Hard/alt-rock outfit Nineteen Thirteen (members of Mouth of the Architect, Twelve Tribes, Neon Warship) mine history for harrowing narratives on life, war, and death.
New alt-rock band The Gama Sennin (members from Oingo Boingo, Daft Punk, QOTSA, Burning Brides, more) unleash a gritty and powerful debut tune.
Brazilian alternative heavy rock band Pentral unleash a foreboding and socio-politically relevant music video for a track off their upcoming LP.
The pair, who have worked together for Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares, will release a new album in May, preceded by Maxell’s solo LP in March.
California-based indie pop outfit The Orange Peels reveal a poignant and sweeping symphonic pop number from their upcoming double LP.
Singer-songwriter A. Sinclair drops an engaging jangle popper with enigmatic lyrics from his upcoming 3rd album via Mr. Pink Records.
Michigan-located musician Scott Robert Allen (Red Shirt Brigade, Thunderbirds Are Now!) returns with an experimental solo, yet collaborative LP.
Canadian singer-songwriter Marlaena Moore braves wintry climes in a cool (literally and figuratively) music video for an emotionally fraught track.
LA-based indie psych-/stoner rock outfit Tombstones In Their Eyes unveil a new video for a track of their jam-packed compilation double LP.
Pop singer-songwriter Gatton drop their twist on a song that was written as a message of hope during these dark times.
The new album follows up a record in 2016 and includes neo-classical torch songs and ballads scored for piano and two violins.
Renowned singer/songwriter Elizabeth McCullough (founder of outfit Alpha Cat) reissues a formative LP that now contains two more tracks.
Boston-based session musician-turned-solo artist, singer-songwriter Kimon Kirk releases a gently melodic to briskly dynamic debut LP.
New dreampop noir outfit Fawning (Cheyenne Avant of Night School, and Devin Nunes) unveil a gauzily atmospheric and entrancing debut LP.
Marty Willson-Piper (The Church, Noctorum) and Niko Röhlcke (Weeping Willows) unveil an intriguing and bittersweet folk-pop LP.
Canadian post-punk/shoegaze band The City Gates unlock a hypnotic music video for an atmospheric track from their second LP.
The debut single from Ronna Reason is a fun homage to early ’80s electro/punk mashups with contributions from Annabella Lwin (Bow Wow Wow) and DJ Z-Trip.
Kramies is planning for a fall season release of his upcoming single and an EP that features a bevy of notable guest musicians.
Based in London, Distant Voices is the solo project of Valdis Stekelis, who releases a fast-moving video for a high-energy track.
Singer-songwriter Léanie Kaleido gets a production assist from Mark Gardener (Ride) at his OX4 Sound Studio for her forthcoming album
Ohioan post-punk/dance-punk outfit All Hallowed (with an assist from Aaron Gillespie of Underoath and The Almost on drums) delivers a potent debut.
Singer-songwriter William Harries Graham unveils a hazily captivating music video for an equally hypnotic track from his recent EP.
Old-school-style instrumental band San Salvo drop a ’70s-groovin’, ’60s-psychedelic soundtrack EP that was recorded in Brooklyn.
UK-based retrowave/synthwave artist LAU unveils an infectiously effervescent, yet emotively bittersweet single from her upcoming LP.
LA-based indie pop/rock outfit Adult Books (led by Nick Winfrey) drops an delightful video for an engaging track of their upcoming LP.
Long-running British orchestral/Baroque pop band Modesty Blaise returns with an engaging taster from upcoming full length.
German indie rock/post-punk band Para Lia unleash a driving and fiery single from their upcoming 2nd album that recalls Dinosaur Jr/Sonic Youth.
Acclaimed veteran Krautrock outfit Camera (Michael Drummer is sole founding member) returns with a gritty track from their upcoming LP.
Renowned producer/musician/singer Mike Viola (the Candy Butchers) unveils a poignant narrative video for a reflective song off his recent LP.
Portland, OR-based psychedelic-inspired post-hardcore band No Year re-release their heavy, intense, and restless first album.
Musician, producer, and composer Shannon Ferguson (Longwave) surfaces with an atmospheric instrumental/video from his upcoming LP.
Flint, Michigan-originating punk rock ‘n’ roll/metal mavericks Arsenic Tea Party deliver nihilistic cheer on their upcoming EP.
Dancehall and reggae artist Garrison Hawk (known as Hawkman) is back with a new album packed with good vibes and meaning.
Renowned power pop/indie rock band Too Much Joy bounce back with a searing and relevant song/video from their upcoming LP (their first in 25 years!).
Austin, Texas-based Americana band The Watters drop an engaging music video for a sincere and soulful track from their new LP.
New York/Paris musician/composer Tristan Bechet releases an innovative electronic LP with a host of luminaries (Karen O, Paul Banks, Jonathan Bree, more).
Allison Lorenzen of School Dance unveils her haunting solo outing, with shoegaze-guitar looming provided by Madeline Johnston of Midwife.
LA-based Kaz Mirblouk launches a mesmerizing shoegaze-inspired song with accompanying performance video in conjunction with his LP release.
Madisyn Whajne, a member of Whitefish River First Nation in Ontario, unveils an indie pop song with punk heart and accompanying video.
European alternative rock band Moonshine Booze drop their latest animated and tuneful LP that brings together the rock and blues genres.
Indie rock/pop project Parker Longbough (AKA Matthew Witthoeft) unveils a tuneful lament about 3 real-life rappers whose lives were cut short.
Houston, Texas-based Shri Baratan, founder of the music/art/poetry corporation Nonviolenze, drops a relevant and insightful performance music video.
NYC (by way of Los Angeles) psych-folk/pop/rock artist Frankie Sunswept (Crushed Out, The Sunwrays) unveils his vibrant to reflective solo LP.
Arkansas-based dark alternative music outfit Dover Lights unveil their atmospheric, resonant, and varied self-titled album.
Montana-based indie rock/pop band Miss Massive Snowflake (led by Shane de Leon) unspool an amusing video about band/fan interaction.
My best bets on another great year for music, old and new, and the most surprising such year ever. Hope this little list inspires you to find, or give a second look to, a few cool releases you might miss otherwise that you end up truly loving, especially in a year where so many musicians overcame unprecedented challenges to get us this music. And my sincere gratitude to the musicians and labels that overcame that and gave us this 2020 music when we needed it the most! Ta!
Acclaimed Irish singer/songwriter Cathal Coughlan (MIcrodisney, The Fatima Mansions) returns with a socially pointed new track and video from his upcoming LP.
Austin, TX-based alternative rock band Arrows To Fire unleash a performance music video for an upbeat and tuneful track.
Boston-based (with Oregon-roots) indie rock/pop band Devil Love, led by Peter Buzzelle, drop a reflective, yet vibrant cut from their upcoming LP.
NYC’s Autodrone member Jeremy Bastard presents vivid audio tableaux featuring numerous guest vocalists on his striking new album.