This week’s Friday Night Five is a mix of new music that ranges from sludge metal to dreampop. Yeah, I know. I don’t fully understand why it happens that way. Songs will hit me a certain way and I’m like, that sounds amazing – for whatever reason. The sludge metal is always a deeper stretch on Strawberry Tongue, but, like I say, let’s give it a whirl!
The Body is the first group I am featuring tonight on the playlist. Very dark, grinding, confrontational and throbbing is the best way to describe their sound. They are a sludge metal band that has been around since the late 90s and recently released their album, “No One Deserves Happiness” on the Thrill Jockey label. Themes of despair, isolation and pain are so intricately woven throughout this album, you can feel every shredding emotion. I highly recommend listening to this in a dark room, laying down, with the volume on 11. Songs featured: “Shelter is Illusionary,” “Hallow Hollow,” and “Two Snakes.”
Gloss is an amazing five piece band from my hometown of Minneapolis, MN. I saw them last weekend and was immediately blown away by their song structures. Drawing inspiration from Joy Division, New Order, and The Cure, they play a blend of post punk, shoegaze and dreampop, they build on classic music styles while making them sound fresh. Their sound is spellbinding. They are definitely in the category of bands to watch and I anxiously await any new material they release. They will be playing a show at Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis on April 24th. Don’t miss it. Songs featured: “Rachel,” “Moments,” and “Something Else.”
The Autumn Stones are a Canadian group that plays a style of music that blends a jangly style of post punk and dreampop into a beautiful lush base. On that base rests eloquent and poetic lyrics about inner struggle, philosophy, and relationships. One thing I love about this band’s sound is their use of saxophone, which is jaunty and angular and lends an early Psychedelic Furs sound to the mix. Songs featured: “End of Faith,” “Dark Age,” and the swoony “Ooh La La.”
Book of Giants is a band that has me super excited this week. A Portugeuse and French group, comprised of Marine des Mazery in vocals and Ricardo Silva in composition. They released their EP “Disclosure” in 2015 and are currently working on a full album. Their influences are alternative, indie, electronic, and classical music styles. I would squarely classify them as dreampop or shoegaze. Gorgeous lyrics are paired on top of rhythmic bass lines, synths and strings. This is a band I really want you to keep an eye on for 2016. I adore them. Songs featured: “Disclosure,” “Monster,” and the stunning “Endeavor.”
Dot Dash is a band based out of Washington DC that plays an energetic blend of post punk and powerpop. Their songs are fun and catchy with powerful driving melodies. Their influences range from The Beatles to The Clash and they have a strong pop sensibilities in their arrangements. They have released a handful of albums which you can find on the Canadian label The Beautiful Music. Songs featured: “Walls Closing In,” “Do Re Me,” and “Broken Halo.”
That’s it for this week’s edition of the Friday Night Five. Be sure to tune in to Strawberry Tongue Radio at 19:00, 21:00 and 23:00 EDT to hear selected tracks from each of these bands and be sure to visit their websites for more information about their latest work and to purchase their tracks. Also, be sure to listen to Strawberry Tongue Radio to hear our unique playlist featuring current and classic artists playing post punk, new wave, indie, electronic and experimental music.