First track ‘Timber Together’ sets the scene with the delicate vocals we have come to expect from Sheena Ozzella. The sound is calming, allowing the song to become background noise whilst our minds get cast back to being young and free. This idea of guiltless fun and hope continues into the next track, ‘Sliver of Change,’ a steady yet upbeat combination that begins the slow uprise of the album. The repetition of the word “sliver” towards the end hones in on the importance of finding a way to not just merely glide through life.

The next few songs continue this disguised lightheartedness with a real focus on the harmonies between Ozzella and drummer Alex Kerns. It’s like a diary of all the good times and a plea to cling onto that faith. Breaking away from this is ‘Lake Below’ which relies on the use of a piano to create the high notes that mimic small droplets of water, reflecting the title effortlessly. This is definitely the most stand-alone song on the album due to its dependence on something other than the guitar. The clever use of imagery reflected throughout the song is prominent and is used further with ‘Trembling’ which does the complete opposite. Here we have a contradiction to the title with Kerns’ soothing voice distracting us whilst he compares himself to the last leaf on a dying tree. The state of calm compared to the honesty of death emphasizes our mortality and the importance of the details being found in otherwise mundane things. On a much thinner level, the song is simple and dreamlike, returning them back to their comfort zone with the string to drum structure.

If you had to pick a song to sum up the band, last track ‘Best Extra’ is the one for it. It’s a mixture of everything they are: a celebration of folk, indie and punk. The main focus lies with the guitars and the ending repetition of “I’m going to keep trying hard” becomes more of a chant, reminding us that things will get better. A great album to keep you motivated as this year takes off.

LOUISE TINDALL

Blackout Problems – ‘OFF/ON’

‘OFF/ON’ is the newest single from the Munich based emo/punks. 2018 is going to be a massive year for these guys and they definitely need to be on your radar.

Great Collapse – ‘Meltdown!’

Gearing up for the release of their new album, ‘Neither Washington, Nor Moscow.. Again!’, Great Collapse hit the UK in a few weeks time. Make sure to make it out to a date!

Terrible Love – ‘First Flowers’

Terrible Love are flying the flag for a new wave of melodic hardcore in the UK. The quintet were recently snapped up by Big Scary Monsters. Catch them on tour in the UK this month.

Lemuria – ‘Christine Perfect’

Lemuria surprised everyone with the release of their new album ‘Recreational Hate’ before Christmas. Another fantastic dose of melodic indie punk-rock.

The Copyrights – ‘Heart Of Glue’

Having just been announced for Manchester Punk Festival in April, and UK tour dates in the pipeline, I just had to include one of the best pop-punk bands in the world in this week’s playlist!

Jeff Rosenstock – ‘Yr Throat’

Surprising everyone on New Years Day, Jeff Rosenstock dropped his new album, ‘POST-‘. Catch him on tour all over North America this spring.

Cold Years – ‘Miss You To Death’

Hailing from Aberdeen, Cold Years are a name that’s going to be appearing a lot in 2018. Not only is ‘Miss You To Death’ a real banger, but the production is absolutely flawless. Make sure to catch them live when they inevitably pass through your town.

Hell and Back – ‘Treasure Chest’

Germany is kicking out some insanely good punk rock at the moment, and Hell And Back are no exception. ‘Treasure Chest’ is taken from the 2017 record, ‘Slowlife’, available through Fond Of Life Records.

LIRR – ‘this house is clean, baby (this house is clean)’

LIRR are difficult to describe. They combine, punk, hardcore, hip-hop and post-rock to make a truly unusual and unique sound. Their debut album, ‘god’s on our side; welcome to the jungle’ is out now through Grand Hotel van Cleef / Dogs Knights Productions. Catch them in the UK for a handful of shows next month.

mewithoutYou – Red Cow

mewithoutYou have been putting out fantastic records for over 17 years. Truly one of the finest experimental/indie/rock acts there is. ‘Red Cow’ is taken from the 2016 album ‘Pale Horses’: make sure to check it out! Catch them on tour all over the UK and EU with Paramore this month.

It is taken from their upcoming fourth album, ‘Recreational Hate’.The album was physically released to 700 fans who had ordered it earlier this year under the guise of their annual secret LP. It will be digitally released in full this Friday 15th December, with the full physical release being available on the 2nd February via Asian Man Records (NA), Big Scary Monsters (UK/EU) and the band’s own newly found label Turbo Worldwide.

photo: Riel Sturchio

The album was physically released to 700 fans who had ordered it earlier this year under the guise of their annual secret LP. It will be digitally released in full this Friday 15th December, with the full physical release being available on the 2nd February via Asian Man Records (NA), Big Scary Monsters (UK/EU) and the band’s own newly found label Turbo Worldwide. To coincide with the announcement, the trio have also shared the lead single, ‘Wanted to Be Yours’, which you can listen to below.

It is available for $5 or more via bandcamp, with 100% of all proceeds going towards the victims of last week’s tragedy in Las Vegas, primarily aiding the UMC Foundation, the city’s only Level 1 Trauma Centre. It features tracks from over 130 artist, including rare cuts from The Wonder Years, The Menzingers, Lemuria, Off with Their Heads, Direct Hit! and Taking Back Sunday.

The limited record apparently features previously unreleased/new material. It can be purchased here and will ship in November. The band’s last release was the 2014 7″ ‘Turnstile Comix #3’ on Silver Sprocket.

It is a slight cover of Demi Lovato’s ‘Cool for the Summer’. This is the Uxbridge indie punks’ first new recorded material since their 2016 EP ‘Anyone and Everyone’ on Dovetown Recordings (UK), KROD Records (FR) and Wiener Records (US).

The band will be playing the following UK shows.

JULY
06 LONDON The Borderline*
07 BRISTOL Exchange*
10 BIRMINGHAM Sunflower Lounge*
11 MANCHESTER Star & Garter*
12 GLASGOW 13th Note*
13 LEEDS Headrow House*
14 NOTTINGHAM Red Rooms*
28-29 LAKE DISTRICT Kendal Calling
AUGUST
12 SADDLEWORTH Cotton Clouds Festival
12 LEEDS Scene Better Days Fest, Wharf Chambers
19 NOTTINGHAM Seeing Your Scene Fest, Rough Trade
SEPTEMBER
08 PORTMEIRION Festival Number 6
16 BUXWORTH Rec Rock

* w/ Lemuria + Mikey Erg

This will follow both bands’ upcoming appearances at 2000 Trees Festival in Cheltenham the day before on the 8th July. The latest release from The Menzingers is their fifth album, ‘After the Party’, on Epitaph Records. As for Lemuria, they will be reissuing their debut album ‘Get Better’ on the 5th July via Banquet Records. They’re also currently writing the follow up to their third album ‘The Distance Is So Big’, which was released in 2013 on Bridge Nine Records.

Lemuria will also be doing a full tour of the UK and Ireland around those dates to commemorate the tenth anniversary of their aforementioned debut LP. They will be joined by Mikey Erg and Colour Me Wednesday. All of these dates are listed below.

JULY
05 SOUTHAMPTON Joiners+
06 LONDON The Borderline+
07 BRISTOL Exchange+
08 CHELTENHAM 2000 Trees Festival*
09 BRIGHTON The Haunt*
10 BIRMINGHAM Sunflower Lounge+
11 MANCHESTER Star & Garter+
12 GLASGOW 13th Note+
13 LEEDS Headrow House+
14 NOTTINGHAM Red Rooms+
15 DUBLIN, IRE Whelans^
16 BELFAST Voodoo^

* w/ The Menzingers
+ w/ Mikey Erg + Colour Me Wednesday
^ Mikey Erg only

Hundred Reasons, Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties, Ben Marwood, Tellison, Jim Lockey, Bare Knuckle Parade and Non Canon will perform exclusive sets at the festival, along with other bands who are already performing across the weekend.

They join Slaves, Nothing But Thieves,The Wonder Years, The Front Bottoms, Beach Slang, Black Peaks, Gnarwolves, Slotface, De Staat, The Hyena Kill, Get Inuit, Acres, Peaness, Moses, Wallflower, Deaf Havana, Oathbreaker, Milk Teeth, The Dirty Nil, Svalbard, Employed To Serve, Lemuria, The Winter Passing, Jamie Lenman, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Lower Than Atlantis, Mallory Knox, The Menzingers, Young Guns, Skinny Lister, Rolo Tomassi, Roam, Pulled Apart By Horses, Dinosaur Pile-Up, Feed The Rhino, Muncie Girls and more at the Cheltenham based festival, which takes place on July 6-8th at Upcote Farm.

Tickets for 2000trees are on sale now, and you can find out addition information at the official website.

As reported earlier today, the shows will be in support of the tenth anniversary of Lemuria’s debut album, ‘Get Better’, which the band will be reissuing via Banquet Records.

As for the support acts; Mikey Erg released his debut solo album, ‘Tentative Decisions’ last year on Don Giovanni Records, whilst the latest from Uxbridge indie punks Colour Me Wednesday is their 2016 EP ‘Anyone and Everyone’ on Dovetown Recordings (UK), KROD Records (FR) and Wiener Records (US).

JULY
05 SOUTHAMPTON Joiners
06 LONDON The Borderline
07 BRISTOL Exchange
08 CHELTENHAM 2000 Trees Festival*
10 BIRMINGHAM Sunflower Lounge
11 MANCHESTER Star & Garter
12 GLASGOW 13th Note
13 LEEDS Headrow House
14 NOTTINGHAM Red Rooms
15 DUBLIN, IRE Whelans^
16 BELFAST Voodoo^

* Lemuria only
^ w/o Colour Me Wednesday