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PLRLS

PLRLS | CURSES | 3hive.com

5-piece Baltimore dance-punkers PLRLS are back with a brand new batch of synth-fried punk rock tunes presented to us, their loyal listeners, as Curses.

It’s been 6 years since the release of their last album, Have You Seen My Fancy Pony, and you may be wondering “after all that time do they still have the fire, the bounce, the energy to pull off 11 more zany, pop punk songs?” The answer to that, my friends is a resounding “HELLS YES!!!” Not only does Curses pick up where HYSMFP left off, but it has a sharper (dare I say slightly heavier) edge to it, like these songs have been clawing their way out of the band’s guts since 2017.

Check out “Curses”, “Miscellanea” and “Death To Maria” below for a taste of some killer vocal harmonies, chugging bass lines, razor-sharp guitar licks and more synths than you can shake a stick at.

Curses is out now via Ashtray Monument Records. You need this record in your life; you deserve this record in your life. Enjoy.

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Lauds

Lauds | Imitation Life | 3hive.com
Lauds | Imitation Life | 3hive.com

After a few EPs and singles, North Carolina’s Lauds have finally released their debut long player, Imitation Life, and let me tell you, it is some solid jangle/dream pop gold. It’s packed with lush, jangly guitars dancing around echoed vocals and a driving rhythm section. Lauds has set the bar high for all albums released in 2023 with Imitation Life.

Check out album opener “Paralell” and “24” (below) for a taste.

Imitation Life is out now via Fort Lowell Records. Get your ears on this one. Enjoy.

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Doom Flower

Doom Flower | Limestone Ritual | 3hive.com
Doom Flower | Limestone Ritual | 3hive.com

Chicago quartet Doom Flower’s new LP Limestone Ritual is 12 tracks of lo-fi, indie/bedroom-ish pop, mingled with a little gaze over the top of some seriously badass (hip hop-esque) drum and bass grooves and I can’t stop listening to it.

Check out “Telehealth” and “Blaze” (below) for a taste. I’ve had “Teleheath” on repeat.

Limestone Ritual is out now on cassette and digitally via Record Label. Listen to it. Buy it. See these guys live. Enjoy.

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Astragal

Astragal | Pure Cashmere | 3hive.com

Houston band Astragal’s debut LP Pure Cashmere came out back in April of ’22 and I am mad at myself for taking 10 months to finally listen to it. Pure Cashmere is solid from start to finish; if you enjoy Brit-pop, jangle-pop, shoegaze and post-punk, you are going to love this album as Astragal blends those genres masterfully together for its nearly 39 minute run time.

Pure Cashmere is out now via Astragal’s Bandcamp page. Go and buy it right now. Think of it as hopefully investing in a potential vinyl release of this album. Enjoy

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Bodywash

Montreal duo Bodywash just released their new single “Kind of Light” into the world. It’s a lush, throbbing, dream-pop track mingled with enough gaze to make any fans of bands like My Bloody Valentine and Cocteau Twins take notice. “Kind of Light” is out now on all the streamers via Light Organ Records. Enjoy.

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Nicole Canaan

Nicole Canaan | My Own Two Hands | 3hive.com

Nicole Canaan | My Own Two Hands | 3hive.com

SLC’s Nicole Canaan has just released her new single (and strongest to date) “Party Person” from her forthcoming album, My Own Two Hands.

Nicole’s voice is powerful on “Party Person” and shines alongside her shimmery guitar work. I know that I have already written this, but this is her best work yet and I am excited to hear the new album!

My Own Two Hands was produced and mastered by the über-talented Isaac Elmont and Bly Wallentine, respectively. It comes out on December 3 via UPHERE! Records. You do not want to miss it.

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Palm

Palm | Nicks And Grazes | 3hive.com
Palm | Nicks And Grazes | 3hive.com

Palm’s new album Nicks And Grazes is packed with wonky guitar riffs and off-beat drum patterns throughout its 13 songs, which had my ears glued to the speakers from start to finish.

The band’s goal for this record: “We wanted to reconcile two potentially opposing aesthetics – to capture the spontaneous, free energy of our live shows while integrating elements from the traditionally gridded palette of electronic music.”

Mission accomplished.

Nicks And Grazes is the Philadelphia band’s debut release with Saddle Creek Records. You can listen to the first two tacks “Touch and Go” and “Feathers” below for a sample.

Nicks And Grazes is out now, go get your ears on it. You will not be sorry.

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ALVVAYS

ALVVAYS | Blue Rev | 3hive.com
ALVVAYS | Blue Rev | 3hive.com

Toronto’s Alvvays have been taking the indie world by storm ever since the release of their self-titled debut back in 2014. Their catchy, melodic pop songs are like sugar to the ears, and they have constructing/executing damn-near perfect pop songs down to a science. Blue Rev, their brand new release and third album with Polyvinyl Records, is no exception. In fact, I dare to say that Alvvays has laid down the gauntlet on BR by daring to pull off their (damn-near perfect) pop formula for 14 songs this time, instead of 9 and 10 like on their previous releases.

Blue Rev is incredible from start to finish – no hyperbole here – it’s solid.

10 out of 10.

5 stars.

16 wooden nickels.

Whatever score makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. It’s a can’t miss, one of the best releases of the year for sure. Check out the available singles below for a taste.

Blue Rev drops on Friday (10/7) via Polyvinyl. We will have it in hand at our brick and mortar 3hive Record Lounge, but you’ll need to move quick, this will sell out fast. Enjoy.

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Order of the Toad

Order of the Toad | Spirit Man | 3hive.com
Order of the Toad | Spirit Man | 3hive.com

Glasgow band Order of the Toad are back with their third album Spirit Man, which is twelve songs of jangly, garage-pop goodness.

Check out the single “Golden Rod” and “Salt of The Earth” as well (below) for a taste.

Spirit Man is out now on Gringo Records and Hidden Bay. Enjoy.

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Easy Prey

Easy Prey | Unrest | 3hive.com
Easy Prey | Unrest | 3hive.com

I think it’s pretty safe to say that the members of Austin band Easy Prey are pissed off. At least that’s the vibe I get while listening to their debut LP Unrest (which I have been listening to almost non-stop for the past few days). If my frustrations and anxieties about all the BS going on around all of us – every day – were a band, I think it would sound a lot like Easy Prey.

Unrest was written during the lockdowns of 2020 and “heavily influenced by the circumstances of 2020 – experiencing mass unemployment and civil strife while the ruling class thrived.”

Unrest is a masterclass on what makes a great post-hardcore album — it’s heavy, it’s loud, it’s punishing and it doesn’t let up — ever — during its 10 song, 30 minute span. Check out “Other People” below for a taste.

For me listening to Unrest has been a bit of a cathartic experience, where for 30 minutes these guys are pissed off for me, which provides a small — but much needed — sense of relief. Thanks for that Easy Prey!

Unrest is out now via Hellminded Records. I highly, highly recommend it.