Acid Tongue play follow the leader (sorta), King Park listen up (kinda), Wray get nebulous (totally), Janos feel sticky (maybe) and more in today’s Audio Roundup. Click HERE to watch all 33 clips in today’s Video Roundup. The publicists have really gone too far this time.
1 | Acid Tongue | Follow the Witch
THE PRESS RELEASE: “Acid Tongue’s third lead single Follow the Witch is out now. Their sophomore LP Bullies comes out March 13. Led by singer/songwriter Guy Keltner & drummer/visual-artist Ian Cunningham, Acid Tongue has been touring the world and espousing a timeless rock & roll sound with a DIY mentality since 2015. The touring band features a rotating roster of musicians from around the globe; with members based in Seattle, Paris, New York, London, Mexico City, Los Angeles, & Austin — lending fresh ears to the setlist for an ever-evolving live experience. Employing nostalgic riffs lifted straight from a forgotten jukebox and razor-sharp lyrics delivered in a childish croon, Keltner has built a large catalogue of material in a short period of time. Bullies finds them fully formed with a mature sound; synthesizing commentary on millennial culture, bruised relationships and broken dreams, painted against the backdrop of high energy, hard-rocking soul songs that could only be the product of our modern era.”
2 | King Park | Listen Up Now
THE PRESS RELEASE: “King Park have been turning out mercurial, high-contrast indie rock since they released their 2017 breakout track, Stay. Gritty and lush, the quartet’s sound mirrors the antitheses of their hometown, Hamilton, Ontario: on the one hand, blue-collar and raw, and, on the other, artful and lovely.The basement-to- ceiling intensity of their live show has since continued to earn them a growing and devoted following across southern Ontario. At the heart of the group you’ll find childhood friends and musical co-conspirators Timon Moolman (vocals, guitar) and Tyler Heemskerk (bass, vocals), rounded out more recently by guitarist Brenden Campbell and the animated Nate Wall on drums.Their new single, Listen Up Now, is both gritty and lush, sparked by a new relationship’s first fight.
3 | Wray | Nebulous
THE PRESS RELEASE: “Fantasy and science-fiction are often treated as an escape from reality, but in the heart of those fantastic worlds lie prescient truths about our world. On the other side of that coin, some of the world’s greatest aesthetic beauty comes in the form of raw science. The new album from Birmingham, Alabama’s Wray vibrates at the intersection of those dichotomies and others — hope and pessimism, wild and composed, joy and pain. There is no light without dark, no dark without light, a concept which birthed the dual record Stream of Youth / Blank World. “A lot of people hang on to the idea that we can have some kind of utopia some day, that human beings will evolve to a pure state. But if the human race could start over, would things look any different?” says bassist/vocalist David Brown. Along with bandmates Blake Wimberly (drums) and David Swatzell (guitars/vocals), Brown felt fueled by their status in a blue city in a red state, in the American south with its morally complex past, in a modernity fueled by conflict and difference. Though they only planned on recording a pair of songs, they came away with a full album, but one separated into two clear halves: Stream of Youth holds the record’s hopeful tracks, while Blank World comprises the fatalistic songs.”
4 | Janos | Sicky / Sticky
THE PRESS RELEASE: “Swedish-born artist Janos spends his time between the streets and pubs of Oslo and London. Fusing beautiful pop melodies, soulful vocals and explosive energy, the pop-punk soul artist delivers listeners with a fresh, contemporary sound. From fragile, heartfelt ballads to funky upbeat anthems, Janos tells a story relating to the highs and lows of our generation. The musician starts 2020 off with a brand new release that incorporates elements of Janos’ new found love for jazz and soul. The infectious Sicky / Sticky which has been a huge crowd pleaser at live performances for it’s uplifting feel good vibe, is the first track to be recorded with a horn section. The big, bold brass sound, along with soulful vocals and funky guitars, creates the ultimate groove-fuelled track. Sicky / Sticky narrates trying to hide from your worries with drugs and alcohol, while still hoping it’s not too late to reach your dreams.”
5 | Amos The Kid | What Did You Do
THE PRESS RELEASE: “New Canadian record label House of Wonders Records’ first signing is an artist called Amos the Kid. Amos the Kid has long been an enigmatic curiosity of the Winnipeg scene — a favourite of the stage, if you can find him on one. He works as a wilderness guide, and even during the process of making his debut EP, lost touch several times. The first single came out today. It’s a fun, alt-country tune called What Did You Do about a messy night at The Handsome Daughter, a favourite bar in Winnipeg. The EP features appearances from members of Yes We Mystic and Living Hour, and was mastered by Cam Loeppky (Weakerthans, Constantines, Cannon Bros).”
6 | Kyngs | Dr_nk
THE PRESS RELEASE: “The Canadian based DJ/production duo Kyngs release their single Dr_nk (pronounced as drunk), a song that is truly universal. From its lyrics, style and feel, listeners from across all genres can move to its fun tempo. This single is a perfect fit for a setlist at a day party, an easy addition to a shuffling playlist for happy or upbeat music, or a song you play driving down an open road. Dr_nk tells the story about a lover coping with his recent break-up with a partner he dearly loved. “The breakup wasn’t negative and was due to circumstances outside of their control. He uses partying with his friends to numb his pain, although he knows that that’s not a good road to go down. Regardless, he’s got to do what he’s got to do, and decides to pretend like everything is okay.”
7 | Wyldlife | Kiss And Tell
THE PRESS RELEASE: “NYC punk/rock ‘n’ roll band Wyldlife will release their fourth album Year Of The Snake on April 17, but today they deliver the new single Kiss and Tell. Dave Feldman says, “After listening to Definitely Maybe for more times than we can count, Sam and I wanted to make a song that was tough and angry but still confident and cool. The lyric “I’d rather be ignored than be adored” was a riff on another favorite Manchester band, The Stone Roses. Obviously we as a band want to be celebrated and have an impact on people’s lives, but most times I just want to be left the fuck alone. Wyldlife tends to have a larger than life personality, but most people don’t actually know any thing about us. I’ve said “good to see you” to more people I don’t know than I’m comfortable with.“
8 | Flevans | Realisation (feat. Laura Vane)
THE PRESS RELEASE: “Flevans continues his mission to bring funk magic to the masses. On Realisation, he teams up with south coast songstress Laura Vane in the next chapter of a songwriting partnership that has taken clubs and airwaves by storm. Realisation takes the best parts of the groove and feel of 80’s boogie classics and updates them with next level 2020 production skills while an extremely catchy hook makes certain this song will be in your head all year long.”
9 | Jordan Klassen | Identivacation
THE PRESS RELEASE: “Today, BC songwriter Jordan Klassen shares Identivacation as a preview for his upcoming album, due in the Spring. “I wrote Identivacation thinking a lot about the unique perspective on identity that we’re given by our culture,” says Klassen. “On the one hand we believe that we all have an essence that is objective and transcendent, written in time and space. But on the other hand we’re also compelled to create an identity, to decide what kind of person we want to be based on our endeavors and expression and self-representation. Identivacation is poking fun at this idea and reflecting on how confusing and exhausting it can be to try to create a self. My aim wasn’t to pass judgement on ‘being fake’ per se, but rather to just acknowledge that as we try to decide who we are we will inevitably look to outside influences to guide us.”
10 | Exhorder | The Man That Never Was
THE PRESS RELEASE: “Thrash metal legends Exhorder have debuted a brand-new single, The Man That Never Was. The groove-laden, face-melter was recorded during the sessions for their recently released record, Mourn The Southern Skies, their first in nearly 3 decades. With a crushing, mid-tempo attack and a spitting vocal assault, The Man That Never Was gives a nod to Exhorder’s punk and hardcore roots. Once again, the band carries forth their mission as more of an experience than just another metal band. Hoax, conspiracy, hypocrisy, and treason fuel the lyrics into the classic rage that Exhorder set out with in the mid eighties. Even kings and queens have to live in fear…
11 | Wild Tales | Summer
THE PRESS RELEASE: “Wild Tales heat things up with their new track Summer. These UK math rockers are absolutely sizzling with more new songs on their way. Summer is an energetic, punky, summer banger straight out of the 90’s, both musically and lyrically. Singer Adam says, “It is an ode to the summers of our youth. Seemingly never-ending school holidays and the freedom that came with it. Long summer nights, skating, drinking, smoking, bonfires, practical jokes, girls and of course a blazing sun! Who doesn’t love those memories!”
12 | Vanessa Carlton | Miner’s Canary
THE PRESS RELEASE: “Vanessa Carlton unveils a haunting new track titled Miner’s Canary that captures her like we have never heard her before. She paints a vivid portrait of the insidious ways in which what looks like cruelty to the outside observer can be perceived as love and power by the person down in the caves. Blame is neither taken nor explicitly placed, but that doesn’t stop the fury and pain from being unfurled through her arpeggiating piano with gutting intensity. All the while, her gasps for air break through to the surface, growing more frequent and more intense until they converge with the crescendo of the piano scrambling out into a warped, electronic scream. The track is off her upcoming studio album Love Is An Art, out March 27.”
13 | JJ Shiplett | Waiting On The Rain
THE PRESS RELEASE: “CCMA-nominated roots artist JJ Shiplett is pleased to announce the release of his brand new single Waiting On The Rain. The lead track from his forthcoming EP Fingers Crossed, available March 20, Waiting On The Rain highlights Shiplett’s affinity for insightful and evocative lyricism while showcasing what has captivated audiences across the country, his affecting and vast vocal range. “When I wrote Waiting On The Rain, I never expected it to be released as a single; it’s incredibly personal,” says Shiplett. “But in a world where we’re constantly bombarded with the polished social media version of life, I felt like it was a good time for me to be honest about who I am and who I’m working on becoming. It’s a song that comes straight from my heart, and I’m hopeful it can find its way to someone else’s.”
14 | April Ivy | Temporary Love
THE PRESS RELEASE: “Portuguese pop sensation April Ivy continues her international crossover by sharing her latest single – the funk-tinged Temporary Love. Temporary Love is a tale of passionate love told across a mellow blend of rich guitar licks and April’s tender, honeyed vocals. A versatile talent who counts Ariana Grande as a fan, April began building a fan-base in her homeland through voicing Disney characters in Portuguese dubs and her award-winning 2019 project game.of.love. 2020 sees April Ivy as an artist ready to infiltrate the global music market with a myriad of earworms.”
