Thomas Wilde 
FloristFloristDouble Double Whammy [2022] Sometimes you put on a record that you just know is going to be fantastic. That was the immediate vibe I had with Florist’s fourth LP as the instrumental track “June 9th Nighttime” opens the album. The track instantly builds a landscape of inclusion that wraps you in its intricacies and … Read more
HooveriiiA Round Of ApplauseThe Reverberation Appreciation Society [2022] Los Angeles psych-rock band Hooveriii (pronounced “Hoover Three”) have returned quickly with their third album A Round of Applause. It is a record that expands out from the more jam-based psych on last year’s Water For The Frogs that presented 7 songs with an average of about … Read more
black midiHellfireRough Trade Records [2022] Written in isolation in London after the release of last year’s Cavalcade, Hellfire (black midi’s third LP) continues to expand and build on the elements found in its predecessor, while also reaching back and tapping into the muscular strength on their debut, Schlagenheim (2019). This progression forward has created another … Read more
Angel OlsenBig TimeJagjaguwar [2022] Angel Olsen’s career has been on an upward trajectory ever since her debut album, Half Way Home, was released in 2012. Now on her sixth album, Big Time continues her growth as the record itself pulls back some from the orchestra pieces that comprised 2019’s All Mirrors. Pedal steel is a … Read more
Gus EnglehornDungeon MasterSecret City Records [2022] Montreal singer-songwriter Gus Englehorn’s sophomore record, Dungeon Master, may be one of the most unique listens you put to your ear this year. The album was written in a cabin but it sounds much bigger with its frequent rock out moments from Englehorn’s guitar mashing with his drummer and … Read more
DehdBlue SkiesFat Possum Records [2022] Chicago’s Dehd have grown with each album they have released since their self-titled debut came out in 2016. The band really seemed to be hitting a musical peak with 2020’s Headphone Approved Flower Of Devotion and with all the critical acclaim the indie band experienced – way more attention! That … Read more
ColaDeep In ViewFire Talk Records [2022] Deep In View is the debut album from Cola. The band is made up of former Ought members Tim Darcy (vocals, guitar) and Ben Stidworthy (bass) alongside drummer Evan Cartwright (US Girls, The Weather Station). Titled after philosopher Alan Watts’ anthology of the same name, the record thrives on … Read more
Weird NightmareWeird NightmareSub Pop Records [2022] Weird Nightmare is the new project from METZ guitarist and singer Alex Edkins. This self-titled debut record showcases a new side of Edkins, as it was created of mostly ideas that didn’t seem to totally fit the more in your face post punk noise rock of METZ. Some of … Read more
Kevin MorbyThis Is A PhotographDead Oceans [2022] This Is A Photograph is singer/songwriter Kevin Morby’s 7th album which once again is a record that captures his look at life with intelligent lyrics, complex arrangements and his calm as can be vocals. Since his gospel-folk delivery on the fantastic Singing Saw (2016), Morby has tweaked his … Read more
Pink MountaintopsPeacock PoolsATO Records [2022] Peacock Pools is the first Pink Mountaintops album in 8 years, and its creation was inspired by a wide range of subjects that includes early Pink Floyd, Gary Numan, sci-fi and horror movies and even an essay on the cult of bodybuilding by postmodern feminist Camille Paglia. That spectrum of … Read more
Rolling Blackouts Coastal FeverEndless RoomsSub Pop Records [2022] Melbourne, Australia’s Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever is a band that has the appearance of following an older music model. I believe with their third long player, Endless Rooms, that model continues to pay large dividends. Artist development is pretty much a thing of the past these days … Read more
Bloc PartyAlpha GamesInfectious/BMG [2022] Alpha Games is the sixth studio record from London’s Bloc Party and right from the opening track you can hear the dance-punk band reaching back for the glory beats of their fantastic 2005 debut Silent Alarm. Since a solid sophomore record, Bloc Party has never hit the same gold and appeared … Read more
FonFon RuCollapse Of The Silver BridgeRepeating Cloud Records [2022] The sophomore album from Portland, Maine, post-punkers FonFon Ru is full of energy as it covers multiple sounds of the genre while being extremely focused. Collapse Of The Silver Bridge prominently features vocalist/guitarist Harry James, as his unique sounding voice drives each of the eight tracks … Read more
Good GriefShake Your FaithEverything Sucks Music/HHBTM Records [2022] Liverpool band Good Grief formed in 2012 by guitarist/vocalist Will Fitzpatrick, bassist/vocalist Paul Abbott and drummer Matiss Dale. The band released a handful of singles until around 2015 when the group became more inactive minus a few occasional dates playing out. Good Grief fully reactivated in 2018, … Read more
Wet LegWet LegDomino Recording Company [2022] “Excuse me?”, “What?” is the inquisitive back n’ forth question that gets repeatedly posed between Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers on the catchy single “Chaise Lounge” from the British indie band Wet Leg. Its surprise not surprised delivery tone is just one of the cool moments you will hear … Read more
Oso OsoSore ThumbTriple Crown Records [2022] The surprise album release is something I really can get accustomed to because the adrenaline rush a music lover gets when you receive the news that you can hear a new record right now, that you didn’t even know existed a minute before, is off the charts. Oso Oso … Read more
PosmicSun HymnsLet’s Pretend Records [2022] Posmic was formed by David Van and Emily Ferrara (both of Post Pink) with Zach Inscho (Wildhoney) and DC native Luke Reddick (Ultra Beauty) in late 2019. Like many other artists, the global pandemic put a halt on playing live music but it created an opportunity for the group to … Read more
Guided By VoicesCrystal Nuns CathedralGBV Inc. [2022] If I asked you today to make me a list of current rock bands that have been putting out consistent albums over the last several years what names would you write down? Still thinking? Is Guided By Voices on your list and looking fairly lonely at the top? … Read more
SuperchunkWild LonelinessMerge Records [2022] Wild Loneliness opens with a simple acoustic strum as Mac McCaughan’s familiar voice starts Superchunk’s newest musical journey that reflects pandemic times. It is an album that battles all the isolation of the last few years and highlights things to be thankful for. Now 30 years into a career, Superchunk deliver … Read more
Big NothingDog HoursLame-O Records [2022] There is definitely something refreshing upon hearing Big Nothing’s newly released sophomore record Dog Hours, as its timeless sound is instantly engaging. The Philadelphia band plays a very straightforward guitar rock that is full of layered harmonies and thought stirring lyrics which seamlessly blends a modern indie style with Americana … Read more
MitskiLaurel HellDead Oceans [2022] On Mitski’s last record, Be The Cowboy (2018), she found herself on top of the indie world with an ever growing fanbase that was selling out tour dates and just about landed on every critics best of list for the year. With that momentum, you would think nothing was going to … Read more
Pinegrove11:11Rough Trade Records [2022] Pinegrove is back with their sixth album, 11:11, and it quickly proves that they are one of the most consistent indie groups on the current scene. The album brings a very familiar sound to your ears from the first track as Pinegrove continues to blend emo rock, folk and alt-country that … Read more
Honey RadarPlay-Box Relay EPSelf-Released [2021] Lo-fi experts Honey Radar released this 8 song, 16 minute 12″ at the end of last year and it ranks right up there with the Philadelphia’s group best work to date. The band of course were originally focused on a follow up LP to their excellent Ruby Puff Of Dust … Read more
Kids On A Crime SpreeFall In Love Not In LineSlumberland Records [2022] You might need to check your indie memory on Bay Area’s Kids On A Crime Spree because outside of a few singles the band released their Slumberland debut back in 2011. That is a long time to wait for another set of songs … Read more
Aeon StationObservatorySub Pop Records [2021] How do you ever follow up a record that is as highly revered in the indie rock world as The Wrens’ Meadowlands? The album was released in 2003 and then the band faded away for 18 years with sporadic news of fresh material every year, new album talk constantly being … Read more