August saw the festival season in the UK reach its peak as the team headed to Reading for a full on weekend of rock goodness. But the festivals don’t end in August oh no! We have Riot Fest and FEST still to come statside. Over the pond in Chicago we went to a punk rock Hot Dog eating contest because that’s the most American thing to ever happen in life. Here are the staff picks for August in case you were so busy partying at festivals that you didn’t manage to listen to any music. Remember to check out our curated POV for more new music.
Two Houses – ‘My Back Is Broken’
‘My Back Is Broken’ is a brutally honest track about the drummer’s relationship with alcohol. Lyrically it’s so raw and puts you right in what he’s feeling, one of the great things about Two Houses. The other is their ability to take pretty serious topics and make music you want to sing along loudly with. Two Houses are the kind of band you can’t put in a genre and that makes them so bloody exciting. [Maryam Hassan]
LVL UP – ‘Hidden Driver’
‘Hidden Driver’ is also mentioned on the Punktastic Podcast. Co-host Dave Satterwhite picked it and it’s been rocking my world ever since we recorded. It’s just one of those songs that has helped the late summer feel a lot better. It’s upbeat, has those perfect moments to get some handclaps in and just brings a smile to faces whenever it’s heard. [Maryam Hassan]
Trophy Eyes – ‘Chlorine’
âChlorineâ is the first track that Trophy Eyes have released since their 2014 album, âMend, Move Onâ. Many will consider their sound to have changed considerably, however the essence of the band is still there, with the addition of soaring clean vocals and an undeniably catchy pop feel. Usually this would ruin such an originally raw and angry band with pop punk influences, however Trophy Eyes have used all their elements to create a masterpiece that wavers between heart-breaking lyrics, primal screams and the enjoyment of a pop record. [Alex Hall]
Oathbreaker â ’10:56 / Second Son of R’
Taking the first two tracks from their forthcoming album âRheiaâ and combining them for the eight-minute visual feast that is the music video, Oathbreaker have returned with an entirely unique and exciting sound. Although vocalist Caro Tangheâs haunting clean singing sets the tone and atmosphere, itâs no preparation for what follows. Both vocals and music alike are devastatingly sharp mixing up elements of black metal and post hardcore crescendos. Caro has described the writing process of the song as painful and wanted that to come across in the music, more so than ever as the track closes with her relentless emotional screams that are at times almost too painful to listen to. [James Davenport]
TouchĂ© AmorĂ© – ‘Skyscraper’
Sometimes a band produces a song that can be allowed in the Kinesphere of perfect. This is one of those moments. ‘Skyscraper’ is an emotionally pained masterpiece, a million miles away from TouchĂ© Amore’s normal discourse. Jeremy’s throaty delivery is replaced with more sullen tones, with a beautiful wash of mesmeric harmonies courtesy of Julien Baker. The peak of the song at 02.31 is a cacophonous array of dual harmony work and electric sound, hell bent on bringing tears to eyes. [Dave Bull]
Big Bliss – ‘High Ideal’
Big Bliss are a fairly new three piece band from NYC and their EP ‘Keep Near’ has been on repeat lately. The three piece takes the genre to a beautiful place on this EP and spark the heart of someone as jaded and cynical as yours truly, especially with their track ‘High Ideal’. The groove and progression in this song provide the listener with an equal balance of every member’s role in the band while invoking the type of feeling that you get after good night out with your best friends. You can’t beat it. [Mike Petruccelli]
Big Jesus – ‘Lock & Key’
As Big Jesus gear up to release their new album, âOneiricâ, they just keep releasing perfect tracks to tide us over. âLock & Keyâ is no exception, and is a prime example of what this band are capable of. Lush, thick guitar riffs soar, before dropping into feedback-laced verses, all shrouded in dreamy reverb. It complements the haze of Spencer Usseryâs swooning vocal melodies that carry âLock & Keyâ into an ethereal world. Big Jesus may be a fairly new band to some, but with tracks as perfectly crafted as this, they will no doubt be stealing the hearts of a lot more people in the near future. [Glen Bushell]
Planes Mistaken For Stars – ‘Fucking Tenderness’
Thereâs no doubt that the return of Planes Mistaken For Stars is a big deal. Initially, we thought it started and ended with last years reissue of their 2006 album, âMercyâ. Now, 10 years later, they have surprised everyone by announcing their new album, âPreyâ, and the first single, âFucking Tendernessâ shows that they are picking up right where they left off. Its dirty, its fierce, and it sounds like vintage Planes Mistaken For Stars. It thunders along at frantic pace, carried by Gared OâDonnellâs trademark growl that seems to come straight from the pits of hell. If âPreyâ is even half as visceral as it threatens to be on the back of âFucking Tendernessâ, it will feel like Planes Mistaken For Starts never went away in the first place. [Glen Bushell]
Bent Life – ‘Thanks For Nothing’
Nebraskan Bridge 9 new signings Bent Life have offered up a 10 song brute of an album of old school hardcore with a ‘same meat, different gravy’ attitude to their sound. Instead of a single formula, the album mixes beatdown, double speed tracks and the odd, 80s hair metal influenced, ambient build up. ‘Thanks For Nothing’ is one of the album’s more thrashy moments. Lovely stuff. [Mike Scott]
Taking Back Sunday – ‘You Can’t Look Back’
It’s as if Taking Back Sunday can do no wrong. Release after release, this band evolve, mature in sound, and delivers a consistent effort with the ability to remain relevant regardless of ever-shifting trends. Adam Lazzara’s voice is clear and crisp as he shares his newest take on instinctual living and the consequences of such. “I’m gonna get you if it takes me all night long” is the catchy chorus that retains your attention throughout a melodic track only to be described as the TBS sound that is both expected and craved. We’ve got new TBS, Brand New and American Football coming our way — pinch me please! [Tori Pisco]
Slotface – ‘Take Me Dancing’
Technically released right at the end of July, Slotface’s ‘Take Me Dancing’ delivers over two minutes of unadulterated good times. The subtle feminist anthem continues their socially aware commentary, affirming that it’s possible to be both conscientious and fun-loving. Providing deliberately light relief, there’s nothing superficial about this track, which brims with an unparalleled alternative pop energy. [Ben Tipple]
Apologies, I Have None – ‘Everybody Wants To Talk About Mental Health’
The emotive explosion of the aptly titled ‘Everybody Wants To Talk About Mental Health’ is a poignant moment on an equally hard-hitting record. Apologies, I Have None vocalist Josh Mckenzie overtly expresses the album’s fundamental themes, one of repression, depression and crippling anxiety. As he spits the track’s title, before accepting the difficulty in conversation, the pain is cripplingly real. It’s one of many gut-wrenching honest yet beautiful moments that underpin this month’s brilliant ‘Pharmacie’ release. [Ben Tipple]
All Get Out – ‘Home’
All Get Out’s ‘The Season’ debut stands out as a modern cult phenomenon, placing them in the revered fringes of not-quite-so-underground contemporaries Brand New and Manchester Orchestra (the latter of which are heavily involved in the band’s forthcoming ‘Nobody Likes A Quitter’ LP release). ‘Home’, the first track to appear from said album, continues the trend laid out by their exceptional debut, sitting somewhere between emo and all-out alternative rock. It’s a particularly promising start to the next chapter of the unsung heroes’ career. [Ben Tipple]
Eros and the Eschaton – âThe Way I Feel Tonight’
Coming from their sophomore full-length LP, and their first after growing from a two-piece to a five-piece and relocating from North Carolina to Colorado, âThe Way I Feel Tonightâ has an awesomely wobbly feel. The band effectively blend indie dream pop sounds with electronics, though this track is heavy on the fuzzed out guitars. Thereâs an uneasy feeling coming from lots of bent guitar notes and from the background keyboards, with a heavy, slow vibrato and loads of reverb that makes it feel, well, deliciously wobbly. The juxtaposition of pure indie pop guitar lines with the hazy feel of the keyboards is something you donât hear too often, and one that provides a uniqueness thatâs very welcomed. [Paul Silver]
Four Lights – âDeath To False Posiâ
For a band thatâs only existed for less than a year, Four Lights have an incredibly mature sound. They blend the best of the 90s pop punk sound of bands like Mr. T Experience or The Parasites with elements of power pop and straightforward rockânâroll. The title track of their debut LP is the perfect sum-up of their philosophy, with a chorus that declares, âI donât want to change the world / Iâm just looking for a way to get the girl. / I donât want to change my mind / Thatâs the only thing I need to get behind.â This is more pop than punk, leaving behind false political sentiments and focusing on real life. This is an outstanding song from an outstanding debut. [Paul Silver]
Twin Atlantic – ‘The Chaser’
Twin Atlanticâs new album âGLAâ is set to be something special. An entirely different direction to their previous efforts, the band have thrown caution to the wind and made a record they love. If latest teaser âThe Chaserâ is anything to go by, weâll love it too. From the huge, T-Rex intro, to the bouncing chorus and snarling riffs, itâs a powerful rock sound with hints of bands your parents loved. By not trying as hard to make a great track, theyâve managed to make a sound thatâs even better. [Kathryn Black]
My Only – ‘Saboteur’
My Only know how to make sweet, sweet music and single ‘Saboteur’ stands to live up to that accomplishment. Taken from their ‘This Room & You’ EP, it’s a huge track. Crushing riffs rise and fall with the emotional impact of their vocals, creating a charged and electric atmosphere. It’s simply stunning. [Jess Tagliani]
Arkless – ‘Clear’
Featuring former members of Bird Calls and What Price, Wonderland?, Arkless are possibly one of the best new bands in the last two years. Utilising a mix of indie rock and emo, they craft a reflective near spoken brand that fans of The Van Pelt would love. Taken from their recently released debut self-titled EP, ‘Clear’ provides a strong insight into what Arkless are all about. It weaves in and out of a building melody with beautiful poetry that wraps you into a meditative ball. This London quartet are ones to keep an ear and an eye out for. [Aaron Lohan]
The Menzingers – ‘Lookers’
“Lookers” is what The Menzingers do best – driving guitar licks, addictive chorus lines and big dollop of nostalgia to excite us into their new album. A track to get the listener all fuzzy and to reflect on their younger self when life was fun and everyone was “lookers.” Following up to 2014’s ‘Rented World’, the new record is due out before the end of the year. For now grab your significant other, go and do something fun and turn this way up to 11. [Will Whitby]
Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes “Turning Gears”
With a name like Carl Saganâs Skate Shoes, you can probably guess that this Austin, Texas trio doesnât sound like anything else you are hearing on the radio these days. Taking the chaotic energy of bands like Fugazi and Shellac, mixing it with snarly vocals that would make Helmetâs Paige Hamilton snicker and cram it all into a wall of sound that will leave you shell shocked and yearning for more, Carl Saganâs Skate Shoes craft nine tracks on their self-titled debut album that is truly unforgettable. I can only imagine the sheer force of their live show. Do not sleep on this record! [Jeff Takacs]
Against Me! – ‘Crash’
The next generation of Against Me! has arrived. A consistent line-up has really done them a lot of good as this song sounds like the most fun the band has had in a while. On their seventh record, Against Me! still manage to feel 100% fresh. Inge’s bass riffs offer a step up from previous efforts and further enhance the already high energy of the track. It sounds like Laura Jane Grace has been listening to a lot of 70s rock leading up to this because this could easily be a Dinosaur Jr track. And still, at the same time, it fits right into their catalog along with jams like ‘Bamboo Bones’ and ‘High Pressure Low’. [Mat Stokes]
Restorations-‘See’
The song starts off calm but quickly changes tempo with an instrumental breakdown. This continues almost like a wave, rising and falling until the momentous solo to close out the track. ‘See’ is about an attempt to return to a time before technology became all consuming, singing “turn it off, they donât speak for us, to just listen, how I miss it.” Restorations seems to be one of those bands that continuously knock it out of the park and this single proves it once more. [Daniella Heminghaus]