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: Rob Lambert
Breathers – “Low in the Sky”
From the forthcoming LP, Designed to Break
Well, here we are, in an age of alternative pop music. Even in the peak of the ‘80s, though, synth princes Breathers would’ve been unlikely stars. While many new wave artists merely crooned arbitrary love songs, this trio uses their glitzy platform to draw attention to corruption and wonky urban planning in the city. For the pristine vista of “Low in the Sky,” the gang seem to tap on a more panoramic paranoia. Granted, as you follow the sun through this glittering dome, where we behold majestic reflections of Roxy Music, Thompson Twins, and China Crisis, you likely won’t feel the same knee-shaking shuffle as the protagonist. But that’s fine—Breathers finally have an entire album to unravel their point, so we’ll have to tune in next week to find out what happens next. – Lee Adcock
Designed to Break is out Sept. 12 via Irrelevant Music. Pre-orders are available here.
Breathers will celebrate the release of Designed to Break on Sat., Sept. 22 at 529 alongside Video Age, Celia Verbeck, and Shouldies. Doors open at 9 p.m. Admission is $8 in advance, $10 DOS. 21+ to enter.
More Info
Bandcamp: breathers.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @breathersmusic
Instagram: @breathers.biz
SoundCloud: @breathers
Twitter: @BreathersATL
Credit: Tamir Kalifa
Lonnie Holley – “Sometimes I Wanna Dance”
From the forthcoming LP, MITH
Coming off the dark and unnerving cacophony of “I Woke Up in a Fucked-Up America,” the second single from Lonnie Holley’s upcoming LP, MITH, feels positively buoyant. And why not? After all, who doesn’t feel like dancing sometimes—to cast aside fear, worry, and pain, and exult in the freedom of rhythm and movement. Featuring piano by multi-instrumentalist and fellow cult artist Laraaji, “Sometimes I Wanna Dance” acknowledges both sides of the equation, or more specifically, how such a physical and joyous act can liberate one from the often brutal injustices of life, even if for just a few moments. He’s a wise man that Holley, and you do well to heed his words. Or better yet, just get to dancing. – Guillermo Castro
MITH is out Sept. 21 via Jagjaguwar. Pre-orders are available here.
More Info
Web: lonnieholley.com
Bandcamp: lonnieholley.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @LonnieHolley
Instagram: @lonnieholleysuniverse
Twitter: @lonnieholley
Twin Studies – “Still Life”
From the standalone single
Is it bad that I knew exactly what this song was going to sound like? Despite some lineup changes over the past few years, Twin Studies’ striated interpretations of dream pop have never seemed aimless, in part because the band has always remained anchored to guitarist and vocalist Jay Stanley’s guidance. On their new track “Still Life,” the band return from a few months of silence with pastel waterfall chords that reinforce their move away from the abrasive shoegaze elements the group has experimented with in the past. What remains are the crisp notes of timeless pop structures which serve as a reminder that consistency is sometimes worth a dash of predictability. – Russell Rockwell
Twin Studies will perform on Mon., Sept. 17 at 529 alongside Sugar Candy Mountain and the Pink Stones. Doors open at 9 p.m. Admission is $10. 21+ to enter.
More Info
Bandcamp: twinstudies.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @TwinStudies
Instagram: @twinstudies
SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/twinstudies