I listen to a lot of music. No, really. If I’m not catching up on what my dudes recommend with The Indie Inspection and Ska Punk & Other Junk, or doing homework for the Crushed Monocle Podcast, I’ve got my ear to the ground for what’s next. There’s just so much music out there it’s hard to keep a cohesive list. While the podcast is a great way to discuss a few records each month, I feel as if I’m undercutting some of the other records that got repeated spins. The remedy? This column! The Showcase.
Welcome to The Showcase for November 2024!
The Sheila Divine – I Am The Darkness. We Are The Light.
Aaron Perrino has always been introspective. But when he presents that honesty as part of the struggle between hope and darkness, it becomes a completely different animal. Despite being a concept album about the inner workings of emotional conflict, nothing in I Am The Darkness is weighted down by heady philosophy. Instead, it’s a combination of garage rock and post-punk with just a sliver of atmospheric goth. I’ve been following this band for a long time, and I think this might be my favorite release so far.
The Harrow – Cinderglow
It’s been a few years since we’ve had a new release from The Harrow. Sporting a new lineup, they’ve returned with Cinderglow. Sounding like a cross between Siouxsie Sioux and The Cure, The Harrow definitely has a solid amount of goth for their synth-pop aesthetic. While it feels like a quick listen, the album grabs you right at the start and makes you want to press play as soon as it ends.
Mammoth Grinder – Undying Spectral Resonance
After 6 long years, Mammoth Grinder has returned and with a revised lineup. Despite only being 14 minutes long, this EP has enough U.S. death metal to last us until the group releases something else. It’s dark, crusty, and evil in all the ways you expect, but man it’s just so satisfying. You’ll probably need a Pentecostal church service immediately after listening, but what are ya gonna do?
Getdown Services – Your Medals In The Post
The world is on fire, and the US is urinating on the gas tank. You don’t need me to tell you that, but you might be looking for some sort of escapism. This EP from Getdown Services is a good place to start. Your Medals In The Post will make you dance with their mixture of alternative disco and dance rock, but it’s their sarcasm and wit that keeps you engaged. There’s no pandering or false hope here. They know we’re going to hell in a hand basket, but at least the music is fun.
Shake Some Action – Chase The Light
Combining elements of power pop and mod, Shake Some Action sounds like it came straight out of the mid-1960s. I’m talking 12-string guitars, keening vocals, and those harmonies! It’s like The Hollies meet The Kinks. It’s difficult to find artists who can do this style of music without coming off like a gimmick. I love everything about this release. Sometimes, I think I was born in the wrong era.
The Lycan – Hollow Heart
When you think of psych rock, your mind tends to conjure up heaps of noise, fuzz, and well, psychedelics. With Hollow Heart, The Lycan proves that psych can also be spacious and beautiful. Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty of fuzzed-out, larger-than-life guitars throughout the entire album. But it’s the dry production, math-rock compositions, Failure-esque vocals, and subtle guitar shredding that make The Lycan such a unique band in this niche.
Molder – Catastrophic Reconfiguration
Hailing from the south Chicago suburbs (near me actually, howdy neighbors!), Molder is a death metal revival band that reminds me of Skeletal Remains and Obituary but with a modern flair. Catastrophic Reconfiguration is a disgustingly swampy take on the genre with chunky riffs and vocals that can only be described as gross. The lo-fi production makes it feel like you’re listening to a self-released album on cassette that was buried with someone and then exhumed before making it to your hands. Isn’t that what you want from death metal?
Townsel Turner – Blood Oath
The best Midwestern emo is the kind that sounds like it was recorded in a basement at 3 am. When the rest of the world is asleep and the rest of the world can’t judge you for bearing your soul. Townsel Turner encapsulates that sound and feeling perfectly on Blood Oath. There’s just something wholesome about their emotional, salt-of-the-earth performance. Townsel Turner also flirts with shoegaze and powerpop throughout the album. Think of them as a Camp Cope that isn’t afraid to turn up the gain on their guitars.
Earthburner – Permanent Dawn
Despite being formed when Broken Hope disbanded back in 2001, Permanent Dawn is the debut record from Earthburner. They’ve released a few singles here and there across various lineup changes, but now that the band has reached its final form, they are intense! With plenty of grindcore and death metal to spare, if you’re looking for something sinister and ferocious, Permanent Dawn is for you! It doesn’t mess around either, as the longest track barely reaches 3 minutes, and I’m a huge fan of the gnarly bass tone.
Soccer Mommy – Evergreen
Sophie Allison’s artistic journey has been fascinating. I’ve been a fan since the bedroom pop of her debut record to the edgy ’90s throwback vibe of the follow-up and all the way to the sonic explorations of her most recent album. On Evergreen, Soccer Mommy visits each of her previous eras and tightens them up for the most expansive sound of her career. Everything here feels personal and vulnerable in the most genuine ways possible. It’s easily one of my favorite records – not just in this edition of The Showcase but of the year.
The Body – The Crying Out of Things
There aren’t too many bands out there like The Body. As one of the most prolific duos in noise rock, you never know where these guys are gonna go next. For The Crying Out of Things, The Body has gone down the industrial rabbit hole. All the ugly distortion, horrifying vocals, and skin-crawling experimentation are there, but they provide surprise elements from a choir, trap beats, and more. The closing track, “All Worries,” is my favorite song The Body has ever recorded. Sure, this kind of music isn’t for everybody. There isn’t much here that isn’t bleak, depressing, or straight-up terrifying. But sometimes you need something that will challenge you mentally and emotionally. The Body delivered.
Neon Nightmare – Faded Dream
You don’t need The Showcase for this recommendation. I already wrote an entire review here!
Mugger – Luck Forever
Check out my full review of Luck Forever here!
The Cure – Songs Of A Lost World
Robert Smith and the boys need no introduction (much less on this humble installment of The Showcase) New wave, pop, shoegaze, even goth, The Cure has done it all and seen it all. I also don’t need to tell you that Songs Of A Lost World is incredible. As with most of their most iconic releases, the atmosphere is where The Cure really shines. I also detect a subtle sense of finality with this album. That’s sad, but fitting. If this is in fact the band’s last album, they left on a high note.
