New Music Alert: Ten Songs/Bands to Check Out

Let’s have one more new music alert before the end of the year. As usual, these are songs I took a quick listen to and think the bands might be worth exploring. Some are new bands, some older bands with new music, and many of the bands are new to me. Let’s get started:

– “World’s Biggest Paving Slab” by English Teacher: Brit post-punkers English Teacher formed in 2020 and have an EP plus a few singles out now. This song exemplifies the gratifying contrast of singer-songwriter’s Lily Fontaine’s smooth vocals and the band’s lean guitars.

– “Rudolph” by MJ Lenderman: Hailing from Asheville, indie roots rocker, MJ Lenderman, made a wider splash in 2022 with his third album, Boat Songs. New single, “Rudolph,” continues his modest approach: a fuzzy, lo-fi sound accented by his slacker drawl.

– “Life Support” by Taking Meds: The NYC pop-punk band has recently released their fourth album, Dial M for Meds. They’re rough around the edges while suggesting a fun sarcasm. Take a listen to their new single.

– “Not Giving Up” by Pleasure Pill: The San Diego modern rockers have just come out with their third single, “Not Giving Up.” Their catchy melodies and big choruses add up to a digestible sound.

– “Sole Obsessed” by Nation of Language: Formed in Brooklyn in 2016, Nation of Language’s third album, Strange Disciple, expands the band’s sparse sound textures. They’re still minimalist synth-pop with an ’80s feel. Sirius XMU radio gave them a nice boost in 2023.

– “Run Run Run” by The Libertines: Remember these English garage rockers? They crashed the scene in 2002 with Up the Bracket and the self-titled follow-up in 2004, both produced by Mick Jones of the Clash. They are probably best known for the sex and drugs antics of guitarist/vocalist Pete Doherty. (He was engaged to supermodel Kate Moss for a couple years.) They have reunited once again with All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade, due in March 2024. Sounds like they’ve still got the raw energy on this single.

– “I Don’t Know You” by Mannequin Pussy: The Philly punks are back with their fourth LP, I Got Heaven, coming out in March. They combine a wall of sound with cutting lyrics and sweet harmonies. “I Don’t Know You” takes the shoegaze in a more tender direction. Positive write-ups in Spin, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, and more foretell a bright future.

– “Screaming for a Change” by The Iron Roses: “Old Guard,” off the new self-titled “debut” album by The Iron Roses says it all. You can be firmly planted in middle age and still punk out. Front man Nathan Gray and his bandmates have a career of solo music and collectives, but this is their first album under the banner The Iron Roses. They’re unapologetically power chords, defiant lyrics, and rah-rah choruses. Have a listen to “Screaming for a Change” which adds a touch of ska.

– “Ditch” by 3rd Secret: Ready for some good old grunge? Ready or not, here comes 3rd Secret with their second album, eponymously named. The supergroup of Nirvana bassist, Krist Novoselic, Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil, and Pearl Jam drummer, Matt Cameron are grunge royalty…and they sound like it. A pair of female vocalists lighten up the sludge.

– “Like This” by Urban Heat: The spotlight is on dynamic front man Jonathan Horstmann and the glowing synths when it comes to Austin’s Urban Heat. They’re out with their second album next year, The Tower, including this song.