We’re right in the middle of festival season now, and following May’s Slam Dunk – Groezrock – Camden Rocks trio, June has brought us the behemoth that is Download Festival. When not singing along to The Offspring’s ‘Smash’, or witnessing Marmozets own their stage, we were lucky enough to catch some exciting new talent who may be gracing our Best of… Playlists in the near future.
For now though, here’s a selection of tracks that have caught our team’s attention through June 2014. Things really do just keep getting better…
Guerrilla Monsoon – ‘December’
The combined vocal style, switching between gritty almost-screams and uplifting cracked surf-pop, define the newest track by Birmingham’s Guerrilla Monsoon. Alongside the summery vibes complimented by the cheerful lyrics, the track raises the spirits without ever touching upon pop-punk territory. There’s undoubtedly much more to come from Guerrilla Monsoon. [Ben Tipple]
Lower Than Atlantis – ‘Here We Go’
Lower Than Atlantis are back ladies and gentlemen! ‘Here We Go’ is the first single released off the bands upcoming self-titled album which is due out on September 29th. I can honestly say no track has grown on me more quickly and if the rest of the album is as good as this then we’re in for a real treat. It’s new, catchy and just a little bit sexy. Make sure you don’t miss the bands 15 date intimate venue UK tour this July. [David Burd]
Direct Hit! – ‘Wasting Away’
From the band that made my album of 2013 comes another incredibly catchy, singalong-y piece of pop punk genius. This kind of ‘Pop’ Punk has got a bright future if this is anything to go by. [Mark Gadong]
Xibalba – ‘Death Threat’
Lead track from the Xibalba/Suburban Scum Split EP that’s due out soon on lovely 7″. Just plain up brutal hardcore. What the fuck else does anyone need? Both bands are well worth checking out. [Mike Scott]
Hear the track here.
Basement – Summer’s Colour
Once again, Basement did their usual thing of dropping a surprise announcement on everyone this month, and this time around it’s the exciting news of a new EP ‘Further Sky’ and a chance to hear the first track ‘Summer’s Colour’. It’s probably the poppiest the band have ever sounded but features a Bridge that is just as gripping as so many other moments of brilliance the band has given us over the years. [James Fox]
Rapids – ‘RDWER’
There is a lot of good stuff coming out of the Chicago punk scene right now, first up is Rapids. Mike is an awesome lyricist. Add his awesome lyrics to some amazing melodic guitars, big drums and some all round awesomeness and you have this pretty much perfect song. The EP is fantastic and leaves you wanting more (proper album please?). [Maryam Hassan]
The Front Bottoms – ‘Twelve Feet Deep’
The line, “‘cos you are water twelve feet deep” is as sweet and ambiguous as you’ll find in any Front Bottoms track. The two-piece from New Jersey have pretty much nailed songs centred on longing for love, with slightly ominous lyrics – did I mention that the next line is “I am boots made of concrete”? Sure, it’s a re-recording but it comes off a new EP, titled “Rose”, named after Matt’s grandmother. Aren’t they sweet though? [Sam Kanal]
You Blew It! – ‘Surf Wax America’
Announced back at the beginning of June, You Blew It! have recorded a five track Weezer covers EP titled ‘You Blue It!’ (lolol I get it) and just last week they premiered their cover of ‘Surf Wax America.’ We obviously already know how great a song it is anyway but couple that with a band genuinely having a blast with music and what you have is a fun, fitting tribute to one of the finest bands in the genre. [Chris Marshman]
Night Birds – ‘Agent Zero’
Night Birds are a fun band anyway, but this 7″ is only surf instrumentals– which is getting me really excited for their surf set at Fest this October as Killer Waves! [Sarah Scanlon]
Lights Over Bridgeport – ‘Automatic’
Chicago’s Lights Over Bridgeport are one of the best kept secrets in North America, and the release of ‘Automatic’ backs up that quite bold claim. Their punk-rock with poppy undertones channels a Drive Thru Records spirit and fans of The Swellers and Audio Karate will love this. [Tom Beck]
Rise Against – ‘I Don’t Want To Be Here Anymore’
Rise Against never fail to surprise us! The newest song ‘I Don’t Want To Be Here Anymore’ has another great rhythm, constantly changing from from fast to slow, which is often heard throughout their songs. Don’t forget, you can see them live this November. [Kseniya Zinchenko]
Two Houses – ‘Dude Peyton Manning’
I told you there was a lot of good stuff coming out of Chicago right? When I first heard Two Houses I described them as Restorations meets Grown Ups. I don’t know if that’s something I still stand by but this EP is going to be on repeat a lot this summer. The last track is my fav, mainly for the “AND WHEN THEY KILLED JOHN HENRY THEY GAVE US BUDLIGHT AND FOOTBALL” shout along in the middle. [Maryam Hassan]
Cayetana – Serious Things Are Stupid
Opening for the Menzingers was the first chance I had to hear more than the three songs on Spotify from Cayetana. Let me tell you something, this band is going places. They truly embrace the idea that indie rock should be simple, catchy, and fun. The first song released off their much anticipated full length serves as confirmation of fantastic things to come. Do yourself a favour and check out your new favourite band and get ready to dance and sing along with them at your soonest opportunity. [Mat Stokes]
The Gaslight Anthem – ‘Rollin’ and Tumblin’’
New Jersey’s finest The Gaslight Anthem are releasing their fifth album ‘Get Hurt’ in August (spoiler: it’s absolutely brilliant) and this is the first taster of what’s to come. It’s a different sound for The Gaslight Anthem – more upbeat, gruffer vocals, a lot catchier – but it’s bloody fantastic. Enjoy! [Lais MW]
Code Orange – ‘I Am King’
After dropping the ‘Kids’ tag from their name recently, Code Orange bulldozed their way back into our brains with the first slab of sound taken from their new record due this September on Deathwish. With a foreboding and ultimately gruesome, almost cinematic video, ‘I Am King’ hands you sonic violence on a plate, then hurls it in your face with some of the band’s biggest riffs to date. [James Fox]