“Run a Little Faster”
Don’t be deceived by the lo-fi static or brevity of Blammo’s “Run a Little Faster”—this song is seriously dense. Over a frantic 1:07, the Atlanta trio swarm and bounce like electrons careening in an atom, emitting enough energy to shatter the microscope if you look too close. – RR
“1-800-PAIN”
Even though it’s one of the darker tracks from Breathers’ full-length debut, Designed to Break, hearing Lee Gunselman’s agitated yelp of “PAIN!” is both cathartic and energizing. Without question it’s one of the pivotal vocal performances of the year, set against one hell of a frenetic electropop jam. – RR
“Quittin’ Time”
Brother Hawk have been making emotion-soaked rock and blues for the better part of a decade now, and “Quittin’ Time” sits nowhere if not squarely in the band’s wheelhouse. Part soulful anthem, part gale-force ripper, the track wisely places JB Brisendine’s booming vocals and searing licks front and center, and surrounds them with just the right mix of muscular rhythms and arena-ready grooves. – GC
“Television Girl”
I can’t think of many singers in the scene that wring as much out of every syllable as Melanie Paulos, and “Television Girl” finds the vocalist at her most affecting. For all its sweet sentiment and coy lyrics, there’s a palpable tension that courses through the song, actuated by Paulos’ striking voice and the way she contorts certain notes into a resonant warble. If Chick Wallace can hunker down and settle into a consistent lineup, who knows who far they can go. – GC
“Splat”
If you haven’t yet hipped yourself to the mutated sounds of Crispin Wah’s so-called “shred-gaze,” now would be the time to get familiar. And there is perhaps no better entry point into the band’s twisted aesthetic than the spring-loaded “Splat,” which writhes and seethes with its own unique and exuberant energy. – GC
“Coming to Terms”
You can’t turn the car around until you realize you’re driving in the wrong direction. Crosstalk mastermind Jake Crimmins knows their way around the open road, but the path to self-improvement could be the toughest trip they’ve ever planned out. That’s the gist of “Coming to Terms,” and the fuzzed-out finale mirrors the existential catharsis that follows when you can finally feel the steering wheel in your grip. – LA
“Reform School”
For all its noisy clatter, “Reform School” maintains an ecstatic sense of propulsive movement and scorched melody that help counter its abrasive underpinnings. It’s a surprisingly dancey and transportive cut that invokes a singular sense of time and place without directly aping the industrial trappings that inform the song’s mechanical framework. Who said discord couldn’t be beautiful?– GC
“Casting Spells”
Time and again, Louie Duffelbags and Boothlord have proven themselves to be the masters of midnight atmosphere and narcotic hooks. The duo’s latest offering, Danger Reality, takes their airy yet grimy aesthetic and strips away any excess, resulting in a half-dozen streamlined bangers that are all killer, no filler. “Casting Spells” may just be the best of the bunch—a bouncy, addictive number that glides along seemingly without a care in the world. – Avery Shepherd
“Under the Gun”
Despite it’s euphoric rush, “Under the Gun” tackles much darker themes than its ragged guitars and fist-pumping energy would suggest. Beneath its rollicking garage rock exterior is an examination of how entitlement and narcissism breeds isolation and contempt for others. Overall, it makes for some pretty grim and rocky terrain, but thankfully Deep State never take their foot off the gas. – GC
“Lately”
Nearly four years removed from her last record, producer Faye Andrews, aka Deku, returned this year with her radiant new LP, Golden Being, and its equally luminous lead single “Lately.” Perfect for a sticky summer dance party or casual day drinking by the pool, the lush, tropical vibes will leave a smile on your face and a spring in your step. – GC