We’re well into the middle of the summer now, and there are no signs of the exceptional musical quality that has characterised the previous six months slowing down.
This month saw Punktastic take to the ever-excellent 2000 Trees Festival alongside the likes of The Bronx, Trash Talk and DZ Deathrays, as well as gearing up for Hevy Festival, Reading, Jabberwocky and Ieperfest in Belgium in August. There’s been a hell of a lot of high-profile album releases and tour announcements, including the return of Against Me! and The Lawrence Arms, as well as Marmozets and Lonely The Brave taking to the road together.
If that wasn’t enough, this month saw Frameworks confirm that they will be heading across the pond to UK shores with The Saddest Landscape.
While all this was happening, we were listening to music – a lot of music. Here are some of the tracks that have provided the soundtrack to our sunny (and occasionally drenched) July 2014.
Moose Blood – ‘Anyway’
Back at the start of the month, Kent based Moose Blood revealed ‘Anyway’ – the lead track for their simultaneously confirmed full-length, ‘I’ll Keep You In Mind, From Time To Time’. Retaining the emo influences that dominated their debut ‘Moving Home’ EP, ‘Anyway’ thrives on an oddly melancholic melody that’s reminiscent of Alkaline Trio, early Taking Back Sunday and various 90s emo trendsetters all at once. Both brooding and upbeat, this track is a great indicator of things to come in October. [Ben Tipple]
Newmoon – ‘Aria’
The lead track from the forthcoming EP ‘Invitation To Hold’ on Jeremy Bolm’s (Touche Amore) Secret Voice Imprint, this is beautifully crafted, dreamy Belgian post-punk in the same vein as Slowdive, Whirr, and Pains Of Being Pure at Heart. ‘Invitation To Hold is out at the start of August, with art direction from Nick Steinhardt (Touche Amore, Deafheaven), and is the first ever European band to join the Secret Voice family. [Glen Bushell]
Joyce Manor – ‘Heart Tattoo’
One of the strongest releases this year has, as you would expect, absolutely no filler on it. ‘Heart Tattoo’ is just under two minutes of pacey pop-punk with a healthy tinge of emo and this track is punchy, concise and infectious – as is the whole record. Oh, and they’re touring in November so don’t miss that! [Sam Kanal]
Punch – ‘Worth More Than Your Opinion’
Whilst I would love to nominate for my July playlist entry the excellent XCuntkickerX, for their 46 song, 7 minute ‘Sounds Like Shit Vol 2’, I don’t particularly want to give them the oxygen of publicity (yes I see the irony in mentioning that). So this month I’m choosing the advance track from Punch’s new album ‘They Don’t Have To Believe’. ‘Worth More Than Your Opinion’ is the opening track from the opus – and is the kind of aggressive, powerviolence-fused hardcore you’d expect from them. And those vocals…wow, as ever. We can’t wait to hear the whole thing. [Mike Scott]
Creeper – ‘We Had A Pact’
Rising from the ashes of Hang the Bastard and Our Time Down Here, Creeper channel goth-punk AFI/Alkaline Trio, breathing life into the genre with clever lyrics and dark imagery. Their debut EP is 5 tracks of infectious, morbid catchiness, with ‘We Had a Pact’ being the highlight. With their debut show taking place in August, it’s time they arrived on your radar. [Jay Sullivan]
The Copyrights – ‘No Knocks’
It’s hard to believe that The Copyrights can create such consistently catchy, pop punk. Hot on the heels of them signing to Fat Wreck, and filling that large Dear Landlord shaped gap in our lives, comes the first new music in a few years – and obviously, it’s the catchiest thing we’ve heard all summer long. Listen to the new EP! You’ll love it instantly. [Mark Gadong]
Solemn Sun – ‘Josef’
Change can be a frustrating beast to confront. It is a process that Solemn Sun are all too aware of. Previously known to many as Jim Lockey and The Solemn Sun, these Cheltenham lads had been on radio silence for the better part of a year. Now we know why. Having built up a strong following with their anarchic folk-punk, they’ve defied expectations and changed directions. Dropping the Lockey prefix, they’ve fully embraced a band mentality and returned stronger than ever. ‘Josef’ is the first hints of what to expect from the new band. The song writing remains a treat but sonically it’s darker than anything they’ve previously released. Confident and sharp, it hails the rebirth of a band, rejuvenated and ready for a new fight. [Clara Cullen]
Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties – ‘Runnin’ Scared’
Taken from the excellent debut album ‘We Don’t Have Each Other’, ‘Runnin’ Scared’ is three minutes of perfect blue collar rock. Propelled forward by an insanely catchy melody and featuring a huge chorus that would make Bruce Springsteen weep, it’s top-class storytelling and the standout track on an album full of incredible songs. [Chris Hilson]
Twin Atlantic – Brothers and Sisters
The second official single to come from the Scottish acts forthcoming album ‘Great Divide’, ‘Brothers and Sisters’ is a euphoric anthem that opens up a more emotional side to Twin Atlantic. A gentle beginning moves forward into a blinding chorus full of spirit and a power that could fill stadiums. If anything it’s only built up further excitement for the full-release come September. [Tamsyn Wilce]
Basement – ‘Jet’
Startlingly upbeat while retaining a slightly grungy edge, ‘Jet’ is a song that perfectly defines the maturity of Basement as a band. You’ll be able to sing along and you’ll be able to mosh/fist pump/nod enthusiastically. The perfect combination. [Chris Marshman]
Headroom – ‘Please’
Catchy as disease, with this taster of upcoming EP ‘Carry Me Away’ Headroom have proved they’re infinitely more than the “side project of members of Nai Harvest and Survival” they’re so often billed as. Darkly confident pop-rock from a similar cloth to Daytrader and recent tourmates Citizen, ‘Carry Me Away’ is sure to be one of the hit releases of the year. [Tom Connick]
Big Awesome – ‘Foliage’
This is the perfect summer track, big vocals, really melodic guitars and an awesome chorus. Big Awesome were one of the highlights of Fest last year, and we’ve been psyched for new music ever since then. If you are all over the emo revival bands you should check out Big Awesome, because they are doing it RIGHT, combining the classic emo sound with some pretty damn awesome punk indie vibes. If you’re going to Fest make sure you watch them! [Maryam Hassan]
Four Year Strong – ‘What’s In The Box’
Disappointing some fans with the radio-friendly alt.rock of 2011’s ‘In Some Way Shape or Form’, splitting with their major label and vague rumours of an unannounced break-up; it’s been a tumultuous few years for Four Year Strong. Their response? Storming back into our collective consciousness with new EP ‘Go Down In History’. Opening track ‘What’s in the Box’ announces the return of the FYS of old: frenetic, hyperactive riffs, nuclear-powered drums and a chorus the size of a Whale Shark with a steroid problem. Welcome back, boys. [Rob Barbour]
United Nations – ‘United Nations vs United Nations’
After the blistering intensity of ‘Serious Business’ in June, hardcore/screamo/powerviolence supergroup United Nations released their second album this month on Temporary Residence Records, and holy hell is it great. The album art features the cease and desist letter that the actual UN sent them, and it’s those same legal battles that this track concentrates on. Here’s to hoping that now Geoff Rickly is in No Devotion he’ll still have enough time for United Nations. [James Fox]
Charlie Simpson – ‘Long Road Home’
The fantastic Charlie Simpson releases his long-awaited (and bloody brilliant) second album ‘Long Road Home’ in August and he’s unleashed an unplugged session of the title track as a taster. Charlie’s voice is incredible as ever, and it feels like this new material is a natural progression from his debut ‘Young Pilgrim’. A huge talent! [Lais MW]
The Gaslight Anthem – ‘Get Hurt’
This month The Gaslight Anthem released their new music video for the title track from their upcoming album ‘Get Hurt’. This more mellow sound could see a change for the band and lead the way for the rest of the album, but we’ll have to wait and find out. Make sure you catch them on tour all over the UK this November. [David Burd]
Hard Girls – ‘Die Slow’
This song is so great. It has a heart breaking hook ‘I wanna die slow’ which is sung over a spacey post hardcore riff that you can get lost in, especially if aided with the right kind of intoxicants. The song is a highlight off their “A Thousand Surfaces” record which mixes many depressing themes, a raw sound and can make the listener feel alive and want to die at the same time. [Jessica Garcia]
Flesh Born – ‘The Other Side Of Despair’
Flesh Born does it again. Featuring Parker and Miles from Two Knights, their emo/scremo 4 piece band Flesh Born has released yet another great album. They have matured as a band to put together a powerful and cohesive album with lyrics sadder than coming home and realizing that your mom didn’t cook dinner. [Franklin Wallace]
Tiny Moving Parts – ‘Always Focused’
Tiny Moving Parts have been playing this new song on their tour with Modern Baseball earlier this summer, but it is now released as a single for their new album, ‘Pleasant Living’. This is another great Tiny Moving Parts song, with is twinkle daddy guitar riffs and optimistic yet emo revival lyrics. A math rock thrill ride from beginning to end. [Matt Lamourt]
The Muffs – ‘Weird Boy Next Door’
It’s been ten years since the Muffs released a record, which is a damn shame. However, it’s most definitely been worth the wait and as one of my most anticipated records this year, they didn’t disappoint. They still got it. From their great, poppy hooks, to Kim Shattuck’s badass rasp, the Muffs still have a tight grip on our hearts. [Nicole Carter]