May has been a busy month for RUSSH, and with our new Noise and Disorder issue out in the world, the energy has certainly geared toward post punk, electro and disorderly sounds. This month’s new releases have moved through genres with bruised Americana, spectral shoegaze, experimental pop and wiry post-punk, with artists across the underground continuing to push familiar sounds into stranger emotional territory. We welcome to the return of song writers like Alex Cameron and Father John Misty with another beautifully cynical meditation on modern life, while Smerz and Chanel Beads continue dissolving the boundaries between ambient music, abstraction and pop songwriting.
I am fully enjoying what appears to be a growing interest in guitar based music in Australia (it was always there, people just seem to be noticing more) with Adelaide-based Swapmeet and the strange performative work of Ex-Citizen! Public Image Ltd. are touring here again which piques my interest, irrespective of Lydon’s politics. Boards of Canada remain enduring reminders that atmosphere can often hit harder than immediacy.
The Payoff by Father John Misty
Few artists weaponise cynicism as elegantly as Father John Misty. “The Payoff” drifts with lounge-like melancholy, but beneath the orchestral softness sits a quietly devastating meditation on transactional modern life, delivered with Tillman’s signature theatrical fatalism.
It’s Here by Smerz
Smerz continue to occupy a world entirely their own. “It’s Here” moves like fragmented memory, dreams and intoxicated visions.
2 C U by Swapmeet
Loose, grimy and joyfully unrefined, 2 C U captures the kind of beautifully chaotic energy that only truly exists in underground rooms.
Twizzler by Cigarettes After Sex
Cigarettes After Sex remain devoted to emotional maximalism through minimal means. “Twizzler” unfolds like slow-motion heartbreak characterised by the whispering vocals so integral to the bands identity.
paper thin by she’s green
A shoegaze track that actually understands softness. “paper thin” glows with diffused emotion rather than drowning itself in excess, balancing crushing walls of guitar with a startling vulnerability underneath. This is very cool.
Elvis Wedding by Jack Ladder featuring Mary Lattimore
This song genuinely makes me cry because it is so beautiful, even more so with Mary Lattimore’s harp. I was hoping to never see the video, despite the fact the video is amazing it is not for the squeamish. For those wanting a wedding song, do not watch the video.
Red Hook Rain by Alex Cameron
He’s back and it’s great, and incredible song with an infectious chorus full of structure and emotion, it feels like a hit.
Nighttime by Carla dal Forno
Dal Forno is right, nighttime is the right time to let yourself go and this could be the subtly atmospheric song to do this to.
Inferno by Ex-Citizen!
Should be seen live.
Rise by Public Image Ltd.
Undoubtedly on the forthcoming set lists, surely?
Introit / Prophecy At 1420 MHz by Boards of Canada
Boards of Canada continue to sound like transmissions from another consciousness entirely, tuning into a radio from another astral plane.
Big Trick by Sabrina Song
Sabrina Song captures the exhaustion of modern intimacy without sacrificing melodic immediacy, a bitter sweet love song.
But, Nvm by Baby Rose
Baby Rose’s voice remains one of the most singular instruments in contemporary soul. But, Nvm moves slowly, almost weightlessly, allowing every grain and crack in her vocal delivery to land with devastating intimacy.
Find the full playlist here with new music from Night Swimming, The Strokes, Porches, and 070 Shake.
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