Sunflower Dead “Turn Away” (Radio Edit) June 2019
Relaxing acoustic guitar quickly surrenders to screamo rock with heavy guitars, along with the occasional German metal-style whisper singing. I can totally imagine locking the door to my bedroom and listening to this song superloud on the headphones, singing along and crying. This anti-suicide song can join the pantheon of Bowie’s Rock-n-Roll Suicide and REM’s Everybody Hurts. They also have a clean black and white video that focuses on the rock, and the band members look like grown-ups.
Possum “Party Jam” from Space Grade Assembly, June 2019
Cymbal crashing, drum bashing with 60s garage psychedelic voices. Like Sonic Youth and Butthole Surfers, they use feedback as an instrument. Head bangable, but you can also imagine barefoot girls in flowy dresses doing spinning dances to it. They don’t get caught in the Black Sabbath trap as with their other single from Space Grade Assembly, “The Hills.”
Thee Oh Sees “Henchlock” from Face Stabber August 2019
We have been in love with the Thee Oh Sees ever since catching them live at an outdoor festival, where they are definitely in their element. Sometimes they sound like Hendrix with their soaring guitars screaming into the sky. The rhythm section is locked in tight, with sound effects from tamborines and maybe children’s pianos. I don’t know if it’s good or bad that at the ten-minute mark I forgot I was listening to it.
Horse Jumper of Love “Nature” “Airport” and “Poison” from So Divine June 2019
Nice bass in the forefront with light fairy flute sounds. The voices singing in unison are ethereal and pretty, similar to Royal Trucks, never jolting you out of the groove. Then there is a surprise cacophony of feedback breaking the spell. There is also a slow, hypnotic element to their music. This would be nice to listen to on acid. In the desert.
