3 Songs: On Repeat (Extended Edition)

The Get Up Kids – “Maybe” (The 90’s emo-punk heroes return today with their first new material since 2011, making their label debut with Polyvinyl, with the 4-song Kicker EP.  Though obviously more mature, the new music from Matt, Jim, James, Rob and Ryan sounds just as energetic, immediately catchy and emotionally-charged as their early days.  Check out the fuzzy guitars and sing-along hooks of the standout opening track here.) https://thegetupkids.bandcamp.com/album/kicker

Stream: https://youtu.be/N8nahxUxclk

Gruff Rhys – “Frontier Man” (As we anxiously await a new Super Furry Animals album, frontman Gruff Rhys returns with his fifth solo album titled, Babelsberg.  Out today on Rough Trade, the new album is timeless yet totally of the times.  With his quirky sense of humor and melody intact, he has added stirringly sublime 60’s pop-inspired orchestral arrangements - from composer Stephen McNeff and performed by the 72-piece BBC National Orchestra of Wales - that contrast perfectly with his politically-charged lyrical themes.  Rhys will also embark on a world tour this fall with a local stop in Columbus on October 13.) http://rtrecs.co/Babelsberg  

Stream: https://youtu.be/7Y6VLjIKwqQ

Erin Rae – “June Bug” (The Nashville singer-songwriter filters her country-leaning folk sound through a dreamy, Jon Brion-like lens on her stunning second album, Putting On Airs, out today on Single Lock.  Rae’s descriptive personal narratives and honeyed voice are ornamented with elements of 70’s California folk-pop, syrupy strings and 60’s psychedelia; the best example being the standout single heard here.) https://www.erinraemusic.com/

Stream: https://youtu.be/fnilmMhivHo

YOB – “Our Raw Heart” (The Oregon-based progressive doom metal trio will release their eighth album, Our Raw Heart, today via Relapse Records.  The unlikely new album almost never happened as frontman Mike Scheidt nearly died of complications from an intestinal disease.  The resulting album is scarred by life yet remains hopeful and full of the thick, slow stoner-esque grooves and enormously heavy riffs that you have come to expect.  Listen to the searing and impassioned title track here.) http://www.yobislove.com/  

Stream: https://yobislove.bandcamp.com/track/our-raw-heart    

Maps & Atlases – “Fall Apart” (After a six year hiatus, the experimental Chicago indie rock band, led by frontman Dave Davison, recently released their long-awaited third album, Lightlessness Is Nothing New, via Barsuk Records.  Previously pigeonholed as math-rock, the band has continuously branched out in new directions and this dynamic new album is no exception; as this breezy and buzzing lead single finds the band showcasing a danceable, festival-ready brand of synth-pop.) https://www.barsuk.com/artists/mapsandatlases         

Stream: https://8af3105b16cd41e3d2c9-7658618cba707c53a734abe748dba7c5.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.com/MapsAndAtlases_FallApart.mp3

The Sidekicks – “Don’t Feel Like Dancing” (The long-running Cleveland-born/Columbus-based indie rock band - led by Steve Ciolek - recently released their highly-anticipated fifth album, Happiness Hours, on Epitaph Records.  Produced by John Agnello, the new album continues their trend toward scruffy yet poppy, folk-leaning indie-rock but with horns and pianos added for good measure.  Ciolek says he “rarely [lets his] nostalgia have power”, but this standout track, from which the quote was taken, is sure to induce nostalgia for the indie rock sound of the 90’s Pacific Northwest variety.) https://sidekicksohio.bandcamp.com/album/happiness-hours     

Stream: https://soundcloud.com/sidekicksohio/dont-feel-like-dancing