You know what time it is – it’s time for new music!
Highly Suspect
“Natural Born Killer” – Nothing makes me more sad than the fact that the pandemic hit right before Highly Suspect was to go on tour for their late 2019 album, MCID. However, I’m equally as delighted for new music from the band and I can only hope that promises another tour in the very near future. Anyways, the new single off their upcoming album, The Midnight Demon Club, is in a word: awesome. They manage to make something unlike anything they’ve put out before but still sound very much a Highly Suspect song. I don’t know that I can really describe it any other way, but if you’re a fan of them at all then you will absolutely love this track.
“Pink Lullaby” – We got two songs on the same day! I don’t know that that was the original plan, but Johnny Stevens loves the fans and he knows that we’ve been patiently waiting (according to his Twitter) for his promise of new music from the band. With that, we were given a song that seems to be the complete opposite from “Natural Born Killer,” but similarly, it sounds nothing and everything like a Highly Suspect tune. What a skill! This song skews in a more heavy direction, but reminds me of some of their earlier work, which should appease the die-hard fans. It’s definitely different from the last album, but this and the other track seem to be promising an epic record. I can’t wait for September!
Armor for Sleep
“How Far Apart” – Well, well, well. Back in November when I saw Armor for Sleep for their 15 year anniversary show for What to Do When You Are Dead, lead singer Ben Jorgensen teased at the potential for new music and then just the other day they dropped a new single, music video, and the promise of a new album! My heart!!! This song is the first off of their upcoming album, The Rain Museum due out in September, and overall, it’s got me really excited. With that being said, this song was kind of generic. Overall, nothing really jumped out or stuck with me and Jorgensen’s vocals were almost too smooth. He sings great live, but I don’t know that he would sound like this. Regardless, they did land some nostalgic notes in the last minute of the song, and that’s all the promise I need from them.
Djo
“Change” – Joe Keery can sing! Of course, now that fourth season of Stranger Things is out in the world, I’ve gone down the rabbit hole with most of the cast, and Keery, like other seasons, is at the top of my list. I knew back in the day he was a part of Post Animal and released some solo stuff, but I never really gave either a chance. Turns out, he’s got a new solo record coming out in September called Decide, so I decided to give the new single a chance. He’s got some pipes! This song touts very smooth vocals on top of a very catchy and groovy sound. It’s clear that Tame Impala is an influence here, but that’s never a bad thing. I’d say give it a shot!