My inbox was an interesting place with an interesting variety of pitches and submissions. To tell the truth, it was a little difficult to winnow things down for the Five Songs You Must Hear list this week. Please enjoy.
1. Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, Detroit
Single (Missing Piece Records)
Recommended If You Like: Intensity
(Pigs x 7) is one of the more fierce bands to come out of the British post-punk scene in years. They’re psych-y, riff-y, and embody all the fun aspects that can come with heavy, overdriven doom. If you like this song, go back and check out their 2023 debut album, Land of Sleeper, an luxuriate in some stormy stoner doom. They’ll be back in North America next year.
2. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Call Me (Whatever You Like)
South of Here (Stax)
RIYL: Something slightly soulful
If you found that (Pigs x 7) a little too intense, then settle back with the new single from Nathaniel and Co, another track from their fourth studio album, which arrived earlier this year. Like many of the other songs on the album, it explores Nathaniel’s “anxiety, insecurity, and also stories of life.” With winter closing in, this might just be the song you needed.
3. Robin Guthrie, Smoulder
Astoria EP (Soleil Après Minuit)
RIYL: Complete bliss
It’s been 45 years since the Cocteau Twins (Robin and vocalist Elizabeth Fraser) kicked off what would become dream pop genre, which would then darken and more into shoegaze. To celebrate that 45 year milestone, Robin, who is now living in France, has just released his second EP of instrumentals this year. It’s available in high-res formats, too, which means it sounds great on a good stereo.
4. Twenty One Pilots, Routines in the Night
Clancy (Warner)
RIYL: Twenty One Pilots, obviously
Twenty One Pilots has spent much of the year promoting their Clancy album, a record that has so far provided the band with two more #1 songs at alternative radio (The Craving and Overcompensate). Will they be able to do it again with this song? Never bet against them.
5. The Sheepdogs, Hell Together
Hell Together EP (Right On Records)
RIYL: Canadian prairie rock
After winning four JUNO Awards, The Sheepdogs seem to be doing just fine as an independent act, announcing the release of their second record on their own label. This new EP is designed to be a companion piece to their earlier record, Paradise Alone. Can you believe this band has been together for 20 years already?
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