In this monthly feature, I dive into new releases from a handful of artists that deserve attention. In fact, the Indie Inspection takes full advantage of the malleability of “indie” as a concept and aesthetic. That could mean lesser-known acts releasing their music either independently or on a smaller label. It could also refer to artistic vibes and approaches that fall outside of the mainstream. It might even mean nothing at all!
My advice? Leave your preconceived notions at the door and just listen to the music.
The summer is here, which means it’s time for large outdoor music festivals!
And by that, Indie Inspection means it’s time for people younger than me with more free time on their hands to attend such events. Lots of Bearded Gentlemen Music folks are stoked for Riot Fest, Pitchfork, Lollapalooza, and more. Where does that leave me? Happily sitting in the air conditioning. I want to avoid the sweltering humidity that pervades Houston, TX.
Luckily, all this extra time indoors means the list of new music I have for you this month is extra-special. Some of these acts would be perfect on the side stage of a larger festival. Others would be a better fit at a quiet indoor venue where you could hear every single plucked note on an acoustic guitar.
Both strains of emo would sound good outside, but I think I’d rather hear both at a small dive bar venue. Out of the two folk acts I have for this month, only one could work for a festival, as the other is much too introverted. The classic country act has the sort of sublime chops and vocals perfect for a hazy mid-afternoon festival acts. The dance-pop act would probably be wonderful for at night, complete with a riveting light show. But I’d much rather hear them at a club so the synth grooves and bass lines could rattle my chest.
Whether you get to see any of these talented artists at your favorite summer festivals, or they play an indoor venue in your town, I just want you to enjoy the music. That’s my entire goal for this column. Always has been. Always will be.
Annabel – Worldviews (Tiny Engines)
Indie Inspection has been a fan of Annabel for many years now. I’ve reviewed their work at nearly every stage of my music critic career. So when I heard the group was releasing their first new album in nearly a decade, I got excited to share them with a new era of emo fans. Worldviews delivers twelve tracks of classic Midwestern jangle that merge second- and fourth-wave emo with style and verve.
This is more than twinkling arpeggios in alternate tunings atop whiny off-key vocals. I’m talking big books and even bigger melodic ideas built on a sturdy rock core. Yes, the plaintive tenor vocals you expect from the genre are present, but they’re connected to gorgeous guitar work and a brisk rhythm section. Thus, instead of sounding mopey and whiny, the band offers up welcome melodic shifts, pleasing dynamics, and ample energy. If Dave Grohl had modeled his career after Sunny Day Real Estate, The Promise Ring, and Death Cab for Cutie, he would be making the sort of music Annabel is now. If you don’t believe me, you need to check out “All Time,” “Dog,” “Defense Mechanism” and the title track.
Annie Bacon & Her Oshen – Storm (Independent)
The older I get, the more I’m drawn to the kind of music my parents listened to in their twenties. It’s also the stuff I wish they listened to now. It’s a sort of wishful thinking for an alternate timeline in which we hadn’t grown apart due to shifting beliefs. I grew up hearing stories about my parents dancing and drinking in honky-tonks. But I can’t imagine having those conversations now that I’m in my 40s. My parents are even more embarrassed than ever to talk about their past selves.
Because I think they would really like the music of Annie Bacon & Her Oshen. Imagine tremendous ‘70s country vibes replete with twang but bereft of cheesy cliches. Bacon and crew blend Austin, TX and Laurel Canyon with reverence to the past while also updating those ideas using craft and care. Across fourteen fantastic tunes, Storm melds the pop ideals of Kacey Musgraves with the sensitive lyricism of Emmylou Harris and the world-weary delivery of Waxahatchee.
The band chemistry is super-tight, as the performance is so loose while sitting comfortably in the pocket. Bacon’s clear vocals sit upfront in the mix while the instrumentation focuses on creating sonic textures that are accessible but challenging. While most of the songs sit in the mid-tempo range, they exude an expansive and exploratory spirit that showcase the band’s passion. I encourage you to dig deeply into selections like “Mist,” “Walk a Little Farther,” “The Island,” and “It’s Okay.”
Bloomsday – Heart of the Artichoke (Bayonet)
Look – I’m sure plenty of people made introspective folk music like Bloomsday when I was in my 20s. For whatever reason, their art never resonated with me, though I listened to plenty of alt-country. Maybe the early 2000s version of Indie Inspection wasn’t in the mood for slice-of-life lyricism atop introverted strumming with both psych and country influences. However, this music totally works for me now, which is why Heart of the Artichoke gets my “Singer-Songwriter of the Month” award.
This is tender, thoughtful folk of the highest order, reminiscent of Alison Krauss, Cat Power, and Julien Baker. Bloomsday creates gentle, loping tunes with careworn arrangements. Their tones feel familiar on the surface yet reach deep in terms of execution. Many songs are rendered in full-band form, but they’re anchored by a deft combination of whispery alto and artful acoustic guitar licks. But instead of feeling ethereal, the music is rooted in the ups and downs of everyday life. Led by the standout songs “Virtual Hug,” “Dollar Slice,” and “Object Permanence,” this meditative album deserves your attention.
Daniel Nunnelee – June, Baby (One Riot)
Here at Indie Inspection, I believe it’s important to admit my former biases. It’s a way to be honest with myself and the people who read this column about who I am as a music fan and music critic. It would be disingenuous to advocate for a given genre when I’m actually a recent convert.
So, when I tell you that I really enjoyed June, Baby, the new album from Daniel Nunnelee, I must also tell you I would have openly cringed less than a decade ago. Whatever the reason behind my change of heart, his sumptuous brand of pop music immediately enthralled me. It’s a fascinating combination of John Mellencamp, Tom Petty, and Harry Styles that exudes youthful innocence without dipping into pastiche.
His dreamy tenor vocals strike me as earnest in their naïveté instead of cheesy. He could be singing to a current love interest, a past lover, or even his family. This ten-song album abounds with the sort of wide-eyed wonder that’s heartfelt and realistic instead of cloying or try-hard. He surrounds his voice with accessible, straightforward arrangements that borrow from folk, rock, and gospel without giving off faux auteur vibes. Start with songs like “Do You?,” “Be Someone Else,” and “ily ily ily” to hear exactly what I mean.
Laurel – Palpitations (Communion)
I feel my appetite for pop expanding at a nearly exponential rate. It’s to the point that I must come to grips with the fact that I’ve always enjoyed the stuff. I convinced myself in my 20s that I didn’t like it because it wasn’t cool or hip. My proof? I spent many of those years exploring different flavors of ‘80s synth-driven music because that stuff was approved cool. But what is stuff like Eurythmics or Depeche Mode except pop music for sad people?
Which means I’m definitely predisposed to enjoying the music of Laurel and her latest album entitled Palpitations. This eleven-song album oozes with a slinky brand of pop that’s perfect for goth night at the club or background music for a D&D campaign with non-metalheads. Her raspy, love-torn alto aches with disappointment and ennui, while the arrangements bubble with upbeat grooves.
A sturdy four-on-the-floor rhythm section sets the mood and sustains it. Synth-first melodies provide an excellent complement to Laurel’s sad lyrics about growing up and out of adolescence. The exemplary vocal movement speaks well of her artistic confidence and helps the project rise far above the hordes of middling synth-pop. Fans of Dua Lipa, Annie Lennox, and Halsey will find much to love here, especially tracks like “Wild Things,” “Change,” and “New Car.”
Leisure Hour – The Sunny Side (Refresh)
Yet, in the same column, I want all the emo-punk hooks you could possibly cram into a single album. Luckily for Indie Inspection, Leisure Hour has arrived to fulfill that dream and more. The Sunny Side overflows the sort of snarky lyrics and buzzy music you’d expect from a Midwestern power trio. The group stands out from their peers by pairing their very 20-something energy with emotional intelligence that belies their age.
The delicious guitar fuzz reeks of ‘90s pop-punk while the rich bass tone and booming drums give off heavy ‘10s emo vibes. I’m suitably impressed at how effortlessly the group balances moods, styles, and flow while still showcasing plenty of sass. Maybe it’s the dual guy-girl vocals that stay away from cheesy call-and-response. Or maybe it’s the overall brightness of the music. Whatever it is, I instantly fell in love with this record. If you enjoy acts like The Thermals, Hotelier, or Little Big League, you need to hear “Rent’s Due,” “Ivy Tech,” “Calm Down,” and “Summer.”
Thanks for reading The Indie Inspection for June 2024. Please check out our archives for past recommendations.