I feel like late May and early June turned out to be the surprise time for a ton of my favorite artists to start dumping new music for me. I am thrilled!
Phantogram
“All a Mystery” – It’s been since the early days of the pandemic that we last received new music from Phantogram, and I for one, am thrilled! Even though it’s been four years, this new song definitely seems like a continuation of Ceremony from a sound perspective. I can’t quite tell if the song is trying to convey forgetting painful memories of their past or looking for inspiration (but given how long it’s taken for a new record to come together, I’d assume the latter). It’s not love at first listen, but I’ll take anything I can get from these guys!
Foster the People
“Lost in Space” – Admittedly, now that Mark Foster is the only original member remaining in Foster the People, I kind of thought new music for them wasn’t going to be in the cards anymore. I guess I was wrong! And I suppose with only one other “member” to contend with, Foster can make whatever kind of music suits his fancy. And that is apparently space disco? This was a very different song from what I was originally introduced to back in the day. I don’t dislike it, it’s just very different.
AWOLNATION
“Jump Sit Stand March” – It’s hard for me to keeps tabs on AWOLNATION recently. It seems they put out a lot of new music in random spurts without much fanfare on their part. I see one post and have to imprint that in my brain until I get the chance to listen to it. Sure, they tour pretty regularly, but the music industry just glosses over what they’re putting out anymore. We were lucky enough to get a video with this new song, though it is simple; taking place in a diner with death. This song also features Emily Armstrong of Dead Sara and she is COOL. From one listen, I am assuming this song has to do with people just blinding following orders from people in power.
Bear Hands
“Intrusive Thoughts” – Like Phantogram, it has felt like a lifetime since Bear Hands has released new music. They too haven’t given us anything since the early days of the pandemic, but gosh am I happy they are back! Though they’ve always released high energy and upbeat music, this new song instantly sounded so different to me. It really played with a fun club-type beat. Dylan’s vocals are amazing and I love how he can transform it throughout the song. If you want a fun and, catchy, and danceable song for the summer – this is it!
White Reaper
“Shimmy” – Whaa?? New White Reaper so soon?! Though not highly advertised, they did a neat shared mini album with the band Spiritual Cramp a month or so ago and have been doing a few tour stops here and there to get the songs out there. Having never heard White Reaper collaborate with anyone on a song before, I felt their voices really complimented each other. This was just a fun rock song and I’m here for it! Based on a social media post I saw recently canceling European tour dates, we might be getting new music from White Reaper sooner rather than later! I think rushing Asking for Ride might have been a real inspiration for these guys!
Empire of the Sun
“Cherry Blossom” – Another classic Empire of the Sun song with an endlessly head-bopping bass beat and heady falsetto vocals. I don’t know if I could love these guys any more. After one listen, it’s not the most memorable song I’ve heard from them, but I love that it’s a song mostly about hope for the future. There is a strong ending note that for sure gave me the chills, and every single they release ahead of the new ablum just makes me more and more excited. We also get a super beautiful music video with this song, shot in the countryside and at the temples of Thailand.
Highly Suspect
“The Blue-Eyed Devil” – This was a proper follow-up to the first single on their upcoming album, as it flows pretty perfectly with the latter. Again, lyrically this new song reminds me a lot of the Mister Asylum days. It touts gritty vocals on top of a bluesy/classic rock sound. While it was a fine first listen, I think this one might take a minute to grow on me. It still has me really excited for the new album!
Ghost
“The Future is a Foreign Land” – I’m glad Ghost’s social media account confirmed that this was a song honoring 1969, because all I could hear from the first note were 60s inspired beach sounds. Like, think The Beach Boys, but metal. That’s literally so cool, and only someone like Ghost could pull that off without having you think they’re a joke. The talent level is unmatched, and given that this song graced the end credits of their new movie, Rite Here Rite Now, I think this means we’re getting something big and new from the band. And hopefully soon!