We’re back with a selection of new tracks to get the weekend started with some great punk rock!
We had a little break over the last couple of weeks so ploughing through new music was extra hard this week as there was lots to catch up on! It was a tough decision to whittle down to this 5 but we think you’ll agree there are some bangers here!
And of course, we pick something from the archives that is back on our radar!
First up is London ‘strop pop’ foursome Fightmilk and their brand new single ‘Summer Bodies‘. It’s Summer hols season so we’re all gonna be bombarded with body shaming messages encouraging us to buy the latest product or enrol in the latest diet to make the sight of our meatsuits more pleasing on the eye. Well Fightmilk release this new track just in time and take aim at the capitalist, patriarchal structures that profit from our self critique. It’s not just thematically on point, it is also a catchy Summer track with buoyant harmonies and a heavy undertone- a great little taster of their soon to be released third album.
Italian punk 6-piece Feldspar release the second single- ‘Dead Friends Still Alive‘- from their upcoming debut album ‘Old City New Ruins‘ The verse is classic hardcore vocals and there’s a nice galloping surprise in the chorus that elevates this track to the next level. It’s a pretty full on and climbing sound that captures the complex emotion of the song’s subject matter- love, loss and friendship and living with memories. The accompanying video is an ambitious mini film in its own and well worth a shout out.
Our fave Northern Irish punks Problem Patterns are back with another topical anthem with the sort of energetic and creative video the band have become known for. ‘I Think You Should Leave‘ is a love letter of sorts to the band’s hometown of Belfast, the song being written in response to a journalist who was disparaging about the city and asked why the band don’t just leave. Channelling the gods of Irish punk past- namely Stiff Little Fingers and The Undertones- the band utilise the raw punchy riffs of that distinct cohort and in the lyrics, address the complex feelings that come with loving the place you made your history whilst reconciling with a difficult past.
Next up, something a little different- something a bit heavier, a foot stomping rock belter from one of the best vocalists in modern rock (in my humble opinion). Zack Lopez is making the most of the hiatus that his band Middle Class Rut are on, to pursue his solo project Zack Lopez and The Cartel. ‘Bad Blood (I Can’t Walk Out)‘ is the first single from their new record ‘Dark Side Times‘ and it showcases the pair of pipes Lopez has, a more powerful set of vocal chops than anyone else out there, miraculously matched in power by the riffs and sonic scuzz going on alongside him. I’d listen to this man sing the phonebook.
And we’ll end this week’s pick on a very Summer-y note with the new track by California’s The Calamatix- ‘Love Lies and Alibis‘. Rocksteady and ska just feel like Summer in your ears and this track is THE soundtrack to your BBQs and beach days. The band have announced their debut self-titled album will be out this September via Hellcat Records, and this is the lead single from the forthcoming LP. It’s a track that allows the brashness of punk to coexist with silky Jamaican ska rhythms- a great track to ease us into the weekend.
Aaaaand one from the archives, I spontaneously got into listening to The Replacements a few weeks ago and now I don’t think I go a day without listening to ‘I Will Dare’.