Hi. Kanra again. It’s been a while hasn’t it? For those who bother to read these, I didn’t wanna leave you hanging for this long. Several ideas I had for this blog fell through. I was either too late or I fell out of the emotional state that would’ve led me to posting them. I contributed a small blurb to one of my favorite blogs in the meantime, but otherwise I’m rustier at writing than I expected to be. This changes today! I have a larger project (and other smaller ones) for this blog that I hope to have out sometime this year, but in the meantime I wanna keep this thing alive and push myself to keep writing, so here’s a new series I wanna try out. Weekly reviews of music that catches my eye. Good, bad, sort of okay, whatever works. That’s all really. Keep it simple, keep it moving, keep this going up every Monday (although this one’s going up on a Tuesday) so I can absorb some of the fruits of New Music Friday throughout the weekend before the posts go live. Let’s do this shit.
Singles:
Camp Trash - Normal, IL:
Emo/power-pop band Camp Trash takes a new direction on this lead single for their upcoming album, adding some psychedelic touches to their sound. I’m torn on this one, frankly. I like that they’re pushing themselves forward and not pigeonholing into doing their debut album again, but I’m definitely missing the hookiness that drew me to them in the first place here. It comes and goes and doesn’t do much for a first impression otherwise. I’m still intrigued by the new record regardless, but my expectations are tempered.
exWHYZ - Sweet and Sour:
Before I fell off the j-pop train towards the start of last year, exWHYZ wowed me with their debut record. I loved seeing their evolution as EMPiRE going into this name change. This new single could be the best song put out from either incarnation of the group though. Glitchy sounds, beautiful strings, quiet acoustic guitars and keyboards all coalesce under this pounding dance beat into a gorgeously layered instrumental topped by lovely vocal deliveries from each member. The final result is one of the most spellbinding j-pop songs I’ve heard in quite some time, one that sets my expectations for their upcoming mini album through the roof.
EPs/Mini Albums:
Endswell - Keepsake:
I have a soft spot for the burgeoning Wisconsin punk and emo scene. I spent the first 16 years of my life there, and even though I haven’t been back since junior year of high school I can’t help but root for the many bands killing it in the Badger State. The latest of these bands with new material is Endswell, dropping a debut EP of 4 solid hits of midwest emo and post-hardcore. Lead single Heart Container is one I know will pop off live with its classic mathy riffs and passionate vocals. This release probably won’t be a gamechanger in the larger scene, but it’s another good reminder that Wisconsin emo has got plenty of gas still in the tank. I’d like to see where this project goes from here.
Kerosene Heights - LEAVING:
Kerosene Heights dropped their debut album, Southeast of Somewhere, last year. I thought it was alright, but in an otherwise stacked year for emo it got a bit lost in the shuffle for me. Regardless, it was still a release that gathered a lot of buzz in DIY circles, with enough momentum to carry them to this surprise release EP. This EP is what really sold me on Kerosene Heights. Michigan Again is a fantastic blast of energy setting the tone for the rest of the EP with its blend of twinkly guitars and shout-along hook. The other songs here aren’t slouches either. Dennis #3 is catchy as hell, Such Great hits hard and closer Night Walk Ultra could feel tired in its nostalgic descriptions of getting blazed with a partner, but the tight songwriting (and the xylophone) keeps it from being a chore. Kerosene Heights have transformed into being Ones to Watch overnight with this EP, and you bet I’ll be there day 1 for their next album.
Albums:
Charli xcx - brat:
Charli xcx has been for the longest time a blindspot for me. I liked Pop 2 well enough, I’ve known of her forever, and you couldn’t really be in any online music spaces during 2020 without seeing at least a few passing mentions of Charli’s lockdown album How I’m Feeling Now. Even so, her music was never really part of my life until this past weekend. I went into this record completely blind, going only off the fervent twitter hype and memeable album cover without hearing any of the singles. I was blown away! This is stellar dance-pop straddling the line of sleek futuristic beats and emotional vulnerability. 360 is one of the catchiest singles of the year. So I and its rumination on Charli’s relationship to Sophie is fucking heartbreaking. Talk talk is begging to be blared out of every club and car stereo this summer. Brat is a record of so many highlights that I’m still trying to fully wrap my head around. It’s catchy, weird, fun and beautiful all at once, an experience that’s gonna be tough for any other pop record this year to match. Too bad her upcoming tour is playing anywhere close, because after an album like this I would’ve bought tickets on the spot.
Kep1er - Kep1going On:
Kep1er are a group I’ve liked but always wanted to love. Girls Planet 999 was the first survival show I ever followed and their 2022 summer comeback Doublast stands tall as being my all-time favorite K-pop release. Yet every comeback thereafter came with mini-albums that were a good time while they were on but with not as much to hang onto after they’re over. This comeback however is an important turning point for the group. Before this release, contract negotiations for the members were being made. There was a very real chance this could have been the final Kep1er release, and while the group will stay around minus two members, Kep1going On finally feels like their potential is being realized once again. The airy synthpop of Shooting Star is easily the best title track of their career, with a tear jerking chorus that makes me feel like I can reach the stars. Curious is a strong entry into the trend of easy-listening drum-and-bass songs the industry is playing around with lately and Flowers, Flutter, Your Heart is a breathtaking trap soul b-side made with plenty of love. The A-side is stronger than the B-side but tracks like the groovy new jack swing of PROBLEM will certainly keep you from tuning out by the end. This is a wonderful album that could’ve made for an excellent sendoff, but now stands as a hopeful new beginning towards the future.