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
Iceage – “Vendetta”
The most stylish band in punk is back. “Vendetta” is the second single the Danish group has released since announcing their signing to Mexican Summer. In the words of frontman Elias Bender Rønnenfelt, “‘Vendetta’ is an impartial dance along the illicit lines of infraction.” While contemplating the idea of crime and its pervasiveness, the track still manages to sound sexually driven and hypnotic.
Eades – “Former Warnings Cluster”
I know we’re all tired of hearing the thousands of slightly altered variations of the same modern “post-punk” sound, so thank god Eades is here to make things interesting. “Former Warnings Cluster” is the group’s first single since signing with Heist or Hit. The track deals with self-destructive tendencies as it shifts from straightforward and punchy to swirling and crazed without missing a beat (or you know, intentionally doing so).
Dry Cleaning – “Strong Feelings”
Right off the bat, Dry Cleaning plays with contrast naming their track “Strong Feelings” when we know Florence Shaw is going to give us the most perfect deadpan delivery. Shaw details her feelings in the way only she can — with bold and strange specificity — for someone who does not know of her affection for them. Her stream-of-conscious list of overwhelming thoughts, desires, and impulses is comforting in its messiness. Sometimes it’s nice to be reminded that ugly thoughts can be beautiful, our desires are not that dissimilar, and that we’re all a little crazy. Also, I’m obsessed with her pronunciation of “Europe” for some reason I cannot explain.
MAY-A – “Time I Love To Waste”
As we’re scraping the snow and ice off our cars/sidewalks/ceiling fans/etc, MAYA-A provides some much needed escapism with a picture perfect encapsulation of the nostalgic bliss of first-time love with “Time I Love To Waste”. MAY-A’s version of summer love also involves a touch of recklessness, friends joining along for the ride, and embracing her sexuality. “Time I Love To Waste” is the best of pop and nothing else. Hope, optimism, ecstasy — everything we need to get us through this winter.
