Week of 2.5.24. Release Round-Up

Closing a week rich with new releases, we have decided to dedicate today to covering all that we were able to listen to! To summarize, there is no shortage of great new singles and upcoming releases to look forward to. Check out some of our thoughts below:

Beth Gibbons - “Floating On A Moment”

What needs to be restated about the greatness of Beth Gibbons? Her voice is directly responsible for making Dummy and Portishead’s catalog an essential piece of the 90s alternative puzzle. Her 2002 collaboration with Rustin Man (Out Of Season) served as her first non-Portishead release, though her upcoming album (Lives Outgrown, out May 17 via Domino) will be her first true solo release. Decades into her career, Gibbons has successfully hit on something new while playing to her strengths. The vocals of “Floating On A Moment” exhibit a delicacy that is classically Gibbons, only now accompanied by a primal instrumental that still has enough low end to propel it forward. Lyrically, Gibbons’ commentary on aging and mortality is the definition of authentic reflection.

​For all these reasons, “Floating On A Moment” is our favorite release of the week. May 17 cannot come soon enough!

Higher Power - “Absolute Bloom”

Unfortunately, the latest release from Higher Power feels like a let down. Having discovered the band through their fantastic 27 Miles Underwater record, the band’s bouncy and melodic take on hardcore made their sound quite unique. While comparisons of vocalist Jimmy Wizard’s delivery to Perry Farrell are not totally off-base, Higher Power has done a great job at mixing melodicism and edge to define their sound. On their newest single, “Absolute Bloom”, the metallic edge that we have come to expect from Higher Power is all but absent. We here at Noise Is Power love a great melodic tune (see our next entry!), but “Absolute Bloom” was not a track that stuck with us. That said, based on past releases, we hope for a return to form for Higher Power soon! 

The Lemon Twigs - “They Don’t Know How To Fall In Place” 

Again, The Brothers D’addario release another great single that features another self-fulfilling prophecy of a title. Releasing one of 2023’s best albums (Everything Harmony), The Lemon Twigs have announced its follow up, A Dream Is All We Know (out May 3 via Captured Tracks). While a quick follow-up to such a great album can be worrisome, “My Golden Years” and “They Don’t Know How To Fall In Place” have eased any of our fears. The track’s modulations and prominent keyboards harken back to the Sunflower-era Beach Boys pop of Everything Harmony; Music to our ears! The Lemon Twigs continue to establish themselves as one of rock’s hardest working bands… Looking forward to the new LP.

Crush Your Soul - S/T EP

Leeway, Raekwon, Merauder.
These three monumental influences collide with Mindforce’s Jay Petagine, who surprise-dropped the debut EP from his new project (Crush Your Soul) this Thursday! Released via Streets Of Hate and mixed by Taylor Young, Petagine is backed by members of Recycled Earth, Scarab, Gridiron, and Simulakra. Safe to say, the entirety of Crush Your Soul’s debut release is a fun listen that is informed by many of modern hardcore’s founding fathers. From the EP’s artwork (paying homage to Leeway’s 1995 LP, Open Mouth Kiss) to the Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… (Raekwon) inspired interludes, this EP packs a lot of passion into a short runtime. A vibrant and great release… Keep ‘em coming!

Did you have a favorite new release this week? Sound off in the comments.