Five New Songs to Welcome in the Summer

Let’s have a listen to some new songs by new(ish) bands. I’m not too familiar with any of the bands but heard these singles off their new releases and thought they all might be worth exploring. “Summer” implies bright, sunny, and care-free, such as light reading “beach” books. These songs aren’t necessarily that breezy, but despite some fear and despair sentiments, there are soaring musical moments.

Porridge Radio: “Back to the Radio”

These Brighton indie-rockers actually formed in 2015 and have just released their second studio album, Waterslide, Diving Board, Ladder to the Sky. Their first, Every Bad, was released in March 2020 just as the world began shutting down. The new lead single, “Back to the Radio,” displays some of singer/songwriter/lead guitarist Dana Margolin’s COVID anguish during quarantine, “So lock all the windows and shut all the doors/And get into the house and lie down on the cold, hard floor.” The repetitive chorus is a hypnotic and invigorating chant.

Horsegirl: “Anti-Glory”

Horsegirl are three young rockers (late teens!) from Chicago who are releasing their debut album next week, Versions of Modern Performance. They have received lots of airplay on Sirius XMU radio, particularly the earlier single, “Ballroom Dance Scene.” The guitars bend and swerve, the vocals are sleepy, portending stormy skies. My Bloody Valentine comes to mind. The guitar drone of “Anti-Glory” rings of Joy Division and the namesake song of this website, with its chorus “Dance, Dance, Dance, Dance, Dance with me.”

Mike Campbell and the Dirty Knobs: “Wicked Mind”

Thanks to my friend and Poptransmission reader Gregg for letting me know about these guys. Mike Campbell, of course, from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers co-wrote many of their great songs including “Refugee,” “Here Comes My Girl,” and my favorite, “Runnin’ Down a Dream.” The Dirty Knobs is a long-time side band for Campbell first getting together about 20 years ago. They put out their first album, Wreckless Abandon in 2020, following that up in March of this year with External Combustion. Country singer Margo Price, Heartbreaker Benmont Tench, and Ian Hunter (yes, from Mott the Hoople!) show up as guest artists on the new LP. The Dirty Knobs are hard-rockin’ energy and a little rougher around the edges than the Heartbreakers. The single “Wicked Mind” strums along quickly before being joined by a blistering guitar solo. Garage rock bliss. Campbell writes and sings the songs, while playing the lead guitar. He’s the front man for an excellent band that can no longer just be considered a side project.

Gentle Sinners: “Face to Fire (After Nyman)”

Thanks to friend and Poptransmission reader MSquared for bringing these guys to my attention. Gentle Sinners is a collaborative effort between James Graham and Aidan Moffat of Scottish indie rockers Twilight Sad and Arab Strap, respectively. I’m not familiar with Arab Strap but I have the two most recent Twilight Sad albums. (MSquared and I saw them in concert in 2014 at a small club in San Luis Obispo, along with one of those bands with a great name, We Were Promised Jetpacks). The few songs I perused on the just-released Gentle Sinners album, These Actions Cannot Be Undone, were different in tone and tempo and characterized by Graham’s thick brogue over some heavy electronica. Seems like it’s one of those challenging records that demands deeper listening. I included a more animated and uplifting song here, “Face to Fire.”

The Mysterines: “Life is a Bitch (But I Like it So Much)”

As their song implies, these young Liverpudlians don’t mess around. Fronted by singer Lia Metcalfe, The Mysterines just released their debut album Reeling. They are punks in a grungy world; a kiss-ass, unapologetic nod to 90s rock. Courtney Love and PJ Harvey should be proud. With “Life’s a Bitch” they’ve got their anthem already.