A diverse collection of new music has been released, featuring tracks from artists across various genres including post-punk, synthwave, and emo. This week's highlights include a poignant new single from Australian duo HighSchool, a powerful Beastie Boys cover by Show Me The Body, and a compelling preview of The Last Dinner Party's upcoming album.
Key Takeaways
- A diverse range of artists, from emerging acts to established musicians, have released new songs.
- Genres represented include post-punk, industrial, emo, synthwave, and indie rock.
- Several tracks serve as previews for highly anticipated albums set for release later this month and in October.
- Artists provided personal insights into the themes of their new music, covering topics from digital communication to addiction.
HighSchool Explores Digital Anxiety in 'Sony Ericsson'
Australian post-punk duo HighSchool has released their latest single, "Sony Ericsson." The track delves into the complexities of modern communication and the overthinking that often accompanies text-based interactions. It is the final song completed for their debut album.
The band explained the song's theme in a statement, highlighting how digital personas can differ from reality. "'Sony Ericsson' is about the strange dynamics of modern connection, the games people play over text, and how a single message can spiral into endless over-analysis," the duo said.
"It speaks about the discrepancy between how someone appears on a phone screen versus who they are in real life, and how the digital version of a person can feel both enticing or alluring but also unreal or unknowable."
The track was a late addition to their upcoming record. According to the band, the song existed as an unfinished idea for a long time before a breakthrough in the studio. HighSchool's self-titled debut album is scheduled for release on October 31 through PIAS.
Witch Post Signs to Partisan Records with 'Changeling'
Witch Post, the musical project of Alaska Reid and Dylan Fraser, has officially joined the roster of Partisan Records. To mark the occasion, the duo released their first single for the label, a mysterious track titled "Changeling."
The inspiration for the song is as enigmatic as its title. In a brief statement, the artists shared a cryptic origin story. "We met a changeling that inspired this song," they said. "We didn’t realise it ’till a year later…" This new single signals a fresh chapter for the duo as they begin their partnership with a renowned independent label.
Jane Inc. Releases 'What If' from Upcoming Album
Carlyn Bezic, performing as Jane Inc., has shared "What If," a new song from her forthcoming album, A RUPTURE A CANYON A BIRTH. The track explores a conceptual narrative of a life-altering moment.
Bezic describes the song as a personal Sliding Doors moment. "[It] imagines a car crash as the moment I split in two," she explained. "Carlyn walks away to continue a life in which the accident never happened, leaving Jane (pure, unadulterated, in her final form) to be born, hungry for life." The full album is set to be released on October 17.
Show Me The Body Covers Beastie Boys' 'Sabotage'
New York band Show Me The Body has released a cover of the Beastie Boys classic "Sabotage." The track was produced by Kenneth Blume and features a video created with the independent journalism outlet Popular Front.
The collaboration with Popular Front, an outlet known for its conflict reporting, adds a layer of political commentary to the project. The video combines footage from a recent London show with archival material.
Julian Cashwan Pratt of Show Me The Body expressed his admiration for Popular Front's work. "Their crew does hard work to tell true stories, or as they put it ‘honest reporting,'" Pratt said. "To work together on ‘Sabotage’ is a self-fulfilling prophecy. New York band with a New York song reaching out to the world at war with a message of love and solidarity."
More Notable Releases This Week
A variety of other artists also shared new music, spanning genres from punk to experimental pop.
Molly Nilsson - 'Get A Life'
Synthwave artist Molly Nilsson takes a turn towards a more punk-infused sound with her new single, "Get A Life." The track is the title song from her upcoming album and showcases a more aggressive energy than her typically atmospheric work.
Chanel Beads - 'The Coward Forgets His Nightmare'
Ahead of a major performance opening for Lorde at Madison Square Garden, Chanel Beads shared the new single "The Coward Forgets His Nightmare." The artist described the song's creation as a rapid process, stating it was "written and recorded quickly, vaping too much exploring bad health."
ELLiS·D - 'I Want To Be Everything You Desire'
Ellis Dickson, known as the drummer for the band Fat Dog, released a new track from his solo project, ELLiS·D. The song, titled "I Want To Be Everything You Desire," shares a sonic palette with his main band, featuring a noisy, industrial-tinged post-punk sound.
Matt Pryor - 'The Dishonesty'
Matt Pryor of The Get Up Kids has released "The Dishonesty," the second single from his upcoming solo album, The Salton Sea. Pryor explained the song's heavy theme: "This is a song about lying and hurting the people you love when you’re in the throes of addiction." The music video was directed by Josh Berwanger of The Anniversary.
Grade 2 - 'Hanging On To You'
UK punk outfit Grade 2 is back with "Hanging On To You." The track is described as a rousing anthem rooted in classic punk rock traditions, delivering high energy and a powerful chorus.
The Last Dinner Party - 'Second Best'
The Last Dinner Party continues to build anticipation for their album From The Pyre with the release of "Second Best." Guitarist Emily Roberts said the song is about "being obsessed with someone but knowing that they will ultimately betray you again, and allowing it to happen because you still love them."
The band cited Sparks and Wet Leg as influences for the song's angular guitar parts, showcasing their eclectic musical inspirations.
Riley! - 'We Only Say It Out of Habit Now'
As part of its 10th-anniversary compilation, Counter Intuitive Records has released "We Only Say It Out of Habit Now" by Riley!. The track is a powerful example of modern emo and punk, featuring catchy melodies and intense, raw vocals.
Skullcrusher - 'Living'
Skullcrusher has shared "Living," another single from her new album, And Your Song is Like a Circle. The artist, also known as Helen Ballentine, described the song's theme of feeling like an observer in her own life. "Living is about being a voyeur, catching a glimpse of brief moments of people’s lives," she said.
Big Bill - 'Cameras'
Austin-based band Big Bill released "Cameras," a track noted for its nervy new wave energy. The song is accompanied by a visualizer that was created using artificial intelligence.