Anfang are anthemic on Honey Trudge. Lead singer Andie Zaragoza has star power. Her scorned emotional fueled vocal responds effectively against the music furious appeal. A solid mix of angsty hard rock and catchy intention, they hit like a harder Black Sabbath influenced Paramore. This should instantly connected with fans of Queens of The Stone Age or underground riff rock masters Ruby The Hatchet. Anfang has riffs a plenty, bringing progressive heat and variation to keep Honey Trudge rushing ahead.
The recording is tight and the musicianship is on point, allowing the band to lean into the emotion of performance rather than over think their parts. Honey Trudge is smooth and natural, allowing their in concert energy to shine through on their record. The Chicago based trio is guaranteed to impress, with crossover potential in their iconic classic design. Bands don’t quite rock this hard anymore cause they weren’t brought through this machine, Anfang are purveyors of bringing it proper.
Honey Trudge is currently featured on our Best New Rock Playlist.
Lato caught our attention with their new single Karisma Ape. The luscious vocal is ripe with swagger and black leather attitude. This cool kid indie rock grew out of art punk innovations by Velvet Underground, adapted with the indie appeal of Beck and The National. We also hear the dissent fueled vocal stylings of Jim Morrison in the songs second half.
Musically, the stylistic groove pushes Karisma Ape forward as a flurry of intoxicating guitars flash gritty brilliance. These Italian mods have been tweaked with a heavy dose of desert soaked psychedelia to match their urban appeal. You can imagine how these jams can evolve in concert as the intertwined melodies unravel in the songs extended closing jam. We can dig it.
Dig into Karisma Ape now on our Best New Rock Playlist.
“Ever wonder what it’d sound like if Shel Silverstein fronted an indie rock band?” That’s how we were introduced to NYC proto-punk rockers Dogboy. The sentiment is reasonable as there is a genuine charm and charisma to the vocal design of That’s What We Wanted, their new single. There’s also a whitty disdain, revelations as the rose coloroured glasses are allowed to be removed in explosive doses. That detail infects this break-up narrative, an updated forgive but not forget mentality as the singer laments the struggles of a recent romantic interruption.
The band is tight with Brit-Pop swagger to contrast the Punk influence. Collectively they bridge the gap between The Kooks and Parquet Courts, with intense lyrical prose that’ll connect with this generation’s romantic follies. That’s What We Wanted is the first single in advance of a new 5 song EP recorded at Fraser Studios and produced by Kit Conway (Stello, Del Water Gap). Dogboy are certain within the magic of the moment, showcasing both mainstream potential and underground credo.
Dogboy’s next single “Cowboy Killer” will be released 3/3/23
Hear That’s What We Wanted now on our Best New Rock Playlist.
Style masters Golem Dance Cult expand their sonic reach on the recent Dalek Rhetoric. Elements of post punk, industrial, and dark wave are presented with a Gothic ethos on their expansive catalog. The new single honors that legacy while injecting a fresh sonic presence. Dalek Rhetoric is slightly more crisp than prior works, with a more modern presentation that sits well next to industry releases.
That detail might offer new opportunities and expand their exposure within the genre. Golem Dance Cult are smart to add some polish without glossing the finish, there’s still a heavy dose of tonal nostalgia and lo-fi greatness. It’s what drew us to them in the first place, and we wouldn’t want it any other way. Stylistically they bridge the gap between the gothic post punk of Bauhaus and the industrial horror rock of Rob Zombie. We can dig it.
Hear Dalek Rhetoric now on our Best New Rock Playlist.
The Wild Is Calling 