Well folks, it’s been another week filled with rapidly decreasing sunlight and gross moldy leaves that remind you of your own fleeting mortality. Nobody likes a downer, though, so it’s time to focus on the treasures that life sometimes has to offer, namely new music. To get you out of your fall funk, we’ve hand selected six tracks that are sure to make you forget that the sun sets the minute you get out of work. They might not fix your nocturnal dread spiral, but they’re sure to make you feel like you have some company for a change. Here goes.
Amyl and The Sniffers ‘Jerkin’’
Good fucking god, it’s about time we got a new album from Aussie punk quartet Amyl and The Sniffers. Their highly anticipated third album, ‘Cartoon Darkness’ dropped this Friday and it’s a certified doozy. From the opening track ‘Jerkin’’ to the ripping closer ‘Me and the Girls,’ there is hardly a second of downtime, further cementing the band as one of the best of the genre. Perhaps nothing will truly save rock and roll, but this is a good start.
Katie Gavin ‘As Good As It Gets feat. Mitski’
Just in time for your regular depression to turn into seasonal depression, Katie Gavin of Muna released her excellent debut solo album ‘What A Relief.’ Though it may be more stripped back than the dancier stylings of her band, it’s still full of Gavin’s penchant for catchy lyricism and pop sensibility. As if the album didn’t have enough emotional depth, Gavin drives the knife in harder by inviting Mitski to feature on the latest single ‘As Good As It Gets.’
Better Lovers ‘Love As An Act of Rebellion’
Shut the fuck up and stop whatever it is that you’re doing. Better Lovers finally released their hotly anticipated debut album ‘Highly Irresponsible.’ We think ‘irresponsible’ might be underselling the absolute fury contained within the record’s 10 blistering tracks. A better name for this album would be ‘Highly Illegal’ as we’re pretty sure playing some of these riffs in public would be considered a felony in several states.
Soccer Mommy ‘Abigail’
With the light of summer fading quicker and quicker every day, it seems fitting that all of the most melancholy indie albums of the year are coming out in full force. Soccer Mommy’s excellent ‘Evergreen’ is no exception. The most recent single from the effort, ‘Abigail’ is an ode to singer Sophie Alison’s fictional wife in the hit game “Stardew Valley,” which should make you feel less alone in the unhealthy relationships you’ll likely forge within the game over the next few cold and unforgiving months.
Great Grandpa ‘Doom’
Seattle’s beloved indie rock quintet Great Grandpa nearly disbanded in 2020 following the release of their breakthrough album ‘Four of Arrows.’ Many fans worried they would never hear the complex and layered sound of the group again. As is the case with most indie kid worries, these fears were unfounded. The band recently announced their reunion and have been working on a new album. The collection will be the outfit’s first new album in five years. If it’s anywhere near as strong as the latest single ‘Doom,’ we’ll all be weeping for months after its release.
Ghoul Lewis and the Boos ‘Horror Boogie’
Celebrating a holiday dedicated to horror during an election year feels like a bit redundant. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to have a little bit of fun. We know it seems impossible, but maybe a goofy Halloween song from a band with a ‘so bad it’s funny’ name will help brighten your spirits a bit. That’s right. It’s ‘Horror Boogie’ from Ghoul Lewis and the Boos. Put it on during your Halloween Party and it will be a sure fire way to get things moving. It’s no ‘Monster Mash’ but look, we’re trying here.
We know six songs isn’t enough to fill the void, so we’ve compiled these and probably too many more into a massive and disorienting playlist. Click here to like, follow, and never be left alone with your thoughts again.
Breakup pivot: If you’re pepper, you suddenly passionate about the cardiovascular benefits of a strict low-sodium diet. Or you’re a solo salt shaker, but your delicate digestive system can no longer handle the spice of pepper. Either way, you don’t sound fun at all. And everyone is probably going to be asking all night where the other shaker is and then you’ll break down sobbing and start desperately stuffing your face with Three Musketeers bars, but technically this costume still works and that’s all that matters.
Sweet, one half of the couple you were going to dress as is very famously dead? Doesn’t get more convenient and dark than that! You can even both still go to the party. Drink up that mystery witch’s brew punch and let the rumors fly, baby. Just remember no one wants to see the two of you arguing in public again about who gets to keep the dog now.
Hey man, sorry you were … dealt a bad hand there with that breakup. Your new look is a forgotten stray playing card peeled off the carpet at a dingy casino. Roll around in a stale mix of dust, cigarette ash, and spilled sticky cocktails. Add a few deep creases by stumbling into a wall or two, and you’re ready to go, you lonely little cardboard king or queen.
Look, if this was already going be your couple costume, you probably should’ve seen the end of your relationship coming for a while. Your friends definitely all did. They all just didn’t want to say it, and it was kind of fun seeing how long you’d last this time. But now you’re both going to kill it with that messy emotional realism! Grab that Dunkin’ coffee and put on your sunglasses. Bonus: If you get back together yet again at the last minute, you’re also all set.
We’re just going to be honest: This one is already stupid and overplayed either way. But now that you’re wandering around the party solo holding a floppy little plug with no socket to be found, it’ll look even more pathetic. Your only hope here is to pretend to be electrocuted. Maybe even dead. Happy Halloween!
