STRFKR "Being No One, Going Nowhere Remixes (Polyvinyl)"
On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest, what would you rate your fandom of 2016’s STRFKR LP Being No One, Going Nowhere. If you’re anything over like… say… 6, then do I have good news for you! (and if you’re lower than a 6 I have some bad news for you… you should reexamine your tastes in music.) The cool peeps at Polyvinyl are releasing a remix collection of that aforementioned album, featuring reimaginings from artists like Chrome Sparks, Xiu Xiu, Juan MacLean, and tons more. Check out the silky smooth Chrome Sparks redo of “Open Your Eyes.”
Little Ugly Girls "Little Ugly Girls (Chapter Music)"
The debut LP from Australia’s Little Ugly Girls has been 20+ years in the making. They made their bones touring live, never having released more than a handful of CDRs. They’ve opened for Fugazi, The White Stripes, and Bikini Kill, all before they ever released a proper album. Well this self-titled debut on Chapter Music is here to change that story, my friend. Full of high energy tunes, punishing drums, and guitars feeding back, it’s quite a trick to sound this punk and vital on your debut LP when you’ve been at it longer than 2 decades. For evidence of this, check out the first single “Tractor.”
Shy Boys "Bell House (Polyvinyl)"
With a sound that falls somewhere between The Beach Boys at their most reclusive and sandbox-y and the best of California greats Love, Shy Boys are here to bring the ‘60s back in all their harmonious glory. The Kansas City weirdos are here with Bell House, their first LP since signing to Polyvinyl. Likely to be the soundtrack of your summer, and also next summer, and the one after that too. Throw in a few winters, an autumn or two, and a melange of springs… What I’m saying is that these dudes are a welcome tonic for a confusing present by mixing in the best of the past. Smile along to the CSNY/Fleet Foxes sounds of “Tragic Loss.”
Spider Bags "Someday Everything Will Be Fine (Merge)"
Spider Bags are back with their second record on Merge Records. But really, it feels like their first. Having left behind the trappings of modern recording, Someday Everything Will Be Fine was laid to tape a legendary Tascam 388-warts and all. The result is a garage rock take on crafted songwriter-y artists a la Tom Petty and Bob Dylan (ESPECIALLY Dylan on the whiskey soaked “My Heart Is A Flame In Reverse.” So if you’re looking for a rough around the edges, classic rock ‘n’ roll time-I’m talking like period piece about the ‘70s-then look no further than this! Check out the aforementioned best Dylan song Dylan didn’t write, “My Heart Is A Flame In Reverse.”