Post-Punk
Des Rocs Announces Debut Album, Unleashes Anthemic New Single “MMC”: Stream
Rising alt-rocker Des Rocs has announced his debut album, A Real Good Person in a Real Bad Place, which will arrive September 24th via 300 Entertainment. In advance of the LP’s release, the New York-based artist has unleashed the infectious and eclectic single “MMC.” “MMC” takes the listener on a wide-ranging ride of musical genres, with a guitar-heavy intro leading into post-punk verses and a sing-along anthemic chorus. At the 3:10 mark, the tune suddenly shifts into a vaudevillian piano number, with Des Rocs momentarily taking on the role of a throwback crooner. Speaking about the song in a press release, Des Rocs said, “‘MMC’ is about people who are obsessed with being anything but themselves. It’s a roller coaster of a record that was written all at once in this kinda chaotic catharsis...
The Psychedelic Furs Announce 2021 Tour Dates
<span class="localtime" data-ltformat="F j, Y | g:ia" data-lttime="2021-06-01T18:38:09+00:00“>June 1, 2021 | 2:38pm ET The Psychedelic Furs have announced a 2021 headlining tour of Europe and North America in support of their 2020 comeback album Made of Rain. For their first new LP in three decades, the Furs had planned some tour dates that were subsequently cancelled due to the coronavirus. Now, the comeback is picking up right where it left off. This 35-date storm kicks off in Indianapolis, IN on September 15th. After a brief stand in the American midwest, including Summerfest 2021, the New Wave legends will decamp for the UK, lingering through October, but returning October 15th to sweep through the Sun Belt supported by Royston Langston of Spac...
Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood Debut New Post-Punk Band The Smile at Glastonbury: Video + Setlist
<span class="localtime" data-ltformat="F j, Y | g:ia" data-lttime="2021-05-23T02:41:47+00:00“>May 22, 2021 | 10:41pm ET Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood presented their new band, The Smile, during a surprise appearance at Glastonbury’s Live at Worthy Farm webcast on Saturday. Also featuring jazz drummer Tom Skinner (Sons of Kemet, Matthew Herbert), The Smile only revealed their existence hours before the livestream officially kicked off. The group’s name is derived from a Ted Hughes poem. The Smile began their Glastonbury set by performing the unreleased Radiohead song “Skirting On The Surface” before debuting seven entirely new compositions. According to a setlist posted to Radiohead accountant Ade Bullock, song ti...
Des Rocs Announces 2021 US Headlining Tour
<span class="localtime" data-ltformat="F j, Y | g:ia" data-lttime="2021-05-18T22:39:01+00:00“>May 18, 2021 | 6:39pm ET Rising rocker Des Rocs will embark on his first-ever headlining U.S. tour this fall. The New York musician’s outing will run from late September until early November. Des Rocs has been making waves the past couple years with a post-punk vibe that’s heavy, melodic, and theatrical at the same time. He released the EP This Is Our Life in December, with the title track making a strong impact on active rock and alternative radio. The tour will kick off September 28th in Detroit and run through a November 4th hometown show in New York City. Prior to the first gig, Des Rocs will play Delaware’s Firefly festival alongside such acts as Billie Ei...
Squid Release Debut Album Bright Green Field: Stream
<span class="localtime" data-ltformat="F j, Y | g:ia" data-lttime="2021-05-07T16:39:22+00:00“>May 7, 2021 | 12:39pm ET Brighton post-punk group Squid have just released their debut album, Bright Green Field. Stream it below via Apple Music and Spotify. Bright Green Field spans 11 tracks in total, including the previously released singles “Paddling” and “Narrator”. Squid went all in when creating the record, which can be heard in the 30-person choir, the horn and string ensemble, and their strange use of field recordings of bees. Props to producer Dan Carey (black midi, Bat For Lashes, Hot Chip) for making it all work together in a way that’s not too far off from LCD Soundsystem’s weirder moments. Back in March, we caught up with the five-piece band abou...
Liars Announce New Album The Apple Drop, Share “Sekwar”: Stream
<span class="localtime" data-ltformat="F j, Y | g:ia" data-lttime="2021-05-05T13:00:41+00:00“>May 5, 2021 | 9:00am ET Electronic punk outfit Liars has announced its new album The Apple Drop. It’s out August 6th on Mute, and you can catch a preview with lead single “Sekwar”. When last we heard from Liars, Aaron Hemphill had amicably departed the band and Liars was the sole project of Angus Andrew. He put out 2017’s TCFC and 2018’s Titles with the Word Fountain with little outside assistance, but now Andrew has returned in a collaborative mood. The Apple Drop was made with avant-garde jazz drummer Laurence Pike, multi-instrumentalist Cameron Deyell, and lyricist Mary Pearson Andrew. “For the first time I embraced collaboratio...
Iceage Bring the Storm on Fifth Album Seek Shelter: Review
<span class="localtime" data-ltformat="F j, Y | g:ia" data-lttime="2021-05-04T04:00:21+00:00“>May 4, 2021 | 12:00am ET The Lowdown: Danish rock experimentalists Iceage will return with their fifth album Seek Shelter on May 7, just a few days past the three-year anniversary of their 2018 acclaimed album Beyondless. Seek Shelter acts as Iceage’s own sonic laboratory, where they test hypotheses about introducing a significantly wider array of soundscapes into their catalogue. Seek Shelter is proof positive that these experiments paved the way to successful results, as it’s the band’s most inventive album to date. Their latest not only illustrates the breadth of Iceage’s range, but also that they’re not afraid to creatively roll the dice — and in the case o...
IDLES Announce “Beauty from Ashes” US Tour for Fall 2021
<span class="localtime" data-ltformat="F j, Y | g:ia" data-lttime="2021-04-27T18:30:51+00:00“>April 27, 2021 | 2:30pm ET IDLES are returning to the US for the first time in two years with the newly announced “Beauty from Ashes” 2021 tour. This is the post-punk outfit’s first opportunity to tour in support of last year’s Ultra Mono, a good album with the bad fortune to drop during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bristol five-piece will alight in Saint Paul, Minnesota on October 7th before speeding through a 21-date trek with support from New York rockers Gustaf and Portland punks Lithics. The tour wraps in Seattle on November 9th, and you can get tickets here. Since sharing Ultra Mono last year, IDLES have been busily supporting projects from o...
Lost Album Mutator by Late Suicide Frontman Alan Vega Finally Released: Stream
<span class="localtime" data-ltformat="F j, Y | g:ia" data-lttime="2021-04-23T15:43:07+00:00“>April 23, 2021 | 11:43am ET The lost album Mutator from late Suicide singer Alan Vega is out now via Sacred Bones. To celebrate the release, a new archival video for “Muscles” has been unveiled. Mutator was recorded from 1996 to 1998 in New York City by Vega and with his wife and longtime collaborator Liz Lamere. The songs were unearthed in 2019 by Lamere and Vega confidant Jared Artaud from the singer’s vast archive of unreleased music. The first singles “Nike Soldier” and “Fist” showcased Vega’s unrelenting creative spirit and knack for beguiling wordplay. The fact that these songs sat in the vault is a testament to just how prolific Vega was, steadily releas...
Helmet Cover Gang of Four’s “In the Ditch” for First New Track in Five Years: Stream
<span class="localtime" data-ltformat="F j, Y | g:ia" data-lttime="2021-04-21T19:18:33+00:00“>April 21, 2021 | 3:18pm ET Alt-metal veterans Helmet have unveiled their cover of Gang of Four’s “In the Ditch” from the upcoming tribute album The Problem of Leisure: A Celebration of Andy Gill and Gang of Four, due June 4th. The song marks Helmet’s first new track in nearly five years. As previously reported, The Problem of Leisure: A Celebration of Andy Gill and Gang of Four is a tribute to the pioneering post-punk band and their late singer-guitarist, who passed away last year. Among the other artists contributing tracks are Tom Morello & Serj Tankian, Flea & John Frusciante, Gary Numan, IDLES, and more. Helmet, like so many other bands, owe a great...
Wu-Lu Quietly Rages on Simmering New Song “Times”: Stream
<span class="localtime" data-ltformat="F j, Y | g:ia" data-lttime="2021-04-14T21:54:39+00:00“>April 14, 2021 | 5:54pm ET South London multi-instrumentalist and producer Wu-Lu, aka Miles Romans-Hopcraft, has unveiled a simmering new song titled “Times”. Wu-Lu self-produced the track, which features drumming by Morgan Simpson of black midi. It quietly rages beneath the surface like turn-of-the-century alternative rock, but never reaches the thrashing crescendo of his previous single, “South”. As he explained in a press statement, the song is about self-discovery and coming of age in these turbulent times. He said, “It’s of understanding that with time comes wisdom. Living life teaches us everything we can to bounce back, we are made of more than...
Posthumous Alan Vega Song “Fist” Unveiled: Stream
Last month, Sacred Bones announced the release of a long-lost solo album from the late Suicide singer Alan Vega. The record, titled Mutator, is due out next month, and today the label is releasing its second single, “Fist”. Similar to album’s initial preview, “Nike Soldier”, this cut is five minutes of grim yet playful post-punk from one of the best to ever do it. The song has a sleek and rubbery industrial groove that Vega chants “fist” over with the domineering emphasis of a comic book villain. It’s the type of song that’s equally perfect for a wild night at a steamy club or with the lights low in the comfort of your own home. Take a listen below. Vega, who died in 2016, sadly isn’t here to comment on the specific intentions of this song, but a couple of his close collaborators...
