hi! we are wrapping up the Year of Shit 2020, and before we dive into any sort of “best of” or “favorites of” lists, we gotta round-up some of the songs that have been released since our last bark list in november. like last time, because the list is so dang big, we won’t be able to provide much commentary for each release. instead, we’ll just write a few words for each thing to give you a little context. 🙂 you know, because we’re nerds and can’t help ourselves. also like last time, we’re organizing this round-up into new albums/eps, new singles/videos, and new miscellany — which is our way of putting things in that don’t quite fit but are definitely worth your attention!
check out this week’s songs below, and as always, if you like what you hear: share it with a friend! and if you have the means, consider buying their music. spotify is nice and all, but unless you plan on streaming a song multiple hundred times, bandcamp is best. you can follow us on instagram and twitter for more music during the week.
New Albums + EPs:
The Alex Butter Field — Popsychle
a new record from Hank Hoffman (the hero of Hamden’s Best Video) and Dean Falcone (from the infamous Cafe Nine vomitorium).
American Thrills – American Thrills
a brand spanking new band, signed to New School Records featuring members from The Tired and True (Eulogy Records) and Shut up and Deal. this is the debut ep!
Basement Apartment – People I’ve Never Met
musical project of Jon Cahill. jangly, friendly, and lovely music.
Beau Dega – Holy Cannoli
fantastic new record from Norwalk’s Beau Dega, who also released a trove of odds and ends in 2020 with OOF.
Big Murf – 3:16
Hartford’s Big Murf released this compilation of “songs and beats that aren’t finished or are old”, but you wouldn’t know based on how good 3:16 is. also don’t miss his October release Misadventures Vol. 1: Mega Murf.
Black Wing – No Moon
Dan Barrett from Have A Nice Life released this album of “chillwave/post-punk”. you know when it snows, and you walk out into the woods at night, but it’s still bright as hell? that’s what No Moon feels like.
Burning Books – Songs for My Mother to Fall Asleep To
the experimental / drone bassist Burning Books is back with a gift for his mother. this is the fourth (!!) release from Burning Books this year, and all are essential for those looking for a little s p a c e and doom in their music.
Charter Ghost – Deathmusic
Gustavo Colon released one of our favorite songs of the year with “HK-97”, and before the ink could dry, he’s already got an EP of explosive indie bangers.
Cheem – Shojo Beats split
Cheemsters Union rise up. split released through Chillwavve records along with Guitar Fight from Fooly Cooly, Cliffdiver & Gwuak.
Ceschi + Siul Hughes – DRKWLKR 7”
This 3-song 7″ is an energizing example of what happens when two men who inspire each other come together to make music.
Donnie Alexzander – Dark Days
at a gig once, a guy came up to me and tapped me on the shoulder and pointed at Matthew Alexander from Donnie Alexzander and said “that guy right there is the most tasteful guitar player in connecticut.” Dark Days lives up to that random encounter, with an album of bristling beauty.
FIFAC – 160bpm Collected Works 2016-2020
Firstname Lastname records compiled these FIFAC PHASE 1 songs, before he became an ambient musician that taunts Kenny Beats relentlessly on twitter.
Grand Cinematic – Grand Cinematic
a brand new band from West Hartford. i wish i could give you more context than that, but these men remain a mystery to me. their music is great though, if this debut ep is any indication.
Kosmic Black – Spectacular Beings
a producer from West Haven that is both parts sci-fi and spiritual. this album is going to trigger your ASMR big time.
The//Moon – Sometimes My Mind Gets Grainy
this beatmaker and producer has been on a prolific run in the back half of 2020. their bandcamp bio is “IF BALAM ACAB & MADLIB LET THEIR CHILD GROW UP IN THE DEF JUX APARTMENT”, which is a better descriptor than i could ever hope to cook up myself.
The Nuclear Heartbreak – Misguided Youth
the sophomore album from Stamford’s hellraising trio. gigantic big choruses that you can sing along with, and a streak for being loud. count me in.
The Other Realm – Christmas in the Other Realm
it turns out Christmastime in the Other Realm is quite melancholy, but that’s how we like it to be honest. relax with this instead of the Home Alone soundtrack or the abomination that Paul McCartney unleashed upon the world.
Personal Development Club – Live From Grandma’s Mansion
Connecticut’s most “chaotic neutral” band. this debut is loud, weird, and very fun.
Semaphora – Sister Administrator
one of our most anticipated albums of 2020. Sister Administrator is musically and thematically rich. we’ve been spinning it since it came out a couple of weeks ago, and we have no intention on stopping soon.
Sketch tha Cataclysm + Mandy Moorehol – Hella Kafkaesque
another great year for Sketch, this pairing with Mandy Moorehol (both volumes) is exciting, fresh, and impressive.
Soft Screams – Blue Christmas Tearz
Soft Screams released a full-length record just earlier this year that we loved, and he’s capping the year off with a christmas EP with songs like “Santa was a Socialist”.
SotoLish – 404
a continuing collaboration between Sotorious (from New Haven’s Political Animals) and Delish music from Rhode Island.
Steve Hartlett – Molting
Steve H. from Ovlov and Stove released his second solo record this year — it’s a little more shambolic than his solo debut, but just as great.
Them Airs – Doped Runner Verse
everyone says 2020 sucks, and they’re right, but at least we got two Them Airs albums. i don’t care what your favorite year of all time is — it doesn’t have two Them Airs albums.
Thrice a Chuckle – Volume VII
Thrice a Chuckle make bespoke Christmas music, and Volume VII is the next release in their annual tradition of one album a year. who cares if Christmas is over? check this one out.
Zouchpotato – Give and Take
Zayne Couch from Crag Mask releases his first album here, with playfully complex arrangements and glorious melodies.
New Singles + Videos:
3mbrace – “Moscato Wine”
a new single from the singer of American Amnesia, which couldn’t be further from how this project sounds. give it a listen!
Adversity – “Pray to be Up”
one of our favorite emcees bringing the supercharged charisma once again.
Amanda Bellitto – “Colures”
a terrific songwriter, Amanda Bellitto has released a few songs this year, and “Colures” is a beautiful blooming flower in the sunlight.
Asher – “King of Serotonin”
formerly recording music as Pushing Static, Asher Condit from Kingship Recordings is laying the funk down once again. for fans of: all music.
Autopoet – “Unhealthy Exchanges”
the new collaboration between Rex Thurstan (or Eel People and Litvar) and Jason Rule (of Queen Moo and Zanders). two great songwriters that write great songs together.
Bad Fantasy – “Couch Potato”
debut songs from Norwalk’s Bad Fantasy, whose first album, The Set-Up, will be released in March of next year.
Boatweiler – “Bedroom”
hell yeah. Boatweiler released one of our very favorite songs of last year “Saturday Night”, and now they’re back with another one of my very favorite songs of this year.
Cassie’s Crutch – “Entropy”
we caught an early live recording at WHUS of Cassie’s Crutch, and their video marks their recorded debut.
Cinema Stare – “The Cold”
part of the No Sleep Records compilation, “The Cold” is another reason to love Cinema Stare after their Hum and The Glow, one of the year’s best records.
Deegan – “Lovely Lovely”
incredible pop song from Deegan, follow-up to another one of our favorites of 2020, “We Heal”.
Ditch Boys – “Dead Broke”
get hyped for their upcoming full-length record!
Elle Sera – “Venus”
bright and poppy country music from the charismatic Elle Sera.
Frederic Anthony – “Smooth Sailing”
new single from Freddy of Shady Street All-Stars and RYXNO!
Jackson’s Garden – “Shakedown City”
recorded in quarantine, this prog-epic is just as much fun to listen to as it is to watch in action.
Jessi – “Dead Love”
i don’t know anything about Jessica Burns except for this song, and this song is great, so my overall impression of Jessica Burns is great.
Keep Me Safe – “The 1973 Tetherball Championship Trophy”
perhaps one of the greatest song titles of 2020, this is the band’s debut song (unless their previous acoustic track counts?)
Kurita – “Our Preview”
a video for Kurita, who released an excellent pop record earlier this year titled Karma.
Lee Buckz – “Vibe With Me”
a new emcee from Danbury — definitely one to watch moving into 2021.
Mandala – Bowery and Bleaker
there have been rumblings that Mandala is recording new music as we speak! to quench that thirst, check out their new video for “Bowery and Bleaker” the fan favorite from their ep Damsel in Defense.
Memory Celle – “Alternate Universe”
we’re always excited for new Memory Celle music, whose indie-adjacent experimental music taps into dark, sharp themes.
Mercy Choir – “On the Beach the Snow was Matted Where Two Unknown Lovers Lay”
this one slid into Mercy Choir’s bandcamp page earlier in the month, but it is not credited to Mercy Choir. rather, Paul Belbusti published this one under his own name; the song stands in contrast to Mercy Choir’s normal pop-structured gems with its more abstract sonic collage.
MightyMoonChew — “Mojo Jojo”
this trio is formed from Moocha, Mark da Mighty, and Chris Chew — the songs they’ve teased from their upcoming full-length album, 900 Grand, are wild and psychedelic.
The Right Offs – “We’ve Been Spotted”
perhaps New Haven’s most rock-n-roll band? check out this great new video directed by fellow New Hayhay mainstay Falconeer.
Say What You Will – “Chameleon”
i saw a shooting star in july and a made a wish that Say What You Will would release new music in 2020. and here it is!
Sev7en Taylor – “777.com”
this song ends with a Nicki Minaj sample of “Haters, I’m not your enemy I’m your hero. Cheer up, you should be happy I’m here”. hell yes.
Sindler – “Wasting Time”
excellent songwriter Ryan Sindler (from the band Private Language) is back with another indie rock gem.
Soleil – “Love it When They Call”
the debut single from artist Soleil (Vanessa Taylor).
The Sparkle and Fade – “Live Life Out Loud”
this band debuted with “Live Life Out Loud”, with more music on the way, we are quite excited! 🙂
Stout – “Alright OK”
New Haven’s gift to the world, Stout’s song “Alright OK” now has a charming new video to go along with it!
Sunday Morning – “She Took Ecstasy in Paris and She’s Never Been the Same”
another one of our favorite songs of 2020. on Christmas they gave me the gift of this video. thanks Sunday Morning!
Xylorp – “I Wish I Had a Silver Hand”
fuzzed out, psychedelic shoegaze. we got an album from Xylorp already this year, so the new single feels like a perfect dessert.
Zechs – “Fika”
from one of the minds of Ourselves Alone, Zechs’ second single “Fika” is a beautifully chopped and warped piece of art.
New Extras + Bonuses
Danie Valentin – “New Moon Jams”
Danie Valentin (formerly of Bangcreek Puppies) dropped this beautiful track on instagram. Not an officially released song yet, but we’d love to hear anything else that she’s been working on recently!
Daze In – “Live from Chapel Street”
made in collaboration with Kicker Pictures! did you check out their album from earlier this year yet?
Evelyn Gray – “Live at WHUS”
thank you WHUS for capturing this beautiful performance of Evelyn Gray. (you can also find them on the give yrself what u need EP from earlier this year and the audiotree session for Hit Like A Girl (a new jersey band… hmm…)
Factor Chandelier – “The Flood” feat. Ceschi
the man behind the production of Ceschi’s Sad Fat Luck and Sans Soleil has a new album out, and this song/video features Francisco False himself.
Green Light – “Do You Hear What I Hear?”
a Christmas treat for us! but for a true Christmas cover you gotta have the band Red Light in here too. do you get it? because red and green and, ok nevermind i’ll stop.
Joann Fabrix – “Waterlogged”
Wesleyan’s Joann Fabrix dropped a spectacularly strange pop record this year, and this animated video lives up to the duo’s delightful sensibilities as songwriters.
Landing – “Live at BSR 2005”
Landing released a split this year on Redscroll Records, but they also blessed us with this rare live recording from their early years.
Laura Wolf – “Instrumentals and Other Creatures”
probably the only Connecticut release this year that guest spots fauna from Yellowstone national park. i might be wrong on that but check my math. as with all Laura Wolf music, this is not to be missed.
Minus Points – “Live Halloween 2020”
don’t cry because Jules Burne is over — smile because it happened. and because the new band Minus Points gave us this sick Halloween set ahead of their upcoming debut.
Powerviolets – “Plants and Rags”
Violet Hetson covers PJ Harvey. i shouldn’t need to say more than that. if you are reading this Violet i love all the music you make.
S.G. Carlson and the Tines – “Three from State House”
a gorgeous mini-set from New Haven’s The State House. includes the unreleased song “Collarbone” which would zip right into my Favorite Songs of 2020 if it were on bandcamp.
Similar Kind – “Over There” live
even though Similar King has been busy writing/recording/releasing new tunes in 2020, we were very excited to see that they released this cut from 2019 as a live video at Factory Underground.
Youth XL – “Kickback Session Live”
Connecticut’s funnest band released this mini-set from a skatepark (and a glorious new song!).
