The A Side:
The Year End – “Tunnels”
The first single from The Year End’s new EP All At Once comes out today. “Tunnels” mixes classic emo and math-rock while still pushing towards pop-rock hooks. And just when you think it’s over, it opens up to present a vibraphone-soaked coda. The Year End! Great band. -Tyler
The Vaughns – “All Weekend”
New Jersey-based XPoNential Fest alumni The Vaughns are back with a new single, “All Weekend,” the first track from an upcoming release via Equal Vision Records. A sunny surf-rock shift from their previous work, the song feels like it’s melting in real time with a late summer haze. “Just throw me the blankets, I’ll make the fort; an introvert’s cave for two,” sings guitarist Anna Lies. Keep your ears peeled for more Vaughns. –Tyler
Bartees Strange – “Kelly Rowland”
No one is making music like Bartees Strange right now. The newest single from his upcoming album, Live Forever (out October 2nd), is yet another departure. Where “Mustang” and “Boomer” were emo indie-rock with punch-the-sky crescendos, “Kelly Rowland” is an off-kilter and mellow sort-of-tribute-but-not-really to Beyonce’s former bandmate (it’s actually about finding and losing love in a foriegn city). Don’t miss the Strange wave. –Tyler
Conshohocken’s Studio 4 is home for producer Will Yip. He and Anthony Green started the Memory Music Label which saw releases from Tiger’s Jar, Turnover and now Bartees Strange. What an artist roster! Kev & Ty’s Record Club has covered Strange extensively. Collectively, he’s one of our favorite new artists. Listen to Kelly Rowland below. -Kevin
Panic Sets In – Divide and Devour
There’s something about the word “panic” and the pop punk genre that go so well together. Philly’s Panic Sets In, released Divide and Devour and celebrated with an appearance on Alt 1045’s Live At 5 InstaJam on Friday. Heavy All We Know Is Falling Paramore vibes here. In true 2005 fashion, guitar chugs and a surprise male vocal scream end focus tracks “As The Lights Go Out” and “Upside Down.” -Kevin
Low Cut Connie – “Help Me”
My favorite way to celebrate the New Year is with Low Cut Connie. Philly’s favorite party band is back with another single, “Help Me.” Private Lives is a double album due out later this year. The singles scattered throughout 2020 have been tame compared to releases like “All These Kids Are Too High” and Barack Obama’s favorite “Boozeophilia.” Adam Weiner is a true showman, he’s saving the real jams for later. -Kevin
Philly’s favorite piano-smacking soul-rock guy (and now live-streaming celebrity) previews yet another single from his upcoming record, Private Lives. Adam Weiner knows how to write a party rock anthem. –Tyler
Red Touch Black – “Snow Girl”
The newest single from South Philly fuzz-rockers Red Touch Black is a perfect mesh of Dinosaur Jr. and Pixies. Just turn it on and bask in the glory of dark 90’s sludge before that cold weather really hits. –Tyler
The B Side:
Flaming Lips – American Head
The Flaming Lips joined Miley Cyrus in studio for her Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz album. The 23-track record was an experimental, psychedelic-pop mixtape that featured wack-o tunes like “Milky Milky Milk” and “Slab Of Butter.” I got to witness this live. Cyrus would hit the stage wearing a milk carton while Wayne Coyne walked on the crowd in a gerbil ball. This all came post-Robin Thicke MTV Awards twerk. At a whopping 24 albums, the Lips keep churning them out. Focus track, “Mother I’ve Taken LSD.” -Kevin
I like when the Flaming Lips go in the big bubbles that predicted COVID-19. –Tyler
Delta Spirit – What Is There
Did anyone else discover Delta Spirit through My Life As Liz? The band has been slowly releasing singles from What Is There during COVID. After the full length drop, “The Pressure” and “It Ain’t Easy” serve as focus tracks. Also the last song, “What Is There” is a gorgeous tune and should be Kev & Ty’s record club theme. “If it’s one more record, let it play on forever, keep flipping the B side to the A.” -Kevin
I was obsessed with Delta Spirit’s 2012 self-titled record. This new album, What Is There, rekindles some of that California pop-rock fire especially on opening track “The Pressure.” –Tyler
Everything Everything – Re-animator
“Lost Powers” is a beautifully written song. It sets a high bar as Everything Everything‘s opener for Re-animator. “Come on, you only lost your mind?” Jonathan Higgs’ vocal range is incredible. He can channel Thom Yorke and Paul Banks (Interpol) simultaneously. –Kevin
Every week, Kevin & Tyler will take a look at 5 singles (The A-Side) and 5 albums (The B-Side) and report back on Kev & Ty's Record Club! - Reviewing last week's records today!
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