01|30|24 [Don’t Mess with Texas, James Bond Type Beat and New Release Alert]
Does anyone else get irritated when Discover Weekly gives you a song by a Top 100 artist? Tired of expecting what you’re gonna hear next? Desperate to discover tracks you haven’t heard before without hours of searching?
I think I can help with that… Sit back and relax cause I’ve got some suggestions for you.
Here are FIVE new songs to listen to from artists with under 1,000 monthly listeners to widen the horizons of your musical journey:
Kent Avenue Carpool, “Wilt”
“Wilt”, just released on Jan 29th, is the recent single by the Chicago-based band Kent Avenue Carpool ahead of their full-length album. These guys ended up on my radar through mutual friends and stuck by the likes of dreamy vocal arrangements and a punchy drum intro. I can’t help but feel nostalgic about a different time or old memories; I feel like I’m looking back in time when I immerse myself into this wistful groove. A hearty guitar solo reminiscent of a fleeting love leads us into the last third of the song to round out the overall vibe of the song. This song is attractive partially because it’s filled with life but also because of the well-thought-out structure and musicianship that’s so blatantly obvious throughout the song’s less than three-minute duration.
Matthew Stubbs and the Antiguas, “Fistful”
If you’re looking for some suspense in music look no further than Matthew Stubbs and the Antiguas. Their entire 2018 self-titled album is straight out of a spy movie (I’m thinking early James Bond before shit got serious…) and especially with the track “Fistful” with the whole nine, percussion included. The song is fast and dynamic with quick turnarounds and a catchy motif. Electric Guitar has numerous solos that are hard to predict which definitely adds to the suspenseful nature of the song. I like loud, punchy tunes that change throughout the progression of the song and this track is the epitome of that but with a mysterious twist… If you wanna feel absolutely devious I recommend you check out this track.
FUZZWAHH, “Her and I (Remixed)”
Now, they say everything is bigger in Texas and to that, I raise a question: even music? FUZZWAHH proves so. Popping out of Austin, Texas the band is an explosive fusion ensemble combining blues and a funky sorta rock to create mindblowing tracks in under four minutes. Her and I (Remixed) is from the remix installment of their first EP which is a showstopping cover medley with original compositions added in. FUZZWAHH has been on my radar for quite a while partially because of a special place in my heart for psychedelic rock but partially because when they jam out it feels so impromptu and natural to them to play this kind of music. “Her and I” is painted with guitars layered on one another with the simple touch of a highat as the sounds congeal and explode every so often; the song is a colorful temptation. This track is only a little over a minute but it might be the best minute my ears have had all month.
Zaub, “Breathe”
Breathe by Zaub is a really perplexing song made of a perfect blend of rock, jazz and Middle Eastern music but in a very modern gripping way. This song is definitely a slow-burn and starts with a bold bass line with a foggy tone. It’s secret and seductive, mysterious, it feels like how being up at dawn feels. The electric guitar and saxophone give lead parts in the song and it feels like I’m under a spell but mid-song there’s an interesting switch with a percussion solo and then a return to the pace of the first half of the song but with more of an impressive pleading cry from the saxophone. This one is a full instrumental, with no lyrics but it’s obvious that the conversation lies between the two lead instruments. LA is extremely lucky to be able to see this live and in action.
Strayin’ Anchors, “Peace, Love, and Degeneracy”
Okay, I’ll say it; every modern rock band should have a brass player or hire one in. Having that jazzier, soulful element is extremely emotional and it WORKS. Strayin’ Anchors is a 7-piece band (including that brass player I was talkin’ about) coming out of Florida with obvious jazz influences but I couldn’t help but feel like their music felt a lot like their environment too. The vocals are heavy and clear, it feels like every aspect of the music is lived in. It’s a fairly long song but rock is better when it’s longer… The song moves very fluidly and rolls in like a storm; it feels like waves are crashing over my eardrum and the raspy, stirring vocals draw me right back in.
If you missed last week’s five songs go check them out after you check these dope songs out. As always I’m linking to Spotify out of convenience but check out the Bandcamp’s of all artists to support them directly!!
If you can’t read (well, I guess if you can’t read, you probably can’t read this either) and just wanna listen you’re in luck! I’ve started a playlist on Spotify. If you go and give it a like you’ll have access to each week’s “Before the Break” before anyone else 😉
Ciao!
where do we go from here? 
Leave a comment