Tuesday Tracks: Your Weekly New Music Discovery – June 14
New York Gypsy punks Gogol Bordello, industrial post-punk band Editors, The Greeting Committee’s catchy cover, ’90s nostalgia from Sunsleeper, Florida’s drenched-out and hypnotic Flipturn, and Alicia Blue’s haunting vocals make up our favorite tracks of the week.
Sunsleeper, “Blemishes” — “Blemishes” brings back the ’90s alt-rock nostalgia, mixed with a lush dream-pop sound. The song has great hooks and melodies. The harmonies, which feature fuzzed-out guitars, are also gorgeous, and the vocals are memorable. Once the power ballad guitar playing kicks in, it will be impossible to not remember these Salt Lake City rockers. “The freedom in letting go of a toxic relationship is underrated,” vocalist Jeffery Mudgett said of the song. “Sometimes there’s no need to mourn the end, but rather we should celebrate leaving that toxicity behind.”
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The Greeting Committee, “Kids” (MGMT) — Kansas City, Missouri’s The Greeting Committee just released the deluxe version of its 2021 album, Dandelion. The new edition includes three previously unreleased tracks, including this cover of MGMT’s “Kids.” If you know the song, you instinctively think of the catchy keyboards. But The Greeting Committee changed it up. The video is not nearly as frightening. Vocalist Addie Sartino’s voice soars until it softens, only to come back even stronger. The real standout is the ridiculously catchy riffs by Brandon Yangmi that sound like a lost Interpol or Strokes song.
Flipturn, “Whales” — Jacksonville, Florida’s Flipturn released “Whales” in anticipation of its debut album, Shadowglow (coming in August). The song starts out with a soothing bass line. But don’t be misguided, because the lyrics are anything but soothing. Dillon Basse sings with an earnestness that conveys his emotional strife. The song doesn’t get depressing; however, because of the dreamy, distorted and fuzzy melodies. The song ends with an abrupt halt. Imagine seeing this breakdown of sound live. Don’t miss Flipturn at Bottom of the Hill this October.
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Editors, “Karma Climb” — The 2000s post-punk bands are back in fine fashion. Editors, White Lies and Interpol all have new albums on the way. Editors, a highly underrated band from Birmingham, U.K. announced their new album, EBM and a new band member Benjamin John Power (Blanck Mass, electronic-drone band Fuck Buttons).
“Karma Climb” is all about—as the name of the album hints at—electronic body music. In the U.S., we know this as “industrial.” This song is a convergence of all things heavy and industrial met with the synth beats of New Order. Add in Tom Smith’s incredible vocal range, powering drumming and a stomping melody, and you get one anthemic summer number.
Gogol Bordello, “Teroborona” — “Teroborona” is a term for civil defense units formed of civilians who stood up to protect Ukraine. Gogol Bordello has dedicated this song to the incredible courage of Ukrainian civilians. The band, from New York’s Lower East Side, still continues with its Gypsy-punk-meets-Romani roots sound. Lead singer Eugene Hütz, who’s Ukrainian, is still crazy with frenetic energy and as in your face as ever. Naturally, you cannot have the Gypsy punk without the violins, and this song does not disappoint. All proceeds from the track will Be donated to Gogol Bordello’s Ukraine fundraising campaign.
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Alicia Blue, “Saline Waters” — This song is a taste from the forthcoming EP by Nashville by way of L.A. songwriter Alicia Blue. She’ll release Inner Child Work in July. After dealing with death in 2021, Blue wrote this track after spending time at the Salton Sea. It’s hauntingly beautiful, and her vocals have an alluring Tori Amos or Kate Bush quality to them. The song has a dark-wave beat that gets you lost in the music. The picturesque lyrics linger.
Rachel’s Pick: Editors are back, but where are the U.S. tour dates? C’mon Tom and company! You have fans here. I’ll go to NYC, L.A.—wherever—to see you. While Editors’ sound may have changed, this is one band I have never stopped loving. The moment I heard their new song, I was hooked. They’re bigger and better. Time to get back into my high school Doc Martens and black clothing, and dance the night away.
Follow writer Rachel Goodman at Twitter.com/xneverwherex and Instagram.com/xneverwherex.