Car Seat Headrest – Can’t Cool Me Down
The long-awaited return of indie-rock legends Car Seat Headrest is finally here. The single “Can’t Cool Me Down” off their upcoming album, Making a Door Less Open, sticks with their track record of daring and eclectic rock music. The new single feels very sleek and futuristic, like it was made for a city lit solely by neon signs. Frontman Will Toledo’s signature scream comes through aggressively in the chorus to balance out the cool composure of the verses. As per usual the song’s lyrics are heavy with introspection and imagery, but the slick electronic production makes the track feel noticeably less gritty than previous work from the group. Overall, a very promising dance track that hints at a Sci-Fi themed album that still holds on to the group’s core emotional focus.
The Districts – Velour and Velcro
First of all, 10/10 on the song title. Second of all, this track is a very victorious march into new sonic territory for the band. Third of all, when I say march, I really mean slow-motion, cinematic jog up a mountain. The song feels overwhelming vast in both its production and its lyrical content. It’s clear that The Districts are taking full advantage of being in a professional studio as they build a song that bears some semblance to epochal indie works of bands like Arcade Fire and Broken Social Scene. Simultaneously, the song feels huge in its underlying message: “I believe in nothing!” Needless to say, I am eagerly awaiting their upcoming album You Know I’m Not Going Anywhere.
Goth Babe – The River
If you are a fan of Goth Babe’s previous work, then this new single will likely be right up your alley. “The River” is not a drastic departure from the artist’s earlier sound: lush vocals, dreamy hooks and whimsical images of the majestic outdoors. The Tennessee singer-songwriter, Griff Washburn, crafts yet another indie-pop piece that is guided by triumphant synths and drum machines to a lookout point over the great Pacific Northwest. The chorus is certainly an earworm.
The Buttertones – “Jazzhound”
Like a horror chase scene dipped in reverb and covered in crushed drum machine. The Buttertones stick to (and further explore) their signature blend of post-punk influenced surf rock with their new single from late February. Vocalist Richard Araiza howls over some diesel-fueled drum tracks in such a way that the whole song takes on a decidedly ominous vibe. But still, the track feels accessible and danceable thanks to its unrelenting pace and bassline. While “Jazzhound” might signal a slightly darker turn for the LA group, it’s clear that they are not trying to shed the fun listening that hooked so many of their long-time fans.
Written by Cole Hendricks