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This Week In Music (January 21, 2022)

This Week In Music

From the Weird Al biopic to the most ambitious emo festival ever, we have gathered the biggest stories in music this week.

2022 is barely underway, and the music industry is moving at lightning speed. We have a hard time keeping track of everything happening throughout our business, and we have a good feeling you do as well. After all, who has the time? Between ambitious goal-setting and endless tasks, most professionals barely have time to clear out their inbox, let alone read the latest industry headlines.

We cannot ease your workload or give you more hours in the day, but we can help you stay informed. That is why we are thrilled to introduce This Week In Music, a brand new weekly column highlighting the best and most talked-about stories throughout the music industry. Each Friday, we will post links to various need-to-know articles and information. 

But let’s be honest. There is no way we can hope to cover everything that happens. If you see a headline we missed that people need to know, please do not hesitate to send james@haulix.com an email. We’ll include your links in the next update.

The Biggest Stories of the Week:

REST IN PEACE: Meat Loaf (1947-2022)

Friday morning started out rough with the news that rock vocalist Meat Loaf has died at the age of 74. The singer’s manager, Michael Greene, confirmed Meat Loaf died Thursday night. Sources with knowledge tell TMZ he was supposed to attend a business dinner earlier this week for a show he’s working on—”I’d Do Anything for Love”—but the dinner was canceled because he became seriously ill with COVID. Sources tell the outlet that condition quickly became critical.

Daniel Radcliffe to play ‘Weird Al’ ‘ankovic ‘n biopic Weird: The Al Yankovic Story

Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe has signed on to play ‘Weird Al’ ‘Yankovic in a biopic written by the famous parody master. Weird: The Al Yankovic Story will enter production later this year with plans for an exclusive Roku release soon. “When my last movie UHF came out in 1989, I made a solemn vow to my fans that I would release a major motion picture every 33 years, like clockwork. I’m very happy to say we’re on schedule,” Yankovic said in a statement. “And I am absolutely thrilled that Daniel Radcliffe will be portraying me in the film. I have no doubt whatsoever that this is the role future generations will remember him for.” 

Paramore, My Chemical Romance to headline massive When We Were Young Festival in October

The aptly titled When We Were Young festival released its official lineup on Tuesday (January 18), bringing every 2000s emo-pop band to Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 22, 2022. The single-day festival will feature more than 60 bands performing across multiple stages. Emo veterans My Chemical Romance and Paramore will headline. Other nostalgic bands set to take the stage are Bright Eyes, AFI, The Used, Bring Me The Horizon, Boys Like Girls, Avril Lavigne, Taking Back Sunday, Dashboard Confessional, We the Kings, Alkaline Trio, Manchester Orchestra, Dance Gavin Dance, the All-American Rejects, Anberlin, 3OH!3, Atreyu, the Ready Set, Jimmy Eat World, La Dispute, the Wonder Years, Hawthorne Heights, Car Seat Headrest, Wolf Alice and many more.

Bono says he doesn’t like the name of his band U2 and gets ’embarrassed’ listening to their music

During an interview on the Awards Chatter podcast, legendary rock icon and 61-year-old singer Bono said he finds many of U2’s songs cringeworthy, and he now struggles to listen to his vocals. “I’ve been in the car when one of our songs has come on the radio, and I’ve been the color of, as we say in Dublin, scarlet. I’m just so embarrassed,” Bono told the podcast. Later, in the same conversation, he mentioned the band’s early-2000s hit “Vertigo” as one of the few songs in U2’s catalog he enjoys.

GRAMMYS move to April 3, will now take place in Las Vegas

COVID is messing with awards season. The latest victim of Omicron’s continuing havoc is the GRAMMY awards, which were originally scheduled to take place on January 31 in Los Angeles. The awards celebration will now take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 3, the Recording Academy has confirmed. The CMT Awards, originally scheduled to air live that night on CBS, will be moved to later. Trevor Noah, host of The Daily Show, will host the event.

The Weeknd’s ‘Dawn FM’ Breaks Billboard Global 200 Record

Don’t let those “blinding lights” fool you. The Weeknd may not have the GRAMMY nominations he rightfully deserves, but he does have the biggest album of 2022. Dawn FM has been out less than a month, but the eclectic record is already outperforming its competition. The album continues to be at the top of the charts across the globe, including The Weeknd’s home country Canada, U.K. Australia, Ireland, Sweden, and Switzerland. The album debuted at No. 1 on Apple Music U.S. and in 125 countries and is also No. 1 on Spotify U.S. and Globally. The Dawn FM tracks positioned in the Global 200 list include “Sacrifice” which holds the No. 2 spot, “Take My Breath,” “Gasoline,” “Out of Time,” “Is There Someone Else?” and “How Do I Make You Love Me?.” The “Save Your Tears” remix assisted by Ariana Grande from his 2020 album After Hours is also on the list. According to Billboard, only one other artist has ever had more Global 200 entries in a single week, making The Weeknd just behind the country-pop artist, Taylor Swift. Kanye West trails The Weeknd with 23, followed by fellow Torontonian Drake at 22 and 21 songs on Global 200.

TikTok is falling in love with one of Celine Dion’s biggest hits

There is nothing TikTok users love more than a sound with endless possibilities. The insanely popular video-sharing platform has made a habit of resurrecting forgotten radio hits to amuse young audiences, and the latest trend is no different. As you can see below, people are using the bridge to “It’s All Coming Back To Me” to live out their wildest performance fantasies. While Celine gives the track her all, TikTok users return the energy with wildly creative lip-syncing efforts. Check it out:

Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige Featured In Blowout Super Bowl Halftime Trailer

The biggest game of the year is right around the corner, and it boasts one of the most exciting Halftime shows in recent memory. The program itself remains a mystery, but fans can expect to hear some of the biggest pop songs in history performed on the world’s largest stage. This year, taking the mic will be none other than Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and Mary J. Blige. We doubt you need another reason to watch, but if you do, check this out:

Song of the week: Undeath – “Rise From The Grave”

Our friends at Prosthetic Records know how to find the best cutting-edge metal bands on the planet. Their decision to sign Undeath a few years back signaled the start of a death metal revolution in the U.S. We can think of no other heavy band that has undergone the growth or sonic evolution that Undeath has experienced in the last two years. “Rise From The Grave,” the lead single off the group’s upcoming second album, showcases how far they’ve come with brutal instrumentation and guttural vocals. If you like what you hear, please consider preordering the record.

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Haulix Recommends: The Best New Music of October 8, 2021

From Trivium to We Are Scientists, there is something for everyone among this week’s new music releases.

We love our clients. Over the last decade in business, Haulix has played a small part in helping thousands of records reach tastemakers worldwide. Watching artists reach and even surpass their dreams is immensely humbling. We take no credit for anyone’s success, but we do want to highlight a few clients whose recent new music releases are currently on repeat in our offices. Check it out:

Trivium – In The Court Of The Dragon (Roadrunner)

Metal masters Trivium return to the spotlight with another incredible collection of riffs and soaring anthems on In The Court Of The Dragon. The impressive creative run the band has been on over the last decade continues with this release, furthering their efforts to blend technical prowess with commercial accessibility. The result is a record packed with massive stories conveyed as only Matt Heafy and his bandmates can deliver. It’s a fascinating and deeply enjoyable release that further argues for Trivium to be crowned the kings of modern metal.

POORSTACY – Party At The Cemetery (10K Projects)

POORSTACY is the quasi-punk artist to emerge from Los Angeles with a Travis Barker cosign and a horde of teen fans. Party In The Cemetery delivers fourteen rock-influenced tracks that rally against oppression, heartache, and regret. It’s as if every line of every song POORSTACY pens is written with the sole intent of making the listener feel more alive, if only for a few minutes. Each track consists of bombastic energy wrapped around a frantic yet concise vocal performance that immediately hooks you. POORSTACY is not the only person making music like his or writing songs about these subjects, but nobody can duplicate the undeniable heart behind each note. POORSTACY wants to succeed, of course, but you get the sense that goal comes in a distant second behind making his fans feel less alone. 

We Are Scientists – Huffy (Masterswan Records)

Indie pop is not a genre known for producing artists with careers that a decade or more. We Are Scientists is an exception to this rule. To be more specific, they set the standard that other artists should follow. Like other releases in the band’s catalog, Huffy continues the band’s efforts to refine further an already top-notch sound while remaining open to experimentation. In other words, it’s an incredible fun release that packs a lot of heart and technical artistry into a catchy work of art that listeners will find easy to enjoy. 

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.

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Haulix Recommends: The Best New Music of September 17, 2021

From The Plot In You to the blistering debut from Spiritbox, there is something for everyone among this week’s new music releases.

We love our clients. Over the last decade in business, Haulix has played a small part in helping thousands of records reach tastemakers worldwide. Watching artists reach and even surpass their dreams is immensely humbling. We take no credit for anyone’s success, but we do want to highlight a few clients whose recent new music releases are currently on repeat in our offices. Check it out:

You, Me, And Everyone We Know – Something Heavy (Know Hope Records)

Something Heavy is an album about doing the work most of us choose to avoid. It’s about opening all those old scars and processing the trauma of being alive in the modern-day. The fact the album is also one of the most fun and exciting releases of 2021 is something of a magic trick. Ben Liebsch and the rest of the band have crafted an enthralling record that will inspire you to work a little harder at becoming the best version of yourself. You’ll also want to sing along and dance, possibly while crying. That’s cool. Do what feels good.

The Plot In You – Swan Song (Fearless Records)

The Plot In You is an enigma. The Ohio quartet defies classification at every turn, and it’s safe to say they’re doing so on purpose. Rather than chase fame or Billboard hits, The Plot In You focuses on crafting something real in a marketplace of frauds. Their songs see the world for the way it is rather than the way they wish it were, and fans are grateful for the honesty. Not everyone is ready to face facts and accept their role in the chaos of it all, but for those prepared to feel something, Swan Song is the record for you.

Spiritbox – Eternal Blue (Rise Records)

It’s safe to say that Spiritbox has become one of the most talked-about groups in metal. “Holy Roller” established the band as a trio to watch in 2020, and their subsequent singles have only served to expand the vision of what the group hopes to accomplish. Eternal Blue is a sprawling and unpredictable record filled with poetic highs and gut-wrenching lows, each perfectly constructed by three like-minded musicians working as one. The album has a seamlessness that very few acts ever pull off, especially in metal, but Spiritbox makes it look effortless. You will think these individuals were put on this Earth specifically to make this record, and honestly? We have no evidence to say otherwise.

Alien Weaponry – Tangaroa (Napalm Records)

Tribal groove metal is a niche genre dominated by foreign acts whose lives and creativity are heavily influenced by their family and cultural history. Of the acts pursuing this craft on the international stage, few have made a name for themselves, like Alien Weaponry. Their music pulls from an ultra-specific sense of place and time that helps the group’s catalog stand out from many of their peers. Every band likes to believe they are the only band doing what they do, but in the case of Alien Weaponry, that may be true. No one else could make Tangaroa, and if nothing else, that alone makes it worthy of your attention.

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.

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Haulix Recommends: The Best New Music of September 10, 2021

From Andrew W.K.’s divorce album to the return of punk legends Face To Face, there is something for everyone among this week’s best new music.

We love our clients. Over the last decade in business, Haulix has played a small part in helping thousands of records reach tastemakers worldwide. Watching artists reach and even surpass their dreams is immensely humbling. We take no credit for anyone’s success, but we do want to highlight a few clients whose recent new music releases are currently on repeat in our offices. Check it out:

Andrew W.K. – God Is Partying (Napalm Records)

Most of us think of Andrew W.K. as the party guard, but what about the human underneath? God Is Partying, the latest album and Andrews catalog is the enigmatic songwriter’s most diverse and challenging album to date. Fueled by a combination of apocalyptic anxiety and rumination on divorce, the 12 tracks on this record offer a bold and engaging exploration of the human experience at one of the strangest points in history. You will want to dance and cry simultaneously, but that’s kind of the point. Life is hell, but this life is all we have, and Andrew W.K. wants us to make the most of it.

Gwar – Scumdogs XXX Live! (Pit Records)

It’s hard to find new ways to tell people about the intergalactic charm of Gwar, the wildest rock band in the universe. Nobody in music is doing anything like GWAR, and nobody ever will. From the lyrical content to the theatricality present in both songs and performances, these extraterrestrial rockstars are blazing a path for themselves that no one can follow. Scumdogs XXX Live! captures a live recording of the band’s biggest songs as well as any release can. It’s got the rough around the edges feel of a gig, but with the crystal-clear production of a studio. The result is a listening experience that comes as close to replicating the chaotic energy of the band’s live show as anyone could hope. It’s not quite like being there, but it’s the next best thing.

Face To Face – No Way Out But Through (Fat Wreck Chords)

California’s Face To Face are living legends in the punk community. For over a quarter-century, Face To Face has been writing material that inspires generations of young artists to pick up guitars or drumsticks and process their complicated emotions through songs. As adults with families, the men of Face To Face are experiencing an entirely new set of life experiences, each just as challenging and exciting as before. Rather than rest on their laurels, the band challenges themselves to find ways to address these situations and emotions through the style that made them famous. Not many punk bands are writing songs about what it’s like to be over 30, but when you hear how well Face To Face does it, it’s easy to understand why others may get scared. No Way Out But Through is not just the soundtrack to the rest of your life but the guiding rule. Come what may, the only way out is through.

The Dead Deads – Tell Your Girls It’s Alright (Rumble Records)

The Dead Deads are writing songs that challenge industry norms, and in doing so, they’ve become an emerging force of nature in the rock community. The three-piece isn’t afraid to combine their rock and metal chops with pop and soul elements to create something that feels new despite being deeply rooted in genre history. Tell Your Girls It’s Alright channels the boundless possibilities that exist within us into a record that combines spectacle with heart. The final product is a taste of what the future may hold for rock, and if you ask us, the genre has never been this exciting.

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.

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Haulix Recommends: The Best New Music of August 27, 2021

From the return of Grayscale to the protest-ready work of Confused, there is something for everyone among this week’s new music releases.

We love our clients. Over the last decade in business, Haulix has played a small part in helping thousands of records reach tastemakers worldwide. Watching artists reach and even surpass their dreams is immensely humbling. We take no credit for anyone’s success, but we do want to highlight a few clients whose recent new music releases are currently on repeat in our offices. Check it out:

Grayscale – Umbra (Fearless Records)

Grayscale is not so much a band or group as it is a movement influencing every corner of the modern alternative music landscape. On Umbra, Grayscale’s third full-length album, the band sheds the wide-eyed optimism of earlier releases in preference of a more mature but still fun collection of tracks that probe life’s biggest questions. It’s as if the band can take any small moment and turn it into a metaphor about living better, healthier lives. You will walk away from this record thinking about the pop-rock genre differently, and that’s entirely due to Grayscale’s commitment to constant growth and progression. They don’t want to be the biggest band in the world, but they do want to be the next band that changes your life. Let Umbra move you. 

Jinjer – Wallflowers (Napalm Records)

The world wasn’t ready for Jinjer when the band burst onto the international music scene in 2012, but that’s okay. Like all good groups that eventually become great, Jinjer needed time to refine their unique approach to music. Their sound is a combination of multiple metal influences combined over a soulful bed of rock aesthetics. Wallflowers, the band’s latest, continues Jinjer’s efforts to become the biggest rock band on the planet. Boasting massive hooks and unforgettable riffs, each song on Wallflowers plays with the same exciting unpredictability that has become a signature of the group’s sound.

For anyone feeling lost or defeated, Wallflowers is the record for you. It’s chock-full of anthems about the resilience of the human spirit, and really, who doesn’t need a reminder about their strength at a time like this?

Confused – Riot (Confused Records)

Canada’s Confused have written the must-hear album of 2021 for anyone looking to cause a little political upheaval. Riot is a raucous collection of protest songs and punk anthems for underdogs everywhere who are sick of living under broken systems controlled by the ultra-elite. It’s the kind of album you expect to be played during an actual riot, combining memorable hooks with crunching guitars. Vocalist Al Del Barrio summarizes everything nicely in a press release for the record by claiming, “We’ve never been shy about expressing what’s on our minds, and these songs definitely reflect where we are in 2021 after all the bullshit we’ve all experienced in the last couple years.”

If you’re sick of the world, Riot is for you. Please don’t sleep on it.

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.

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Haulix Recommends: The Best New Music of August 6, 2021

From the thunderous return of NYTT LAND to the sci-fi sounds of DEADLIFE, 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:

NYTT LAND – Ritual (Napalm Records)

Serbian shamanic dark folk group duo NYTT LAND utilizes ancient drumming techniques, throat singing, and timeless stories to create a record that transports you from the modern-day into something far more primal. There is something to this record that will put you in touch with your most basic self. You will feel called to dance at night in a forest around a burning fire wearing only paint and feathers as you plead to an empty sky that you might know a moment of peace. For that reason, Ritual is as much an experience as it is a work of art. You can feel the heart and soul in every note, and you never question the motivation behind the music. NYTT LAND isn’t concerned with dollars and cents. Their purpose, not to mention the beauty of Ritual, is rooted in a desire for connection. Not only does the duo wish to bring us together, but they want to remind us of our sameness. Do yourself a favor and get lost in this record. You won’t regret it.

DEADLIFE – God In The Machine (Fixt Neon)

Few artists can claim to have released eight studio albums since 2017, and even less can say each record offers a unique vision of a sci-fi dystopia. DEADLIFE did both, and God In The Machine is merely the latest in a series of unforgettable releases to reach listeners. The fifteen-track release conjures sounds from a distant world of the future to provide an immersive and carefully detailed soundscape for the present. The result is a strange and often surreal amalgamation of digital production and practical artistry. If you close your eyes at any moment while the record plays, you will no doubt witness visions of impossible neon dreams filled with monstrous machines and endless skies. We can never know for sure what the future holds, but if DEADLIFE is providing the soundtrack, it seems safe to say it won’t be that bad (despite, you know, the world being on fire, the oceans being empty, and people being generally unlikeable). 

The Wandering Hearts – The Wandering Hearts (Cooking Vinyl)

There is a place high in the Catskills where the snow falls in silence and mutes the world as we know it. Up there, a person can hear themselves think. There is time and space there to unravel the mess of ideas in your brain. It’s the kind of place you go to remember what you’re doing, or at least, what you’re trying to do, and it’s where The Wandering Hearts made their self-titled new album. The gentle yet engrossing record plays like a soft touch on heavy shoulders, bringing relief and reflection with each note. One has to wonder how a group of humans living in the world today manage to keep such a sense of goodness and optimism in a time life seems upside down, but regardless of their methods, I’m happy they exist. 

Empty Streets – Age of Regret (Cleopatra Records)

Finding the right words to describe Empty Streets is challenging, so let me give you a recipe instead. If making music in Southern California rock bands took you around the world on tour only to later fall in love and find even greater success working with your partner in adult films while still exploring your undying interest in music, then you might create Empty Streets. Aaron Thompson has lived a lot of life, and he channels those experiences into a collection of rock-leaning, experimental darkwave tracks that pull you into a lurid world of sound you won’t want to escape.

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.

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Haulix Recommends: The Best New Music of July 2021

The hottest month of 2021 so far delivered some of the year’s biggest hits. Here are several can’t miss new music releases to keep you moving all weekend long. 

We love our clients. Over the last decade in business, Haulix has played a small part in helping thousands of records reach tastemakers worldwide. Watching artists reach and even surpass their dreams is immensely humbling. We take no credit for anyone’s success, but we do want to highlight a few clients whose recent new music releases are currently on repeat in our offices. Check it out:

Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! – Gone Are The Good Days (Fearless)

After half a decade away, Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! are ready to restart again. The group the last several years to live their lives and figure out their individual paths in life, but the COVID-19 pandemic provided the perfect opportunity to revisit the ability to work together. Gone Are The Good Days recaptures the magic of early C!NCC! releases and adds a decade of experience to the mix. The songwriting is tighter, the breakdowns heavier, and the energy higher. C!NCC! perfectly balance unabashed self-reflection with the need to give people hope across twelve tracks that radiate an optimistic outlook for a world that constantly lets us down. If you spent your teens years thinking every other pop-punk anthem was written for you, Gone Are The Good Days will remind you that period of your life was never a phase. 

Dee Snider – Leave A Scar (Napalm)

Dee Snider is perhaps the hardest working living icon in metal today. While many of his peers rely on aging catalogs to sell tickets and bring in song streams, Snider remains hard at work on his craft. The 66-year-old rock God is still chasing the next hook that sets the world on fire, and Leave A Scar showcases just how far he’s come as a songwriter. The catchiness you expect from Snider is present as always, but there is a level of brutal honesty and reflection that only comes with age and experience. If you can make it through “Down But Not Out” or “Time To Choose” without feeling something, you should probably seek immediate medical attention because you may be dead.

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.

As Time Fades – Trust Fall (self-released)

The problem in alternative music isn’t a lack of musicians. There are plenty of groups vying for clicks and followers. The issue is their approach. Too many artists today are trying to duplicate the sound or style of someone who came before without realizing that it’s the individuality that sets that group apart.  As Time Fades is an exception. Though their sound is deeply rooted in traditional pop-punk values, the storytelling is theirs alone. Here we have a group of young men from the midwest capturing life in the digital age when you live somewhere that feels stuck in the last century. They’re young people caught between childhood and adulthood writing songs about figuring themselves out while also being painfully aware of the multiple looming threats that could wipe us off the planet. It’s realist pop-punk for the social media age, and it’s quite good.

Domination Campaign – Onward To Glory (Prosthetic)

There is an undercurrent of aggression running throughout Onward To Glory that may cause listeners to drive fast, act reckless, and completely stop caring about the opinions of others. Domination Campaign has crafted an album for the battles we face in life. Each song plays like a call to arms, commanding listeners to get off their butts and make something of themselves. It’s engaging and propulsive to such an extreme extent that you cannot help being impressed at the band’s ability to maintain such a high level of energy throughout the record. You won’t need coffee or Red Bull after Onward To Glory enters your life. All you need to do is figure out what you’re going to accomplish first. 

The Maine – XOXO: From Love & Anxiety In Real Time (Photo Finish / 8123)

The members of The Maine are outliers in the world of alternative music. After sneaking into the late-era neon phase of pop-rock with sugary sweet songs about young love and bad decisions, The Maine blossomed into touring professionals with a knack for infectious songwriting. They outlasted virtually every one of their peers by refusing to play by the established rules of the corporate music industry. The Maine owns their branding, their songs, and their legacy. They choose their destiny, and their fans help them make it a reality. XOXO: From Love & Anxiety In Real Time is another entry in an arguably flawless catalog, and to the surprise of absolutely no one, it’s incredibly good.

Empty Heaven – Getting The Blues (self-released)

There is no other artist like San Antonio’s Empty Heaven. An amalgamation of synthesizers and punk distilled with heavy literary influence, empty Heaven crafts genre-blurring songs about life and the concept of existence. You never know where the tracks will take you, but that’s part of the fun. Empty Heaven has the unique ability to make you think while also making you want to move your feet. It’s like listening to Aristotle ponder life’s biggest questions while simultaneously serving as the DJ for a party taking place in a middle-class American basement that is known online as a popular DIY venue. 

Born Of Osiris – Angel Or Alien (Sumerian Records)

There is a moment near the end of “Poster Child,” the opening track on Born of Osiris’ latest album, where the track is stripped down to reveal its jazz-friendly foundation. In those few fleeting seconds, Angel Or Alien shows its true colors. For as heavy and digitally engineered as the production may be, BOO continues following the footsteps of music legends from previous generations. Their sound may be more chaotic than their influences, but the technical skill of the group is never up for debate. There is a craftsman-level quality to every aspect of this record. Finding that kind of precision in metal today is increasingly rare, but BOO makes it look easy. Suffice to say, Getting The Blues is the sound of the underground. 

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.

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Haulix Recommends: The Best New Music of July 23, 2021

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.

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Haulix Recommends: The Best New Music of July 9, 2021

From the return of The Maine to the debut of Domination Campaign, there are several can’t miss new music releases this week.

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. Here is the new music you need to hear:

Domination Campaign – Onward To Glory (Prosthetic)

There is an undercurrent of aggression running throughout Onward To Glory that may cause listeners to drive fast, act reckless, and completely stop caring about the opinions of others. Domination Campaign has crafted an album for the battles we face in life. Each song plays like a call to arms, commanding listeners to get off their butts and make something of themselves. It’s engaging and propulsive to such an extreme extent that you cannot help being impressed at the band’s ability to maintain such a high level of energy throughout the record. You won’t need coffee or Red Bull after Onward To Glory enters your life. All you need to do is figure out what you’re going to accomplish first. 

The Maine – XOXO: From Love & Anxiety In Real Time (Photo Finish / 8123)

The members of The Maine are outliers in the world of alternative music. After sneaking into the late-era neon phase of pop-rock with sugary sweet songs about young love and bad decisions, The Maine blossomed into touring professionals with a knack for infectious songwriting. They outlasted virtually every one of their peers by refusing to play by the established rules of the corporate music industry. The Maine owns their branding, their songs, and their legacy. They choose their destiny, and their fans help them make it a reality. XOXO: From Love & Anxiety In Real Time is another entry in an arguably flawless catalog, and to the surprise of absolutely no one, it’s incredibly good.

Empty Heaven – Getting The Blues (self-released)

There is no other artist like San Antonio’s Empty Heaven. An amalgamation of synthesizers and punk distilled with heavy literary influence, empty Heaven crafts genre-blurring songs about life and the concept of existence. You never know where the tracks will take you, but that’s part of the fun. Empty Heaven has the unique ability to make you think while also making you want to move your feet. It’s like listening to Aristotle ponder life’s biggest questions while simultaneously serving as the DJ for a party taking place in a middle-class American basement that is known online as a popular DIY venue. Suffice to say, Getting The Blues is the sound of the underground. 

Lost Symphony – Chapter III (Self-released)

Lost Symphony exists at the crossroads of heavy metal and classical music. It’s a place where anything is possible, yet only a few groups dare explore. Every release is a big, bold, and expansive composition carefully constructed with the hope of sparking your imagination. It’s not hard to close your eyes during Chapter III and find yourself exploring a strange alternate reality filled with mythical beings and life-altering quests. It’s kind of like a choose your own adventure novel, only with a better soundtrack.

Trivium – In The Court Of The Dragon (Roadrunner)

New Music Friday is usually reserved for albums. There are far too many singles for us to highlight every song released every week by one of our clients, but every now and then, attract comes along that we must discuss. Trivium returns just a year after their last album with a brand new song that is sure to be played on a loop by metal fans worldwide. If anyone out there still doubts the talent or appeal of this band, “In The Court Of The Dragon” will convert them. It’s a sprawling tale of blood, death, and dragons that combines all the qualities that make Trivium’s music so great. The video is also a short film. Check it out!

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.

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Haulix Recommends: The Best New Music of June 25, 2021

From Beartooth to Light The Torch and Sullivan King, there are several can’t miss new music releases this week.

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:

Beartooth – Below (Redbull Records)

Not all rock music is about escapism. The men of Beartooth prefer to process emotions and wrestle with hardships rather than pretend such struggles do not exist. Their catalog is a compendium of tales about everything from addiction to mental health explored through an honest, grounded perspective. The band believes that everyone can overcome the problems they face, but they admit that doing so requires work. Below is a soundtrack for doing the work. Each song plays like a clenched fist connecting with the face of your enemy. You will conquer life when listening to this album. Picture your goals, throw Below on the stereo, and get to work.

Buckcherry – Hellbound (Round Hill Music)

Some people still believe Buckcherry’s contributions to rock history are little more than “Crazy Bitch” and “Lips Of An Angel.” These people are wrong. Hellbound, the group’s ninth studio album in their twenty-plus-year career, is a rip-roaring throwback to the days when jangly blues-rock dominated the underground. It’s a loose and fun rock record that paints vivid pictures of late nights spent packed into dive bars where everything was inexplicably wet and the people are living for the moment. This record will make you want to drive fast with the windows down under a star-filled sky with your hand dancing in the wind. Buckcherry is trying to give you a temporary escape. Take it.

Free Throw – Piecing It Together (Triple Crown Records)

Piecing It Together is a perfect analogy for Free Throw’s approach to life. Now comfortably into adulthood, the Nashville-based band is making angsty emo rock for adults who spent their teen years shouting, “it’s not a phase.” Their music tackles the struggles of adulthood with the same intensity and razor-sharp wit that younger groups might use to cover young love. The result is a collection of songs grappling with the things we cannot control and urging us to do something about the things we can. It’s about doing the best you can with what you have and where you’re at for no other reason than loving yourself enough to try. We don’t know what you’re going through, but it’s worth remembering that sometimes, staying alive is enough. 

Light The Torch – You Will Be The Death Of Me (Nuclear Blast)

Howard Jones is on the Mount Rushmore of modern metal titans. You can probably argue he also belongs on any tribute to metal in general. The frontman and songwriter, whose career spans decades, continues to impress with the latest record from Light The Torch. Alongside his bandmates, Jones showcases a craftsman-like skill for metal artistry. Every element of You Will Be The Death Of Me is refined to the point of near perfection, yet the album still feels emotionally raw. That would be considered impressive for most artists, but for Light The Torch, it’s just another day at the office.

Sullivan King – Loud (Hopeless Records)

Sullivan King is the future of hard rock. He’s not the first person to blend rock with EDM, but he is one of the few to do so successfully. Loud is a riot-inspiring, party-starting concoction of ideas and noise that will cause your heart rate to spike. King does everything in his power to make you feel something. There are anthems of protest and songs of hope shared with an invigorating energy that nobody will be able to resist. I don’t know that there has ever been another album quite like Loud, which makes it difficult to describe, but I understand that it’s an experience you cannot miss. 

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.

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