A pretty quiet week for new music, but what we did get is all awesome! Let’s check it all out!
Dropkick Murphys: For the People
Firstly, I’ll stand with you, Dropkicks! Ken for President!
But no, in all seriousness, this was exactly the sort of album the world needs right now. And, with it being an incredibly quiet week for new releases, it almost feels like a sign for everyone to listen to it! Whether it’s punkier stuff like the opener, ‘The Big Man’ or ‘Kids Games’ or more Celtic-folk stuff like ‘Chesterfields and Aftershave’ and the closer, there is so much awesome stuff on here. We also got a FANTASTIC reappearance of legend Al Barr on ‘The Vultures Circle High’. After two other albums, it was nice to hear him back, even just for a singular track. Having reviewed Ohemah Rising on this site a couple of years ago, as well as being pretty familiar with their couple before that (as well as their big ones), I have to say this might be my favourite release from them since SIGNED and SEALED. It feels the most confident and sure of itself; the most classic Dropkicks album yet still feeling modernised. There isn’t a bad song on the album and it’s consistently interesting and fun through its 43-minute runtime. If you’re a fan of the band, the Celtic style or just punk in general, I cannot recommend this enough! I’ll definitely be listening to it plenty over the next few months, and it could end up pretty high on our list of albums of the year, come December! 8.5/10
Warkings: Armageddon
We’ve already checked out the awesome album! Read our full review of it here.
Jesse Welles: Pilgram
The third album from one of the hardest working folk/country rock artists around just this year dropped last Friday. It marks his 18th across the 13 years he’s been actively releasing stuff, a hugely impressive feat. What makes it even more impressive is that the quality is still there; this is a great release! From tracks like ‘Change is in the Air’ to ‘Forever, Whatever’ to ‘GTFOH’, there are so many powerful, impactful and unique tracks that are definitely highlights! Then you have his tracks with guests; both Sierra Ferrell and Billy Strings do awesome and add so much to the already awesome songs they are part of. I discovered him earlier this year through TikTok, reminding me a lot of a big favourite of mine, Beans on Toast, and I have to say that the first full album I’ve managed to check out has impressed me massively. His lyric writing is incredible, as is his vocal style, and the simplicity of the tracks only make them more impactful! The folky style isn’t for everyone, but I cannot recommend this release enough to anyone. I loved it and will certainly be listening to a lot of it plenty again. Another 8.5/10 from us!
Rimmar: Raises
The debut album from the Italian visionary guitarist Marco Rinaldi is a solid first release! Not only written and arranged by the guy, but also produced by him too, it’s a testament to the sheer talent of the man. And the quality of the album, an epic concept centred around rebirth and transcendence, combining classic and prog metal with synthwave and electronic elements, is damn high! It feels like the perfect blend of Iron Maiden and Queensryche, but modernised at the same time, and really takes you on a journey from the first note until the last. Songs like ‘Mighty Messenger’, the stomping ‘Planet Mars’ and the more industrial ‘Vortex’ (feat. Fabio Lione) are all personal highlights. However, the whole album is pretty great, and fits together perfectly as a whole concept. If you are at all curious it’s well worth checking out, it’s a fantastic album and yet another amazing debut release! Marco is a very talented guy and has put together something special here. I can’t wait to hear where he goes from here, but for now this album gets a solid 8/10 from us!
We as a Company: First Summer
The Italian stoner/doom/indie rock band made the executive decision to not have this release, or any of their stuff, on Spotify, which given the current climate is admirable. And so, while none of it will end up on our playlist, it is still a damn solid release. It’s like if stoner/doom met Oasis or Enuff Z’Nuff or even Pinegrove, and I’m kinda all here for it! Songs like the opener, the heavy ‘Tears Away’ and the beautiful closer are all personal highlights. However, the whole album has a great flow and arrangement to it, making for an incredible easy full listen. It’s not going to be for everyone, but I found it a fascinating combination of styles and will almost definitely be revisiting this at least once or twice again soon. I’d probably recommend it to an indie fan more than the rest, but if you are at all curious, do yourselves a favour and give this a listen! A solid 7.5/10!
Wytch Hazel: V: Lamentations
The medieval-inspired NWOBHM revival band put out, surprisingly, their fifth album this last week. Honestly, it’s damn good! And while yes, it has elements of early Priest or Maiden, it shares more DNA and sound with the likes of UFO or Uriah Heep. Heck, with the folky elements involved from the old-school theming, it even has riffs and elements that resemble Fleetwood Mac or even Jethro Tull. It makes for a really interesting, unique combination, and an incredibly easy listen. The band are amazing songwriters, the huge choruses in particular being fantastic. Songs like ‘Run the Race’, ‘Elements’ and the epic ‘Elixir’ into ‘Woven’ are all personal highlights, but there isn’t a bad song on the thing! I can’t believe it’s taken me five albums to finally hear this band, but they certainly have a big new fan in me! 45-minutes went by in a flash, and I’ve already listened to it multiple times this weekend. A very easy 8.5/10 from us!