nashville, US)

The Nashville family launched their 9th album
named Cand We Please Have Fun’ last May.

Peak piece Mustang is a roasting steamroller that
turns up the heat even more when the cooking chorus
kicks in.

KOL.

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3. Ticking by SPRINTS (Ireland)

The flabbergasting energy these ear-splitting loud Irish beatniks develop on their ace debut LP Letter To Self is off the charts. The opener Ticking is what these 4 Irish indies
do on repeat. Building a near-unbearable tension and exploding insanely along the rough ride.

Holy smoke.


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4. ‘U Should Not Be Doing That’ by AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS (Australia)


Press photo by Zac Bayly

Since this Australian punk tornado released their 2nd
longplayer Comfort To Me back in 2021 they’re on an
endless tour around the globe.

Yet, in between all gig mayhem they found some time to write/record/release
two new searing sucker-punches with U Should Be Doing This as my favourite.

Amyl: ‘This song makes me laugh, but it’s also in a way poking fun at the shock that
people still feel at a little bit of skimpy clothing, and the bitchy high school way that
the music community still is.’

Sassy striking stroke.

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5. ‘Hallelujah’ by BAD MOVES (Washington D.C.)

Washington‘s flamboyant guitar pop quartet release
their 3rd LP, baptized Wearing Out The Refrain next
September.

On Hallelujah they rage against the anti-LGBTQ
machine with knives between their teeth and an
unstoppable drive.

“To express oneself, now expressly forbidden/ That’s a spiritual hell, that’s
a new prohibition/ And they’ll boil you down to reproductive function/ When
they see you as a vessel and not as a person!”

Punktastic.

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6. ‘Sink Ya Teeth’ by THE MYSTERINES (UK)

Sink Ya Teeth from their 2nd LP, named Afraid Of Tomorrows
which came out last month, is a a maddening master blaster.

Cool as fuck!

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7. ‘Body Of Mine’ by LAMBRINI GIRLS (Brighton, UK)


Photo by TUTV

The feminist-punk duo went nuclear the past year following their
amazeballs 6-track EP You’re Welcome and this year’s bulldozing
and gender-themed missile Body Of Mine.

Speedball stunner.

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8. ‘Starburster’ by FONTAINES D.C. (Ireland)


Promo photo

Irish indie stars FONTAINES D.C. will share their 4th LP,
named ROMANCE with the world on August 23rd.

The lead single Starburster is a feverish corker
with a bone-chilling gush and frontman Grian
Chatten rapping all over it with his characteristic
uptight parlando.

New look, new vibe, new feat.

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9. Danzig With Myself’ by THE DANDY WARHOLS (Portland)

Last March the Dandys came up with their 12th album, named Rockmaker.

Lead single Danzing With Myself features Pixies‘ general Frank Black and
is a gloomy and doomy groover. With its poignant progression, this piece
creeps under your skin in an eye/ear blink.

Danz here.

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10. ‘Aeroplane’ by THE LIVING PINS (Austin, TX)

These two electrifying Amazons hit the bullseye with this
jagged jackhammer from their rawk-ing EP Let It Be So.

Imagine 60s British glam rock legends T. Rex and
American trash duo Royal Trux jamming together.

Fly along here.

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11. ‘Repeat After Me’ by RAPTUROUS (Kent, UK)

UK’s rock/hip-hop team Rapturous invite us to scream
our lungs out on their avid anthem that celebrates freedom.

“The song was inspired by the old blues style of call & response, we wanted to create something that could be easily sung back to us by the crowd. The song is about being free from anything that is getting you down, be it your job, finances, the world, or the weekend’s football scores. Freedom from misery, that’s the idea.”

Think Cypress Hill fronted by Zack de la Rocha,
rattling like a rapid-fire riot-gun.

Repeat after them.

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12. ‘All The Same’ by FAT DOG (South London)


Press promo

Fat Dog are coming up faster than an out-of-control comet.

These bloodhounds are working on their debut LP.
One of the shared tracks (so far) is this disco-punk
axe.

Bingo!

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13. ‘Oh Shit’ by THE LIBERTINES (UK)


Promo pic

British infamous mavericks dropped their 4th album
called All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade last April.

Oh Shit was one of the singles. A shit-along crackerjack sung by
Carl Barât and joined on the chirpy chorus by his buddy Doherty.

Oh fun.

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14. ‘A Foretold Ecstasy’ by MAYFLOWER MADAME (Norway)

This Norwegian band specializes in a dark and distinctive blend
of post-punk, shoegaze and psych-noir. So far they released two
albums.

On this new, superb single drums and bass team up for an
incessantly beat that carries this instantaneously sticking ride,
along with a magnetizing Cure-esque guitar riff that gets you in
a trance.

Truly hypnotizing from start to finish with velvety vocals
and darkwavish synths in the back adding a twilight tone.

Top-tier tune.

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15. ‘Lights Down Low’ by DIE SEXUAL (Los Angeles)

This hepped-up EBM duo conjure their influences of EBM, techno and electropop,
their sound is an intoxicating mix of analog synthetics and seductive vocals, touching
on themes of desire and despair, domination and submission.

They have a new 3-track EP, titled Inservio out, with opener Lights Down Low
as my favorite. An electro booster with a mindblowing techno beat à la The Prodigy
that rotates irresistibly, non-stop.

Bang-on.


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16. ‘Big Time Nothing’ by ST. VINCENT (Oklahoma)


Album artwork

Glamorous songstress St. Vincent delivered
her 7th LP All Born Screaming last April.

High-spot cut Big Time Nothing is a 24-carat
pumping dancefloor knockout.

Party time.

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17. ‘S o f t e r by VIRGINS (Ireland)


📸 @ebony_alexander_media

This Belfast-based shoegaze team made an impact on my ears
last April, with their notable debut LP nothing hurt and anything
was beautiful

Lead single Softer is a psychedelic shoegaze stunner, a multi-layered symphony
propelled by about a thousand guitars, a mindboggling bass riff, and combative
drums, while Rebecca Dow‘s ghostly vocals scrape the sky. A  titanic thrill.

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18. ‘Peace Sign’ by RIDE (UK)


Press photo by Cal McIntyre

The shoegaze veterans scored an excellent
opus with their 7th LP, named Interplay

The album’s first single Peace Sign
is a sickly sticky pop earworm with
an orgasmic chorus.

Bingo.

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19. ‘I Don’t Understand What Any Of You Are Doing’ by DEAD ANYWAY (UK)

This British duo combine the dark lyricism of Kate Arnold
against the music and soundscapes of Marc Symonds.
They caught my attention with last February‘s top album
Partially Eaten By Animals.

Highlight ‘I Don’t Understand What Any Of You Are Doing’ dives into trip-hop-pop territory with Arnold‘s crystal clear voice floating all over shiny synth dynamics. Catchy as hell.


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20. ‘Welcome Tou Your New Future’ by LEG PUPPY 2.0 (London, UK)

This madcap techno act scored their best (so far)
album with Humanity 2.0 which came out last May.

You can shake your (p)elvis to single Welcome To Your New
Future while getting nervous about the unknown tomorrow.

What’s in store for humankind. Nuclear war or peace and free love?
Or will we be just another brick in the wall? Whatever happens,
never stop pirouetting yourself dizzy to manic music .

We don’t need your education
We don’t need no your thought control

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21. ‘Just Like Everybody Else’ by SPIELMANN (Leeds, UK)


Photo credit: Thandiwe Zivengwa

This cut features on Spielmann‘s new, splendid
EP, titled Fifteen Minutes With Spielmann

Just Like Everybody Else is a glorious, full-orchestrated pop gem, that transfers you in an eye/ear blink to a sonic dreamland with its affecting melodiousness, riveting chorus and warm-hearted vocals. Three highly-entertaining minutes and twenty seconds with Spielmann

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22. ‘Just Another Rainbow’ by LIAM GALLAGHER & JOHN SQUIRE (UK)

New star tandem Gallagher-Squire produced/released their debut LP last March.

The lead-single Just Another Rainbow is partly Oasis, partly Stone Roses.
Liam sings like Liam (who else?) and Squire does his psychedelic 6-string
Stone Roses thing.

Infectious lads rock.


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23. ‘Close Enough’ by STRESS DOLLS (Buffalo, NY)


📸 Peter Heuer Photography

Stress Dolls is the musical moniker of songstress Chelsea O’Donnell.
Last May she released her enchanting debut album Queen Of No.

Close Enough is one of my favorite tracks. A captivating pop song.
Tantalizing tunefulness, glistening guitar sparks, and gratifying vocals
combine for a top tune.


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24. ‘Red’ by YOKOPHONO (Finland)


Promo picture by Jan Trygg

This is how British blues rock titans Royal Blood would sound if their
producer is a fanatic post-punk fan. Red is a riff-rough stormer.

The crude combination of hammering drums, stoner rock electricity,
and firm vocals create a shocking effect. Yokophono is a RED-hot 2-piece.


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Nick Cave and his Bad Seeds have canned album number 18.
It’s baptized Wild God and will show up on August 30.

The title track is a sublime composition. The first part is crooner Cave as we know him,
but quickly the vocal passion and goosebumps intensity go up and from halfway on, this diamond turns into an orchestral masterpiece, with a zealous hallelujah choir and an opera-like majesty.

Best piece they wrote in years. Breathtaking.

TUTV: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter

20 BEST TRACKS OF THE MONTH – APRIL 2024

Posted on by JL

ALL TOGETHER


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TRACK BY TRACK

1. ‘Light In A Quiet Room’ by RIDE (UK)

Superb track from Ride‘s new superb album Interplay

It starts with Mark Gardner‘s starry-eyed vocals glistering over a poppy mid-tempo soundscape. At the 3-minute mark, the song fades out with subtle piano touches but restarts for a psychedelic, multi-layered wall-of-orgastic sound finale.

Wowzers.


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2. ‘Big Time Nothing’ by ST. VINCENT (New York)

Absolute top-tier track from her new LP All Born Screaming.
It’s an irristible 24 Carat old skool disco stomper to fill dance
floors with.

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3. ‘Sink Ya Teeth’ by THE MYSTERINES (UK)

New high-powered rockin’ banger from the British post-punks’
second LP, titled Afraid Of Tomorrows, that’ll see the day of light
on June 7.

Cool as fuck!

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4. ‘Enrage Engage’ by SELF HELP (UK)

These British indie upstarts take you on a bouncy ride with
this jagged juggernaut from their upcoming debut LP.

Enrage Engage is a roaring roller coaster ride, going forth and back, left and right,
circling around a pulsating Yard Act like groove that gets under your skin without
asking, while the song derails in different surprising, up and down directions, now
and then.

Don’t miss these young bloodthirsty dogs, they’re going places.

Buy


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5. ’99’ by METZ (Canada)

Cooking highlight from the Canadian noizz trio’s
new mind-blowing longplayer ‘Up On Gravity Hill’.

99,99 score.


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6. ‘Body Of Mine’ by LAMBRINI GIRLS (Brighton, UK)


Lille, France 2024 – Photo by Turn Up The Volume

Another supersonic gender sucker-punch from Brighton‘s riotous feminist punk duo fury.
They slash, trash, and smash with unbridled vigour and biting zing. Not your typical girls.

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7. ‘Something To Fight For’ by TYPHOID ROSIE (Brooklyn, NY)


Photo: Janier De Jesus, via Typhoid Rosie

It’s the first single off their, forthcoming 5th LP, called
Last Words. It lands on June 21. More info here.

As we experienced before Typhoid Rosie always storm full steam ahead from
the kick-off until the very last rollicking riff. This punked-up, harmonious chant
with its sickly sticky refrain triggers your best zigzagging moves.

Expect 122 seconds of afire party fuel peppered with Rosie Rebel‘s
combative rawk’ n roll vocality and vociferous pizzaz.

Fight here.


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8. ‘Reckless Heart‘ by ARROWS OF ATHENA (Boston, MA)

Single from the duo’s swirling debut LP The Ghost Archives
.

I’m quite sure that AOA are huge fans of former Swedish glam and glitter pop duo Roxette. The bliss and blitz at play on Reckless Heart is sonically similar. Sizzling guitars, battering drums/bass grooves, sensuous vocals and a peppy chorus combine here for a power pop pearl that flames lustrously. Orchestral melodiousness, fiery 90s spirit, and musical.

An invigorating joyride.

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9. ‘Life’s A Fucking Miracle’ by JAMES (Manchester, UK)

Standout, life-celebrating, pop bliss from Manchester‘s
imperishable, power pop veterans’ brand new LP Yummy.

Ecstatic.


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10. ‘Just Like Everybody Else’ by SPIELMANN (Leeds, UK)


Photo credit: Thandiwe Zivengwa

This song will feature on his debut EP, titled
‘Fifteen Minutes With Spielmann’, and landing
on 31 May.

This is glorious, full-orchestrated pop, that transfers you in an eye/ear blink to a sonic dreamland with its affecting melodiousness, riveting chorus and warm-hearted vocals. Three minutes and twenty seconds with Spielmann sounding not like everybody else.

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11. ‘Body Bags’ by OWLS (Ireland)

“The song and video have been largely informed by the unfolding events in Gaza. Body Bags looks at humanity turning in on itself. For all the beauty & harmony in the world, we are chaotic by nature – violent and cruel to our own. It explores the human condition and our ability to inflict pain and suffering upon the most vulnerable.”

Producer Owls shares his thoughts about the dramatic Gaza fiasco with
a disturbing techno twister that sounds like an ultimate alarm alert.

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12. ‘Going Out’ by JENNIFER TEFFT AND THE STRANGE (Boston, US)

Get up, stand up, and fight for your right to go out, and do it with
these Boston beatniks. They make your pelvis shake and swing with
some riff-infused rock ‘n’ roll while Avril Lavigne‘s chick alter ego,
named Jennifer Tefft, as your vocal guide.

Badass stroke.


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13. ‘Mercy’ by ALAN VEGA (US)

A previously unreleased album, named Insurrection by the late
Brooklyn born master of minimalism ALAN VEGA (1938-2016), half
of proto-punk duo Suicide, comes out on May 31st.

Ahead of the release comes this taster, called Mercy.
Uncanny percussion, ghostly vocals, and other-worldly
vibes.


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14. ‘Stuck In Place’ by LONELY LITTLE KITSH (Canada)

Expect a captivating bluesy and moony slice of music that grows slowly but
surely in ardency and fervency along its Springsteen-esque strumming way. Wistful
and impassioned alternating/duet vocals flow upfront and lead us, beat by beat,
into a glowing and electrical finale.

Lonely Little Kitsch do it their own Fleetwood grunge way.
Start spreading rumours about this enthralling duo and
this new notable score.

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15. ‘Burning In Our Name’ by MAX BLANSJAAR

Following last month’s frolicsome song Anna Madonna,
Blansjaar entertains our ears again with this topnotch tune.
It’s a folky, sickly sticking, jangly earworm with Blansjaar
laid-back vocals rollin’ all over it.


“My face looks like I spent the night with Freddie Krueger”.


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16. ‘Missing’ by pMAD (Galway, Ireland)

Standout bass riff-driven, frenzied guitar-fueled, drum-beating,
darkwavish, melodic piece from pMad‘s new full-length I In Power.

‘Missing’ is about not valuing people enough when they
are with us and only realising the loss to us when they
are gone.

Don’t miss this.

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17. ‘Unlucky Love’ by JENNY DON’T AND THE SPURS (Portland, Oregon)

From the band’s new forthcoming longplayer, titled
Broken Hearted Blue, out on June 14. Pre-order info here.

Country Americana at its romantic and heavy-hearted best. Heart-and-soul vocals and easy-going, lovey-dovey vibes for the midnight hours. Wurlitzer jukeboxes were invited
to play this kind of lullaby in bars where the lonely gather for some companion.

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18. ‘Close Enough’ by STRESS DOLLS (Buffalo, NY)


📸 Peter Heuer Photography

The moniker of songstress Chelsea O’Donnell.

Another captivating guitar-pop song from Chelsea O’Donnell aka Stress Dolls.
Tantalizing tunefulness, glistening guitar sparks, and gratifying vocals.


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19. ‘Forget’ by MOONPOOLS (Switzerland)


Photo credit: Mischa Nüesc

The opening piece from this Swiss poppy shoegazers
brand new 5-track EP, titled Hide And Seek.

Crystalline vocals, soothing resonance with warm synths and glimmering guitar play.
A sWeet little, soft-hearted ballad. Think The Sundays fronted by the wonderful Harriet Wheeler


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20. ‘Tied To A Mast’ by SEADOG (Brigton, UK)


📷 Tom Chadd

Shoegazy dream pop musing from Seadog‘s upcoming LP Internal Noise, out 15 May.
Harmonious vocals, fanciful sonority, bedazzling guitar solo, and a head-in-the-clouds chorus combine for a top effort.

TURN UP THE VOLUME’s JUKEBOX 2024 – 10 New Tracks Added Every Week

Posted on by JL

Every week 10 new rad tracks added

In order to not miss a beat Turn Up The Volume scans the musical
horizon daily (doing it for years now, actually) to stay in touch with
all new things sonically great and shares the results on a weekly
basis.

Check the 10 new rad cuts just
added to this rad 2024 playlist.

ALL TOGETHER


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TRACK BY TRACK

Band: GUIDED BY VOICES (Dayton, Ohio)
Probably the most productive band ever in
rock history (40 albums in 41 years!)

Track: SERENE KING

It’s the first single from GBV’s new, upcoming, 40th (!!) album (since 1983), named
Strut Of Kings and slated for release on June 28. Firm familiar indie rock, as we know it.


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Instagram
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Photo credit: Thandiwe Zivengwa

Artist: SPIELMANN (Leeds, UK)
Ben Lewis aka Spielmann has been around the block, as a songwriter, producer, band member, DJ, promoter and now, after a good decade and varying degrees of success,
as a front person and songwriter in his own right.

Track: JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE

“In this one we follow our narrator through breakdowns at parties, potential book deals, writing letters to his MP and anxiety attacks. It’s an anthem for the modern person who wants to have it all, but is probably realising something has to give.”

It’ll feature on his debut EP, titled ‘Fifteen Minutes With Spielmann’, and landing on 31 May.

This is glorious, full-orchestrated pop, that transfers you in an eye/ear blink to a sonic dreamland with its affecting melodiousness, riveting chorus and warm-hearted vocals. Three minutes and twenty seconds with Spielmann sounding not like everybody else.

Instagram
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Band: JAMES
Manchester‘s indie pop veterans

Track: LIFE’S A FUCKING MIRACLE

Standout, life-celebrating, pop bliss from their brand new LP Yummy.


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Instagram
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Band: THE WESLEYS (Montreal, CA)
Up-and-coming DIY pop/rock quartet

Track: A LOT TO LOSE

From the band’s brand-new self-titled 9-song strong debut album.

Drawing inspiration from iconic bands like The Clean, Teenage Fanclub, The Pixies,
and The Replacements, this band deliver a captivating musical experience that will resonate with fans of diverse tastes. Continuing their DIY approach, this remarkable debut album effortlessly introduces new sonic dimensions and emotional depth to their ever-expanding musical repertoire, showcasing the band’s innate ability to craft mesmerizing melodies.

Stream/buy it here.

A Lot To Lose is probably the poppiest piece on the LP.
Jangly vibes, glistering guitars, 60s The Byrds-like harmonies.

Instagram
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📸 Peter Heuer Photography

Artist: STRESS DOLLS (Buffalo, NY)
The moniker of songstress Chelsea O’Donnell

Track: CLOSE ENOUGH

“I wrote “Close Enough” in the midst of the pandemic, a period where I didn’t see some of
the people who mattered most to me for weeks at a time. On a subconscious level I think that inspired the lyrics in the chorus about being “close enough” to someone, but the other half was me thinking about the process of falling in love, and how you can be so wrapped up in another person that, no matter how physically and emotionally close you are to them (“even if you were a part of me/ even if you were alive in me”), it doesn’t feel like enough to express how you feel.”

Another top guitar pop piece from the Buffalo singer-songwriter.
Tantalizing tunefulness, glistening guitar sparks, and gratifying vocals.


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Instagram
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Promo photo

Band: THE FOLK IMPLOSION (US)
The musical project of Lou Barlow (Dinosaur Jr, Sebodah) and John Davis.

The duo are gearing up for their first longplayer in 25 years.
Walk Thru Me lands on June 28. More info here

Barlow: “A big part of what I consider to be the Folk Implosion
is taking disparate things and turning them into pop.”

The smooth first single Moonlit Kid is a tribute to, yes, owls.


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Instagram
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Album artwork

Artist: RICHARD THOMPSON
London‘s 75-year-old legendary folk songsmith’s
career exceeds more than 5 decades.

New track: FREEZE

Another arresting new cut from his upcoming, 20th full-length,
named Ship To Shore and will arrive on 31 May.


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Instagram
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Artist: MOSS
Singer-songwriter from Hull, UK

New track: BLACK DAHLIA

Moss: “Black Dahlia, for me symbolises an evolution from being a bedroom musician, estranged to the music world, to now playing on stage & finding my place & family in Hull’s vibrant music scene over a six-year period. The record’s almost a diary entry into my life, as I got fed up with people taking me for granted & so I kept telling myself I need to ‘do it for YOU’”.

The feverish, mood swings vocality and mixed emotionalism
of Jeff Buckley came to mind almost instantly. Say no more.


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Instagram
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Band: JENNY DON’T AND THE SPURS (Portland, Oregon)
Outfit known for their high energy Country Western style and captivating stage
presence, they’ve garnered a global following with their infectious enthusiasm,
and extensive discography, featuring three albums, an EP, and nine singles.

Track: UNLUCKY LOVE

From the band’s new forthcoming LP, titled Broken Hearted Blue ,
out on June 14. Pre-order info here.


Photo by Jen Noel

Jenny: “I was listening to a lot of Lee Hazlewood while writing this song. I have always been captivated by his songwriting and how he weaves feelings of nostalgia, despair and hope into his songs. His blend of self-deprecation and romanticism strikes a chord, particularly the universal experience of loving someone who loves another. Despite this reality, we still find ourselves lost in daydreams about them. If these were transformed into a song, this is how I would envision it.”

Country Americana at its romantic and heavy-hearted best. Heart-and-soul vocals and easy-going, lovey-dovey vibes for the midnight hours. Wurlitzer jukeboxes were invited
to play this kind of lullabies in bars where the lonely gather for some companion.

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Band: PEARL JAM
The iconic veteran grungers
from Seattle

Track: WRECKAGE
Song from their 12th longplayer, titled
DARK MATTER and out on April 19.

A pure PJ power rock ballad.


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Instagram

TURN UP THE VOLUME’s JUKEBOX 2023 – 10 New Tracks Added Every Week

Posted on by JL

Every week 10 new rad tracks added

In order to not miss a beat Turn Up The Volume scans the musical
horizon daily (doing it for years now, actually) to stay in touch with
all new things sonically great and shares the results on a weekly
basis.

Check the 10 new rad cuts just
added to this rad 2023 playlist.

ALL TOGETHER

Steam to Spotify and stream


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TRACK-BY-TRACK

1. Ice Cream (Pay Phone) by BLACK PUMAS (Austin, Texas)


📸 Jody Domingue Studios

The soul pumas have their brand new album Chronicles Of A Diamond
out, with this funky ripper as one of the highs off the record.

Watch/listen.

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2. ‘All The Times’ by GAE VINCI remixed by THE KVB

Sicilian musician/producer Gae Vinci released his top-notch debut album
Lonely Ballads last May, mixing electronica, psychedelia and electric shoegaze
layers.

To keep the momentum going, renowned British darkwave duo The KVB remixed
All The Times, one of the album’s highlights. Their atmospheric approach adds a heart-warming Depeche Mode-esque vibe.

The accompanying, eye-catching video was an idea of Gae Vinci, who
chose and edited clips, transposing into visual The KVB‘s sound.

Watch/listen

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3. ‘Swan’ by KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD (Australia)

Last Friday these ridiculously productive psych-prog rockers from down under unleashed their 25th album in 13 years. Hallelujah. On The Silver Cord they swapped guitars for electronica.

Swan is a great example of it. Yes, the Aussies go disco.


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4. ‘Cars’ by DARKPLACE (Stockholm, Sweden)

Darkplace is a mysterious new Swedish dark dream pop/post-punk group who
released their intriguing debut album About The End Of The World last Friday.

Watch the album saga in motion right here.

One of the 4 singles on the LP is this Cars banger.

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5. ‘The Tower’ by FUTURE ISLANDS (Baltimore, US)

7-singles
(Photo by Turn Up The Volume)

Baltimore‘s synth-pop act FUTURE ISLANDS present their 7th album,
baptized People Who Aren’t There Anymore next year, on January 26.

The newest single off the album is this pure synth-pop pearl.

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6. ‘Ghostwriter’ by STRESS DOLLS (Buffalo, NY)

Stress Dolls is the moniker of American alt/pop/rock artist Chelsea O’Donnell.

Ghostwriter is the 2nd single off her upcoming debut album.

“There are many times where I don’t really know what a song is about until long after
I write it, and “Ghostwriter” was no exception. I came to recognize it as a metaphor about my relationship to anxiety: I want to be the narrator of my own story, but there are lots of times where I feel like my anxious feelings take the reins, even if I don’t want them to. I take the credit, or blame, for my own actions, but the metaphor of anxiety as a ‘ghostwriter’ felt fitting to me.”

Ghostwriter is a speedy, shivering and steamrollin’ indie pop tune with
some surprisingly exciting violin play embedded in an guitar-driven flair.

Listen.


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7. ‘It Goes On’ by WAASH

“I find myself writing about moving on and freeing yourself from bad vibes quite often. I guess it’s just the theme of my life, and these songs are my way of meditating on these relationships and finding peace with it.”

It Goes On is a jangly psych-pop dream propelled by glowing
guitars and has a galvanic chorus that sticks instantly.

Press play.


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8. ‘You Be Good’ by ARIH SK (Ontario, Canada)


(Credit: Amber Lee Williams)

Arih SK is an artist living and working in St. Catharines, Ontario. He’s known for writing short, slightly upbeat songs with simple melodies about loss, nostalgia, family, and relationships.

“This song is inspired by Alex The Parrot, who was part of the avian learning experiment. He could tell between different colours and shapes, could count, and he was the first non-human animal to have ever asked a question (what colour am I?). Sadly, the experiment was abruptly ended by Alex’s untimely death. The chorus of the song borrows Alex’s last words, which were the same words he said at the end of every day’s session: “You be good. I love you. See you tomorrow. My daughter Olive sings on this track with me.

‘You Be Good’ is a sweet, tender and catchy father/daughter lullaby. Lovely!

Sing along.


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9. ‘The End Of Apathy’ by TEJON STREET CORNER THIEVES (US)

This US outlaw alt-folk group have come a long way since their humble beginnings when they used to busk for loose change, actually taking their name from a time when they were accused of stealing a corner on Tejon Street in their home city of Colorado Springs during a turf war between rival buskers.

Last week they released their brand new
full length, baptized Juxtaposition.

The End Of Apathy is one of the stand out tracks on the record.
A punky folk chant fueled with manic mandolin riffage.

Top.

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10. ‘Autumn’ by THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM (New Jersey, US)

New Jersey‘s Americana rockers launched their new,
6th LP, titled History Books. It’s simply one of their best.

This melancholic power ballad is one of the notable scores


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See/hear you next week

TUTV: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter

Turn Up The Volume’s 20 BEST TRACKS For AUGUST 2023

Posted on by JL

The best of the best of the month

ALL TOGETHER


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TRACK-BY-TRACK

1. ‘The Sinner’ by THE CORAL (Liverpool)

The seasoned psych-folk-pop-rock dreamers have two longplayers out next week,
on 8 September, titled Sea Of Mirrors and Holy Joe’s Island Medicine Show.

Suppose David Lynch wants to make a Spaghetti Western then this wistful lullaby should be part of the soundtrack. I’m sure he would like it for the shadowy vibe, the psychotic sinner (he likes psychotic sinners) and for the guitar reverberating sparks, thinking that’s it his fav nostalgic Casanova Chris Isaak on guitar (note: Lynch directed Isaak‘s Wicked Game video that featured flashes from his 1990 Wild At Heart movie).

Press play.

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2. ‘Constance Street’ by KRISTIN HERSH (US)

The stirring Throwing Muses/50 Foot Wave songstress has her
new solo LP, titled Clear Pound Road out on 8 September.

Hersh about the song: “I lived on Constance Street in New Orleans
when that song’s story happened. Buying slips in the Irish Channel/broken
prince in fluorescent camo is a very Southern day. I was born a hick and
I guess I’ll always be one.”

It’s a subtly groovin’ beauty
with Hersh poetic storytelling
adding a magical touch.

Enjoy.

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3. ‘Huevos Rancheros’ by THE IRRATIONAL LIBRARY (The Netherlands)

This Dutch-American rock band has its roots firmly planted in both the regional
and international counterculture. They produce a raw, dirty groove influenced by
punk, Provo, and punk icons. Their poetry is packed with social criticism.

The IL have canned their 4th LP. It’s named Good Busy and arrives via
Floprecords, digitally on 11 September and physically (vinyl/CD) 4 days later.

This first single is a tremendously catchy and melodic tune that mesmerizes from the kick-off. Stimulated by a sparkling and melancholic guitar riff à la Kurt Vile, a foot-stompin’ beat and word-smith Joshua Baumgarten‘s expressive storytelling, it becomes an electrifying pop gem, after a couple of spins. One for which the repeat button was invented for. One that invites you to stop for a while and look around to find the light at the end of the tunnel.

Stream/buy.


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4. ‘We Did Nothing’ by GRAHAM PARKER (UK)

No retirement yet for the imperishable, now 72-year-old, pop-rock songsmith.
From the early 70s on he wrote/recorded/released a countless number of LPs
featuring several masterpieces.

His brand new one, called Last Chance To Learn The Twist,
featuring his new band The Goldtops shows up on 8 Sept.

Ahead of it comes this vintage Parker pearl.


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5. ‘I Am A Wave’ by DEATH VALLEY GIRLS (Los Angeles)


Photo by Little Ghost/Kelsey Hart

Last February the Los Angeles‘ psychedelic garage pop/rock darlings
released their 5th longplayer Islands In The Sky. Their best ever to
my satisfied ears.

I Am A Wave is a new standalone single.

It’s a haunting mid-tempo psych jam, a sonic torch in the dark. The combination of the characteristically high-pitched Bloomgarden vocals, her 60s-sounding Hammond organ, the weeping guitars, the howling backing vocals, the steady drum beat and the glowing finale is just riveting and engrossing.

This is not a Mexican wave, it’s Bonnie‘s wave.
Follow her flow, she’s really kind of amazing.

Stream/buy.


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6. ‘Everybody’s Save Until…’ by PARIS TEXAS (US)

This sharp-rap-cutting Los Angeles duo released their highly acclaimed riot-gun album
Mid Air last month. This 3rd single is nothing less than fucktastic, with a sickly sticky flow, a killer guitar riff and the tandem’s adrenalized vocality.

Stunning strike.

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7. ‘METALLI!!’ by BABYMETAL (Japan)

The kawaii metal girls teamed up with Rage Against The Machine
guitarist Tom Morello for this new head-banging blast. Their mix of
glam metal, pop-punk melodies and pithy/screamy vocals are an
infallible formula.

Hell bloody metali yeah!

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8. ‘Bauhaus Staircase’ by OMD (UK)

The beloved synth-pop duo is around since the late 70s, and they have no
intention to go and sit in their lazy rocking chair counting their money.

On 27 October their 14th LP, baptized Bauhaus Staircase comes out.

The title track is the 3rd appetizer. A happy-go-lucky summer tune.
Irresistibly infectious. These two manoeuvres in the dark still come
up with vitalizing electro thrills.

The accompanying video is an animated spectacle, that features a nod to the imagery
of various sci-fi films, notably Fritz Lang’s Metropolis, Run Lola Run, and Blade Runner.

Listen/watch.

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9. ‘Your Side Of Town’ by THE KILLERS (Los Angeles)

Following their underrated 2021 album Pressure Machine and last
year’s single Boy Los Angeles‘ pop champs return with a new gem with
a vintage, nostalgic Killers flavor.

Tune in.

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10. ‘Blue Shadow’ by ASALONE (US)

Asalone is the solo project of singer/songwriter/producer
Adam Stanley Putzer from Buffalo, NY.

His new song is a reflection on returning to the place you
grew up, only to feel like a stranger in your own hometown.

Uplifting tunes like this one are always welcome on my busy headphones.
It’s a richly orchestrated melody that grabs your aural attention straight
away with its jaunty piano touches, scintillating guitar play, a bracing refrain
and last but not least Asalone‘s impassionate voice.

Amplified pop melancholia is what you get here.
Don’t be a stranger, enjoy and embrace the shadow.

Stream/buy.


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11. ‘Fingerprints’ by : TREMENDOUS (Birmingham, UK)

Fingerprints is a post-break-up love song starting slowly and smoothly, only with
frontman’s Dudzinski‘s heartbroken voice and his weeping guitar, but 45 seconds
in, the emotions and the decibels go up and turn the song into a goosebumps power ballad, proving once again that lovesickness can lead to compellingly cathartic music.

Think the romantic vibes of The War On Drugs mixed with Noel Gallagher‘s raw guitar
play of the early Oasis days. To my persuaded ears Dudzinski has a torch-burning gem
on his hands. In a normal world, it would be a hit. Hands down.

Check it out.

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12. ‘Cosmic Dance’ by COMMON FLAWS (Italy)

Common Flaws is the solo project of Giacomo Oberti,
the singer/songwriter from Italian synth-pop outfit
The Bankrobber.

Cosmic Dance offers ambient vibes, jungle-esque drum beats, scintillating
synth sparks, and echoing vocals. It trips in your mind from the get-go.
Its tempting, playful flow and its melodic resonance have a tranquilizing
effect. A dream-stimulating effort.

Tune in.

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13. ‘Prize’ by GHOST PATTERNS

This London-based quartet formed in 2019. They blend psychedelia,
shoegaze and post-punk influences into their music.

Prize is the first 2023 music following a couple of new ones
last year and their excellent 2019 debut album Infinite.

I wonder if they invited Interpol‘s stellar guitarist Daniel Kessler and
give him a license to overdub the guitars at play on Prize. The result is
a wall-of-shoegaze vibrancy that progresses in slo-mo and grows in
intensity along its route, with foggy vocals all over it.

More melodic than My Bloody Valentine, tighter than Slowdive. Is it real or
fantasy? No idea, but who cares when it’s as ear-and-mind pleasing as this.

Stream/buy.


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14. ‘ExtraTerrestial’ by SMALL MIRACLES (Wales)

Small Circles is an indie act from Cardiff, Wales. Inspired by the early New Wave movement, they infuse elements of Punk, Blues and Grunge into their genre-bending sound. Their music has a distinctly queer, underground feel, finely balancing heavy grooves and breakdowns with catchy hooks and choruses.

Mirari tackles all war-greedy political leaders. You can feel/hear
the anger, the frustration and the in-your-face rage on ExtraTerrestrial.
Its cast-iron slow-mo drones, its vocal aggression, its ear-piercing guitar furor
and its razor-sharp Mirari rap sequence combine for a volcanic knockout.
We need big miracles to end all the Warshit!

Feel the heat.


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15. ‘The Light At The End Of The World’ by IAN WILLIAMS (UK)

Williams started his music career in Edinburgh (Scotland) in the mid 1980’s as a founder
of Beautiful Pea Green Boat, whose ethereal, atmospheric sound pre-dated the vogue for dream pop by at least twenty years. He is now based in London and more recently, he has worked with singer Claudia Barton aka Gamine, releasing two albums of dark, piano-led torch songs and lullabies.

This new piece will feature on his new, forthcoming
full-length ‘Slow-Motion Apocalypse’, out in October.

Think Vangelis sharing ideas with Tangerine Dream and Jean-Michel Jarre.
Cinematic, with spacey, melodramatic vocals. It could be part of the soundtrack
of a nature documentary about an eagle flying between the sea and the sky. Proud, mighty, fearless and untouchable. These are the images I see on my screen in
my mind.

Listen/watch.

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16. ‘Body’ by STRESS DOLLS (Buffalo, NY)


📸: Peter Heuer

Stress Dolls is the moniker of alt/pop/rock artist Chelsea O’Donnell.
Her new single is a fully electricity-charged stunner with O’Donnell
expressive vocals adding a poignant resonance.

Steamy score.


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17. ‘Rosebud’ by SWAN HILL (UK)

These busy British indies have a new double
A-side single out, with Rosebud and Landlines.

Rosebud is my favorite.

A riff-loaded ripper with a vibrant pop edge.

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18. ‘Deadweights’ by SEADOG (Brighton, UK)

The dream-pop duo from Brighton, UK enthrall with their new musing that
will be part of the new, forthcoming album, named Internal Noise, out in
the autumn via Austerity Records.

It features the vocal harmonies of Jack and Lily Wolter,
both from the band Penelope Isles, while Jack also
drums on it.

Singer-songwriter Mark Benton encapsulates his psychologically and physically
crushing insomnia experiences in a bittersweet and melancholic pop tune that
babbles like a sparkling brook, yet underlying this humdinger resonates as if
the after-effects of the sleepless years are still wandering around. In the end
here’s proof again that music can be healing. Beautiful.

Listen/watch.

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19. ‘Alphabet City’ by THE NATIONAL

The Cincinnati heroes fronted by Matt Berninger, their songwriter
and one of the best crooners of the modern age released their 9th LP,
named First Two Pages Of Frankenstein last April.

Last week they dropped two new gloomy ballads to keep
the momentum going. One of them is Alphabet City.

Lit a candlelight.

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20. ‘My Submission’ by DEXYS (Birmingham, UK)

Now, after 45 (!) years, several line-ups and several hiatuses Dexys released (only)
their 6th album, the highly entertaining and feel-good full-length The Feminine Divine.

Mastermind Kevin Rowland celebrated his 70 birthday a couple of weeks ago,
and still has the gift to write a goosebumps balledis about. My Submission is
a diamond of a song.

Listen/watch.