Snail Mail are back with their third release, Ricochet. The indie group have built on their nineties guitar sound and have brought Mitch Easter (R.E.M) in for producer duties. The result is a polished one. Catchy vocal lines hook you into the darker and brooding lyrics that sit underneath.
K-pop royalty, BTS have made their rather-hyped return after a lengthy break with Arirang. Arguably one of the largest acts in the world, the comeback has seen their devout fanbase (The BTS Army – which is currently so popular, that its membership is capped!) push ticket sales to capacity around the world.
After releasing a trio of EPs, Swedish band Girl Scout have released their debut album, Brink. Amongst the polished hooks liberally crafted into each song, it’s the perfect mix of guitar, synths and attitude that I am sure these up-and-comers will be celebrated for over the next few months.
LA-based newbies, The Sophs are sending us on a guitar-driven journey (of which, you might recognise some of the spots they visit on the way) on their debut album GOLDSTAR. It’s loud in all the right places and is loquacious in its lyrical delivery.
LA band Los Frankies – titled as such because two of their members are called Frankie – are dropping their debut album, D.E.D City. Noticed for their attitude and swagger amongst a fairly bustling scene, the band aims to celebrate the wild side of rock music. And you’ll find plenty of that on this outing.
Gorillaz are back with their 9th studio album, The Mountain. The virtual band are exploring new territory (literally!) in this new outing. The release is joined by an 8-minute music video, a debut slot on Saturday Night Live, and a European tour.
Irish newbies Cardinals have recently released their first album Masquerade. The Cork based group have certainly been turning a few heads recently. The album boasts a careful mix of alternative-rock and folk, heavily laced with punk sensibilities.
Right Here Right Now is the latest offering from world-famous-in-New-Zealand band Six60. It’s a hook-loaded, statement continuing roughly where I can only assume they left off from the last album.
Queensland band Radium Dolls are back with their second LP Wound Up. Their sophomore effort embraces raw Australian rock. But deep in the eleven songs, we really see how clever these four chaps are.
Israeli/Canadian songwriter Jamie Hilsden (Man Alive) is releasing his solo album Marine Life under the difficult to find on Google band name, Large (seriously, Google it and see the abundance of blue whales that come up!). The project is a catchy, folky journey which is showered in optimism and top-notch guitar work.
