We’re finally through January which means that in another 5-6 weeks, we can start getting excited about spring. The recorded music industry is already gearing up for what they’ll deliver for us as the weather warms and the days get longer. Here’s what we have for the first New Music Friday of February. Note the interesting covers this week.
Singles
1. Bad Skin, Dancing Queen (Dance Plant Records)
Bad Skin is an all-female group from Montreal consisting of Dope (actually Tamara Goldames-Morales; rhythm guitar), Victoria (lead guitar), Maria (bass), and Christine (drums). They’ve been around since 2015 and are more proof that women are leading the rock charge in Canada. Gutsy move, this cover.
2. Bring Me the Horizon, Wonderwall (BMG)
Here are Sheffiled’s metalcore heroes with a rocked-up version of the Oasis classic. I wonder if we’re going to see more Oasis covers leading up to the big reunion tour this summer? If it matters, Liam Gallagher calls this rendition “absolutely incredible.” This is part of something called the Singles Club on Spotify. All profits will go to the Teenage Cancer Trust.
3. Mystic Knights, This High Up (AWAL)
Jet, the Australian band, is preparing for a resurrection later this year. Until then, though, Chris Cester, the band’s drummer, has a new single with his other band. This is the first time he’s done anything outside of Jet. It’s hard, fast, and over before you know it.
4. Shinedown, Dance. Kid. Dance. (Atlantic)
Shinedown has a busy year planed with a massive tour and a series of singles. Two popped into existence this week (the other being Three Six Five). This track comes with the advice “Don’t overthink it, let’s just rock out and LET’S DANCE!” Okay, then.
5. Sleigh Bells, Wanna Start a Band (Mom + Pop)
Sleigh Bells, the Brooklyn duo consisting of Derek Miller and Alexis Krauss, have finally finished a song they started working on while eating in a restaurant in 2008. Alexis was having dinner with her mom and Derek, who was their server, asked her “Wanna start a band?” A riff appeared in 2014. And here we are with a finished version.
Albums
1. All That Remains, Antifragile (All That Remains)
It’s always a good time for some fresh metal. This is the Massachusetts-based band’s 10th album and the first without longtime founding guitarist Oli Herbert (he died in 2018) and drummer Jason Costa (who left in 2023).
2. Everyone Says Hi, Everyone Says Hi (Chrysalis)
Nick Hodgson used to play drums in Kaiser Chiefs. Now he has this new band that also includes members from Kooks and a few other bands. Hodgson loves both Bowie and REM–and it shows. This single was co-written with Justin Parker, co-writer of Lana Del Rey’s “Video Games” and “Stay” by Rihanna. Hodgson himself has written with Dua Lipa.
3. Manic Street Preachers, Critical Thinking (Columbia)
The Manics are still going and still sound great. Established in Wales in 1986, they are on their 14th album of socially- and politically-aware material. In this case, it’s 12 tracks that look critically (the title should give it away) at all the craziness happening in the world right now. If you like what they’ve done up until now, you will not be disappointed.
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