BY: Music Journalism Club

Every Tuesday, our Music Director, Claire, chooses new releases to add to our music library. Here are some recent highlights, presented to you by WSUM’s Music Journalism Club.

SOPHIE, SOPHIE

HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Reason Why”, “Live In My Truth”, “Exhilarate”

GENRE: Electronic, hyperpop

RIYL: A.G. Cook, Shygirl, Charli xcx

In early 2021, news broke about the tragic passing of Sophie Xeon. Sophie, who went by the mononym of SOPHIE, was a groundbreaking producer and artist who worked with so many popular artists and songwriters, such as Charli xcx, Lady Gaga, and Kim Petras, to name a few. She pioneered the sound of hyperpop and contributed so much to the sound of pop and electronic music in the mainstream. This album, a posthumous release of projects that she had been working on before her death, lives as a memorial to the great artist and producer. Full of collaborations that show off the versatility and grit of the sound she was producing and the overall personality of SOPHIE herself, even after all this time without her. Songs like “Reason Why”, “Live In My Truth”, and “Exhilarate” show off her prowess in the pop music scene and how her influence can extend even after her death. This album is a perfect time capsule of what once was.

–Jordon Stangland

Tanukichan, Circles

HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “It Gets Easier (feat. Wisp),” “Low,” “City Bus”

GENRE: Shoegaze

RIYL: Alvvays – “Blue Rev,” Slowdive – “everything is alive,” yeule – “softscars”

Circles is a beautifully produced EP by California’s Hannah van Loon, aka Tanukichan. The dreamy shoegaze production combined with the themes of self-reflection creates a sound like a night drive in the big city, allowing for a beautifully somber EP. Standing at only five songs and thirteen minutes long, Circles is truly short and sweet, and very worth giving a listen.

– Joseph Martino

Xiu Xiu – 13” Frank Beltrame Italian Stiletto with Bison Horn Grips

HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Arp Omni”, “Pale Flower”, “Sleep Blvd.” “T.D.F.T.W”, “Piña, Coconut, & Cherry”

GENRE: Noise, experimental rock, pop

RIYL: Deerhoof, Swans

Xiu Xiu gets as noisy and experimental as possible on their 14th chaotically-named album 13” Frank Beltrame Italian Stiletto With Bison Horn Grips (a title apparently based on a switchblade knife that frontperson Jamie Stewart owns). This is certainly not your typical pop or rock album. It’s organized chaos – something as fresh and intriguing as it is bizarre or outlandish. It seems we are taken on a journey of one’s love for someone else from start to finish based on opening track’s “Arp Omni”, a heartfelt, orchestral soft ballad (only one of its kind on the album) to closing track “Piña, Coconut, & Cherry” which results in panicked outburst and desperation. A big contrast. We see all the hardships and emotions in between represented in the middle tracks, featuring a wide variety of sound effects, instruments, and moods. Much experimentation is happening here that certainly some chemical reactions are taking place. Everything from buzzes to xylophones to twinkly synths on this thing and more, leading to a chaotic, mind-boggling sound. While all tracks are exploratory and you never know what sound you’ll get for each one, some feature more catchy distorted guitar riffs and drones (“Common Loon”, “Veneficium”), some have a dreaminess to them (“Pale Flower”), while others are more out there, ominous, even frightening and have this shakiness to them (“T.D.F.T.W.”, “Bobby Bland”). Lyrically, there seems to be a lot of mystical, surreal, or supernatural imagery represented relating to human experiences, really allowing for some thought-provoking mind visuals. Some more obvious themes include making mistakes, overcoming fear, and a multitude of angles concerning relationships. The vocals on this thing are unique and unlike any other albums I’ve heard – very raw and emotional, with everything from gentleness to quivering panic to scream-crying. I honestly don’t really know who to compare them to or who else they sound like – perhaps their closest contemporaries are the band Deerhoof (whom they have collaborated with in the past). Overall, Jamie Stewart and Angela Seo take us on a 36-minute trip through the dreamlike demise of one’s relationship on this new Xiu Xiu album. If you’re into experimental, energetic sounds and some deep-cutting emotional or dramatic strength, this album is certainly worth checking out.

– Julian Wood

Pale Waves, Smitten

HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Glasgow”, “Perfume”, “Hate to Hurt You”

GENRE: Synth pop/rock

RIYL: Muna, The 1975, The Japanese House

Upon the first listen of this album, I could not find a single song that I wasn’t nodding my head to. This most recent venture by Manchester-based Pale Waves gives the energy of 90s alternative pop mixed with early 2000s pop/punk mixed with the modern-sounding synth-pop that is dominating the indie/alternative scene. With so many great tracks it’s so hard to narrow it down to a couple to talk about. “Glasgow”, the opener on the album, is a glorious synth-y pop rock song full of echoing guitars and driving beats, that feels very relevant to the current scene of music right now. “Perfume” feels like a Cocteau Twins song, complete with all the reverb and huge snare hits. “Hate to Hurt You” sounds just like The 1975’s early music, however, it feels fresh and new. Overall, Pale Waves’ Smitten is a great no-skip album that reinforces the current state of indie pop and will stand the test of time.

–Jordon Stangland

Origami Angel – Feeling Not Found

STANDOUT TRACKS: “Where Blue Light Blooms,” “Fruit Wine,” “Viral”

GENRE: Emo, rock, pop punk

RIYL: glass beach, Neck Deep

Origami Angel truly fits into their own genre. I first discovered them through their 2019 project, Somewhere City, which quickly became my favorite album of all time. Since then, Origami Angel has continuously created their own space and cultivated their own diehard fanbase in the pop punk community. Once you start liking Origami Angel, you can’t stop. They’ve truly done it again with this project, which continues the evolution of their sound. 

–Joseph Martino

Wild Pink, Dulling the Horns

HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: The Fences of Stonehenge, Eating the Egg Whole, Disintegrate, Sprinter Brain

GENRE: Indie rock

RIYL: The Hold Steady, Ducks Ltd., The War on Drugs

Wild Pink has officially stepped up. In their fifth studio album, the New York indie rock group jams with a new level of intensity, emotion, and grit. Profoundly reflective, Dulling the Horns illustrates the bittersweet art of moving on. One of the strongest tracks from the album, “Eating the Egg Whole”,  drips with obscure basketball references and dreamy nostalgia, but points out that “sometimes a dream ain’t meant to be lived in, it’s meant to be forgotten”. “Disintegrate”, true to its name, tells the story of losing “something you used to love”, the familiar emotion amplified by impressive guitar and horn riffs. Decidedly fun, this album both dulls and embraces the chaos. John Ross’ odd descriptiveness feels like a breath of fresh air on a crisp October morning. One of my favorite indie rock albums of the year, Dulling the Horns is worth a listen. 

— Joely Emerson

Cool Band, Cool Band

STANDOUT TRACKS: “Sugar Baby,” “Train,” “Lame”

GENRE: Alternative rock

RIYL: Alex G, Peach Pit, Pavement, Viagra Boys

Cool Band’s self-titled project creates a mysterious aesthetic in exactly the way the group attempts to. This alternative rock album follows along the lines of its clear inspirations in making for a very hazy, unique listening experience. The almost nihilistic lyricism combined with deep bass and great percussive beats truly stood out and overall made for a fantastic listening experience.

— Joseph Martino

A Place to Bury Strangers, Synthesizer

Highlight Tracks: “You Got Me”, “Bad Idea”, “Its Too Much”

Genre: Noise rock, experimental rock, post-punk

RIYL: The Velvet Underground, my bloody valentine, Amusement Parks on Fire

A Place To Bury Strangers utilizes classic shoegaze-adjacent and noise rock sounds on their latest LP Synthesizer; sprinkling these elements throughout its 42 minute runtime to keep a balance between rhythm and chaos. Tracks such as “Bad Idea” and “Its Too Much” stand out to me as some of the loudest on the record, where they bring massive electronic textures and abrasive frequencies to the forefront of the mix. Others, “Plastic Future” or “Don’t Be Sorry”, keep the noise, while remaining grounded in a fast-paced punk feel—keeping the high energy that the record intends to display. Synthesizer brings both dark-danceable and destructive-synth tunes that leaves you wanting to hear more of A Place To Bury Strangers’ unique and electric sound.

— Ryan Mercer

Boyscott – Spellbound

Highlight Tracks: “Rocky Road”, “Arthur Kill”, “Cabin Fever”

Genre: Surf-rock, indie, dream pop

RIYL: Beach Fossils, Huron John, Real Estate

I’ve been a fan of Boyscott since their 2019 album, Goose Bumps. Goose Bumps features two of their most popular tracks, “Killer Whale”, and my personal favorite, “Nova Scotia 500”. The bulk of Spellbound remains reminiscent of their previous albums, carrying on their surfer rock meets dream pop sound. Boyscott’s lo-fi beats remind me of another indie artist Huron John, although the latter’s trends more towards electronic, bedroom pop. Another artist they share similarities with is Beach Fossils, both for their atmospheric melodies and intimate, yet playful lyricism. The first track on this album, “Rocky Road”, set the stage for yet another breezy, nostalgic soundscape. Nature is a repeating aspect of the band’s stories, with the subjects of their lyrics seeking solace and comfort in the wild, whether that be in the Appalachians in “Rocky Road,” or swimming on the East Coast in the second track, “Arthur Kill.” The fourth and fifth tracks, “Cabin Fever,” and “Moose Head,” reminded me the most of the previously mentioned “Nova Scotia 500,” off Goose Bumps. All three of these records encapsulate Boyscott’s signature rhythmic guitar riffs and immersive ambience. Song five, “Lima,” is a rearrangement of vocalist Scott Hermo Jr.’s high school biology teacher’s original. The layered drums in Boyscott’s version took influence from traditional Ghanaian Ewe drums, putting a unique twist on the original. The most played song on Spellbound is track six, “After Dark.” No surprise, nature is a centerpiece of this song, signifying a place for introspection and serenity. Track seven, “The Pond,” embodies a similar theme of a strong connection to nature and finding yourself. Track nine, “Fell,” features a climactic build up of guitar and drums. The dynamic changes in mood and especially the raw production of fell are accompanied by explicit feelings of loss and vulnerability. The album closes out with an easy on the ears instrumental featuring more iconic Boyscott riffs. I would highly recommend this album if you enjoy authentic alternative indie and discovering yourself in nature! 

-Avery Chheda

Shower Curtain, words from a wishing well

Highlight Tracks: “benadryl man”, “wish u well”, “you’re like me”

Genre: Indie rock, shoegaze (new-gaze), grunge

RIYL: julie, Slow Pulp, Spiral XP, Slowdive 

Shower Curtain, originating from Brooklyn, NY, shows their truly fuzzy side on their latest and first full album release words from a wishing well. The indie rock Quartet goes full Shoegaze, leaning on soft, rhythmic drumming and dreamily-layered guitar similar to that of Slowdive. The album opens with “benadryl man”, a moody grunge-leaning track with frenzied strings, which stimulates a sense of anxiousness. “wish u well”, the second song and another highlight track on the album, reflects their earlier releases while introducing their broadening soundscape. Collectively, Shower Curtain’s words from a wishing well is a lyrically-introspective album debut with a seamlessly shifting sound that displays their range as a band. 

– Ruby Snow