by Dan Goldin (@post_trash_)
Welcome to FUZZY MEADOWS, our weekly recap of this week's new music. We're sharing our favorite releases of the week in the form of albums, singles, and music videos along with the "further listening" section of new and notable releases from around the web. It's generally written in the early hours of the morning and semi-unedited... but full of love and heart. The list is in alphabetical order and we sincerely recommend checking out all the music we've included. There's a lot of great new music being released. Support the bands you love. Spread the word and buy some new music.
*Disclaimer: We are making a conscious effort not to include any artist in our countdown on back-to-back weeks in order to diversify the feature, so be sure to check the "further listening" as well because it's often of top-notch quality too.
BACHELOR | “Sick of Spiraling”
Bachelor, the duo of Jay Som’s Melina Duterte and Palehound’s Ellen Kempner have been releasing a string of fantastic singles since they announced their pairing with “Anything At All.” Their debut album, Doomin’ Sun, is out in late May via Polyvinyl, and each song they’ve shared seems to bring out the best in both of their respective songwriting styles, fusing together with their friendship radiant from the core. With songs that capture the glory of classic Pixies, early Weezer, and maybe even some Superdrag, “Sick of Spiraling” feels more like a Palehound staple, but there’s a great chemistry the two have that oozes into the twangy guitars and the circular riff patterns. We can’t wait to hear the full album.
HELVETIA | “New Mess”
After two fantastic releases in 2020 (which ranked among the best of last year), I was mentally prepared to have a 2021 without a new release from the majestic Helvetia. Thankfully for us all, Jason Albertini’s creative well knows no limits and his long running project will release their tenth album, Essential Aliens, in June via Joyful Noise Records (Tropical Fuck Storm, Lou Barlow, No Joy). Albertini sounds as vibrant as ever, with another batch of incredible warbly lo-fi psych, beautifully produced and carefully textured. “New Mess,” the lead single is Helvetia at its best, with a gravel ripped tonality that feels undeniably dreamy, subtly dense, and loaded with the lite touches that make Helvetia one of the best bands going.
MAXSHH | “As A Treat“ LP
If you haven’t been paying attention, Maxshh, the solo project of Max Goldstein (This New Basement, Tundrastomper, EIEIEIO) is an incredibly gifted musician. While we know him best as an immaculate drummer, his releases as Maxshh have proven him more than adept at all instruments and as a vividly creative songwriter. His latest, As A Treat, was released just in time for 4/20 (courtesy of the great Sad Cactus), a collection of covers that become entirely Maxshh’s own. From Charles Mingus and Chick Corea to Frankie Cosmos and Guided By Voices, there’s a wide spectrum of influence that is all boiled down and extracted in a way that only Max Goldstein’s eclectic temperament and wild dexterity can make sound both cohesive and alien from their original forms. It’s a must listen.
PILE | “Magic Isn't Real - Live Stream (4.17.21)” LP
The best live show I’ve seen in over a year happened on the internet. While that’s a bit of a sad sack statement, Pile’s anniversary celebration of the classic Magic Isn’t Real LP was nothing short of spectacular. The band got back together with that era’s line-up including Matt Becker (guitar) and Matt Connery (bass) to play the album in full, with some other time appropriate gems thrown in for good measure in an Allston basement. It felt right. It felt really fucking good. The primal energy and ragged pacing of this record remains untouchable, an album that feels timeless but never overthought, and they absolutely crushed the performance. Magic Isn’t Real literally changed the course of my life (one of a select few records that directly led to EIS) and this live recording is an essential remainder of how great things can be.
YAUTJA | “The Spectacle”
Why yes, I do plan on raving about every single that will be released from Yautja’s upcoming album, The Lurch. The trio are set to release the effort next month via their new home at Relapse Records and welp, “The Spectacle” is another great reminder of why they are quite possibly the most exciting experimental metal band out there. The band’s seemingly effortless (it’s not… there’s a great deal of effort) mix of sludge, hardcore, noise rock, grind, and death metal is so engrained in their writing that the genre lines have been blurred beyond obscurity. “The Spectacle” is an ever-shifting behemoth of lumbering and destructive riffs, complex and jaw-dropping rhythms (drummer Tyler Coburn is in a league all his own), and steamrolling intensity that’s heavy as hell with a deranged and aggressive attack that’s more “art metal” than anything too macho. Its colossal fucking art.
Further Listening:
A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS “End of the Night“ | THE ALCHEMIST “Nobles” (feat. Earl Sweatshirt & Navy Blue) | ANGEL OLSEN “Alive and Dying (Waiving, Smiling)“ | AXIS: SOVA “(Don’t Wanna Have That) Dream“ | THE BERRIES “Palace of Fools” | BLOODSLIDE “Trap Door” | BODY BREAKS “Between The Heart And The Mind“ | THE BRONX “Superbloom” | BUFFET LUNCH “Bladderwrack” | CUSP “Illusion Controlling” | DINOSAUR JR “Take It Back” | EELS “Earth to Dora” | ELLIS “Hospital” | EXEK “Several Souvenirs” | FUZZ “Sleigh Ride (Levitation Sessions)” | GEORGIA ANNE MULDROW “Unforgettable” | GREAT DECEIVERS “Go Round” | HELMET “In The Ditch” (Gang of Four cover) | THE HIRS COLLECTIVE “Love“ | HOMEBOY SANDMAN “Monument” | ICEAGE “Gold City” | ILLUMINATI HOTTIES “MMMOOOAAAAAYAYA“ | KOOL KEITH “Extravagance” | L’ORANGE & NAMIR BLADE “Imaginary Everything” | LAUNDROMAT “En Bloc” | LIGHTNING BUG “September Song, Pt. II“ | LOVELORN “Sickness Reward” | THE MARS VOLTA “Landscape Tantrums“ LP | MAY RIO “Butter” | MESH “Company Jeep” | THE MURLOCS “Francesca“ | NIGHT BEATS “Revolution” | OLIVIA’S WORLD “Tuff 2B Tender” EP | PAPER MICE “A Regular Guy“ | POM POM SQUAD “Head Cheerleader” | RZA “Pugilism” | STONER WILL & THE NARKS “The Antitrust Regulator Song“