New Music Report – June 5, 2020
Originally, I delayed publishing this post out of respect for the events going on throughout the world last week. It was poised to be an incredibly exciting week for music, but obviously the fight for equality is much more important; music can wait, black lives cannot. I was kind of hesitant to post it at all, it is not intended to soften the voice of those standing up against discrimination and inequality or take the spotlight away from that in any way. Nor is that the intent with this any week, I’m just here to talk about a few albums that I’m looking forward to for anyone interested in listening. So, with that said, here are a few of my most highly anticipated releases of the year, plus some other albums absolutely worth checking out.
Currents – You know those bands out there that aren’t necessarily redefining the genre by doing something new and innovative, but they’re doing their genre so, SO well that they raise the bar for everyone else and push it forward in that regard? That’s what Currents has been doing to metalcore for years, and this new album is another great, big leap forward. This emotional and dynamic range of this album is just incredible, the guitar work is nothing short of brilliant, and the vocals are so much more diverse than anything we’ve seen from Currents before. 2020 has already been a huge year for metalcore, but Currents alone just stepped things up to an almost untouchable level. If you have even a passing interest in metalcore or metal in general, listen to this album.
END – If Currents was a technical masterclass on what metalcore can and should be, END is the musical interpretation of getting hit in the face with a brick. This album is absolutely brutal and gut-wrenchingly heavy blackened hardcore that hits with an immense, grinding weight throughout the whole album. END is a supergroup made up of members of Counterparts, Fit For an Autopsy, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Misery Signals, and Shai Hulud, which is a hell of a roster. And the amalgamation of those legends of metal and hardcore is somehow even heavier than you’d imagine. But not needlessly so; it’s absolutely unrelenting but in a very deliberate and palatable way, with captivating dynamics and clever tempo manipulation to make the crushing barrage of sound so much more than just heavy for the sake of being heavy.
The Ghost Inside – Unfortunately, while I was very much looking forward to talking about this album, due to recent allegations against a member of the band, I will not be promoting this release.
Emery – I’ve always loved Emery. The Weak’s End was an incredibly important album to me when it came out way back when, but I’d be lying if I said I’ve been following them consistently over the years. It’s always felt to me like Emery was most relevant around 2004, but I’m not entirely sure that’s true. After listening to this album, I feel like maybe I’ve missed out on quite a bit. This album is equal parts nostalgia trip and showcase of what 15 years of progress and growth can do to a band.
Run the Jewels – I’m not going to lie, I’ve been in a huge metalcore and post metal rut these days and have unfortunately almost completely lost track of hip hop, but I would be remiss if I didn’t include this brilliant and incredibly relevant and poignant album. RTJ, specifically Killer Mike, have been at the forefront of the social commentary and community leadership that’s been sorely needed for years now and this album provides the perfect soundtrack for the social unrest and revolution of the past several days. It’s a sincere and urgent commentary on the current state of affairs and couldn’t have possibly been more relevant if it tried.
And of course, given the events of the past few weeks, now is the perfect time to remind everybody that while music has and always given a voice to millions, it is also important for you to harness your own voice and use it for good, and for change; to support and defend the rights and lives of your neighbors. Right now, your black neighbors are hurting and fighting for equality, and it is the time to show support and solidarity no matter what background or place of privilege you may come from and join the fight against racism, inequality, police brutality, and an unfair and unchecked judicial system that exploits these social inequities. There are a number of ways you can help; protesting, volunteering, donating to organizations supporting BLM and the protests, supporting black-run businesses and artists, documenting and sharing stories to overcome media bias, etc.
In fact, many bands are joining this fight with merch or fundraisers going directly to fighting this inequality, including Silent Planet, a personal favorite of mine, and a band that has always at the forefront of the movement for social justice and equality. So please, look towards your favorite artists to see how they are helping, and how you can support that effort, and don’t stop there.
“Make every breath a protest in a world where your neighbors cannot breathe.” – Silent Planet