Quick Hits To Manage Your Terror #1

The format of the ‘regular’ issues of this newsletter is not really conducive to speaking about recent music releases. It’s something I’m slightly bothered by, as I do listen to new music. In fact, most of the stuff I listen to is recent.

In an effort to get some thoughts out on some of these, here’s a quick rundown of some stuff I’ve been enjoying recently. And with “recently” I mean the last six months. Deal with it.

Drug Church - Tawny

After discussing Drug Church’ Cheer in-depth in the last issue, we now have Tawny to contend with.

An escalation of the previous album’s severe case of laying-it-out-as-it-is-and-fuck-you-I-guess-osity, Tawny goes harder than the band’s previous output and turns up the self-deprecation to 11.

It’s grimy. And I love it.

Favorite lyric: “With so many reasons to hate me, why lie?”

Lucy Dacus - Home Video

Listening to Lucy Dacus’ new album is like having your heart very slowly massaged by soft hands – except now and then they’ll squeeze just a little bit too hard.

A brutally honest collection of memories, presented through Dacus’ soothing singing voice and wrapped in music that has you swaying along. Except when it stings and you wince out of the sway.

Favorite lyric: “You called me “cerebral”, I didn’t know what you meant. But now I do, would it’ve killed you to call me pretty instead?”

Soul Glo - Disnigga Vol. 1+2

Just about the must urgent, innovative and necessary hardcore punk outfit currently around, Soul Glo put out two digital EPs this year. Vol. 1 is heavy on experimentation with different styles, covering anything between rap and screamo.

Vol. 2 throws it in a slightly more traditional direction with three tracks full of chaotic hardcore fury. Combined, both EPs cement the band’s status as one of the best things going in underground music at the moment.

Favorite lyric: “You wonʼt step to us and walk off fine, and Iʼd live laugh love to see you try.”

Angel Du$t - Bigger House

Hey dude, do you just want to, like, listen to some really chill guitar pop? Because Bigger House will provide it. When the sun’s out, go on a long road trip and put this on repeat. You’ll be golden.

A continuation/rework of the Lil House EP that came out, featuring two new songs, the songs from Lil House and a few remixes (which are excellent due to mostly being very restrained), Bigger House will chill you the fuck out.

Favorite lyric: “Came so fast that I nearly missed.”

Ekulu - Unscrew My Head

Okay, there’s not a whole lot to say about this one apart from that it’s from the best trashy, groovy, hardcore crossover band currently around. You want that hard ‘80’s shit? Ekulu’s gotchu fam.

Starting with a weird opening track that sounds like it came from an old Tool album, Unscrew My Head kicks into gear on track two and doesn’t let up until the final note. Mosh it up in your bedroom. Can’t wait to see these cats live.

Favorite lyric: *Cro-Mags-like ripper* “Unscrew my heeeaaaaayaaadddd!”

Fiddlehead - Between the Richness

The soundtrack for summer for old guys like me, truly. Where Fiddlehead’s debut was mostly a meditation on grief, Between the Richness is a retrospective on youth. In way, of course, it also deals with grief, for times gone by, whether remembered fondly or not.

The lyrics have a way of being melancholy, but never dip down into depression too much. Perhaps it’s the upbeat post-punk indie music that uplifts them. Makes for an interesting combination, regardless.

Favorite lyric:

“Such, such, such small towns have a way to slow you down. Yeah, you watch the paint dry and wait for sunrise.”