Hang in there. March is almost here and after a few weeks doing its “coming in like a lion” thing, we’ll be into daylight saving time, the first day of spring, and warmer weather. To help get you through the last bit of February, here are some distractions courtesy of New Music Friday.
Singles
1. Andy Bell, Don’t Cha Know (Crown Recordings/Big Machine)
Erasure was a massive alt-pop act through the 80s and early 90s. And although Andy Bell is still working with Vince Clarke, Andy is taking a little time to try something on his own. The ten tracks on the upcoming album, Ten Crowns, was written and recorded mostly in Nashville with Dave Audé, a Grammy Award-winning producer and DJ. They last collaborated on a couple of songs in 2014 which did very well on the dance charts.
2. Mumford & Sons, Malibu (Glassnote)
A fifth Mumford & Sons album is set for release on March 28. Two singles have been released thus far: the title track and now this song, which will lead off the album. It’s soft, delicate, and folksy, and was the first song the band (now down to a trio) wrote when they convened in Los Angeles in January 2023. When Rushmere comes out, it’ll be the first M&S album in seven years.
3. Peter Murphy feat. Trent Reznor, Swoon (Metropolis Entertainment)
Trent Reznor, ever the Goth fan, must have leapt at the chance at collaborating with Peter Murphy on this song from Murphy’s forthcoming album, Silver Shade. It’s pretty 80s-sounding with some crunching drum machines down and plenty of echo-y goodness. Trent’s part comes with the second verse.
4. Shinedown, Three Six Five (Atlantic)
Ahead of a headlining show at Madison Square Garden, Shinedown has released two singles, Dance, Kid, and this one, which is “a reminder to stop wasting time and focus on the moments we have right now and treasure time with the ones you love the most.” The band has lost some people close to them recently, so they’re feeling a little vulnerable and clear-eyed right now.
5. Sleigh Bells, Bunky Pop (Mom + Pop)
Last month Sleigh Bells gave us the first single from their upcoming album. This week, we learned that this new album will be called Bunky Becky Birthday Boy and was named in honour of Alexis’ Krauss late beloved dog, Riz. This is literally an anthem to a dog. I can relate.
Albums
1. Killswitch Engage, The Consequence (Metal Blade)
It’s been five years since the last Killswitch Engage album, so they’re due. Vocalist Jesse Leach says this: “ is the combination of everything the past five years has thrown at us as a band, as humans, and society as a whole. This album is just as much about everybody and their stories as it is for me about my journey personally. Sonically, I love the combination of everybody’s ideas and contributions on this album. It feels more like a collaboration than the past few records have been. When all is said and done, I wouldn’t change anything about this album.”
2. The Murder Capital, Blindness (Human Season)
If you’re interested in what Irish post-punk rock sounds like, then check out this fourth album from a Dublin group that was formed in 2018. If you know anything of the band’s past work, you may find this album more experimental and slightly looser.
3. Silverstein, Antibloom (UNFD)
One of the best post-hardcore/emo bands to ever come out of Canada (Hello, Burlington!), Silverstein is now up to eleven albums. But this record is a little more ambitious than most. It’s the first of a two-part project and is introduced by something very melodic and anthemic. And don’t be fooled by the (comparatively) mellow feel of this single. Antibloom is a reference to the harsh environment of the desert. That’s a hint about what this project may be all about.
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