Here we go again. Another week in the world and another selection of brilliant music being added to idobi Radio, idobi Howl and idobi Anthm. If you didn’t know by now, we add brand new tracks to all of our radio stations every week, keeping you up to date with the freshest tunes across the alternative music spectrum. And this week, there’s everything from powerful pop-punk to hellish metalcore and even some timeless emo for good measure.
SO, here we go…
Locket – Rearview Memory
Like sepia-toned photos, there’s something timeless about Locket and the music they make. Quintessentially emo with speckles of modern pop-punk thrown in for good measure, they are as much a comfort as a competitor to being your favorite band. And with songs like “Rearview Memory”, they shine the brightest, with plenty of breezy instrumentation and softly crooned vocals. It’s a beauty that’s readymade for your upcoming summer romance playlist.
Traitors – Bitter
Traitors are the kings of the underworld, delivering some of the most guttural and down-tempo metalcore ever committed to tape. And their journey continues to pick up more and more pace with the likes of “Bitter” under their belt. A blend of dissonant bile and furious heft, it is a sledgehammer of a track. Play it loud and smash up some concrete; it’s what you deserve.
The Lunar Year – Hey! Wait!
In case you’re unfamiliar, The Lunar Year is the pop-punk project that The Vamps’ Connor Ball and Cheat Codes’ Sasa Macek dreamt up. A departure for both that they have jumped into two-footed, their output keeps on getting better and better. “Hey! Wait!” is perfect proof of that, channelling the past’s freewheeling nature with the present’s ambition and attitude. And you know this is just the tip of the iceberg as they dive deeper and deeper into their experimentation.
Humanity’s Last Breath – Labyrinthian
Sometimes you need to listen to a band that may or may not have the power to open the gates of Hell. Humanity’s Last Breath should be your absolute go-to if you fancy bringing forth such an apocalypse, as their latest track, “Labyrinthian”, proves. Like a maze of down-tuned riffs, demonic calls and breakdowns that peel the skin from the bone, they create the end of all things in musical form.
Sincere Engineer – Fireplace
What makes Sincere Engineer so unique is their ability to keep you dancing while delivering sentiments that would be discomforting if consumed independently. “Fireplace” is the prime example of that, with talk of serial killers chopping you up and asking how your skin smells to the most jovial and quaint pop-punk soundtrack. Creating such a juxtaposition of feelings is a particular skill, but the band does it without breaking a sweat. Just don’t piss them off. Otherwise, you’ll be getting the same sort of lyrical takedown.
Soulkeeper – Holy Design
Ever wondered what it sounds like when you hit a computer with a baseball bat from the inside? Soulkeeper has done a pretty good job with their new album Holy Design. A sporadic and savage blend of hyperactive metalcore and bristling electronics, the title track bounces around your head with reckless abandon. Now, imagine how it will feel when you see the band play it live.
Those Who Dream – Apology
Those Who Dream are made up of siblings Josh and Hazel Mayer, and that familiar aspect of their relationship comes out in their music brilliantly. Connected mentally and spiritually, the pair make the sort of undeniable pop rock that deserves to be blasted at the loudest of volumes. Take their new track “Apology”, which glistens with spiky melodies and sun-drenched refrains. But hold on tight because there’s a chaotic surprise at the tune’s core.
Chamber – Devoured feat. Matt Honeycutt
Chamber are the musical equivalent of a strobe light in a dingy basement. Capable of making you feel claustrophobic and crazed with the flick of the wrist, their brand of metalcore menace is hard to deny. And it takes on a whole new level when it also features Kublai Khan TX‘s Matt Honeycutt, much like on their new single “Devoured”. One hundred twenty seconds of dark and devilish pummelling that will cling to you like tar, just the way we like it.
Clearfight – Shape Up
Though pop-punk has ventured back into the more sun-stained and bouncy side of things over the last few years, there’s still space for the angst and grit that defined the sound throughout the 10s. That’s where Clearfight comes in, who delivers plenty of hardcore-flecked force within the walls of this crushing break-up anthem. Throw in some Billy Talent-esque howls and pit-swelling intensity, and you have a song designed to incite chaos.
Make Them Suffer – Ghost of Me
Make Them Suffer is the latest band to join SharpTone’s incredible roster, adding an ounce of punishment to the party. And with songs like “Ghost Of You”, you can see why the label wanted to have them on their books. The perfect combination of haunting melody and harrowing heaviness, it’s a masterclass in brutality and balance. Here’s hoping that a new album is in the works, as it may just be a scene classic in the making.
