DE'WAYNE - Stains
Label: Hopeless Records
Press release: A lifetime in the making, alt-pop superstar DE'WAYNE has officially announced his debut album STAINS, due out June 18th via Hopeless Records. The eleven-track album blends the incendiary nature of his live show with a story that needs to be told and a genreless freedom. Instead of trying to fit into a ready-made scene, STAINS is driven by energy, emotion, excitement. "Every song on this record is urgent because it has to be. I want to put out music that feels like you have to listen to it right now."
My thoughts: At 11 tracks, 5 of which were released before the album announcement, and another 2 post album announcement left us with only 4 wholly new songs. Like the singles they were a mixed bag but one can't deny DE'WAYNE's infectious energy and genre bending attitude going from lo-fi hip hop to high energy guitar backed rock music and everything in between.
Label: Rise records
Press release: The California hardcore punk kings will be releasing their new record Bodies on June 11 via Rise, with the LP produced by the band’s own Jade Puget. “Anyone who knows our catalog knows that no two records really sit together,” says Jade. “Some sit a little closer, maybe. We do certain things, just by virtue of who we are, that are consistent, but those things come about organically. Every time we do something, I have to judge it on its own merits. Some fans are going to judge a new album, or a new song, based on what’s come before. But as artists, we can’t do that, because it would only hinder our creativity.”
My thoughts: I've said many times that I don't hold it against artists when they opt to try something new on a record and AFI might as well change their name to chameleon the amount of times they changed their sound but that doesn't mean I need to enjoy it which I do not. Apart from a few tracks this LP is full of misses with the standout track likely being the single Feeling Tragic with No Eyes being the best of the deep cuts.
Label: Revival Records
Press release: Ottawa, ON-based quintet, We Were Sharks have announced their upcoming album, New Low, which is set for release in May 2021. On New Low, lead vocalist Randy Frobel shares, “New Low is a collection of songs that we created that focuses on being down but not out. Since the release of Lost Touch, we’ve experienced many of life’s ups and downs. We’ve lost relationships, friends and family, and have gone through a lot of unexpected challenges that life has a tendency to throw at you when you least expect it. However, no matter what may have tried to keep us down or hold us back, we always take the hit and keep pushing forward.”
My thoughts: This is probably the best pop punk album I've heard this year so far. We Were Sharks have tightened up their songwriting while still having hooks for days. If I had to point out one misstep it's "Burning Houses" which is a mid-tempo song which I usually love but there was no hook to draw me in. The singles are all solid (the first 5 tracks) which you'd know if you follow my countdown have all entered the top 10 at one point or another. Ashley pt. 2 and album closer Ready To Go are the best of the back half.
