Monday, April 21, 2025

new music

Greg AckermanReview

Album Review: Trinidad from Sweet Spirit signals new approach

Like many bands, Austin’s Sweet Spirit has seen a number of iterations. The band has swelled and contracted in size over the years. The current (smaller) formation lends itself to a different direction with Trinidad that is still glam rock we know and love, but a more spare sound emerges. It’s darker in tone than the previous two full-length albums the band has released.

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Brian HillsmanReview

Album Review: Sour Bridges perfect browngrass on latest record “Neon Headed Fool”

For more than a decade, the Austin-based quartet Sour Bridges has seeded the Capital City music scene with echoes of what they refer to as “browngrass.” The band has repeatedly stated, ”…it’s like bluegrass, but a little dirtier.” Consisting of Bill Pucci (vocals, rhythm guitar), Matt Pucci (vocals,mandolin, lead guitar), Garrett Ross (drums), Wil Vaughan (vocals, bass guitar), Sour Bridges has recently released their fourth studio album, Neon Headed Fool. The record was released May 24 of last year.

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Greg AckermanPremiere

Video Premiere: The Sour Notes take it DIY with Peak

What we love about Austin’s The Sour Notes is how quirky the band is. Their off-kilter approach is in reality a reflection of the band’s founder, Jared Boulanger who writes and composes all of the group’s material. In a larger sense, the band’s DIY approach is reflected in this clip for their song “Peak”.

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Brian HillsmanReview

Album Review: Car Seat Headrest take chances with Making a Door Less Open

On May 1st, Car Seat Headrest released Making a Door Less Open, their first studio album since the 2018 release of Twin Fantasy (Face to Face).  From the start, the new record is a genre-twisting collage, exhibiting the band’s embracement of their vast abilities in the most direct and honest way. 

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Brian HillsmanReview

Album Review: The Strokes “The New Abnormal” dropped this month

In 2001, The Strokes released their debut album, Is This It, injecting a new energy throughout the rock music scene.  By 2002, their profound influence was evident as a plethora of similar bands emerged.  The Strokes’ signature sound has since been one of the most recognizable. Since then, the New York quintet has released multiple records, not often venturing far from the recognizable accompaniment that has defined them since.  Their new album, however, displays growth and new territory for The Strokes.

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Greg AckermanReview

Album review: Denver noise rockers Pink Fuzz deliver on latest record Vitals

Denver noise rockers Pink Fuzz released their latest record, Vitals November last year. The five-song EP delivers a sonic punch listeners won’t soon forget. The trio reflects the influence of UK fuzz rock pioneers like My Bloody Valentine and The Jesus and Mary Chain with the aggressive approach of Toronto’s Metz.

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Brian HillsmanReview

Album Review: Lord Buffalo released timely debut LP Tohu Wa Bohu

Austin’s own Lord Buffalo released their new LP, a follow-up to their self-titled debut, Tohu Wa Bohu on March 13th, just as the world shifted to a place in which listening to relevant music as a  form of therapy would hover atop everyone’s lists of prioritized tasks. And the current mood of the world is matched in tone from the first notes of the eerie opening track, “Raziel,” an ambient and drone-y introduction of an album that feels tormented in the best possible way.

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Greg AckermanReview

Album review: Brownout released lush new Berlin Sessions LP

Austin Latin funksters Brownout have returned with a full-length album of lush, original songs entitled Berlin Sessions. The record is the first collection of original tunes since Oozy (2012). The album’s moniker comes from capable producer, Steve Berlin (Los Lobos) who has also produced Brownout’s better known sister act, Grupo Fantasma. Released on March 6 on Fat Beats Records, the record is the first of the band’s to feature their Black Sabbath cover project, Brown Sabbath’s vocalist Alex Marrero.

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Brian HillsmanReview

Album Review: The Cuckoos recently released debut LP I Hate Love

Young and fast-rising Austin band, The Cuckoos, recently released their debut album I Hate Love, a sizzling synthesis of varied, classic genres that intrigues and energizes the listener. Heavy synth, classic rock instrumentation and unmistakable, rock n roll vocals, make this record an instant Austin classic, propelling the group to premier status as far as we’re concerned.

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Mike CosmicReview

New Music Review: Austin Acts Color Candy, March and Beauty Drop New Records

Get ready for a flood of new music with Color Candy’s new album “Something, Somebody” along with March and Beauty’s single “World Made Sense.” Both bands celebrated their new releases at Cheer Up Charlie’s on Wedenesday, March 4.

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AlbumMike CosmicReview

Album Review: The synth vibes of new Dena Hope record In Transit

The local electronic music scene has expanded rapidly with a raft of female powered acts dotting the landscape. Synth-popster Dena Hope is one of the latest artists to hit the Austin scene. Joining local acts who have already adopted the expanding genre, Hope brings her own artistic vision with likes of Austin acts Primo the Alien, Flora and Fawna, and Dossey.  Her latest endeavor the “In Transit” EP set to release on January 31

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