Once again, I’ve put together a list of five essential songs distilled from the 500+ submissions that arrived last week. Please feel free to check out my work.
1. Saint Asonia, above all
Introvert EP (Spinefarm/Universal Music Canada)
Recommended if you like: Songs with a lot of crunch
After leaving Three Days Grace, singer Adam Gontier took some time off and regrouped with this band with his brother Cale on bass and Staind’s Mike Mushok on guitar. His latest EP is a seven-track single EP that ends in 24 minutes. Do you feel angry and isolated? This should help you know that you are not alone.
2. dirty heads, life has been good
Under the shade of green (GUARANTEE)
RIYL: Reggae Covers of 70’s Hits
In 1978, at the height of the Eagles’ fame, Joe Walsh pitched life has been good a tongue-in-cheek look at the excesses of ’70s rock stars. It remains a staple of classic rock radio. It is now introduced to a new generation through Dirty Heads and their updated reggae version of the song. The 185-mph Maserati was traded for an Impala that barely breaks the speed limit, and that’s just the beginning.
3. EVOLVE, up that hill
Single (Independent)
RIYL: Kate, obviously.
Speaking of covers, inspired by the Stranger things running down that hill phenomenon, dEVOLVE has deconstructed the song and reassembled it into this arpeggio-laden club banger that will keep the party running (and the cash windfall) for a while longer. Synthwave, baby.
4.Alex G, Runner
God save the animals exist (Domino)
RIYL: Videos referencing Tom Petty
Alex G (Alex Giannascoli on his driver’s license and Sandy for some of his friends) started out releasing material on Bandcamp before graduating to running his own independent label before moving on to various other labels. He’s now with Domino (home to bands like Wet Leg, Franz Ferdinand, Arctic Monkeys and many more), so he’s hoping for a big summer boost on this track. The video is a subtle reference to Tom Petty’s. the wait in which the band backs him up on a nearly empty stage.
5. The rare occasions, Dizzy
Single (Independent)
RIYL: Poppy, Tokyo Police Club style garage songs
They’re from New England (where they went to college), but now based in Los Angeles, they seem to have found their niche with a sound that might remind you of early Arctic Monkeys, The Shins or maybe even a bit of Strokes. This self-released song will soon appear on his new EP.
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