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Cutouts

Alex MacKay, the bassist for Nation of Language, has released a new album under his solo project, Cutouts. The album, titled Snakeskin, is a captivating blend of shimmering synths and vocals layered over pulsating beats and bass lines. It defies easy categorization, occupying a space between synth-pop and darkwave with its unique fusion of dark and heavy elements. From the opening track “Narc” with its growling bass and driving beat, Snakeskin immediately commands attention and refuses to let go. I highly recommend it.

Check out “Narc” and “Paw of the Monkey” below for a taste.

Snakeskin is self-released and out now. It’s available digitally via Cutouts’ Bandcamp and on vinyl from Cutouts’ website. Alex only pressed 500 so don’t sleep! Enjoy.

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Golomb

Golomb | Love | 3hive.com
Golomb | Love | 3hive.com

Golomb is a power trio out of Columbus, Ohio. They are a brother-and-sister, husband-and-wife band. A band I meant to write about back in 2022 when they self-released their incredible self-titled album.

Golomb makes great noise, and it’s evident as ever on their new EP Love (out on Friday). Each track slowly builds into a bit of a frenzied end, a fabulous and effective recipe. Especially on middle track “Dare To Cry”.

You can listen to “Take My Life” from the new EP below; it’s the most upfront and in-your-face track on the EP. I love it.

Love is out tomorrow (06/14). You can get it from their Bandcamp page. Please do. Share Golomb with your friends. Add them to your playlists. Play them on your radio shows. Enjoy.

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Seasonal Falls

Saesonal Falls | Happy Days | 3hive.com

Seasonal Falls is the new project from Switzerland-based songwriter Roman Gabriel, with vocal and production help from Andrew Pelletier (Fur Trader).

Their debut album, Happy Days, is nine tracks of warm, sometimes jangly, sometimes twangy guitar work behind Pelletier’s hushed vocals. Joe says they sound a bit like Ultimate Painting, and I agree.

Happy Days is self-released and out now via their Bandcamp page. I highly recommend checking out “Used To Be Fun” and “Girlfriend” below.

Happy Days is a great album to soundtrack your spring and summer evenings while chilling outside with a beverage and watching the sky get dark. Enjoy.

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Trash Fiasco

Trash Fiasco | Exist As Instructed |3hive.com
Trash Fiasco | Exist As Instructed |3hive.com

Chicago band Trash Fiasco’s new album Exist As Instructed is my new favorite thing!

The singer sounds like H.R., Jello, Elvis, Ian Curtis, Peter Murphy and Corey Glover. Crazy!

I love the mix–kick and bass to the front–forcing the guitar to fight it’s way through the muck.

I love that the vocals sound like they were recorded in a bathroom.

HELL! Even the album cover is incredible. Put that shit on a t-shirt!

This is magical, sludgy, garage-core punk rock!

Check out “Rat Brains”, “Chimney Smoke”, and “Turned To Prey” below. Do it!

Exist As Instructed is out now and available digitally from Trash Fiasco’s Bandcamp page. Go there and buy this right now.

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robounoishi

robounoishi | milkgazer 2024 | 3hive.com
robounoishi | milkgazer 2024 | 3hive.com

Ten things I know or don’t know about robounoishi:

  1. I don’t know how to pronounce or write the name of the band and WordPress will not code kanji.
  2. They are from Tokyo….. I think.
  3. They are putting out some incredible dream-pop/shoegaze music right now.
  4. Their new album milkgazer 2024 is one of my favorite new releases so far this year.
  5. I do not know or cannot tell if robounoishi is a band or a singular entity or even real.
  6. They are on Twitter @robouno__ishi.
  7. You can and should buy all their music from their Bandcamp page.
  8. You can and should stream all their music on Spotify, however their is one album there that doesn’t look like theirs.
  9. You can stream “black out” and “revival”, my favorite tracks from the album below.
  10. You will enjoy this music if you have a soul.

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Double Life

Double Life | Indifferent Stars | 3hive.com
Double Life | Indifferent Stars | 3hive.com

Los Angeles duo Double Life are channeling all the goods from 90’s post-hardcore, including powerful, groove-heavy drums, spacey vocals, chunky bass lines, and fuzzed-out guitar. Their first single and title track, “Indifferent Stars” (below), reminds me of bands like Jawbox and Failure with a bit of “Seven”-era Sunny Day Real Estate-like ferocity.

Double Life’s self-released, 3-song debut EP, Indifferent Stars is, out on January 24. It will leave you wanting for more. Here’s to hoping for more! Enjoy.

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Mo Dotti

Mo Dotti | For Anyone And You | 3hive.com
Mo Dotti | For Anyone And You | 3hive.com

L.A.’s Mo Dotti is back with a brand new single, “For Anyone And You”, as a teaser for their upcoming LP release in 2024. The track is an in-your-face shoegaze-pop song slightly reminiscent of the heavier, more upbeat MBV stuff. It’s a rad track and I’m excited for the new album to come.

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Flooding

Flooding | Silhouette Machine | 3hive.com
Flooding | Silhouette Machine | 3hive.com

Flooding is a three-piece band out of Kansas City, Missouri. They are releasing their new album, Silhouette Machine, today (09/29/2023).

Listening to Silhouette Machine is like watching a horror movie, even more so after the initial shock and surprise of album opener “Run”. We know the person running from evil on the big screen is headed for their ultimate demise, and we anticipate the shock of it happening even though we know it’s going to happen, and it’s still thrilling and works every time—it’s a tried and true formula. Silhouette Machine works just like that. Most of the songs have a soothing, almost ethereal beginning, and you know what’s coming. Then they strike and pummel your senses with a brutal onslaught of heavy guitars, drums, and Rose’s incredible shredded vocals. It works every time. I love it.

Check out “Run”, “Muzzle”, and “Transept Exit” below for a little example. As I was told regarding this album “don’t sleep”. Go get it. Silhouette Machine is out on vinyl via The Ghost Is Clear, on cassette via Manor, and digitally via Flooding. Enjoy.

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Mango Star

Mango Star | Wasted Daydream | 3hive.com

I’m going to let you in on a little secret (for now, at least). Mango Star are a trio from Detroit. Their self-released debut checks all the boxes. Quirky synths & heavenly harmonies like The Rentals, gauzy atmospherics a la vintage Slowdive, and just a touch of optimism. Hard to believe they aren’t signed to Slumberland (for now, at least – are you reading this, Mike?). Their music is only available in digital form (for now, at least) which you can consume below.

Wasted Daydream is available on their Bandcamp page.


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Body of Leaves

Body of Leaves | Hell Nightmare | 3hive.com
Body of Leaves | Hell Nightmare | 3hive.com

Body of Leaves are a 4-piece band out of Salt Lake City. They self-released their debut (I believe) album, Hell Nightmare, back in May. It’s 8 tracks of really well done post-punk-dark-wave goodness delivered through driving/pounding bass and drums, piercing synths and some amazing wall of sound guitar work. It’s really damn good.

I slept on this album WAY too long, but was shown the light last night seeing them open for Sweeping Promises. Don’t repeat my mistake, check out “Follow”, “Disclosure” and “Such a Gift” below. Do it! This is the good stuff.

Hell Nightmare is out now via their Bandcamp page. Enjoy.