Curated by Monk
It’s not quite a case of waking up when September ends here at ÜRHQ, as yet again it has been a month that is alive and kicking with hot new sounds worming their way into our eardrums and memory cells, and simply begging to be shared with you, our loyal readers… so, let’s get like Tom Daly and dive right in at the deep end, shall we?
1000 Mods ‘Overthrown’ (Ouga Booga And The Mighty Oug Recordings/Ripple Music)
We kick off in truly epic fashion as the Greek heavyweights break their four-year long silence with this eight-minute behemoth of a taster of their upcoming fifth album, which will see them ‘Cheat Death’ when it is released in November:
Almera ‘Weapons’ (Self-Released)
Another of the plethora of fine young emerging Irish talent being championed by the inimitable and tireless Michael Smyth, this band have their mutual love of one of Dublin’s most iconic venues, Whelan’s, to thank for bringing them together, with the result being the sort of indie-sleaze that sounds like The Strokes jamming with The Libertines by way of The Fatima Mansions…
Astral Doors ‘Vikings Rise’ (Metalville)
Today’s playlist features a number of acts coming back after a period of inactivity, and these Scandinavian power metallers are the latest, with this second declaration of intent from their upcoming first album in five years, which sees powerhouse vocalist Nils Patrik Johansson leading his fellow warriors back into the fray in triumphant fashion:
Bluntnose ‘Park Bench Throne’ (Self-Released)
These Gloucester alt-metallers are inviting us to “get our shark on” as they analyze topics of loneliness, grief, anxiety and depression in a way which is both heavy-hitting and melodic, as well as enervating and insightful:
Bonnie Trash ‘Kisses Goodbye’ (Hand Drawn Dracula)
Newly expanded to a four-piece, this darkened shoegaze/post-punk drone project led by twin sisters Emmalia and Sarafina Bortolon-Vettor draw on PJ Harvey and Slowdive as much as they do Sabbath and Pentagram, and I don’t think we’ll be kissing them goodbye anytime soon, at least not on the strength of this sample from their just-released new EP:
chokecherry ‘Messy Star’ (Fearless Records)
Two-thirds of this San Francisco shoegaze-meets-grunge pop trio actually met via a dating app. While they may not have worked out on the romantic front, the pair are clearly musical soulmates, as they prove on this, the title track of their upcoming debut EP:
Crashface ‘Bubblegum’ (Self-Released)
Having previously collaborated with Wargasm’s Sam Matlock, the alt-punk duo serve up another taster of their newly released EP, ‘Life And Death In The Wasteland’, which they describe as a “hate-letter to the movers, shakers, and so-called-tastemakers”, especially in the music industry:
Gale Forces ‘Last Man Under The Sun’ (Self-Released)
The LA by way of Seattle alt-rockers pull equally from Iggy Pop, Black Sabbath and peak-era stoner as they take us one a psychedelic trip back to a much simpler time when less was more – and, in this case, remains so:
Gen And The Degenerates ‘Girls!’ (Marshall Records)
The northern post-punks continue to spread their own particular brand of ‘Anti-Fun Propaganda’ with this latest celebratory anthem extracted from their debut album of that name, a track which at the same time celebrates women, delivers a sharp critique of gender dynamics and pays tribute to a fallen friend:
Grey Attack ‘Back To Greysland’ (Metalopolis Records)
There are no grey areas with this German classic rock combo who draw as much on LA-style sleaze and NWoBHM as they do their Teutonic roots with this, the title track of their upcoming new album:
Happy Accidents ‘Blink’ (Alcopop!)
The London indie-pop duo recently returned from a five-year live hiatus, and this is the third single to be lifted from their upcoming “comeback” album, ‘Edit Undo’, which will be released at the end of the month:
Have No Heroes ‘Upside-Down World’ (Black Star Foundation)
Rightly regarded as leaders of the Baltic scene, this is a stand-alone single to keep momentum going while they work on their next album, which sees them in typically rebellious and resistant mode as they deliver another a searing critique of political leaderships, media manipulation, and the hope for the eventual collapse of corrupt regimes:
Krooked Tongue ‘Nothing Ever Grows’ (Self-Released)
The Bristol trio’s own growth is very much of the upward variety, as they once again demonstrate with this mean and moody standalone offering, which serves as an ode to the artist as both a creative entity and a human being:
Lions In The Street ‘Shangri-La’ (Self-Released)
There can be no doubt that there are some shit hot retro/roots rock ‘n’ roll vibrations coming out of Canada at the moment, and this is another prime example – although the Kinnon boys can’t exactly be described as new kids on the block, as they’ve been around it more times than a taxi cab with a rich tourist on board, and they’re definitely #MovingAlong with the imminent release of their first album in a decade:
Stoke Signals ‘Mummy’ (Stay Tough Records)
These LA melopunks have been making big noises on the SoCal scene since emerging from the ashes of Promise Me This and Holy Fangs, and have just proven that you can ‘Make Dying Fun’ with the release of their debut album, of which this is a tasty sample:
The Lookout ‘Hot Date’ (Thousand Islands Records)
These Montreal punk dynamos will defiantly appeal to fans of femme-fronted acts such as The Distillers, Amy & The Sniffers, Bad Nerves and Juliette & The Licks as they continue to prepare to prove that they do indeed know the future with the release of their debut album:
The Plague ‘Float Right On By’ (FiXT)
This latest offering from future punk pioneer, engineer, musician and producer David Adam Monroe issuing a clarion call for a mental reboot as he once again delves into the darkest recesses of the human psyche to deliver a heartfelt anthem of self-reflection, growth, and the resolve to make a meaningful difference:
The Rattlebacks ‘Dementia Lounge’ (Self-Released)
These Brighton rock ‘n’ rollers will release their debut album in November, and this latest single is proof positive as to why they are regarded as one of the hottest combos to emerge from the south coast in the recent past – a reputation said album is bound to cement:
The Woggles ‘Top Shelf’ (Wicked Cool Records)
These cult garage rock icons released their first album in seven years over the summer – but somehow this collaboration with Rick Miller from current tour buddies Southern Culture On The Skids didn’t make the cut,,, but, fear naught, as it has now gotten a well-deserved standalone release…
Violet ‘Angelina (Talk To Me)’ (Metalopolis Records)
We end with a trip back in time to the heady days of the MTV-fuelled late Eighties with this slice of pure unadulterated classic rock nostalgia which evokes the spirit of Heart, Device and Pat Benatar in one wholesomely cheesy package:
So, there you have it: another eclectic and hopefully enjoyable and educational selection of some of what we think are the hottest sounds around at the moment. We’ll be back in another two weeks with another similarly diverse and hopefully ear-opening playlist – but, until then, don’t forget to check out our daily picks… and, of course, keep ‘er lit, keep ‘er between the hedges and keep on Über Rockin’ in the free world…
- All content © Über Rock. Not to be reproduced in part or in whole without the express written permission of Über Rock.