Happy Thanksgiving and welcome to another edition of Strawberry Skies Weekly Jams! No live show today since I'm home from school on break, but I didn't want to leave you guys without a roundup of the week's best new releases. You can listen to this week's playlist on Spotify here.
"Pain Now" - Belmont
Belmont just released their new EP "Bowser's Mixtape", which has two new tracks as well as two covers and two reimagined versions of fan favorites. Be sure to catch them on their headlining tour starting next week with support from Action/Adventure and In Her Own Words! You can also pick up a physical copy of this release on cassette via Pure Noise Records.
"Seeds to Sow" - Scowl
Santa Cruz, California hardcore band Scowl dropped their full-length "How Flowers Grow" last week, and I've spent all of my train rides and long drives since listening to it non-stop. They are undoubtedly one of my favorite bands that I discovered this year.
"Waste of Breath" - Like Pacific
I'm usually not a fan of bands releasing too many singles before an album (I included the LP's other singles on a weekly playlist earlier this month, October's monthly playlist, and another weekly playlist from last month), but I'd never complain about having more Like Pacific tracks to listen to. I definitely have high expectations for their new record; you can pre-order it here.
"Lush Life" - Bug Love
Earlier this week, we had the exclusive premiere of Bug Love's new video for "Lush Life." Keep an eye out for their new album "JUDGE", due out December 6th.
"Bad Energy" - SPACED
Buffalo, New York's "far-out hardcore" band SPACED is one of my favorite bands right now (we've featured them a ton of times, most recently on a weekly playlist two weeks ago); I thought I couldn't love them more after seeing them live, but these amazing new songs proved me wrong. I can't wait to see what's next for them.
"Cut My Head" - Photographic Memory, Makk Mikkael
Photographic Memory caught my attention when I heard that Max Epstein of Militaire Gun was spearheading the project, and I'm a sucker for some pink cover art. Will be on the lookout for more from this band for sure.
"mememe" - 100 gecs
100 gecs' "1000 gecs" was one of my most-listened-to albums of last year, and their remixes record, "1000 gecs and The Tree of Clues" was one of my favorite releases of 2020, so needless to say, I'm obsessed with this new single from them. Hoping for even more new music from them sooner rather than later!
"Times Up" - Restraining Order
Restraining Order is one of my favorite hardcore bands and their split with Warfare that came out this month absolutely rocks. Really hoping to see them live soon.
"Blue" - Corey Mastrangelo
This is one of those "driving around at night with no destination" songs and it's perfect for the cold weather. Reminds me a lot of "How to Draw / Petrichor" by The 1975.
"Narcissus Off Duty" - In a Daydream
For some reason, this song felt like a bonus track from Citizen's "Life in Your Glass World" to me. Will definitely be checking out more from this band.
"Prism on a Window" - Worst Party Ever
I haven't listened to this band since my freshman year of high school but I came across this new track and really really loved it. I didn't realize that they'll be on tour early next year, but am certainly thinking about trying to go out and see them - you should too!
"Overripe" - Taking Meds
I saw Taking Meds for the first time back in October (check out the photo gallery by Abby Clare and interview by me from that tour here) with Weakened Friends, Elder Brother, and Microwave, and their new LP "Terrible News From Wonderful Men" just came out a few days ago. Their music includes elements from pop-punk, punk-rock, and more (I guess I should just call them alternative?) and seeing them live definitely made me appreciate them more.
"Galactic Thrills" - The Vernes
Hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, The Vernes put out their debut full-length this week. If you're into super fun indie-rock, the "Nuclear Winter" LP is definitely for you.
"Love Dies Young" - Foo Fighters
Seeing the Foo Fighters at Madison Square Garden in New York City was one of my first shows back after live music's hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so I've been way more attached to them lately despite being a fan since I was practically a toddler. They just dropped a music video for "Love Dies Young", a track from their 2021 album "Medicine at Midnight" (a record I definitely need to give more of a chance to).
"Curse Me Out" - Save Face
I wanted to leave space towards the end of this week's playlist to show some love to some bands I was supposed to see this past weekend. Unfortunately, a few east coast dates from the Mom Jeans., Origami Angel, and Save Face tour were postponed due to a member of the crew testing positive for COVID-19. You can support Save Face by checking out their new record "Another Kill For The Highlight Reel" and picking up some merch from their website.
"Bed Bath & Batman Beyond" - Origami Angel
I've never seen Origami Angel before, so I'm really looking forward to this show getting rescheduled and hopefully getting to see them play some songs from their amazing 2021 record "GAMI GANG." You can support this band by giving that album a listen and grabbing some merch from them as well.
"Edward 40hands" - Mom Jeans.
Mom Jeans. is another one of those bands like Worst Party ever that I haven't listened to in years, but I was super disappointed to not be able to see them last week, and I can't imagine how bummed the band was to have to postpone some headlining dates. Help them out by pre-ordering their new album "Sweet Tooth", due out early next year, and picking up some merch, too.
What songs do you want to hear me play next week? 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.