This is The Weekly Spread, a roundup of some of our favorite new music in and around the indie scene. Always on Fridays, always free, it’s the bread and butter of Bread and Butter (lol).
Hi there! We’re back from a little hiatus with a super-sized Weekly Spread and a slightly different format. To be frank, it’s a lot of work finding and writing about new music on top of our day jobs and other responsibilities, so I appreciate everybody bearing with us as we figure out the best way to do this thing. We’ve got a lot of goodies this go-around and hope you enjoy!
Hannah Jadagu - What You Did
Grungy guitars and propulsive drums are juxtaposed with soft, dreamy vocals on “What You Did,” the latest single from NYC indie rocker Hannah Jadagu. The fuzzy, shoegaze-style arrangement is lush and loud in all the right places, and the head-bobbing beat is effortlessly catchy, ensuring the track’s earworm status. This is the second single off Hannah Jadagu’s debut album, Aperture, dropping May 19th from Sub Pop Records.
Lunar Vacation - Only You
Georgia-based rock band Lunar Vacation has released a delicate and pillowy love song in “Only You”. Lightly played acoustic guitars, sweetly sung vocals, and twangy melody lines hypnotize and charm you until you are searching for your diary to write about your crush. The band is opening for Rubblebucket next month on tour, so check ‘em out.
En Attendant Ana - Principia
Parisian indie rockers En Attendant Ana have just dropped their latest album. The title track, “Principia,” is a galloping, lo-fi, lovely piece of indie rock nostalgia. With simple guitar melodies reminiscent of The Velvet Underground and a warm, soft vocal like that of a French Dolores O’Riordan, you’ll soon be diving deep into this band’s discography.
El Michels Affair, Black Thought - That Girl
El Michels Affair, one of today’s sharpest MCs, teams up with Black Thought, an all-time prolific producer, to make a cool, floating, and entrancing love song. Black Thought’s tight vocal delivery bounces on top of the soulful, nostalgic, and masterfully composed beat with a sweet plea for the love of “That Girl”. The track comes from their upcoming album, Glorious Game, out April 14 on Big Crown Records.
Steady Holiday - Newfound Oxygen
Steady Holiday knows how to write a low-key hook. “Newfound Oxygen,” the final track on her new album of the same name, is a prime example. Soft but propulsive drums pair with Dre Babinski’s signature feather-light vocals to create a sound that’s sunny but subtle. The addition of delicate keys in the second half further emphasizes the track’s airy and uplifting vibes, and helps round out the album with an effortlessly optimistic tone.
Carol - Anne
New York-based artist Carol has just released her new album, More Than A Goodbye. Standout track “Anne” is a gorgeous and tender ballad bursting with nostalgia. The lush arrangement, complete with warm acoustic guitar and classical piano, is cinematic in structure and sound, and Carol’s beautiful, sweeping vocal - reminiscent of a more delicate Alanis Morissette - will stop you in your tracks.
Miss Grit - Syncing
“Syncing” is the closing track on Miss Grit’s stellar new album, Follow the Cyborg. Edgy guitars and spacey synths create a moody and ethereal atmosphere, while Miss Grit’s vocals, deep and evocative, anchor you in introspection. It’s a great song for rainy days and quiet nights.
Scott McMicken and THE EVER-EXPANDING - What About Now
After Dr. Dog announced their retirement from the road, a big question mark loomed over what would come next. Well, lead singer Scott McMicken is here to make sure we aren’t left high and dry. With “What About Now,” we are gifted with the same light-hearted parlor rock and catchy hooks we’ve come to expect, and it eases our collective anxiety with its beloved, familiar sound. The track comes ahead of his new band’s debut album, Shabang, due out on March 31 via ANTI- Records.
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All songs from every issue of The Weekly Spread in one playlist: