A selection of tracks as we slide into Summer….
How is it basically June? Halfway through the year? Terrifying thought! But this is the time of year where we start getting some poppy, Summer punk songs which I love!
As is our new weekly tradition, here’s a few of my picks of this week’s releases PLUS something that passed me by the first time but I’ve just heard and love. Better late than never!
Uzumaki- ‘Scenes of Beauty‘
Uzumaki are back! The London based 4 piece released one of my favourites of 2023- their EP ‘Square One’. The band wear their influences on their sleeve with a very 90s sound but their intricate, layered melodies set them apart in the modern punk scene. ‘Scenes of Beauty’ (out now) is the first single from their newly announced debut LP ‘Waded’ which is out in September and will be filled with 12 brand new Uzumaki tracks! Those lads have sure been busy since last Summer! Stream the single HERE.
Mouses- ‘Huckleberry‘
So, Teesside based queer punk duo Mouses are new to me but if this single is anything to go by, I’m going to be listening to a lot more of them. ‘Huckleberry’ is the latest track to be taken from their forthcoming second album ‘bwywtb’ which is set for release on 21/6. It’s a political track, commenting on the legacy of racism and concentrated power, and the struggle for emancipation that persists to this day. It’s a combo of jagged and dreamy with a heavy chorus and some great acerbic vocals from Steven Bardgett. Stream HERE.
Dead Pioneers- ‘Bad Indian‘
Speaking of political punk, this new track from Dead Pioneers doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to conveying its message. ‘Bad Indian’ originated as a spoken word piece by Gregg Deal (the band’s frontman) and articulates real life experiences and encounters Deal has had as a Native person in America and the stereotyping, racism and micro aggressions that he has faced. The band have been signed to Hassle Records and they will be reissuing their self titled debut album on 16th August. Pre order the album HERE.
Parker- ‘Generic Indie Bands‘
Derry’s melodic punks Parker have released a diss track with new single ‘Generic Indie Bands’. Whilst it might not reach Drake/Kendrick Lamar heights of vitriol, it does poke gentle fun of bands like The Courteneers and Oasis. But as singer and guitarist Dylan Bradley said of the track, it’s a “tongue in cheek diss track about a bunch of bands I have a love/hate relationship with”. It’s a super catchy, fun track with inspiration from college rock bands and certainly couldn’t be described as ‘generic indie’! Stream the track HERE.
Digginlilies- ‘Rigors‘
And finally, it’s this week’s pick of a band that I have only just discovered and this time, I’m only 25 years too late! I was re-watching The Blair Witch Project and in the background of one of the early scenes (before it all goes pear shaped in the woods) there is a song playing that I discovered is by a band called Digginlilies. They only had 1 album- ‘Popula’ released in 1999- and it has now been on almost daily play, absolutely awesome album.