Release Radar: September 2023

How have you been surviving midterm season? If finally have time to be diving into some new music, WMUC got your back. We brought our favorite new albums & EPs of September to meeting and reviewed them rigorously. We've listened to far more music than what is featured here and chose to review releases that are truly special, so even the lowest rated records on this list are here because it really resonated with a member. Whether you like pop music or experimental music, soothing folk or abrasive metal, we're sure you'll find something you love here!

With all that said, let's start with our Album of the Month!

Default has been on the forefront of Chinese indie rock ever since they hit the scene in 2017. While you may be familiar with their usual ethereal dream pop sound, they have switched it up in their newest release A Mutual Ground. The new album feels very much stripped down comparatively, featuring soft subdued drums and technically sound acoustic guitar all behind crisp smooth lead vocals. This allows the listener to truly appreciate just how talented each member is. Throughout multiple listens you can find a new piece of the album to appreciate. While the project is mostly acoustic, there are still glimmers of their loud and fuzzy past in some tracks, all of which is done with precise purpose.  -C.S.

• Favorite Track: 家的故事, Leave Now Breathe Now
• Recommend if you like: Mogwai, Broken Social Scene, American Football,
• Genre: Indie Rock
• Rating: 8.5

“We wanted to take what we knew of alternative rock into new age, cyber-twee music – yeehaw cyberpunk - but also, emo music! And also, electronica!” - yeule

Yeule's latest offering, softscars, is a departure from their previous works, leaning into a rockier interpretation of pop. The warmth of acoustic sounds is well executed, even if it makes the album feel less distinct than its predecessors in our current landscape of indie pop. Nonetheless, yeule’s sound designs are superb on softscars: without being “experimental music” necessarily, exhilarating undercurrents of glitches and noises carries through each song on the album. The melancholic, depressive pop undertones are palpable, reflecting the artist's introspective journey through the album. Yet, at the same time, for how edgy tracks like "dazies" sound through the fuzzy guitars and digitally fried vocals, softscars is far more melodic than one would expect for the style. softscars  recaptures the thunderous allure of Serotonin II through a new aesthetic, presented by a further evolved yeule.  -J.L.

• Favorite Track: sulky baby, dazies
• Recommend if you like: Kero Kero Bonito, Yves Tumor, George Clanton
• Genre: Dream Pop
• Rating: 8

It’s hard to confine Again to a genre. Like traditional progressive electronica music, we hear layers of sound floating in and out of existence, tones and harmonies forming grand progressions throughout each song. Yet Again is not played through clean synthesizers to the likes of Tangerine Dream; it is jagged and messy, progress cumulating not from smooth transitions but discrete ledges of skipping sounds glued together. The album reflects Lopatin's fascination with the imperfect interpretations of technology and the album’s concept as a "speculative autobiography" that delves into Lopatin’s young adult years.

The outcome is an experimental and progressive work that manages to hold the audience’s attention the whole way through rather than degenerating into novel ambience. Collaborations with artists like Xiu Xiu, Lee Ranaldo, and Jim O’Rourke add an earthy touch, grounding the album's ethereal tones. For previous fans of Lopatin, Again’s execution might fall short relative to some of his earlier masterworks, with the album slumping a bit in the middle. Nonetheless, Again stands as a testament to Oneohtrix Point Never's unparalleled ability to craft music that is both deeply personal yet universally resonant. -J.L.

• Favorite Tracks: A Barely Lit Path
• Recommend if you like: Death's Dynamic Shroud, Xiu Xiu, Tim Hecker
• Genre: Progressive Electronic
• Rating: 8

The Land is Inhospitable and So Are We is not an album that immediately grabs you with catchy hooks or memorable choruses, but rather it is rich in lyrical and production intricacies and demands patience from the listeners, revealing new facets with every listen. It's an album that polarizes; you either connect deeply or you don't; you either find it boring or you feel it might be Mitski’s best work and possibly the best singer-songwriter album in recent times. Mitski is likely at peace with this dichotomy, as she has already earned a cult following who is willing to put in the time to dive in her mind. On The Land, Mitski invites the audience into her personal search for love, hope, and identity in America over a Hollywood-like soundtrack with alt-country elements.  -J.L.

• Genre: Singer-songwriter
• Recommend if you like: Ethel Cain, boygenius, Lana Del Rey
• Favorite tracks: Heaven, My Love Mine All Mine
• Rating: 8

After more than a decade of a solo career in alt-R&B and landing production credits with legends in pop and hip hop, few people remember that James Blake’s claim to fame was with dubstep back in 2009-2010, when he shook the scene with a few tracks that showcased a groundbreaking reinterpretation of the genre. In contrast to the coldness of early 2000s UK dubstep, Blake incorporated R&B vocal chops, experimented with song structures, and focused on emotional impact, all the while maintaining the atmospheric depth of the original genre. More than a decade later, James Blake dropped his first full-length LP within the genre he himself built and proves to the world that he still got it. Playing Robots Into Heaven no longer sounds as revolutionary as, say, CMYK, as the world has caught up to his innovations, but his taste for elegant combination of sparse sounds still come through. In the front half especially, we hear ideas transition effortlessly into one another, with organic percussion in garage patterns capable of igniting a fervor in a dance-hungry crowd amidst the smoky underground.  This album serves as a reminder for his enduring legacy as an electronic producer and his immense versatility. -J.L.

• Genre: Post-Dubstep
• Recommend if you like: Burial, Mount Kimbie, Jamie XX
• Favorite tracks: Loading, Fall Back
• Rating: 8

We Buy Diabetic Test Strips is what happens when you melt together two of the most dominant trends in underground hip hop today. Armand Hammer is taken away from their usual, stripped-down drumless beats and put onto the industrial, in-your-face, JPEGMAFIA style experimental production. The result works as great as you’d expect, but it does not hold up a strong, consistent aesthetic, which the Backwoodz/Griselda style artists usually excel at. With the writing humorous and introspective as always, does Test Strips’ eclectic production style beat out the unrivaled immersive atmosphere of Woods solo album from earlier this year, Maps? You’ll have to listen and decide for yourself.  -J.L.

• Genre: Experimental Hip Hop
• Recommend if you like: JPEGMAFIA, Earl Sweatshirt, Westside Gunn
• Favorite tracks: Trauma Mic, The Gods Might Be Crazy, The Key Is Under the Mic
• Rating: 8

Over 20 years after the release of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, it’s safe to say that Wilco are elder statesmen of alt and indie rock. While their peak years are behind them, they still command a certain authority and respect (compared to that semi-estranged uncle, Weezer). And for good reason; a band that cuts songs like Heavy Metal Drummer and California Stars probably deserves a cult following that’s spanned three decades. But it can be a nagging feeling of whether it’s worth tuning in after all this time.

For this generation’s college rockers, 2023’s Cousin isn’t breaking new ground - after all, Wilco helped define this sound. But that’s not a bad thing. Jeff Tweedy’s soft, mournful voice comes over a wave of atmospheric effects, sounding like a less fuzzy MJ Lenderman or more sincere and well-produced New York anti-folk. Tweedy’s voice hardly ever sounds strained, instead listlessly guiding us along the type of depression spiral that’s seemingly unavoidable in our age, bouncing between frustration at the news, to personal insecurity, before finally settling for exhaustion (Ten Dead). No matter how macabre the subject matter gets, Wilco sticks to its ‘90s roots, with expertly-executed powerpop hooks and melodies to keep you listening. For those only familiar with Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, imagine a similar trodding pace as some of the LP’s slower songs but without as much of the added instrumentation and production. In short: melancholic but melodic. Perfect for listening to when laying on McKeldin Mall. - M.G.

• Favorite tracks: sunlight ends, infinite surprise, evicted
• Recommend if you like: Yo La Tengo, Big Thief, The Microphones
• Genre: Indie Rock, Indie Folk
• Rating: 7.5

Yard sits at an interesting place in Slow Pulp’s discography, as it manages to take on an edgier sound while feeling like a lighter listen with happier vocals than Moveys. In some ways, Yard is more abrasive with its consistent use of gritty distorted tones, yet it is less abrasive precisely due to that consistency; it does not play with strong emotional contrasts as much. Nothing on Yard is surprising or unexpected, but it will be a very welcomed addition to many zoomer's indie/garage rock playlists. -J.L

• Favorite Songs: Worm, Cramps
• Recommend if you like: Wednesday, Momma, Skullcrusher
• Genre: Indie Rock
• Rating: 7.5

I Don’t Want You Anymore was another fantastic release from tenured singer songwriter Clementine Creevy. It is clear that throughout the four long years the project was quiet, Creevy has metamorphosed as an artist, shifting to a much more accessible poppier sound. However, faithful fans will still enjoy the album as she swerves between her classic style of raw garage rock and her new approachable sound. She continues to deliver thoughtful lyrics in her trademark sing-speak manner. Songs like “Touched You With My Chaos” are what stand out the most, resembling an orchestral production shifting from heavy distorted riffs to a beautiful strings arrangement for the final minute of the track. While the album may fall flat at first for some listeners, you are sure to find some playlist-worthy tracks with a couple listens.  -C.S.

• Favorite tracks: Touched You With My Chaos, Bad Habit
• Recommend if you like: Snail Mail, Bully, Frankie Cosmos
• Genre: Alt-Rock
• Rating: 7.5

Oklahoma City band cursetheknife released their sophomore full length album ‘There’s a Place I Can Rest’ a short year after their debut ‘Thank You For Being Here’. While they didn’t particularly live up to the bar they set with their debut, ‘There’s a Place I Can Rest’ is still a fantastic showing from the band. They took a far more melodic approach to this album which generated fantastic melodies interwoven with heavy grunge riffs. You can think of it as a pleasantly soft grungy texture covered in a shoegaze blanket. This sentiment is highlighted in tracks like ‘Thrall’ and ‘Big Ol’ House’. They also incorporated an acoustic guitar in some tracks off the album which adds an interesting layer to their work without feeling out of place. Being a very young band (formed in 2019), this album can be seen as another step in the right direction as they search for their sound. -C.S.

• Favorite Tracks: Big Ole House, Thrall
• Recommend if you like: Nirvana, Failure, Superheaven, Trauma Ray
• Genre: Grungegaze
• Rating: 7.5

Just as we are seeing a revival of pop punk in mainstream music, more and more hardcore artists are making light and approachable punk music. Baltimore legend Angel Du$t takes on popular music with the album Brand New Soul. Originally composed of members of hardcore bands Turnstile and Trapped Under Ice, Angel Du$t experienced line-up changes as Turnstile became drastically more busy with touring since Glow On’s success. As described by frontman Justice Tripp, the shift has breathed new life into the band, allowing them to explore new sonic territory. Brand New Soul is not just an album but a statement, urging listeners to view punk as a medium of expression rather than just a flavor of intense guitar music. - J.L.

• Genre: Punk, Power Pop
• Recommend if you like: Turnstile, Green Days, Mannequin Pussy
• Favorite Tracks: Love Slam, Racecar
• Rating: 7.5

Pain of Truth is finally back with their LP Not Through Blood. This is their first full release since their quintessential 2020 release ‘No Blame… Just Facts’. While Michael Smith and the rest of PoT bring their usual NYHC energy to the album, the twelve different features showcased in the project is what separates it from other releases. Whether it be banter between Smith and Madball (NYHC legends) frontman Freddy Cricien or mentions of northeast hardcore pride with TUI and Angel Du$t lead Justice Tripp, they all serve to highlight the culture and identity of hardcore. In true hardcore fashion, there’s also great samples all throughout the album including a quote from Seinfeld which keeps the album fun without being too corny.  - C.S.

• Genre: Hardcore Punk
• Recommend if you like: Gel, Knocked Loose, Turnstile
• Favorite Tracks: Actin’ Up, Not Through Blood
• Rating: 7.5

Helena Deland’s vocals are angelic on Strawberry Moon. Bright Green Vibrant Gray is an especially tender ballad on a moment of intimate connection and reflection with a special person. The other tracks are not so exciting, but it is a good EP that caters to a particular audience who seeks peaceful reflective tunes. -J.L.

• Favorite Track: Bright Green Vibrant Gray
• Genre: Singer-songwriter
• Recommend if you like: Julien Baker, Gia Margaret, Lomelda
• Rating: 7.5

Slowdive’s Everything Is Alive is a treat for new fans of the band who thought they would never see the band release new music or tour, but it’s likely not very special for those who aren’t already interested.

Wallsocket is potentially underscores’ best crafted and thought-out album to date, and it is a full departure from the artist’s hyperpop origin while still likely appealing to her fans from Fishmonger.

Laufey’s Bewitched is enjoyable but seems to be the weakest release in her discography thus far with more same-ish, less inspired composition, and we strongly urge people to check out her debut and live album.

The self-titled EP released by Loossemble, an assemble of five members from the recently disbanded k-pop group LOONA, can be hit-or-miss with their extremely smooth pop production. It is undeniably cleanly executed, but it won’t win over you if you have not already been a fan.

Our Lady of Perpetual Health by up-and-coming band Coventry is a labor of love by two roommates who love music and could resonate with fans of dreamy folk-rock music.

This newsletter produced by Justin Li (Music Director), Chris Savani (Music Director), with additional contributions from Mauro Gonzalez.