From the cathartic anthems of Capstan to the raw rock fury of Heavy Water, there is something for everyone among this week’s new music releases.
The world is changing. After a year of forced isolation, artists and fans are finally starting to reconnect. Dozens of great albums are hitting shelves every week, and we know that nobody has time for everything. We want to help you find the can’t miss albums and keep you up-to-date on the records everyone will be talking about next week. We realize that documenting every new release would be virtually impossible, but here you will find several new albums from Haulix clients that we feel deserve your time and support. This is the new music you need to hear:
Capstan – SEPARATE (Fearless Records)
Many alternative groups are written off for what people perceive to be childish or immature lyrics. Critics of the genre seem to feel that upbeat heavy music is best when marketed toward teenagers who know nothing of the world at large. Capstan argues that alternative music is for everyone. SEPARATE is an album born from feelings of isolation and loneliness. It came to life amid a pandemic, just a short period after the band’s guitarist and songwriter began divorce proceedings. All the pain, confusion, and frustrations of those two life-changing events are channeled into this record, and the result is a wonderfully cathartic ode to the resilience of the human spirit.
Sleep Waker – Alias (UNFD)
Rock music is angry again. After years of the genre’s biggest names churning out regurgitated versions of the same tired anthems about overcoming obstacles and persevering through hard times, a new crop of musicians is refusing to fall in line. Sleep Waker writes music for people trying to find meaning in the chaos of existence. Their songs rally against the dying of hope and community with ferocious vocals and thunderous production. Every track off Alias is just as likely to spark a revolution as they are to incite mosh pits. You need the release this album can provide. The last year has left us all feeling a little shaken, but Alias offers a chance to purge those emotions for good. Let go.
Heavy Water – Red Brick City (Silver Linings)
With a name like Heavy Water, you know the music must be good. Saxon’s Biff Byford and his son Seb Byford spent 2020 working together on the material that would become Red Brick City. The result is a ten-song collection of classic rock inspired music that marries gritty modern rock edge with the rough and tumble blues that helped birth the genre. It’s the kind of album you expect to find sitting on someone’s shelf between titles from Led Zeppelin and The Who, and the tracks have the same level of staying power. The pandemic will eventually end, but Red Brick City will be spinning on stereos for years to come.
Hookers & Blow – Hookers & Blow (Golden Robot)
Originally formed in 2003 as an excuse to drink for free in Hollywood by long-time Guns N’ Roses keyboardist Dizzy Reed and Quiet Riot guitarist Alex Grossi, Hookers & Blow have reached icon status among fans of the Hollywood Strip music scene. The band’s debut covers album is full of staples and deep cuts from rock’s biggest names, including The Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, and Led Zepplin. Each cut honors the legacy of the tracks while finding fresh energy in their presentation. It’s not hard to close your eyes while listening and picture yourself rubbing shoulders with your fellow rock fans at a dingy nightclub in the early hours of the morning while the band rips through yet another incredible set. In that sense, Hookers & Blow offer music fans a kind of time machine capable of reconnecting you with the moments when rock made you feel the most alive, and you would be foolish to miss out.
Necrogod – In Extremis (Transcending Obscurity)
The latest promising metal act to rise from Sweden has brought sonic devastation and engrossing storytelling to In Extremis, their fantastic new record. We’re pretty the amount of noise that Necrogod creates with only two members goes against the laws of nature. It’s a punishingly brutal affair from start to finish, and it’s elevated by brilliant structural decisions, including surprising tempo changes and fiery solos. In Extremis is the type of record that keeps you on your toes throughout. It’s a rich and propulsive exploration of darkness. So, if you love your music heavy, Necrogod may offer your favorite release of the year.
New Music Friday recommendations feature a collection of new releases from Haulix clients chosen by the company staff. Join Haulix today and gain immediate access to the industry’s leading digital promotional distribution platform: http://haulix.com/signup.
