April showers bring May Flowers, or in our case April showers bring muddy fields at Groezrock. Festival season has officially started now April is here, with Groezrock kicking off things in Europe in the most punk rock way. Here’s a whole load of songs our staff think you should check out from April…
Babymetal – ‘Karate’
The J-POP/Metal trio are back! A few years after their debut album Babymetal come storming back with a corker of a song in ‘Karate’. Not as fast as previous songs, Karate still keeps the trademark beat downs and catchy chorus (plus they keep creating awesome videos too!). I wouldn’t be surprised if they turned up to a very well known metal festival later this year… [Mark Gadong]
Beartooth – ‘Aggressive’
Beartooth have been causing a stir for quite a while with their savagely raw songs that are open and honest about topics such as depression and addiction. And now, they’re ready to go full throttle once again with their latest single ‘Aggressive’, taken from their forthcoming album. Full of speed and aggression, visceral riffs and demonic drum work are crushed together, whilst Caleb Shomo’s vocals soar above it all – it’s a force to be reckoned with, and will make venue walls drip with sweat.[Jess Tagliani]
PEARS – ‘Partridge’
PEARS’ Green Star is a hardcore masterpiece and the song “Partridge” proves this. The song is the fastest on the entire record and in its 57 second time frame the band managed to go from melodic punk with a guitar riff and backing vocals to full on hardcore but not before giving listeners a quick Easter-egg. They squeezed in the riff from The Beatles’ “Day Tripper.” In fact, in almost typical PEARS fashion, the album has quite a few Easter-eggs on it. The band has really outdone themselves with this release, check it out over at Fat Wreck Cords. [Daniella Heminghaus]
PVRIS – ‘Empty’
Released as part of the deluxe version of PVRIS debut White Noise, the brilliant âEmptyâ is a build-up song. Over a Lana Del Rey ambience, singer Lynn Gunn goes from almost serenading herself over the opening lines to singing her heart out for a âwhat do you want from me?â refrain. With February track âYou & Iâ also only making the deluxe album, you canât help but wonder – why didnât PVRIS let their best two songs make the original cut? [Daniella Heminghaus]
Weezer – ‘California Kids’
So, this new Weezer album, eh? Pretty interesting stuff. So, here I am, the literal millionth person to claim that [insert anything since Pinkerton] is Weezer getting back to their roots by releasing something worthy of praise and value! This time though, I think it’s about as close it can get. California Kids has that “Pink Triangle” opening feel, big guitars, and something about the West Coast attached to it. If you’re a reasonable person who has any ounce of contextual graciousness in your soul, the White Album is pretty alright. If you’re still hung up on why Rivers Cuomo isn’t the genuine sweater-wearing-promiscuous-dweeb you wish for him to be, you probably hate this album like everything else in your life. Have fun with that, I’ll be the positive one for once. [Mike Petruccelli]
Black Peaks – ‘Hang ‘Em High’
Brighton’s Black Peaks emerged into the UK rock scene in much the same way as the Xenomorph ’emerged’ from John Hurt in the film ‘Alien’. As we all sit here slack-jawed at the originality, innovation and downright excitement contained within their debut album, ‘Statues’, I could have picked just about any track. ‘Hang ‘Em High’ just about edges the competition for the way the grinding, filthy, distorted bass dominates what passes for the song’s calmer moments while still allowing Will Gardner’s vocals to soar. Remarkable. [Rob Barbour]
Nothing – ‘ACD (Abcessive Compulsive Disorder)’
In anticipation of their upcoming album ‘Tired of Tomorrow’, Nothing have released a number of unbelievably stunning singles. ACD is one of these, displaying all that the band has built their sound to be, heavy, catchy, and dark. Crushing guitar lines match deeply self-deprecating lyrics and a sound that really embodies depression through a sense of slow-motion. The wall of sound, typical of the band is displayed perfectly through the mix and draws you in so that you can’t help but be encapsulated into the deep sense of sadness that permeates every word. If the rest of the album matches this song, it is sure to be one of the best releases of 2016. [Alex Hall]
Real Friends – ‘Scared To Be Alone’
If there was a criticism to be made of ‘Maybe This Place Is The Same And We’re Just Changing’ it would be that it wasn’t the step forward from their previous releases that was expected. Forthcoming album ‘The Home Inside My Head’ is a chance for Real Friends to return to form and ‘Scared To Be Alone’ suggests the record will have a strong identity of its own. A heavier almost grunge-inspired mood runs through parts of the song, but Real Friends still squeeze in a soaring melodic chorus that’s given real emotion by Dan Lambton’s excellent vocals.[Chris Hilson]
Free Kittens & Bread – ‘How To Be Alone’
It was damned hard to pick jut one song off the debut full-length from this Austin, Texas band, because theyâre one of the most exciting ânewâ bands Iâve come across, and every song on here is a potential favorite of the month. They play some great indie music with punk and Americana influences. âHow To Be Aloneâ tells the story of how comfortable we can be in a relationship, but when itâs lost, how living life alone changes us and brings about new realizations about ourselves. Musically, it has hints of doo-wop mixed in with the indie rock. The track slowly builds in intensity, and when the backing vocals kick in, the song is such a glorious lament. The songwriting is really top notch and the arrangements are very thoughtfully done. I canât get enough of this.[Paul Silver]
The Stargazer Lilies – ‘When With You’
Following on from the announcement of their second LP, âDoor To The Sunâ, psychedelic rock/shoegaze trio, The Stargazer Lilies, have unveiled the first track from it. âWhen With Youâ is as immersive as you expect, and builds on the foundation set by their debut, âWe Are The Dreamersâ. It is a simple love song, with Kim Field’s glacial, hazy vocals sunken within walls of brooding tone and mesmerising reverse reverb; part disjointed, wholly intoxicating. If âWhen With Youâ is anything to go by, then âDoor To The Sunâ will be one of the most mesmerising records this year, and another important release for Graveface Records. [Glen Bushell]
With Confidence – ‘Keeper’
The sun made its first appearance this month (albeit followed by snow!) and what better way to greet it than with a slice of catchy pop-punk. This Australian four-piece offer the kind of anthemic songwriting thatâs easily appreciated any time of the year, but the infectious, poppy vocals and upbeat tempos are a perfect accompaniment to a cold beer on a sunny day. The bandâs debut album will be out in June through Hopeless Records and, and on the strength of ‘Keeper’, could easily become a roadtrip favourite during this yearâs festival season. [Mark Johnson]
Culture Abuse – ‘Jealous’
Peach, the new record from Culture Abuse, is the only choice possible for April 2016. It’s fuzzy and heavy but lush and doesn’t slow down for one second through its 30-minute run. Picking one song is hard, but “Jealous” is the perfect starting point. It’s this perfect slice of Bay Area burnout punk with a huge chorus that, while incredible on record, somehow doesn’t even do the live show justice. It would’ve been a disservice to not pick something off of this record. 2016 belongs to Culture Abuse and everyone else gets to be jealous. [Jay Papandreas]
Happy Accidents – ‘Leaving Parties Early’
On their first EP, ‘Not Yet Jaded’, this London based trio showed potential in pop infused indie punk. There was a catchy, heart on sleeve knack creeping at the seams. Such potential has now burst open with this strong first single from their upcoming debut album ‘You Might Be Right’. Fans of Modern Baseball and Johnny Foreigner are sure to stumble at the knees once they hear this. It features a delightful chorus that worms its way into one’s consciousness, begging to analyse all manner of loose personal threads in the social sphere. So if you’re craving for more, I would advise patience until Alcopop! Records release the entire thing on 1st July. It’ll be worth the two month wait! [Aaron Lohan]
Hotel Books – ‘Every Day, The Same’
Beginning as a poetry/spoken word project by Cam Smith in 2011, Hotel Books has now blossomed into a more structured art from that fuses together the elegance of the spoken word and the emotional power of instruments. Announcing a fourth full-length record will be released in the summer, Hotel Books have been flaunting their new direction with single âEvery Day, The Sameâ. The track flows with a beautiful piano melody, whilst the high-pitched guitar notes build power, Smiths words biting back with an urgency that demands your attention. Itâs all rounded off with an echoing harmony of âWeâre all so sick of dyingâ which will undoubtedly leave a chilling atmosphere when heard live. This is not just music, this is art. [Tamsyn Wilce]
The Fall Of Troy – ‘Inside Out’
About 10ish years ago, I went to see the Fall of Troy open for Poison the Well. For whatever reason they were late and ended up doing their set after the headliner. They only played 3 or 4 songs, but did so with such intensity that you’d think it was going to be the last time anyone would hear them. Thats how it feels listening to Inside Out. After disbanding 6 years ago, the Fall of Troy bring their controlled chaos back to the world with their 5th full length OK. Inside Out demonstrates all the spastic guitar parts, absurd tempo changes, and visceral vocal deliveries the band has somehow managed to combine into the coherent music they’re known for. Stating that this new record represents hope and that the past doesn’t have to weigh on the future, the wacky new, but still familiar sound put forth on OK suggests just that. Its very exciting to have an old favorite like the Fall of Troy back and i cant wait to see what’s next. [Mat Stokes]
Pity Party – ‘Mother Goose’
Pity Party is the closing track of Mother Goose’s debut EP, and a banger single none the less. This entire release is the angsty, brutally honest and raw break up album that’ll get you through that ungrateful ex you keep telling yourself you’re over once and for all – and you’ll have a damn fun time doing it. [Tori Pisco]
Ratboys – ‘Not Again’
Chicago’s Ratboys should be your favourite band already. If you’ve heard them, you know why. If not, listen to their new single ‘Not Again’ and speak to me in 2 minutes, 55 seconds and we can talk about how we both now have the same favourite band, Ratboys. ‘Not Again’ is the perfect representation of the Chicago trio, Julia Steiner’s delivery is so effortlessly and wonderfully executed, especially the final verse. MAN, that final verse. This band is unbelievably talented and the way their songs ebb and flow so seamlessly is amazing. Forging their own path and soon to be touring with Pinegrove, Ratboys are one of the coolest bands around right now. If you don’t know, now you know. It’s a pleasure to now share a favourite band with you. Our favourite band, Ratboys. [Conor Mackie]
White Lung – ‘Below’
Following the sheer quality of their two previous track releases, ‘Hungry’ and ‘Kiss Me When I Bleed’, it’s almost impossible to fathom that ‘Below’ is just as good if not better. Where ‘Hungry’ presented a comparably subdued but unquestionably brilliant approach, ‘Below’ takes this almost unrivaled melodic expertise and slams it together with the punk-rock attitude of ‘Kiss Me When I Bleed’. The result is a truly mesmerising piece of pop-rock. Not your typical commercially friendly radio hogging pop-rock, but one with enough bite to give even the most hardcore a run for their money. [Ben Tipple]
Tens – ‘Mayday’
I’m not entirely sure if this is cheating on my part but I don’t really care. I love Tens. They are high energy, super fun punk rock from Chicago. ‘Mayday’ is a great track blending together vocals from Ryan Smith and Mike Petruccelli and the album will certainly be a firm fav this year with anyone who likes Fest Punk bands. I like that’s a genre now. [Maryam Hassan]