Royal Trux/ The Liminanas/ Snapped Ankles/ The Quincey/ Friendless Summer
1:Royal Trux: White Stuff
Royal Trux have just released White Stuff their first album in 19 years in March. Early singles Every Day Swan and Get Used To This (Featuring Kool Keith) indicated that the band have not lost any of their experimental swagger and still sound like they’re having a good a time doing it. The third single, White Stuff adds further raunchy guitars into the fold. This album is much needed within the rock n’ roll landscape of 2019. Welcome back Royal Trux.
White stuff is available March 1, 2019 on Fat Possum Records.
2:The Liminanas
The one-two puch of releases by France’s The Liminanas, last year, were a clear knockout. Proper LP Shadow People continued the consistent and reliable trajectory, with production and an appearance by Anton Newcombe and guest appearances by Peter Hook, Bertrand Belin and Emmanuelle Seigner. The Liminanas albums are consistently great but the songs on Shadow People really stand out. The second release of 2018 was I’Ve Got Trouble In Mind Vol. 2, a collection of alternate takes, covers and b-sides featuring an excellent cover of The Kinks’ Two Sisters with Anton Newcombe on vocals and a great cover of Lords Of The New Church’s Russian Roulette.
3:Snapped Ankles
Snapped Ankles are a post punk band from London England who shroud themselves in moss-like costumes. The members come off as mounds of nature come to life, which is quite a juxtaposition to the electro punk anthems that they create. First single “Drink And Glide” from the sophmore album Stunning Luxury, has hooked me into this band’s world and I can’t wait to hear the rest of it.
4:The Quincey
Hailing themselves as a continuation of Italian music from the 60’s and 70’s, Milan’s The Quincey certainly have the retro sound nailed. The band has followed up 2015’s Look Up To The Sky with three singles to date, they all exude a different sound from the psychedelic palette from which they are plucked. Colours emits a breeziness that at first listen seems slight but then the gentle melody sets in. Standout single She’s Gone ticks all the right throwback psych-garage boxes, coming off like a lost Allah-las track circa their first album, fuzzy guitars, a groovy low end and crunchy organs will have you strutting down the street in no time. We’ll keep our ears to the ground for more from The Quincey. Time to investigate the back catalogue.
Check out more from The Quincey here.
5:Friendless Summer: No Bad Days
It’s hard to imagine that if you were drenched in a sun beam listening to San Francisco’s Friendless Summer, you would be hard pressd to have a bad day. This 2018 Gnartapes release is another great addition to the label’s cast of west coast feel good music. There’s an almost glammy / 70’s Am vibe throughout. The production on No Bad Days stands out from most of Gnartapes lo-fi tendencies and sheds gold strands of west coast confidence. Hop on your banana board and hit the boardwalk, it’s going to be a good day.
Check out more from Friendless Summer here.