BRIGITTE CALLS ME BABY – IRREVERSIBLE
A few years back I was at SxSW at a fairly empty venue when a band kicked off their first song sounding like a mix of Morrissey and Arctic Monkeys. At the time they didn’t have anything recorded, but had already opened up for Muse in a one-off show. Irreversible is the first full record from Brigitte Calls Me Baby and it is the kind of swoony, cinematic debut that announces a band with a very specific vision — and the confidence to chase it. Brigitte Calls Me Baby lean into lush guitars, rich baritone vocals, and full of drama that feels both vintage and fresh.
Stream • ATO • Connect: @brigittecallsmebaby
MCLUSKY – I SURE AM GETTING SICK OF THIS BOWLING ALLEY
Leave it to Mclusky to come back swinging with an album title that sounds like a punchline and a record that slaps like they are all still in highschool playing it loud to annoy their parents. i sure am getting sick of this bowling alley is loud, snotty, gloriously abrasive; it’s everything you’d want from a band that built their rep on weaponized wit and riffs that feel like they’re held together with duct tape and adrenaline. It’s messy, mean, funny, and a reminder that sometimes it’s best not to overthink things.
Stream • Ipecac • Connect: @mcluskymclusky
MODEST MOUSE – “LOOK HOW FAR…”
Modest Mouse are sounding lo-fi and jangly with their first new song in five years. “Look How Far…” is reflective without dragging, built on that familiar Isaac Brock wobbling vocal delivery that’s recorded a little hot on the mic for fans of their pre-label college rock era. There’s a looseness here that feels intentional, like a voice inside your head telling you what you already know. They’ll be bringing the sound (and hopefully Sleater-Kinney’s Janet Weiss who’s playing drums on the song) to Palace Theater August 13.
Stream • Glacial Pace Recordings • Connect: @modestmouse
RUSH – GRACE UNDER PRESSURE (SUPER DELUXE)
Revisiting Grace Under Pressure places you back into that very specific moment in the mid‑’80s when Rush was all huge synths, tension, and sleek, icy atmospheres. The 40th anniversary edition let’s you dive into Geddy Lee‘s (first ever) liner notes and thoughts on the album now. As we get closer to Record Store Day the Super Deluxe edition with its full live concert, new mixes, and multiple versions might be one to add to your list.
Stream • UMG • Connect: @rushtheband
