Dent, the latest effort from Cleveland’s Signals Midwest, feels, to me, like an urgent, hand-to-heart ode to easier days, and as a tribute to midwest emo and punk. The first LP by them in a surprising six years, Dent is earnest, full of heart and fire and catchy tunes. This is maybe best exemplified by this post’s Most Important: “Gold in The Grey” but there are plenty of tracks to choose from, should you want to take a little listen back to a simpler, more energetic time. (And, yes, I may be projecting a bit here, deal with it.)
Oliver Houston - Tom Quad
I don't know much about Grand Rapid's Oliver Houston, but their debut album Whatever Works, which came out towards the start of last year, is terrific; it's straight-forward midwest emo/punk and I've been enjoying it quite a bit lately.
RIYL: Sinai Vessel, Prawn, LVL UP, Signals Midwest
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Prawn - North Lynx
I've been distracted and distant
And I'm all out of ideas
The bees keep swarming around me
The sun starts running on empty
I guess you'd call New Jersey band Prawn emo. They've got all the hallmarks of that classic 90's emo sound; weeping guitars, slow melodic progression, confessional lyrics, etc. Where they differ a bit, in a great way, is the application of complicated sonic arrangements, strings, horns and an occasional Midwestern garage aesthetic that somehow offers a bit of edge, character, and polish to their music. I loved their 2014 release Kingfisher and I'm looking forward to their new album, Run, which is out in a couple weeks.
RIYL: Buffalo Tom, Signals Midwest, Pity Sex, Saves The Day