Thank goodness for new music! There’s some really eclectic stuff in this bunch of new songs and I think they are all worthy of your time.
Dreamers/Irontom
“Don’t Go Dark” – It’s been a hot, hot minute since I’ve listened to anything from either of these bands. On some uber obscure, YouTube algorithm podcast this pairing was brought to my attention and I knew I had to look this up. It slaps, and is perhaps maybe nothing like I was expecting. Having only heard their music from several years ago I would have told you that both of these bands are your traditional instrumental rock. For this tune, they’ve adopted a more heavy, industrial synth sound to start, that then morphs into some falsetto verses. It reminded me of someone, but all I could come up with was early Coin? In a good way, though, make no mistake. Really though, what a very cool and random collaboration.
The Used
“People Are Vomit” – Similar to the two bands above, it’s been a hot, hot minute since I’ve listened to The Used. Now, the albums through Artwork are heavily rotated, but I haven’t given a fair shake to any of the albums released since then. (The internet tragically let me know that was 2009). What better way to get back into these guys with a new single, for a new album, and a new tour! The album, Toxic Positivity, is releasing late May, and I’ve got to say this first single has got me excited. Stylisticly, it reminds me of Lies for the Liar. There are also some background synths at the beginning remind me so much of AWOLNATION’s “Burn It Down.” Since I haven’t listened to these guys in earnest for a number of years, I guess this is a return to form as far as screaming vocals go. Someday soon I need to revisit the albums in between because I’m seeing them live twice this summer!
Portugal. the Man
“Dummy” – Like the rest of the planet, I was sucked in by the band’s infectious single “Feel It Still,” and then promptly never listened to them again. Of course, the radio almost managed to ruin that song, too. Strangely, what brought me to their latest single was a Taco Bell commercial. That doesn’t happen often. When I finally went to go listen to this song in full I was impressed by the fact that it made me laugh while also being insanely catchy. When I heard the song in the commercial I had no clue, but then when I saw this band’s name attached it made a lot of sense. Especially with the insane falsettos in the chorus. Worth a fun, short listen.
Underoath
“Let Go” – What??? New music already?! I have no clue if this is the beginning of something new already or if they are going the way of a lot of bands nowadays like BMTH or Falling in Reverse, where they don’t release full albums anymore, just a few singles every year. I sincerely hope not, but I’ll take new music when I can get it! Automatically I was really keen on the play of a siren-like sound at the beginning. From there, the song descends into chaos, as most Underoath songs do, but it’s in such an impressive and creative way. Vocals will always be interesting in this band, and this time around I liked hearing Spencer singing on the chorus with Aaron providing secondary lines/harmonies. I love how their lines bleed into each other at the tail end a lot of the time. As the song progressed, it kind of had an old-school gritty quality to it like their older work. I’m sure OG fans will be pleased.