How’s it been getting back to work or school? Maybe you need some fresh tunes to keep you motivated. If so, here are the Five Songs You Must Hear This Week.
1. KennyHoolla, Orphan
rebirth//renaissance (Arista)
Recommended If You Like: Alt with a side of Blink.
KennyHoopla (born Kenneth La’ron Beasley from Cleveland) has found a sweet spot that includes indie rock, pop-punk, New Wave, and dance punk. There are three albums and one EP in his catalogue, including a couple of productions with Blink-182’s Travis Barker. This record got help from Zac Farro from Paramore. I’m pretty sure there’s something here for everyone.
2. Wolf Alice, White Horses
The Clearing (Warner)
RIYL: Female-fronted rage that’s been tamped down a bit.
We’ve been hearing about this English band’s fourth album since the spring, when they started releasing advance singles. Produced in LA by Gret Kurstin (a good buddy of Dave Grohl). They describe the album (which came out this past Friday), as “something close to if Fleetwood Mac wrote an album today in North London” and with a little Guns N’ Roses tossed in.
3. Of Monsters and Men, Ordinary Creature
All is Love and Pain in the Mouse Parade (Virgin Music/Red Light)
RIYL: Whatever they’re doing in Iceland to crank out so many cool bands
Heading up to Iceland, we find Of Monsters and Men preparing their first album in six years. They describe the project as “a beautifully tangled tapestry of sound and feeling, diving into the eternal tug-of-war between joy and heartbreak.” And mice, of course. I think.
4. The Charlatans UK, We Are Love
We Are Love (BMG)
RIYL: Madchester survivors
Born in Manchester in 1988, The Charlatans UK are the longest-lasting of all the Madchester bands of the era. They’ve never broken up, never taken a break. Now up to their 14th album, they’ve spent a lot of time with “hauntology” (the study of spooky spectral things) and “psychogeography” (the exploration of urban environments and their connections to people). How does that translate to an album? We’ll find out on October 31. Meanwhile, here’s the first single.
5. Ho9909, Incline ft. Pink Siif, Nova Twins, and Yung Skrt
Tomorrow We Escape (Last Gang)
RIYL: Something in the realm of Rage Against the Machine
LA-based duo Ho99o9 (i.e., “HORROR,” featuring theOGM and Eaddy) is hard to describe. They fuse punk, metal, industrial, experimental hip-hop, digital hardcore, and more. And then there are their politics. Looking for something aggressive? These are your guys. Their third album is now out.
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