Every Tuesday at WSUM, our Music Director, Izzi, chooses her favorite new releases to add to our music library. Here are this week's favorites, presented to you by WSUM's Music Journalism Club.
Widowspeak, Honeychurch
HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Romeo and Juliet,” “Sanguine.”
GENRE: Indie, folk, sunshine pop.
RIYL: Dehd, Courtney Barnett, Slow Pulp .
Despite Madison's current wintery condition, Honeychurch from Widowspeak is nothing if not evocative of a warm spring. The latest EP from the New York band conjures up scenes of lazy spring days through its use of lush vocals, airy production and an intimate vibe reminiscent of California psych-rock of the 60's. The highlight tracks off of the EP include “Romeo and Juliet” (an indie take on the classic tragedy), and a haunting cover of R.E.M. ‘s “The One I Love.” If you enjoy bands like Dehd, Slow Pulp or Twin Peaks; you will likely enjoy Widowspeak's contribution to the quirky indie-folk tradition. Whether you're spending the day in James Madison Park or walking through the Arboretum, Honeychurch is the perfect soundtrack for soaking in the sunshine and watching the clouds slip by. — Ethan Cook
Tele Novella, Merlynn Belle
HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “It Won't Be Long,” “One Little Pearl,” “Paper Crown”
GENRE: indie folk
RIYL: Sweet Spirit, Agent Ribbons, Lunchbox
Self described on Spotify as “Coin-operated medieval country songs through a 1950s western lens,” Austin based indie folk duo Tele Novella evokes a bygone time with production captured on 8 track, and light, Rosemary Cloony-esque crooning. This album is lushly anachronistic, with baroque period cadences strummed on bright guitar and vocals marked with touches of mid century analog tube gear. The entire thing sounds sepia steeped; an ode to an era that never quite existed. — Sigra DeWeese
Miss Grit, Impostor
HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Impostor,” “Grow Up To”
GENRE: Prog rock, art rock
RIYL: Hachiku, Post Animal, White Reaper
Impostor from New York's Miss Grit is an eclectic mix of experimental tracks that speak to an innovative artist finding her musical footing. The EP weaves intricate fuzz laden guitar riffs with ethereal synths to create catchy and innovative tunes. Often introspective, the songs dissect the many manifestations of self-doubt and the underlying production further elevates the lyrics and speaks to a technical mastery of both the fretboard and mixing board. Impostor often swings between soaring synths and burning guitar lines, putting the production techniques of Miss Grit on full display and leaving the listener hungry for what they concoct next. — Ethan Cook
Katie Dey, urdata
HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Darkness,” “Closeness,” “Data”
GENRE: Hyperpop and indie.
RIYL: 100 gecs, Alex G.
Katie Dey's most recent release provides a great introduction to hyperpop. Her record, urdata, is a remix of her fourth studio album from July 2020, mydata. urdata approaches hyperpop in a digestible and beautiful way. Unlike other popular artists within the genre, Dey compliments her louder songs with softer tracks. The fourth track, “Leaving,” is remixed by Laura Les, one half of 100 gecs. The track is filled to the brim with crashing noises, bumping basses and synth progression that keeps you replaying the track. Alternatively, the last track on the record is a cover of “Data” by Florida native, Tomberlin. Her voice breathes into your ear and wraps up the album charmingly. If you like albums that have range and push genre boundaries, this record is for you. — Izzi Bavis
Babehoven, Yellow Has a Pretty Good Reputation
HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Dissociative Tally,” “Older,” “Dorian” (Yes, the whole EP is consisted of highlights)
GENRE: Bedroom rock, lo-fi, singer-songwriter
RIYL: Dear Nora, Momma, Daniel Johnston, thanks for coming, Girlpool
Babehoven's fourth EP Yellow Has a Pretty Good Reputation, is a welcome introspective shift of sound from the Los Angeles band. The polished standard indie rock production found in some of their older tracks like “Lena” and “Maybe I'm Bitter” are completely replaced by a lo-fi DIY aesthetic in the three song EP. Simplistic acoustic guitar arrangements and 808 drums serve as the backdrop to Maya Bon's spectacular grainy reverb-heavy vocals, making the EP sound like the songwriter's hyperpersonal stream of consciousness. The EP deals with heavy topics like loneliness, depersonification and disassociation, Bon has poured her heart out for these three tracks and her anguish is received by the audience as a cathartic release of emotion. Yellow Has a Pretty Good Reputation is an extremely short yet powerful exercise on the lofi singer-songwriter genre, the closest thing it reminded me of was Daniel Johnston's bedroom cassettes, and Babehoven continues to surprise the scene with this release. The EP is perfect as a winter listen, and I highly recommend it. — Arthur Machado
