How is daylight saving time still a thing? Would governments please get it together and make the switch to DST year-round? I know it makes things a little darker for certain people in the morning, but who doesn’t want longer evenings? Just FIX IT.
One less hour means we’ll have to adjust things so we get can get all our New Music Friday listening in.
Singles
1. Blu Reflection, The Only One (Independent)
Remember Nandi Bushell, the musical prodigy with all those videos that led to a friendships with Dave Grohl, Tom Morello, and Brian May? She’s now 14 and has her own band. Blu Reflection is a trio who began posting covers last year. Now they have an alt-pop original that is pretty good.
2. Car Seat Headrest, Gethsemane (Matador)
A rock opera? In 2025? That’s the plan for Car Seat Headrest’s first album in five years. The Scholars is the follow-up to the band’s experimentation during the COVID years. The album is set on a fictional college called Parnassus University and we hear from staff and students who have to figure out life. The full record will be out May 2. Meanwhile, we have this single that comes with a 13-minute video.
3. Dear Rouge, Garbage (Cadence, UMC)
After starting the year with a cross-Canada tour, Dani and Drew McTaggart, the husband-and-wife team that are Dear Rouge, have a new single. If you listen closely to bridge, you might be able to pick out the heartbeat of their still-unborn son. That’s what you call getting a jump on a music career.
4. Ghost, Sanitized (Loma Vista Recordings)
Ghost is an anomaly in so many ways. First, some people a disconnect between their dark image and their melodic (think something in the vicinity of Styx) rock sound. Second, the band can fill arenas around the world without managing significant radio airplay in many territories. And third, they like to keep fans guessing about their identities. What ghouls are part of this album? And what’s the background to Papa V Perpetua, the new character fronting the band? The album, Skeletá, will be out April 25.
5. Led Zap, Russian Roulette (RDW Music Publishing)
I had to look twice at the name of the band to make sure I hadn’t missed a big reunion. No, this is the California band led by California’s Ron White. If you’re looking for something new with a classic rock vibe, here you go.
6. Dan Mangan, Melody (Arts & Crafts)
Another album will soon arrive from Nova Scotia’s Dan Mangan, Natural Light is a return to something a little more folky for Dan. Yes, there are love songs, but he’s also quite concerned about the impending collapse of society. He does, however, maintain a sense of humour about it all. What else can you do these days?
7. Volbeat, By a Monster’s Hand (UMG)
Volbeat came out of Denmark eight albums ago and has since built up a nice stable of metal fans. A ninth album, God of Angels Trust, will arrive June 6. What’s that dude towing in his wagon? Oh.
Albums
1. Bob Mould, Here We Go Crazy (Merge)
In a perfect universe, Bob Mould would be one of the most famous rockers alive. Instead, the Husker Du/Sugar man is a cult figure (a big one, but still) that cranks out some excellent music. He’s 64 now but his new record may remind some of his headspace on Husker Du albums like Zen Arcade, which was released 41 years ago. It’s his first record in five years and 15th solo album overall.
2. Frog Eyes, The Open Up (Paper Bag)
Vancouver indie rock fans know all about Frog Eyes. Yes, they broke up in 2018 but got back together in 2022. This is their tenth album. I get something of a Modest Mouse vibe coming from this single.
3. Spiritbox, Tsunami Sea (Pale Chord/Rise)
Metal fans know all about this Victoria band fronted by vocalist Courtney LaPlante and her husband/guitarist Mike Stringer. They’ve been nominated for a Grammy twice and four JUNO Awards (two are pending; we’ll see what happens in Edmonton in a few weeks.) They amassed a worldwide fanbase with their debut album. What can they do with this sophomore release? They are not for the faint of heart.
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