The point is that Universe Room has something for any GBV fan. It shows that the band is exactly where they want to be: not repeating themselves but never losing touch with what makes them Guided by Voices. This is a band that does its own thing on its own terms, never caring what anyone else is doing, and Universe Room is the perfect showcase of that.
In 1946, the New Towns Act was passed in the UK, and in 2024, the Bay Area jangle-rockers Neutrals released New Town Dream, via Slumberland / Static Shock Records. It might seem strange to think that something that happened 77 years ago and over 5,000 miles away could lead to a new album, but stranger things have happened.
Harm’s Way picks up where they left off and has improved their formula tremendously. In just 27 quick minutes, they create earworm after earworm, the kind of songs you can listen to over and over with a big smile on your face. The record is the perfect accompaniment for a bright spring day when the sun is shining and all is right in the world.
Editrix Goes to Hell is such a compelling listen. There are always multiple things going on, sometimes the complete opposite of each other. Sometimes the album is sinister and other times it's sweet. It can be rough around the edges while still feeling completely polished. It never falters a single step, never wastes a single note.
Battle Ave are still the mature band they have always been, still making the soothing yet exciting music they are known for. There’s a lot subtlety, but if you listen closely you’ll be amazed by what can be found on I Saw The Egg. They create a welcoming atmosphere of delicacy with the perfect album to relax, brood, or think introspectively to.
Slowcore has always been the perfect music for feeling sad. A genre that allows you to ruminate in your emotions and all that is going on. On their self-titled debut, St. Louis band Sinwat shows that this has not changed. What they have created are nine songs that all capture the feeling that the best slowcore has always been able to convey.
Mister Goblin’s new album Four People in an Elevator and One of them is the Devil has that classic indie rock sound with the added bonus of having very meaningful and fun lyrics. Clocking in at a cool 29 minutes in length, it makes for an easy listening experience but when you really dive into this record, there is a lot to unpack.