ICYMI is a series featuring new and notable releases you (and we) may have missed
Art by Enne Goldstein, you can find more of their work here
TWO – HUSHPUPPY
HUSHPUPPY’s first batch of songs in 2016 only had one that was over two minutes long — most of her songs to date are really quick bursts of energy. These latest two songs on TWO released back in June still hold that same energy, just more sustained with “Drowning” only seven seconds shy of the three-minute mark. Zoe Brecher, who has contributed drums to lots of people you know (Sad13, Sasami, Kalbells), creates her own very cool world with HUSHPUPPY — one that’s all her own and shamelessly vulnerable; delicate in the vocals and explosive with sudden distortion and smart drums. It’s somehow joyful in its expressions of loneliness. Keep an eye on HUSHPUPPY.
— Grace Eire, Associate Editor
Side A – Twin Peaks
If you were there for that magic night at Webster Hall this past December when we got Twin Peaks, Lala Lala, and OHMME on the same bill on the same night, than I’m sure you were just as pumped as I was when I saw all acts were represented on this EP, along with the addition of V.V. Lightbody. A perfect summertime release, Side A is relaxed, twangy, and breezy, while still being vulnerable. “Any More Than You Want” gives me strong Beatles vibes in the best way possible and the instrumental break in “Above/Below” dips into a little bit of a more psychedelic world for the band. Twin Peaks will also be donating proceeds from new merch items each month to various organizations that support the Black Lives Matter movement and Black and Trans communities in Chicago.
Cold Water – Medhane
Taking time is not in Medhane’s vocabulary. It’s taken him just six months to release three projects, and each one has shown he is one to watch in New York’s hip-hop scene.
His latest album, Cold Water, is a true examination of Medhane’s world right now. He writes about his resolve, his potential, the feeling of wanting to break out of a maze and forge a new life. The tracklist is focused, the rapping is purposeful, and the jazzy samples feel like they were always meant to belong to Medhane’s sharp and pinpoint vocals.
— Edgar Jackson
“High School (Don’t Like Them)” – Naked Giants
The always playful Naked Giants poke fun at the hard-ass in charge of your drug awareness course in their new video for “High School (Don’t Like Them)”. While I’d be remiss to not mention acting talents of all involved, the real star of the show is the wild claymation drug trip by Violet Crabtree.
