Clockwise from top left: Ásgeir, PUPPY, Strand Of Oaks, Ninajirachi, The Muslims, The Parrots and Nation of Language.

The punk rock of The Muslims, the glitchy beats of Ninajirachi and falsetto of Ásgeir make up this week’s Tuesday Tracks. We round out the list of fantastic cuts with PUPPY, The Parrots, Nation of Language, OWL and Strand of Oaks.

Ninajirachi, “Dracodraco” — Australian DJ and electronic producer Nina Wilson, better known as Ninajirachi, has been releasing music since high school. “Dracodraco,” her newest single, is one dizzying and head-spinning number.  This four-minute house jam doesn’t let up, opening with a electronic synth beat that has a slow build. The song becomes more engaging the glitchier and more distorted it gets. It turns into pure house madness that will keep you moving until the beat finally drops or until the ecstasy has worn off.

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The Muslims, “Fuck These Fuckin Fascists” — Durham, North Carolina trio The Muslims is bringing some in-your-face music to the surface. With lyrics that are a punch to the gut and finger to the fascists it seeks to bash, the song is frenetic with pounding, throbbing guitars that don’t let up. An awesome video of the band flipping off buildings adds to the contained chaos. The song makes you want to release all your energy, jump into a mosh pit and go wild. This queer, POC punk band is going to make you into a Munk (as its fans are called).

Nation of Language, “Wounds of Love” — Brooklyn trio Nation of Language has slowed the synth-pop on “Wounds of Love.” The song has a haunting sadness that just floats throughout. A dreamy chorus brings in a bit of life as the band delivers emotional heartache beautifully, alongside a feeling of numbness. Yet it’s the effortless melody that carries it. Songwriter Ian Devaney said it’s a song “about getting caught in a mental feedback loop when a relationship ends.” It can be found on highly anticipated sophomore album A Way Forward in November.

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The Parrots, “You Work All Day And Then You Die” — Madrid band The Parrots, comprised of guitarist-vocalist Diego García and bassist Alex de Lucas, is back with second album Dos. “You Work All Day And Then You Die” has a motorik groove, mixed with a sound from the U.K. bands of the 2000s. The guitars come to life with a driving riff. The chorus is catchy and anthemic as García sings, “It’s hard to find some peace of mind.” With an earworm of a hook, the song will stay with you long after it has ended.

PUPPY, “Angel” — Video game dark-rock describes this song and video to a T. The video drops viewers into an 8-bit soundscape with gothic imagery distorted in glorious pixelated recreation. Droning guitars fill the space, but it’s the vocals coming together that carry the song. The melancholic melody will stick with you.

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Strand Of Oaks, “Galacticana” — Tim Showalter, singer, songwriter, guitarist and guy behind Strand of Oaks, is back with his new album, In Heaven (out in October). This will be his first since moving to Austin and getting sober. “Galacticana,” written at the beginning of the pandemic, is about togetherness and remembering good times. It has the signature Strand of Oaks sound with Showalter’s vocals filling the space and infectious hooks.

Add in a mid-tempo beat and guitars that fade into the background, and you get Showalter’s “new” genre, “Galacticana.” There is a hopefulness for what’s to come. “Over this tough year or so this Oaks community has brought me endless strength and made me feel less alone,” Showalter has said.

Ásgeir, “Sunday Drive” — Icelandic artist Ásgeir reflects on a car collision he survived at age 7 in Iceland on atmospheric ballad “Sunday Drive.” With just a piano and a falsetto, Ásgeir  doesn’t need more. His voice carries the weight of the world. Emotion radiates through his vocals and the song tugs at the heart strings.

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Owl, “Slugtura” — Oakland and San Francisco metal stoner band Owl rereleased Demo 2010 for the first time on vinyl. “Slugtura” has riffs for days, as the guitars grow dirtier and intensify as the song builds. Two minutes in and the song turns into a metal-prog rock jam. The brothers Baechle, one who may be RIFF writer Alexander, are bringing back ’70s rock—think Thin Lizzy meets Iron Maiden. Screaming vocals pierce through the song. But you could scrap the vocals (sorry Alex), because it’s all about the guitars. Guitar solos slay with ferocious intensity. The song screams for you to join in on air guitar, while the drumming moves at a frenetic pace.

Rachel’s Pick: I was walking down a quiet sidewalk in Pacifica, sans headphones, when I decided it was the best time to play “Fuck These Fuckin Fascists.” The only woman who passed me looked at me like I was nuts. I think that sealed the moment. Punk, kick-ass, in-your-face lyrics from a queer, POC and Muslim band! This is EVERYTHING. The lyrics say it all and probably how I felt far too often, but would have been loathed to say out loud. The Muslims got it right and this song is three minutes of insane, intense energy that the world needs more of.

Follow writer Rachel Goodman at Twitter.com/xneverwherex and Instagram.com/xneverwherex.