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).
It’s gray and rainy outside, which is my favorite kind of weather in general, but especially when I’m listening to new music. If you know me, you’ll know I’ve always been a fan of angsty music (raised on tumblr in the early 2010s!), so perhaps it was inevitable that today’s Weekly Spread would veer moody. Even the more upbeat songs have a moody undertone. It just b like that sometimes!
Also, wishing our friends Andrea and Josh of Fake Dad a happy release day for their single “New Machines.” We celebrated last night at Red Convertible Recording in Williamsburg with cake, topo chico, and some good tunez. They also introduced us to Dora Jar’s music, which I can’t believe I didn’t know before now. Read more about their single below, and stay tuned for a Q&A, coming next week (;
Hope you all have a great weekend. I will, unfortunately, be watching the new Linsday Lohan Christmas movie. C'est la vie!
~Britnee
PS - Eddie just told me about Karen’s Diner, which is a burger chain with purposefully rude servers? Do other people know about this??
Fake Dad - New Machines
“New Machines” sparkles with a fresh and groovy sheen. The new single from Brooklyn-based alt-pop duo Fake Dad is a continuation of the band’s shift towards brighter, bolder sounds, though in typical Fake Dad fashion, the track delivers serious introspection in a playful package. With lyrics like, “I’ve been living on an impossible lawn / shower it with love like I’m some kind of swan,” followed by a quirky swan honk, the clever production lends itself to this dichotomy. Lush with moody backing synths and colorful soundscapes, the music rings true with optimism even as lead vocalist Andrea de Varona sings about not feeling like enough. It’s the perfect pick-me-up for everybody feeling burnt out by the state of the world. Paired with the track’s bouncy beat, catchy melody, and de Varona’s smooth, effervescent vocals, it just might be Fake Dad’s best work yet.
Chase Ceglie - Something (Between Us)
Like walking through the forest on a sunny day when the birds are chirping and the wind is whooshing through the leaves, there’s an inherent feeling of peace in “Something (Between Us),” the new single from Rhode Island-based multi-instrumentalist Chase Ceglie. Gentle keys and soft, pulsing percussion open up the dreamy arrangement, while the surprising yet perfect addition of bass clarinet adds a touch of whimsy. There are many colorful moments sprinkled throughout that showcase Ceglie’s skill at composition, from evocative strings and flutes to unexpected chord progressions. Ceglie’s light, lovely vocal delivery is perfect for the charming melody, effortlessly reciting lyrics that are as poignant as poetry: “In my wildest dreams I find a clearing / Something from the past is disappearing.” Yearning and hopeful, “Something (Between Us)” can’t help but put you in a good mood. It’s the fifth track off Ceglie’s upcoming album, Chaseland, out November 25. Watch the accompanying music video here.
White Reaper - Pages
Over the course of their existence, White Reaper has been accomplishing what so many bands before them have failed to do: writing unapologetic power-pop-rock that isn’t corny. On their latest, “Pages,” White Reaper continues this tradition with an epic revenge breakup song. Starting off with a catchy rhythmic acoustic guitar and apathetic lyrics, the song quickly breaks wide open with massive drums, distorted guitars, and of course their trademark powerhouse vocals. Soon White Reaper has you imagining the cathartic release of ripping up the memories of those pesky past relationships. Something about this band is so familiar to the ear, with song structures and vocal harmonies reminiscent of the great hair metal bands of the 80s, yet so critically balanced with the edge of your favorite 00s garage-punk bands. The end product is one filled with relentless nostalgia, not to mention pure head-banging fun. The band will be heading out on a cross-country tour in February, and as lively and energetic as their recorded music is, it pales in comparison to the live show they put on, so don’t miss it!
Cherin - The Subway
“The Subway” is a song about loneliness, but listening to it has the opposite effect. The gorgeous new single from NYC-based duo Cherin taps into the communal isolation of riding the subway in New York City, and in doing so, evokes an inherent sense of belonging. Twinkling piano, moody percussion, and cool, picked guitar create luminous arpeggiation that launches you into a dream-like state where everything feels hazy but familiar - not unlike standing on a subway platform as a train rushes past, blurring your vision. Ethereal, reverberated vocals echo through the track like they’re in the subway car with you, with sweeping lyrics that voice what every transit-taking New Yorker knows to be true: “Hiding behind our phones / forgetting we’re not alone / but it’s the only place that’s ever felt like home.” A beautiful and yearning salve to the loneliness of the city, “The Subway” is the perfect song for your commute and beyond.
The C.I.A. - Impersonator
“Impersonator” is a grunge-rock jam you can dance to. The new single from Ty Segall and Denée Segall’s project The C.I.A. is the duo’s first release in four years, and comes ahead of their sophomore album Surgery Channel, out January 20. Thrashing percussion, fuzzy synths, and distorted guitar immediately set the electric tone, cranking the metaphorical volume knob all the way up. Denée’s vocals, vibrant and dark, add depth and mystery to the track’s garage-punk sensibilities. Her effortless croon, along with the spooky backing vocals in the chorus, perfectly balances out the heavy instrumentation. Moody and intense, “Impersonator” pulls you in and refuses to let go. Be sure to check out the accompanying music video, which features appropriately disturbing renditions of Denée’s face.
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All songs from every issue of The Weekly Spread in one playlist: