Broken Record
I believe Routine is the third full-length from Denver, CO's Broken Record, and opener "Drag" quickly sets the tone that this will be quite a strong outing of grunge-tinged alternative rock that also spreads its wings into a bit of jangly emo/indie territory, the occasional hefty skronk, maybe even a subtle undercurrent of midwest-adjacent twang, etc. The compositions are generally mid-paced (though faster offerings such as "T-60" are also highlights) but with a great energetic bounce to the songwriting, which drops some superbly memorable hooks—to the point where I'm finding that more and more tracks are jumping out at me with repeated listens. It should be well-established by now that I'm a sucker for a catchy chorus, and this album is full of 'em. Seems to me this band should be more known...
Routine is out now through Power Goth Recordings on pro CD-R, cassette, or LP; so grab the option of your choice via Bandcamp. Streaming is the enemy, but Spotify, Apple Music, and other such services do exist if that's your choice.
Dead Dog Summer
I saw a passing mention earlier this month that emotive Croatian alt-rockers Dead Dog Summer had released their second album, and it's another impressive display that tends to venture toward more angular post-hardcore characteristics than the debut. The way their melodic foundation occasionally surges toward hard-hitting fare with multi-vocalist backups in tracks like "Scars" makes me think of Hot Water Music, but that's just a partial reference point. Cuts such as "Everything" have a slightly more "traditional" emo type of vibe, whereas "Screens of Hope" even breaks into some full-on hardcore chord progressions, granted they're filtered through the slight jangle of a more melodic and restrained atmosphere. Again, this is a band whose quality deserves far more attention than they're currently receiving. Great work.
Building Again is digitally available now, while you can pre-order LPs through Geenger Records or Bandcamp (which should ship in late-November). It kinda breaks my heart that none of this stuff exists on CD, but maybe I'll grab vinyl at some point in the future... Streamers can head to Spotify, Apple Music, etc.
Facada
I wrote about Brazilian grinders Facada a couple of times in the late-2000s, but kinda lost track after that, so it's very cool to see that they're still around and still cranking out absolutely raging grindcore in the fairly classic sense. Largely fast-paced and tight with viciously guttural vocals and powerful production values, dropping the occasional mid-paced breaks with a bit more hardcore influence, etc. The material is at times reminiscent of the precision and force of early-'90s Napalm Death or Brutal Truth, which is damn sure a high compliment. I'd really like to go back through their discography and start picking up their CDs, though I imagine the bulk of 'em might be tough to come by in the U.S. We'll see!
Truculence should be available on CD now (or soon)—with vinyl next year—through Black Hole Productions and Läjä Records (another label that I have fond memories of writing about way back when), but I can't find anywhere to order online, so... for now, head to Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music, and so on.
Good Teal
In addition to having some of the coolest cover art I've seen all year, the debut EP from New Jersey's Good Teal—which came recommended by an astute reader—also kicks out some excellent post-hardcore that's both hard-hitting and rhythmic as well as more expansively melodic and subtly creative/experimental than one might expect. And not in an artsy/annoying way, just in the sense that they're not at all one-sided. They're pulling from a fairly broad musical palette, but everything is seamlessly integrated in a manner that makes sense and feels cohesive. Tracks like "Lookout" possess a more traditional hardcore influence, "Excusing the Hurt" bends the band's groove toward a darker angle; but then you've got a composition like "Bittersweet," which is slower and more openly melodic, complete with an amazingly rockin', bluesy guitar solo, etc. There are definitely moments that are reminiscent of other bands, but I actually don't want to throw anything out as a loose reference point, because the similarities are very much momentary. Quite cool.
This one seems to be digital-only at the moment, which surprises me, as it's certainly deserving of existing in some form that you can actually hold in your hands—especially with that beautiful artwork. Maybe one day? For now, head to Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever else you jam your jams...
Hard Mind
I always get my hopes up when I see a badass graffiti logo, and my first exposure to Hard Mind (Rennes, France) does not disappoint. It'll come as no surprise that this is some nasty metallic hardcore with a bit of that modern beatdown type of edge to the breakdowns. I'm picky about the oft over-the-top nature of more contemporary beatdown, and elements herein can push toward that edge, but the fact that the hyper-aggressive vocals are intense without sounding generic helps; as does the fact that the tracks are counterbalanced by the tight, thrash-tinged chugs of classic European metalcore. So, yeah, if you enjoy dark metalcore with an underbelly of badass groove, this one's for you!
Negative Thoughts is out now on CD and digital through Face to Face Records or Bandcamp. Spotify and Apple Music and all that crap exist for everyone else.
Not Gorgeous
The debut outing from NYC/Maryland outfit Not Gorgeous cranks out an awesome and—at least in my experience—increasingly rare form of badass melodic hardcore that crosses over into an almost pop-punk feel, but in an I-Spy meets Lifetime way, not the cheesy and over-polished stuff. The writing is zippy and energetic, but even the singing has a gruffness to it, and at times crosses over into a sing/shout (or scream) split. Everything is tight and well-produced without being too clean, and almost every song runs less than two minutes, so it's a well-focused get in/get out ass-kicker. Over in a flash, really, so I'm looking forward to hearing more!
We Are is a split release between Bitter Melody Records, Blind Rage Records, and Tor Johnson Records; with vinyl and digital also up on Bandcamp. If you're the type to stream, Spotify and Apple Music and whatnot have it, too!
