King In Yellow honors post punks abstract roots with their infectious new single Lightning Returning. In a time when the influence has evolved into new conventional melodic realms, King In Yellow embraces the genres first underground wave.
There’s still an affinity for the post punks magnetic aura, with intriguing revolutions suitable to instigate you into a frenzy. In that way it ascends from the lesser known artifacts of Joy Division, remnants of the albums unknown to the casual radio listener. It’s that sound that fueled King In Yellow’s self prescribed influences, including Sonic Youth and Johnny Marr. Those influences add some gorgeous contrast to Lighting Returning, as the vocal transmits like a grittier Morrissey. We also hear some of the chaotic smart appeal of At The Drive In, a band who likely shared in this influential palette. We can dig it.
King In Yellow are featured on our Best New Rock Playlist.
Cope & Drag don’t pull any punches with their new album Old God New Devil. As the vocal breaks through the gritty guitar design heard on the introductory Original Undesirable, the singers reckless nature takes hold. The expressive guitar style mirrors his disdain as it thrashes through the performance convincingly. The guitarist plays with a melodic instinct that pulls at their punk nature. It’s even more glaring on the subsequent short format Marlboro Man. It’s the kind of fury we’re drawn to.
Collectively it’s a strong album, but another stand out for us was the infectious Strokes inspired Choose Life. The band delivers overall, with thoughtful syncopation and rhythm tempos that honors the writings essence. Overall we hear a heavy convergence of Brit Pop and Post Punk, blessed with an affinity for raw wicked guitar tones. Like a raunchier Libertines or Arctic Monkeys, Cope & Drag inject a new sonic fury where those project leave off.
Cope & Drag are featured on our Best New Rock Playlist.
Sleep Kicks break through with the anthemic rapture of Sawdust. Indie rock and post punk converge in a way that will draw similarities to Interpol and Editors. Sawdust stands out with its own trademark hook.
In this new world of vibe Sleep Kicks drops a chorus that really delivers. It’s radio ready and addictive enough to warrant a repeat spin. From the tight musicianship to the chic emotionally charged vocal performance, everything is in its right place on this modern hit.
Hear Sawdust now on our Best New Rock Playlist.
False Corners teams with Anna Griffith for their effective new single Bare. A nostalgic 90s soft rock reverence collides with an indie sensibility elegantly. It’s suits Griffith’s emotive delivery. It’s a multifaceted emotional scope, teetering between frustration and desperation while it navigates the complexities of this revelatory narrative. That affect amplifies her glorious twang, retaining a pleasurable listenability while remaining authentically raw.
False Corners delivers too. They bring a sense of groove and jive with addictive melodic sparkle. Stylistically Bare connects with the expanded works of Big Thief, Sharon Van Etten, and boy genius. That’s good company.
Hear Bare now on our Best New Rock Playlist.
The Wild Is Calling 