Random Bands I Like

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I haven’t been feeling like writing lately even though I have a lot still in the works but I’ve been doing more graphic design stuff which I’ve been enjoying a LOT because I was off the digital artist train for a long time after almost 6 years I think of making digital collages. It’s nice to see the intentional design around me because, someone worked on that (for the most part, I’ve also been noticing a lot of AI “art” which is annoying, but my point mostly still stands). I’ve also been listening to more albums based on the album art, judging a book by it’s cover one would say. I’ve also been going through my bookmarks on last.fm (there’s so much to go through, I’m not sure how I’ll get through it all, but I’ve found some good stuff in there that I saved years ago now… there’s some future favorites hiding in there).

Straight Reads The Line

First of all, this album art is incredible. As someone who’s always struggles with anatomy, the muscles here are insane. I wonder what the full image looks like because it seems this could be cut off quite a bit. The line through the bottom separating the album title and band name is so fitting. The music is also incredible, the guitarwork in here blows me away.

The Subtle Way

Honestly, I partially chose to listen to this album because I think the album cover is kinda goofy to me, but I can see the effort behind it. I feel like this is something a younger me would’ve been obsessed with, it reminds me of the dreams of my childhood in some way. Music is great.

She Has A Fashion Vice

I first listened to this album a few months back from one song and then I went on a search for the full album because the long scream in that one song had me floored. The album art is confusing me a bit but I don’t care. I want to see the LAYERS. I can imagine the layers, but I want to be sure. The font for the band name is super cool, I love that style with the little knobs and the angular S’s. I love angular S’s. I was obsessed with this album and I kind of still am.

Alfred was a Bird

Their song covers are just random photos on soundcloud (which is so easy to do guys, stop using AI generated art for ur music), but this band started playing shows right after I left for the summer and it’s members are also from other bands I really like (e.g. lnf and severance of all).

Anyways, check ‘em out.

Bloke.

Okay so I’ve mostly been talking about release art I’ve seen on a screen but I got to see this one in person as a backdrop, which was really cool. California has a long history of post-hardcore but in my obvious bias, I think central valley is the best. No offence to SoCal or the Bay though, they’ve had some great stuff as well, but based on the percentage of my favorites out of California… Chico - Bakersfield, geographic central valley takes the cake. Old Shirt, New Jacket is my favorite released song from bloke., but Gouge is the one that gets stuck in my head the most. Oh yeah and I’m wearing the shirt with the gouge art on it too right now.

Crosswords in Pen

Okay so, this art is so simple but I love it so much I made my own version inspired by a song by another band (bloodydeathpupnch).

The music is pretty great too from both, I had the two bands on speed dial for a while earlier this year, listened to them a lot, have seen NEITHER live… someday though I will. Go check out the EP if you like chaos and synth sections (idle in an open world video game vibes).

we'rethecurrency

Once again, that mid-2000s post-hardcore sound is making a comeback and I’M HERE FOR IT. I actually discovered this one through the album art because I follow the artist (@notwavingbutdrowning_ on instagram)

My favorite thing of this song is the simple, repetitive, overlapping riffs, which is something about I really like about older post-hardcore. I find that the “modern standard” of post-hardcore popularized by more progressive, complex playing a-la Will Swan is a barrier for some people not so technically skilled yet, while older post-hardcore was instrumentally rather simple for the most part, so folks just learning or at an intermediate level could get the hang of it easily for the most part. There has always been some experimentation with more complex sections but it wasn’t so daunting since it would usually be just a small section of the song, maybe 8 measures at most.

Miscellaneous new(ish) releases:

The Autopsy Of Jane Doe - The Autopsy Of Jane Doe

Art for this also by (@notwavingbutdrowning_ on ig), dude’s been busy. This released last month but it took me a while to get back around to it. It’s been a minute since I’ve seen The Autopsy Of Jane Doe but I still recognized a few of the songs. I think I have a setlist from one of their sets lying around somewhere. Great stuff if you’re into mathcore and fun.

Calva Louise - Edge of the Abyss

Hey look, I’m right on time. The music video for my favorite song on the album just dropped about an hour ago. I’ve talked about Calva Louise before, but they truly poured themselves into this album and it shows in the result. The piano section in this song is what really cements it as my favorite. Jess is one of my biggest inspirations in modern music. Her dedication is so inspiring.

Complete Collapse - We Don’t F*** With You

I don’t really understand what these dudes are up to but I enjoy it. For fans of hardcore.

Propositions - Brood of Vipers

I’ve seen both vocalists here perform live but I GOTTA HEAR THIS SONG LIVE WITH THEM TOGETHER.