Not that he hasn’t been doing this over the past decade-plus, but Wale continues to showcase his versatility over Master Peace’s punk-pop offering, which is taken from his upcoming How To Make a(nuva) Master Peace EP.
Class Actress – Candy Says (Velvet Underground Cover)
A little old but it had to be posted anyway. NYC artist and sexy singer Class Actress (Elizabeth Harper) released a cover of the Velvet Underground’s “Candy Says,” replacing Lou Reed’s crooning with sultry and angelic vocals. The cover is fairly straightforward in terms of composition but still nails it, hitting the dynamics in the right spots and retaining the original’s dreamlike foundations, though lacking some of it’s grit. Exciting, but in a different sense than the original. It’s completely possible to appreciate on it’s own, a bit like Mazzy Star, dazed and swooning, with a lost and bittersweet guitar solo.
Speedy Ortiz – The Graduates
A mellow but moving song by Speedy Ortiz off their recent release Foil Deer off of the local Carpark Records. “The Graduates” laments past glories and struggles in school that launches into a killer chorus with the lines “I was the best at being second place/ but now I’m just the runner-up”. It’s irresistible in a sad and sentimental way.
Bully – Trying
From Chicken Ranch Records here’s “Trying” by Bully. Hailing from Nashville, Bully’s created a relaxed but urgent feel here, like a cross between the Breeders and Hole maybe? Either way it’s a rocker which should get your feet stomping.
Conduct – A Figure
A band recommended by a fellow music listener, turned out to be a good one. From Winnipeg, Manitoba, Conduct is a hard, no frills post-punk band recalling 80s DC punk or punk revivalists like Cloud Nothings. There’s a l0t of energy and no-fucks-given attitude. Check it out!
Spirit Club – Still Life (Video)
Wavves’ Nathan Williams takes his new band Spirit Club out for a visual spin in the above clip for ‘Still Life’, which features some old Simpsons and Saved By The Bell mixed with what looks like an ax-shredding Grim Reaper.