ProtomartyrFormal Growth In The DesertDomino [2023] Protomartyr, the Detroit-based post-punk band, has returned with their sixth studio album, Formal Growth In The Desert. The record contains waves of emotion that confront the inevitability of loss and the necessity of finding joy through it, persisting in the face of adversity. This emotional drive sets Protomartyr apart, … Read more
ParannoulAfter The MagicTopshelf Records [2023] After The Magic is the third studio album by South Korean shoegaze musician Parannoul. The album is a more mature and refined album than Parannoul’s previous work and easily their biggest and most rocked out record to date. The sound is still dreamy and atmospheric, but there is a greater … Read more
The Salt Collective LifePropeller Sound Recordings [2023] It would be easy on an album featuring a so-called “supergroup” collaboration, with so many established indie/rock artists listed as participants, to lose track of the original songwriters and the actual songs themselves. So to begin at the beginning, Salt is a Paris-based trio that includes primary songwriter … Read more
shameFood For WormsDead Oceans [2023] When we first heard shame return on 2021’s Drunk Tank Pink, it blew our ears off! To quote Christopher Anthony, “This is a record that now has me supporting the early hype and turning this record up every time I hear it!” It’s a brash and ragged piece of post-punk … Read more
Durand JonesWait Til I Get OverDead Oceans [2023] Durand Jones is the lead vocalist of the modern soul band Durand Jones & The Indications, which has released three solid studio albums including their self-titled debut in 2016. Wait Til I Get Over is his debut release as a solo artist that showcases Jones’ smooth and … Read more
Ian HunterDefiance, Pt. 1Sun Records [2023] One of the tells among all the other obvious signs that you are getting old, not just older but old, is when a band you remember from your youth hits the road with a “Seven Decades Tour.” Turns out Jethro Tull (remember jamming to “Locomotive Breath” and “Thick as … Read more
Yves TumorPraise A Lord Who Chews But Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds)Warp Records [2023] Yves Tumor is a singer, songwriter, and producer known for his experimental approach to music, blending elements of rock, electronic, and soul into a unique and boundary-pushing sound. Born Sean Bowie in Miami, Florida, Yves Tumor began … Read more
TemplesExoticoATO Records [2023] On their 4th full-length album, the often-labeled psychedelic pop/rock quartet Temples, have chosen a title that comes close to describing both the breadth of their compositions and the lush musical textures they created with producer Sean Ono Lennon. With their 2019 release, Hot Motion, the quartet displayed their dexterity with a broad … Read more
DEERHOOF REVIEW HISTORYMountain Moves (2017) / The Magic (2016) / La Isla Bonita (2014) DEERHOOF LINKS Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Bandcamp | Joyful Noise Recordings
WednesdayRat Saw GodDead Oceans [2023] Asheville, North Carolina band Wednesday jumped right up to the top of the indie scene with their guitar fueled sophomore record Twin Plagues in 2021. The album was a breath of fresh air with vocalist Karly Hartzman taking a commanding front and center role while it also put a spotlight … Read more
boygeniusThe RecordInterscope Records [2023] boygenius is the supergroup trio comprised of Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus. Their debut album is the follow up to the group’s fantastic 2018 self-titled EP. At the time of its 6-song release, boygenius seemed like a real treat getting to hear these talented artists come together in one … Read more
Depeche ModeMomento MoriColumbia Records [2023] By all accounts, Depeche Mode were unlikely to make their 15th album, “Momento Mori.” Tensions between the band’s two creative voices, Martin Gore and Dave Gahan became so intense during the making of their 2017 release Spirit, that producer James Ford had to kick everyone else, including the duo’s primary … Read more
Ron GalloFOREGROUND MUSICKill Rock Stars [2023] Ron Gallo has been a very well known name on the indie circuit since his solid 2017 record Heavy Meta was released. He has earned a loyal live following and shared the stage with plenty of big names like Spoon, Parquet Courts, Ty Segall, Thee Oh Sees, Wilco, and … Read more
OkonskiMagnoliaColemine Records [2023] Magnolia, the debut album from jazz trio Okonski, uses a simple formula: piano, bass, and drums. But simplicity can be deceptive, and Magnolia manages to cover a lot of musical and emotional ground over its seven tracks. Bandleader Steve Okonski’s piano work is the primary focus conjures a range of moods and styles, but … Read more
The ChurchThe HypnogogueCommunicating Vessels [2023] The stature and reputation of Australian indie/rock band The Church is such that with only one charting Top 40 hit to their name, “Under the Milky Way” from the band’s 1988 release Starfish, in 2015 and again in 2016 they shared a co-headlining tour bill with The Psychedelic Furs, the … Read more
Tee Vee RepairmannWhat’s On TV?Computer Human/Total Punk Records [2023] Australia’s Ishka Edmeades is involved with a multitude of bands that includes Satanic Togas, Set-Top Box, Research Reactor Corporation, Gee Tee, Remote Control, Mainframe, and 3D & The Holograms – and the list keeps growing. Well, besides all of that work, Edmeades has now released his … Read more
PileAll FictionExploding In Sound Records [2023] Take a moment to remember everything that you know about Boston’s Pile. Ok, perfect, now forget all that. Pile has been making music solo since 2006 and as a band since 2009. Pile first caught our ear with 2013’s incredible Dripping (which was just remastered and re-released btw). Since … Read more
The ArcsElectrophonic ChronicEasy Eye Sound / Concord [2023] Had things gone as planned, we’d likely have gotten a follow-up to The Arcs’ fine 2015 debut album, Yours, Dreamily, by 2018, as the band reportedly put anywhere from 80 to 100 tracks down in the studio, recording even while they were out touring behind their first … Read more
R. RingWar Poems, We RestedDon Giovanni Records [2023] War Poems, We Rested is the sophomore record from R. Ring and it is the band’s first full-length release since their excellent 2017 album Ignite The Rest. The group features the always engaging Kelley Deal (of The Breeders) and the talented musician/Candyland Recording Studio Owner/Engineer Mike Montgomery … Read more
Ex PilotsEx PilotsSmoking Room [2023] Recorded at home between 2009 – 2019, Pittsburgh’s Ethan Oliva, aka Ex Pilots, gives recording credit of his self-titled debut to Logic Pro, a Korg CR-4, a 424 mk II and an MF-P01. That jargon may not mean much to many but when you are easily hooked on anything 4-track … Read more
Guided By VoicesLa La LandGBV Inc. [2023] After releasing two excellent albums last year (Crystal Nuns Cathedral and Tremblers and Goggles By Rank), Guided By Voices are getting 2023 started early with La La Land, their 37th album (depending on how you count). If you’ve been keeping up with the band the last few years … Read more
Heather Redman & The ReputationHeather Redman & The ReputationMagnaphone Records [2022] It’s safe to say that soul music has been experiencing a major revival the last few years. The rise of independent labels like Loveland, Ohio’s Colemine Records or Brooklyn’s Daptone Records has produced an abundance of new top-shelf acts, from Sharon Jones and the … Read more
OVENSOVENSTankcrimes [2022] I believe that our faithful TFN followers know the catchy sounds of Tony Molina and hopefully checked out his Headphone Approved release this year titled In The Fade. What you might not know is that Tony has played in about 14 bands. That is a lot to keep up with and tracking down … Read more
SmirkMaterialFeel It Records [2022] Nick Vicario and his project Smirk gained some deserved spotlight last year with the release of LP. The album combined tracks that originally appeared on two small run cassettes in 2020. Material now represents the first proper full length release from Smirk and it showcases an elevation in both songwriting and … Read more
DeliveryForever Giving HandshakesFeel It/Spoilsport/Anti Fade Records [2022] The intense pulsating rhythm in Delivery’s opening track, “Picture This,” will give you your first realization that their debut record, Forever Giving Handshakes, will be one of the tightest sounding post-punk debuts you have heard this year. The Melbourne five-piece work as one true musical force through all … Read more