New Politics - CIA

Curse me, it's alright
Your words don't add to the status quo
And I'm best friends with my shadow
There's no more room on this pedestal

Oh, hey, I was born a sinner
Michelin Star for dinner
Never been good as a quitter
I push this feed like a Segway

Danish alt band New Politics ended their year long silence following the success of their first album and tour with a jaunty pop rock track back in March (and a cool accompanying video paying homage to Kanye, Kendrick Lamar & the Beastie Boys -- bonus, below). This month they followed that up with announcement that their second LP, Lost in Translation will be released in October - and along with the announcement came "CIA" And with these new releases, I'm officially looking forward to hearing their full sophomore effort this fall. 

RIYL: Walk the Moon, The Griswolds, Bear Hands, Atlas Genius

Upcoming Shows

Chvrches - Tether

Where'd you go, you were there by my side
Keep believing it's my turn to hide
In a place where we don't have a prayer
There's a tether that's keeping me there
Trade our places
Take no chances
Bind me 'til my lips are silent
Stay where you are
Ever, after
Chasing things that we should run from

I'm a big fan of Chvrches. Their synth pop sensibility lead by Lauren Mayberry hits me as the perfect juxtaposition between Depeche Mode and The Cranberries (sorry if the Scots are offended by an Irish comparison, but I can't be the first). Particularly this song off their debut album, 2013's The Bones of What You Believe (doesn't that sound like a Cranberries title?), because of it's massive change in pace and feeling after about two and a half minutes. This also reminds me of the tricks Martin Gore would pull during the best years of DM - emotional instrumentals or extended mixes that were totally worth the wait.
Bonus: The latest we've heard from Chvrches is this live version (below) of "Down Side of Me" as their contribution to a fund raiser for Planned Parenthood (sweet vinyl boxset with 100% of profits being donated - I totally preordered. Living in Texas is pissing me off lately.)

RIYL: The Naked and Famous, Purity Ring, Phantogram, Prides, Grimes

Upcoming Shows

Joy Division - Wilderness

I traveled far and wide through many different times
What did you see there?
I saw the saints with their toys
What did you see there?
I saw all knowledge destroyed
I traveled far and wide through many different times

I mentioned on Friday that I'd been in a deep dive with Joy Division - I just read Peter Hook (the bassist)'s memoir about those years of his career. (Unknown Pleasures: Inside Joy Division, highly recommend.)  I grew up honestly never listening to JD, besides "Love Will Tear Us Apart" and "Ceremony" - if you count that one. Big New Order fan but I was so young, and without internet, I didn't understand their punk roots, or take the time to look at what changed them... Well, fixed that! So, in honor of Hooky's great book, I picked not only a song off their first album, but also the track that has, as he wrote, "a bass line that every bass player dreams of." As a bonus, "Wilderness" is a cheeky, ironic (i.e. very Joy Division) choice for a Sunday morning.

RIYL: Buzzcocks, Echo & The Bunnymen, DIIV, Interpol, The Boxer Rebellion