The Test Drive (Early Album Previews)

Change isn’t all bad. Having recently moved from Boston to Chicago, Fred Kelly can attest to that fact. In their new EP Still, Kelly finds solace in change. This deeply personal 3-track release reflects on transformation and acceptance.

Poster Child have today released their new EP titled 'Super Nova'. A sublime mix of soul, funk, and splendor, 'Super Nova' is a set of songs that go beyond the solid and shine like five diamonds glimmering in that sunlight for all to behold. While the EP can be subdued at times, that is a good thing because it shows the dynamics of Poster Child as a pair of artists becoming legends.

There’s so much to say about Hansen’s Pop ‘n’ Rock Music ‘22, the new double concept album from Boston’s Gymnasium. Gymnasium is the solo project of sought-after session guitar player Charles Hansen who’s played with bands such as The Handymen, Justine and The Unclean, Andrea Gillis Band, Ross Phazer, Tom Baker and The Snakes, and more. It’s 2022 and that means that there are in fact 22 new tracks on this mega album and apparently 22 of the best musicians Boston has to offer playing on the album with Hansen. Simply incredible.

Pearl Diver has released their new EP titled 'Look For The Light'. With bits of folk, jamband, prog rock, and even a smidgeon of soul, Pearl Diver give an introverted album pondering life and all that's in it with the reverence of true musicians and vivid poets. Matt Sage's vocals flawlessly adjust and swerve to whatever the band places just underneath it. Is is a concept more than an EP.

Sophie Pecora has today released her new EP titled 'To Save The World'. For an artist so young who has already done so much it's refreshing to see that she has so much left to accomplish.

Monte has today released their new EP titled 'This Is Monte'. Think old school rock meets modern day f*ck you sprinkled with originality. You would never know that this was a three piece until you look at a picture. This EP doesn't let up at all. Not for a second. This takes me back to when punk was cool with the likes of NOFX, TSOL, and more. Harden the edges like sharpening a knife and you have Monte. Add a little melody and you really have Monte. This is music is. And, hopefully, coming back to.

Brad, Amir, and Tynan are long-time friends and bandmates who have put their heads together on many creative projects, including Houses & Hotels. Their first professional album “Never Knows Best”, delves into the topics of unrequited love and mental health. They descend into raw emotion and the feelings of alienation that come with being in regrettable relationships; this emotional exploration is paired with a jamming post-punk/the aughts/shoegaze instrumental backdrop.

New You is bringing grunge back home to the Pacific Northwest with their new EP Candy. Hailing from the outskirts of Seattle and Tacoma Washington, New You’s ‘90s grunge vibes combine with elements of shoegaze, emo, and alt-rock to create a sonic pallet that’s both familiar and brand spanking new. Starting as guitarist/vocalist Blake Turner’s side project, New You began its new phase when he connected with bassist Chase Valentine, guitarist Cody Gores, and drummer Mike Parker.

Queen Kwong has today released her new album titled 'Couples Only'. Staring her personal demons and skeletons in the face, Queen Kwong (aka Carré Kwong Callaway) offers an unapologetically introversion into herself with a bare skin account of the things we always think about but never speak of with a varied blend of liberated angst, post-punk professionalism and somber social soliloquys. 'Couples Only' is an album from someone who has lived every word.

Nate Paladino has today released his new album titled 'Drown With Me'. Solidifying his reputation as a songwriter, Nate gives a solid set of stories set to music with his own attitude and style.

Mr Shiraz have released their new album titled 'Glorious' via Bad Granola Records. High energy and infectious like a shot of adrenaline followed by an espresso chaser, Mr Shiraz combine hard rock with hard harmony and leave you falling off the floor after getting out of that recliner to find the infinite repeat button. Think Hüsker Dü f*cked Foo Fighters and had a kid that was part TSOL and one of the parents refuse to pay child support. That plus a kick in the nuts when you least expect it. An anthem for anarchy is here.

Gal Musette has today released her new EP titled 'Backwards Lullaby [Reimagined]'. Reimaged from three selected tracks from her original LP, we get a different take on those songs and another look at an original artist.

Lemonade Sin are set to release their new album titled 'Anagrams' on July 11th via BoogleWonderland Records.

Pan Amsterdam and Damu the Fudgemunk have released the new album titled 'Eat'. Freeform by default and suave smothered in cool, we now have that main course after the appetizer that was 'Rigatoni'.

Ina Forsman has today released her new album titled 'All There Is' via Jazzhaus Records. Retro sounding club jazz with a modern pop twist, 'All There Is' proves to be a fun album. One of those jewels found in a record store. With hints of Motown and vintage soul, Ina proves that the heart of music is alive, well, and beating to the drum of the independent musician.

GIVE/TAKE, the boutique record label from Minneapolis, has released a dark and gritty compilation set to stun and meant for all. Featuring original and stunning songs from an eclectic group of artists, each track is signature and will fill the room with dark and brooding love for what is deathpop.

Karuna Cronin has today premiered his new album titled 'Harsh Beauty', releasing everywhere June 24th, 2022. When I heard that first track that introduced me to Kaurna I heard something that captivated me. Kaurna is a storyteller as much as he is a songwriter.

Alysia Kraft has released her new album titled 'First Light'. Part confessional, part inspirational, part introversion, what we get is all Alysia. This is her story. The best part? She is relatable. I like her. She plays from the heart and she wears that heart on her sleeve. I had the privilege of interviewing her last month and now, after listening to 'First Light' in it's entirety, I can honestly say this is an album about us, from her. A gift, perhaps? Maybe.

girlfriends have today released their new album titled '(e)motion sickness)' via Big Noise Records. girlfriends (all lowercase) is a dynamic duo that is not a stranger to their fans. Selling out venues like The Roxy and getting 30+ million streams for their debut album, you would think that girlfriends would have enough pressure in trying to top that. '(e)motion sickness' is, what I call, the dispelling of that rumor.

The Silverblack have released their new album titled 'Judgement' via darkTunes. Electronic meets electric in that dark place of your heart wear fear resides and soul is the rhythm. This may not sound like...

Micah Edwards has today released his new album titled 'Jean Leon'. The song 'Water & Oil' is that perfect gateway drug for the rest of the album. You know what to expect when that song tells you that you will never know what to expect.

The Wrecks have today released their new album titled 'Sonder'. After reviewing their single 'Lone Survivor', I thought I had this band pegged. I thought I had them figured out.

Fredrik Saroea and BIT20 Ensemble have released their live album 'Rona Diaries: The Chamber Versions Live At The Grieg Hall, Bergen' via YAP Records.

Dreamers have today released the 10th anniversary of their incarnation via GIVE/TAKE. A solid take that shows time can have no meaning in music gives a landscape of digital dystopia via a dynamic duo that should just get back together. Harsh and hard with hints of hip in all the right places, this is an album that sounds as fresh in this decade as it would in any other.

Exciting!! Excellent!! has released their new EP titled 'TYSM!!!!!!'. A new single followed by a new EP is incoming from Portland, Oregon’s one-woman, emo-chiptune extravaganza, exciting!!excellent!!. With a title as enthusiastic as the band’s name, tysm!!!!!! is Jasmine Mcelroy’s second release using the moniker exciting!!excellent!!