Look, we know we throw a lot of new music at you. We also know that not everyone who comes to this site has the time to be as involved with or informed about the local scene as maybe they’d like to be. So for those casual readers who either can’t or have no interest in keeping up with the parade of artists we try to cover, who may not know the difference between Bitter and Biters, we have created our TRIPLE THREAT feature. The premise is simple: every Friday our writers will put their heads together and come up with three tracks that grabbed our attention over that week. Then we tell you why the songs are great and worth listening to. That’s it. Maybe some weeks we’ll have a guest commentator come in and share their favorites, but the format will always remain the same: three songs, some words, and we out. Enjoy.
Credit: Titouan Massé
Algiers – “Cleveland”
From the upcoming LP, The Underside of Power
Algiers have never been accused of taking on trivial enemies, and on “Cleveland” they go straight for the throat of America’s ever-expanding police state. The track’s name is a reference to the city where Tamir Rice was gunned down, and throughout the explosive cut the group proclaim the names of victims of police violence with righteous indignation. The trap-inspired production is massive, colliding with the oppression they rail against like waves against a derelict structure. Much like their 2015 debut, the track’s flickering rays of hope are often lost within the choking thorns of tyranny and racism, but this honest confrontation of reality imbues the band with a spiritual certainty and collateral power which resounds throughout the song and brings the darkest deeds of humanity to light. – Russell Rockwell
Algier’s sophomore LP, The Underside of Power, is out June 23 via Matador Records. Pre-orders are available here.
More Info
Web: algierstheband.com
Facebook: @algierstheband
Instagram: @algierstheband
SoundCloud: @algiers
Twitter: @AlgiersMusic
Four Eyes – “Everyone I Know (Will Die)”
From the standalone single
These muggy days of June may not be built for the wintry chill of Four Eyes’ latest single, but given the dark cloud that seems to have enveloped our national consciousness, “Everyone I Know (Will Die)” may have arrived at just the right time. Erin Lovett’s solo project has always maintained an Elliott Smith-like predilection towards airing existential laundry, and here the Athens songstress explores themes of fear and uncertainty in the face of an unknown future that will eventually swallow us all. It’s not all gloom and doom, however, because beyond the dark, pensive lyrics lies a gorgeous folk ballad rich in alluring melodies and stunning harmonies. – Guillermo Castro
More Info
Bandcamp: foureyesathens.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @FourEyesAthens
SoundCloud: @erinlovett
Ted is Missing – “Untitle”
From the EP, May 7th, 2017
Ted is missing! Have you seen Ted? I have no idea what he looks like, except that he’s actually three people, and they’re all a bit frazzled. My guess, from the sound of “Untitle,” is that we might find them in transit to the train station, to pick up their lover/not lover. Oh, come on, you’ve had a lover/not lover before, haven’t you? That is, a friend that you adore like a lover, but can’t call them such, because… reasons? Well, anywho, that’s where the collective Ted is going, and they’ve likely got Split Enz and Franz Ferdinand blaring from their speaks on the way. If you see them, tell them to call home, OK? Their roommates are worried sick. – Lee Adcock
More Info
Bandcamp: tedismissing.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @HesOneCoolCat