Stuff I've been lizning to

The past month I've been working a bunch but I did manage to check out some music.

JOYCE MANOR - NEVER HUNGOVER AGAIN
Completely fell in love with this one. It's like the self-titled but better. Short, abrasive, fragile, counterintuitive and confrontational. The drums on this record are fricking insane. I've never loved an album so much based on the drum patterns.

SUGAR STEMS - ONLY COME OUT AT NIGHT
More power pop perfection (po-po-pe for short) from Wisconsin. Midwest chilliness and summery vibes mix very well for the gals 'n' guys. So good, a true joy to listen to.

THE COPYRIGHTS - NO KNOCKS 7"
3 songs, 4 minutes, all hits. No comment.

TIGERS JAW - CHARMER
Melancholia in record form. Couple of real bangers, couple of under-the-radarers as well but overall a solid record after a bunch of internal and external turmoil concerning this band. Great output. That last song is amazing.

MASKED INTRUDER - M.I.
Truthfully... just not as good. It's good, but it sounds safe, and that's not what a record by 4 on-the-loose party pop punk criminals should sound like. I really dig the doo-wop influences, mostly obviously in Almost Like We're Already In Love, and there's some hits on there like you wouldn't believe. But also some safe songs that miss the X.

BANNER PILOT - SOUVENIR
I always enjoy Banner Pilot, it seems. This record is more experimental guitar-wise, but is equally awesome in terms of songwriting, general sound and that desolated feeling you get when the record in done.