Spooky season has begun, but I’d say there’s nothin scary about the releases this week (well, except that they may be scary good). The new ones from soul/folk songwriter Leon Bridges, mega-pop rock band Coldplay should be darn-right comforting. James Bay and Jake Bugg‘s latest should be blasts of hi-energy Britpop folk, while the latest from punks Drug Church and ska-punk Ratboy will hit hard but in a good way. Thrash-grass troop The Native Howl could potential scary some, but you still won’t be able to turn away your ears from their crazy mash-up sound.
One year ago, I saw CHVRCHES‘ Lauren Mayberry‘s first solo show at The Troubadour, and this week, she’s released the fourth song from her forthcoming debut solo album. Her friend Bartees Strange has dropped an excellent second track from his next released, and Waxahatchee has shared a new one (even though she already released a new album this year). This may be the norm now though – just ask Royel Otis, who just keep adding new tracks to their previously released album, dropping another this week.
If you want some solid new punk, then look to the latest from Coheed & Cambria, while The Black Keys mix a little Latin flavor into their classic blues rock sound. Mötley Crüe sound as sleazy as ever on their latest track, Other artists returning this week include The HU, Hamish Anderson, Whitey, Abstract Crimewave (joined by Chrissie Hynde), Kathleen Edwards (joined by Bahamas), Arms & Hearts, Bodega, Casii Stephan, The Rubber-Necks, Skeggs, Good Neighbours, Razorlight, Myles Smith and Dexter and the Moonrocks.
And joining the list for the first time this week are Dave Daniels, Mathieu Santos, Ross Goldstein, Nate Smith (with list vet Avril Lavigne), Cat Ridgeway, Straylings, Sky McKee, The Boneheads, The Dream Eaters, Keli Holiday & Alex Cameron, Carla Olson and Tall Poppy Syndrome, [Daryl], The Boy Detective, Joe Kelly & The Royal Pharmacy and Johnny Delaware.
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The Indy Review 