Coto and the Plagues (2021)
Los Angeles trio, Coto and the Plagues, initially united around a passion for lo-fi horror films. While the band’s eleven track debut rarely makes direct reference to any element of cinematic history, their music parallels the dark mood of horror culture’s massive timeline. Coto and the Plagues recalls the peak of goth rock and new-wave as though it were straight out of a 1980’s slasher film.
Bianca (2021)
Mike Bones has been a cherished guitarist in New York City’s music scene for years. His band Weak Signal’s second album reinforces this reputation, and includes some of the band’s most well-written work to date. Bianca is a post-punk record that parallels the grit that has controlled his city for decades.
Live & Contagious (2021)
For fifteen years, Nat Brower has gradually created an eclectic catalog of solo tunes, ranging from lo-fi garage rock to his more recent glam rock revival ballads. On Live & Contagious, Brower takes his recent years to a “live” setting, and delivers a career-spanning forty minute set.
Sleep Cycle (2016)
The seven year process between announcing and releasing Deakin’s only solo record, Sleep Cycle, created an uncertainty as to whether or not it would ever be completed. Although Deakin’s physical presence appears on about half of Animal Collective recordings, his six track self-released solo endeavor sheds light on the overwhelming impact of his sound and perspective.
Getting Stranger (2021)
Los Angeles-based garage rocker Grady Strange has a sound that spans across 60 years of psychedelic rock. At a time in which there is a rise in melancholic music created throughout the pandemic, Strange counters the trend with his mesmerizing debut LP, Getting Stranger. The ten track fuzz driven album is an all encompassing trippy journey that recalls a time when lighthearted fun was welcomed as an everyday normalcy.
Luminol (2021)
Multi-instrumentalist Madeline Johnston’s catalog is comprised of several albums that primarily examine themes of tragedy, grief, and mortality. Her most recent record as Midwife explores her past year in a state of tense isolation throughout the pandemic. Luminol effortlessly combines elements of shoegaze, post-rock and hints of ambient music a cross six emotional tracks.
Myrtle Soup (2021)
Like most of the world, British-based indie rocker John Myrtle spent most of the past year alone in his home amid the global pandemic. His new LP, Myrtle Soup, was created during his time in isolation, driven by internal uneasiness from a sudden lack of scheduled structure. A massive amount of pandemic-based art created over the past twelve months focuses on mortality, destruction and the end of the world. Myrtle’s debut avoids this cliche, and instead centers his pleasant ten-track debut on the feeling of having too much time, rather than not enough.
OEA (2021)
Adam Schubert wrote the majority of his debut solo record, OEA, in a substance abuse recovery center. Under a recently rebranded alias as Ulna, the singer/songwriter faces a series of bleak emotions and tragic events, creating a gripping record that unfolds like an inspirational coping mechanism for others who may also need help.
Head of the Household (2021)
On their new record, Head of the Household, Birthday Ass masterfully intertwine jazz, punk, and noise influences across nine animated tracks. The experimental sextet have found their footing on their second album, combing a deep understanding of music theory with traditional indie rock, making them a strong addition to the ongoing legacy that is New York City’s art-rock scene.
Stocky Tunes (2021)
Hershguy and Josephine each play a key role in a criminally underrated glam rock worship collective based in New York City. On their first project as a standalone duo, two comedic personalities deliver an elaborate and timeless rock n’ roll record. Even at it’s most ridiculous moments, every minute of Stocky Tunes is a captivating display of exceptional musicianship.