3 Songs: On Repeat (Extended Edition)

CHVRCHES – “My Enemy” (The Scottish synth-pop trio return with Love Is Dead, their third album, out today on Glassnote Records.  The new album was produced by slick pop-producer extraordinaire, Greg Kurstin and Lauren Mayberry and crew have created an even more pop-forward sound while remaining experimental with their already glossy sound.  The standout track heard here, is a dark duet with The National’s Matt Berninger as his booming baritone contrasts perfectly with Mayberry’s lighter, brighter voice.) https://chvrch.es/

Stream: https://youtu.be/fKuxh0E9mSI

Jo Passed – “Glass” (The Vancouver-based art-rock band led by frontman Jo Hirabayashi is set to release their highly-anticipated debut album and label debut for Sub Pop.  The album titled, Their Prime, is truly one of a kind; the songs are noisy and nervy yet dreamy, sounding like Fugazi covering the White Album alongside the quirky pop sense of XTC.  Check out the wiry guitars and off-kilter post-rock rhythms of the standout single, “Glass” here.)  https://www.subpop.com/artists/jo_passed         

Stream: https://jopassed.bandcamp.com/track/glass

Ruler – “Get To You” (After previously playing with Rocky Votolato and Cataldo, Seattle singer-songwriter Matt Batey – performing under the moniker, Ruler - will release his debut album, Winning Star Champion today on hometown label, Barsuk.  As Ruler, Batey evokes the Pacific Northwest perfectly as he slips effortlessly between blipping synth-pop and guitar-led indie-rock and addresses personal issues such as anxiety with aplomb.  Listen to the bouncy, synth-driven single here.) https://www.barsuk.com/artists/ruler    

Stream: https://youtu.be/crwkcfP6bjI

Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks – “Refute” (Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks recently released a new album titled, Sparkle Hard, via Matador Records.  The new album is the perfect combination of Malkmus and Mike Clark, Jake Morris and Joanna Bolme’s strengths as a band; where their jammy, prog-rock tendencies give way to acoustic folk and twangy country tunes, with room to spare for new experiments with auto-tune.  The heavily fuzzed-out punk of single, “Shiggy” with its catchy, shouted refrain is an album highlight, as is “Refute”, a country-leaning Silver Jews-esque duet with Kim Gordon, heard here.)        

Stream: http://smarturl.it/Refute

Lithics – “Excuse Generator” (The Portland art-punks are set to release their sophomore album, Mating Surfaces, today on Kill Rock Stars.  Led by vocalist Aubrey Hornor and her sardonic wit along with guitarist Mason Crumley and the rhythm section of bassist Bob Desaulniers and drummer Wiley Hickson; the quartet creates a twitchy, frantically unhinged yet danceable underground post-punk and New Wave hybrid that channels the sound and aesthetic of late 70’s/early 80’s NYC but with a modern twist.  Be sure to catch Lithics on tour right now with Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks!) https://lithics.bandcamp.com/album/mating-surfaces

Stream: https://soundcloud.com/killrockstars/01-excuse-generator