Last Week in Music, 9/5/21 - 9/11/21

Andrew W.K. - God is Partying (Napalm)

Andrew painted a picture of a progressive metal record with the singles leading up to this in contrast to his usual party rock sound. It’s not quite what I expected but it’s a really solid release, Andrew puts out some emotional stuff in here and I’m hoping he continues to make whatever it is he wants.



The Band CAMINO - The Band CAMINO (Elektra)

This was a really fun pop rock record sort of in the vein of things like The Maine. What shocked me the most here was that this band has sort of been around for a long time (2015) and this the debut! Really good place to “start” and turned my attention to them.



Hawthorne Heights - The Rain Just Follows Me (Pure Noise)

It’s another Hawthorne Heights album. It’s not any different than the last but it’s just as good. Still wish they would just not have a scream-vocalist anymore as screams in a Hawthorne song add absolutely nothing but it’s a solid release.



Sincere Engineer - Bless My Psyche (Hopeless)

Our most anticipated last week and it did not disappoint. Honest, raw, fun punk rock. The two most admirable qualities of this to me is that it is a “punk” record but it’s so varied in it’s stylings that I almost don’t want to genre pin it. Also the production is… not sloppy but not afraid to show the little mistakes and blemishes and just let you enjoy the music.



Sleigh Bells - Texis (Mom+Pop)

This, to me, won the week! Heard one single just a week before release and was alright on it but the record blew me away. I’m not quite sure what to define this as but what I would essay as a descriptor is it’s very minimalist in a way in that there’s so few layers (at least it seems that way) then every song gets you off guard and becomes huge but not really in ways you would expect.



Hot Milk - I JUST WANNA KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I’M DEAD (Music for Nations)
Power pop four-piece from Northern London and another one of these bands that have made it big with no full-length out. What strikes me here is that it’s five tracks with three singles but any one of these songs could have stood by itself. If you like the more mainstream side of the scene in the 2000s you will 100% resonate with this.



NOAHFINNCE - STUFF FROM MY BRAIN (Hopeless)

Not really what I expected with a solo artist off of Hopeless Records but this was a fun little punk rock project. It’s nice and short so I’d definitely recommend taking the little bit of time if you’re interested.



Escape the Fate - Chemical Warfare b-sides (Better Noise)

Earlier this year I gave light praise for Escape the Fate for releasing a record that saw them return to some semblance of listenable. That album hasn’t been on repeat rotation for me or anything but this little addendum is a welcome addition.



The Used - Heartwork Deluxe (Big Noise)

Normally I don’t report on deluxe editions but The Used have offered something cool in that they essentially threw out the remainder on the Heartwork sessions by releasing a new edition of their record with every single song that did not make the record tacked on at the end. That record just missed my top ten from last year and while yes these were rejected for a reason there’s not really any bad here and there are some shining moments. Also like that it removes the possibility of a b-side being a future lead single for another album.


Most Anticipated Next Week: Spiritbox - Eternal Blue (Rise)


Other Tracks

The Agonist - Remnants in Time (Napalm)

BADBADNOTGOOD - Beside April (feat. Karriem Riggins, Arthur Verocai, XL Recordings / Innovative Leader)

Billy Talent - End of Me (feat. Rivers Cuomo, Dudebox)

Cheat Codes - Ghost Story (feat. Alex Gaskarth, DashGo)

Cherie Amour - A Beautiful Mess, A Perfect Disaster (Equal Vision)

Fivio Foreign - Story Time (RichFish / Columbia)

Four Year Strong - Bitter Sweet Symphony (The Verve cover, Pure Noise)

Ice Nine Kills - Rainy Day (Fearless)

illuminati hotties - Threatening Each Other re: Capitalism (Snack Shack Tracks / Hopeless)

Jukebox the Ghost - Cheers! (BMG)

Maxo Kream - Big Persona (feat. Tyler, The Creator, RCA)

Real Friends - Teeth (full band ver., Pure Noise)

Remi Wolf - Guerrilla / Sexy Villain (Island)

Save Face - Bury Me (Tonight!) (Epitaph)

Slow Crush - Swoon (Quiet Panic)

Spiritual Cramp - Earth to Mike

State Champs - Outta My Head (Pure Noise)

Wave Break - Tug of War

We Came As Romans - Black Hole (feat. Caleb Shomo)

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