It feels like 2021 is moving at a mile minute, and I can't believe I'm typing that October has just come to an end. I'm definitely mourning spooky season, but I'm ready for a great last few months of the year.
I went to a bunch of gigs this month, and a lot of new music was released as well, so let's get right into it! You can listen to this month's playlist on Spotify here.
"Severing the Senses" - Dying Wish
Dying Wish's new record "Fragments of a Bitter Memory" is an easy album of the year candidate for me. Vocalist Emma Boster's growth between releases is super evident, and the whole band really hit it out of the park.
"ain't my girl" - Valley
I had no idea that Valley was putting out a new EP until °1824 had a press conference surrounding it where they premiered their video for "Cure" (featured on the 10/7 weekly playlist) and I've been obsessed with "Last Birthday" ever since. Be sure to catch them on tour with COIN if they're coming to your city in November!
"To Heal at All, You Have to Feel It All" - Can't Swim
Can't Swim put out a new album called "Change of Plans" this month, and they couldn't have picked two more perfect singles. "Deliver Us More Evil" caught my attention sonically, but "To Heal at All, You Have to Feel It All" is an ultra-cathartic lyrical masterpiece (played on the radio show on October 7th). The whole album is definitely worth a listen as well!
"Plum Summer" - Matchstick Ghost
This song was recommended to me a few weeks back, and it's been in my daily rotation for the rest of the month. You may recognize it from my weekly playlist on October 14th!
"A Little More" - 7Elevan
7Elevan opened for Range Life along with Okay Okay, Lizzie Donohue, Pollyanna and Fox Teeth at Gold Sounds in Brooklyn, NY earlier this month, and I'm really excited to see what's next for him! This song was also on my weekly playlist for 10/14.
"Somo" - Suntitle
Suntitle's new album "In A Dream" due out on November 12th via Know Hope Records, and this single was a perfect precursor to it, featured on the weekly playlist for October 21st. You can still pre-order the record here!
"I Don't Care Anymore" - Cathedral Bells
This song was also featured on the Strawberry Skies radio show on October 21st, and is a really fitting chilled-out song for cold weather. The band is on tour right now with Valley Palace and will be until December.
"I'm Doing Push Ups" - Bears In Trees
Bears In Trees is putting out their debut album via Counterintuitive Records on November 19th, titled "and everybody else smiled back", which you can pre-order via CI's online store here. I really love the title and have loved the singles that they've been putting out, so I could see this record being high up on my album of the year list.
"Van's Manager Type Beat" - The Real You
The Real You is a super fun pop-punk/emo band that I definitely think deserves more recognition. They've been playing shows in Florida all throughout October, and have another one coming up on November 20th at Fox Lounge in Gainesville, FL with Bay Street, Foxflower, and Colorblind Dinosaurs (tickets available here).
"Yuna" - Tiny Kingdoms
Tiny Kingdoms dropped their EP "For A Moment We Were All Alone" a few weeks back, and I was lucky enough to get to work with them on this campaign once again. They are incredible musicians and incredible people and this release definitely deserves your ears.
"Monster" - Pollyanna
Speaking of talented musicians and great human beings, New Jersey's Pollyanna released the deluxe version of their 2020 EP "Sugar Coat", including two new tracks "Monster" and "Friend", alternate versions of three songs from the original tracklist "Don't Stay, Don't Go - Cigar Lounge Version", "IDKY - Bedroom Version", and "i promise, i'm lying - hyperpop remix." This band absolutely deserves all of your support, you can grab the record on vinyl via I Surrender Records here!
"In April" - Anxious
I'll stop gushing about the amazing bands I'm friends with and get to work with after this, I promise - Anxious released a single called "In April" this month, accompanied by the announcement of their debut album via Run For Cover Records, "Little Green House" (pre-order here). The record is slated for a late January 2022 release date, but I already know it's going to be one of my favorites of next year.
"Control My Sanity" - Like Pacific
We've gone far too long without new music from Like Pacific, and I'm so beyond excited for their new album to be released on December 3rd. All we need now is a tour announcement...no I haven't been manifesting it every day since these new singles have been out.
"27 Club" - Trophy Eyes
Trophy Eyes is another band that we had gone far too long without new music from, and another band I am begging for a tour from at this point. They have yet to release something that I am not absolutely in love with.
"Desperate Pleasures" - Boston Manor
Boston Manor's new EP "Desperate Times, Desperate Pleasures" feels like a true return to form for the band after their 2020 album "GLUE" didn't quite hit the way I had wanted it to. Getting to see them live for the first time in just under two years will definitely be a high point for the end of this year for me.
"Return to Passion" - Knocked Loose
Knocked Loose was the first hardcore band I ever listened to in August 2019 and the first hardcore show I ever went to in November 2019, and they have yet to disappoint me. Their new EP "A Tear in the Fabric of Life" is accompanied by an animated short film and both pieces are absolutely beautiful. There is not a single band that is doing it like Knocked Loose right now.
"Sharpen Your Teeth" - Save Face
I've known that Save Face's "Another Kill for the Highlight Reel" would be one of my favorite albums of 2021 before I even knew the title, release date, or tracklisting. It's different from 2018's "Merci", but not in a bad way - it feels like a natural progression for the band, both sonically and lyrically. I can't wait to hear these songs live when they go on tour with Mom Jeans., Origami Angel and Pool Kids in a few weeks.
"when it all gets old" - Range Life
I mentioned Range Life's record release show earlier, and it really was a magical night celebrating a phenomenal debut record. Themes of love, loss, individuality, relationships, and wanderlust are explored with a folk-pop backdrop and it comes together beautifully.
"Something Right" - Microwave
Going to shows by myself is something that I never really know if I like or not, but seeing Microwave with Weakened Friends, Taking Meds (photo gallery/interview here) and Elder Brother at the start of October was a very liberating experience. I hadn't seen Microwave since the end of 2019, and I had never seen this song ("Something Right") live before, so singing along at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn on that night was extra special for me.
"If You Love Me (Like You Say)" - Elder Brother
Before this month I hadn't seen Microwave in almost two years, but I hadn't seen Elder Brother ever, so screaming all the lyrics (and even crying a little) from the front row was a long time coming. I don't think I will ever emotionally recover from them opening their set with "Ok, Alright." If you're in or around California, be sure to support them on their run with Same Side, Cold Moon, and Speak Low later this year.
"Dreaming in a Wasteland" - Koyo
Had a "tell me you're from Long Island without telling me you're from Long Island" moment this month when I was complaining about seeing Koyo and it had only been just over a month since I had seen them last. There is something so electrifying about watching this band, and knowing that we're from the same place gets a little mindblowing sometimes. They're currently on tour with Anxious and have a few more shows coming up before 2021 comes to an end.
"Madeleine" - Victory Garden
I've seen Victory Garden twice since the last time I made one of these playlists, which means that I've seen them five times now, and I have absolutely no idea how that happened, but I'm very happy about it. This band deserves a ton more love. Long Island forever.
"Misplaced" - Soul Blind
Hudson Valley, NY's Soul Blind released their EP "Third Chain" back in September, but with how much I'm still listening to it, you'd think it came out yesterday. I've been able to see them live twice this year and I'm really hoping to catch them again soon.
"Sad Song" - Fox Teeth
Fox Teeth is one of those bands that I felt like I would never see live, but I finally got to see them at the Range Life release show a few weeks back. Their debut full-length "title!" absolutely rocks and I know that the future is beyond bright for them.
"Not for You" - Last Straw
Last Straw's first show was earlier this month at Wam Leg in Wallingford, CT, and it was one of those nights that reminded me why I love hardcore so much. Also I am finally starting to feel at home in Connecticut!! Which is strange but I won't complain about it.
"World Gone Blind" - Wreckage
I also got to see Wreckage for the first time at the aforementioned Connecticut show that made my heart happy! They are going to be the biggest band in the world and I have no doubt about it. That is all.
"Shatter" - Almighty Watching
Almighty Watching rounded out the lineup in Wallingford, and it was their first time playing in Connecticut. I really liked their tracks on the One Scene Unity and America's Hardcore compilations this year and I'm super excited to hear more from them after seeing them live.
"Aforementioned" - Bearings
My last show of October was the final date of the Pure Noise Tour at Irving Plaza in New York City. This was the first time I had seen Bearings in over two years, and the first time I got to crowd surf to my favorite Bearings song ("Aforementioned") in over two years. Seeing this band feels like coming home.
"Chicago is so Two Years Ago" - State Champs
I wasn't sure how I felt about State Champs covering one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite bands ("Take This to Your Grave"-era Fall Out Boy is flawless, argue with the wall), but hearing this live (and crowd surfing to it) was an experience. Bring back bands playing covers at shows.
"Me First" - Real Friends
The last time I had seen Real Friends before this month was in September 2019, and wow, did I miss them. Their live presence is infectious and they didn't miss a single beat during their hiatus. Hoping for more new music for them soon as well.
What were your favorite songs this month? Let me know by tweeting me at @JENSESSlON or the blog at @StrawbSkiesBlog! The blog can also be found on social media @StrawberrySkiesBlog on Instagram and Strawberry Skies Blog on Facebook.