lightheaded

lightheaded | Thinking, Dreaming, Scheming!
lightheaded | Thinking, Dreaming, Scheming!

New Jersey band lightheaded are back with their incredible new power-pop album, Thinking, Dreaming, Scheming!, and listed below are 5 things (the low-hanging fruit) I love about this record.

  1. It is packed with infectious, marvelous, and charming vocal harmonies.
  2. The album sounds current and classic at the same time.
  3. They love Amelia Fletcher—who doesn’t?
  4. The album is 28 minutes long. There is no fluff. They get in and get out with 10 jangle-pop heaters.
  5. The album was mastered by Mikey Young—no brainer!

Thinking, Dreaming, Scheming! is out now via the almighty Slumberland Records and the equally almighty Skep Wax Records. This is one of my favorite albums of the year so far. You need to listen to it right now!


Marissa Nadler

Marissa Nadler | New Radiations | 3hive.com
Marissa Nadler | New Radiations | 3hive.com

Marissa Nadler just dropped “Hatchet Man,” her second single from her new album, New Radiations, out on August 5 via Sacred Bones. “Hatchet Man” is a lush and haunting murder ballad “…about a sinister character bringing a woman home—not for romance, but to murder her—while the narrator, his partner, is made to witness it unfold.”

New Radiations is Nadler’s tenth full length album, and sixth with Sacred Bones. Enjoy the single below.

Jeanines

Jeanines | How Long Can It Last | 3hive.com
Jeanines | How Long Can It Last | 3hive.com

Massachusetts’ Jeanines are back with their latest (and greatest) album, How Long Can It Last. This album is a true pop gem. The songs explore heavy themes, yet they’re delivered with such charming and “heavenly” melodies that they trick the brain. And with all the turmoil that surrounds all of us, whose brain doesn’t need to be tricked?

In a short exchange between myself and Slumberland’s Mike Schulman, he wrote (about the new Jeanines LP), “…things are so crap right now, I need some beauty and light!” That sentence could have just been my review.

How Long Can It Last is out on Friday (06/27) via Slumberland and Skep Wax Records. You can stream the fantastic singles below. This album belongs in any pop music fan’s collection.

We all need some beauty and light! Enjoy.

Artificial Go

Artificial Go | Musical Chairs | 3hive.com
Artificial Go | Musical Chairs | 3hive.com

Cincinnati trio Artificial Go are back with 10 new tracks of razor-sharp, jangly post-punk with their latest and greatest LP, Musical Chairs.

Musical Chairs’ songs are masterfully written and arranged, with Angie Willcut’s—mostly—deadpan vocal delivery tying it all together. Check out “Circles,” “Red Convertible,” and the incredible—mostly instrumental—”Sky Burial” (below) for a taste

Musical Chairs is out today via Feel It Records; I highly recommend it. I highly, highly recommend it for fans of bands like Suburban Lawns, Lithics, ESG, and the like. Enjoy.

Grey Causeway

Grey Causeway | Grey Causeway | 3hive.com
Grey Causeway | Grey Causeway | 3hive.com

Hailing from bands like Smokers, Nuisance, The Peechees, The Pattern, Papercuts, and Jim Yoshii Pile Up, Bay Area band Grey Causeway are a supergroup of sorts or at least super experienced at their craft. The new single, “I-580,” is a jangly, post-punk number that begs to be played on repeat. You can check it out below.

They are releasing their debut self-titled LP at the end of May via Dandy Boy Records.

Motorbike

Motorbike | Kick It Over | 3hive.com
Motorbike | Kick It Over | 3hive.com

Cincinnati bruisers Motorbike are back with their sophomore LP, Kick It Over. We’re pleased as punch to premiere the second single from this ferocious garage punk album, “Afraid of Guns.”

At just two minutes, “Afraid of Guns” is a pummeling of razor-sharp guitar, machine-gun snare, driving bass, and snarling vocals. Check it out below and prepare to be blown away.

Kick It Over drops on March 21 via Feel It Records. You can get it from us too. Either way, you should get it. Enjoy.

GAYTHEIST

GAYTHEIST, the renowned Portland-based trio, has made a powerful comeback with their latest album, The Mustache Stays. This marks their first release since 2020’s How Long Have I Been On Fire? and features 10 new hard-hitting tracks, plus an insane cover that packs an equally forceful punch.

From the opening track “Shelved” to the closing “Brave The Swarm,” the trio delivers 32 minutes of relentless, heavy post-hardcore, mingled with some sludge and stoner punk. This album demands to be played on repeat and I highly, highly recommend it.

We’re excited to bring you an exclusive opportunity to listen to the entire album before its official release on Friday, February 21st. Check it out below.

The Mustache Stays is available via Hex Records’ Bandcamp page and from us as well. Hit the links and grab yourself a copy.

Upcoming GAYTHEIST dates of importance:
Feb. 28th– record release show- High Water Mark- Portland, OR
March 1st– record release show- Southgate Skatebar- Seattle, WA
March 8th– FREE in-store performance at Ronald Records, Vancouver, WA
March 9th– FREE in-store performance at Music Millennium, Portland, OR
March 22nd– Airport Tavern, Tacoma, WA w/ High On Fire
May 8th– Revolution Hall, Portland, OR w/ The Jesus Lizard

little oso

little oso | How Lucky To Be Somebody | 3hive.com
little oso | How Lucky To Be Somebody | 3hive.com

These are certainly challenging times, and it’s easy to get caught up in the negativity that surrounds us. I’ve been struggling with this myself, constantly dwelling on everything from political turmoil to personal uncertainties.

However, I had a surprisingly uplifting experience this morning. While driving to work, I listened to the new album, How Lucky To Be Somebody, by Portland, Maine’s little oso, and it was truly transformative. For 36 glorious minutes, the jangly guitars, dreamy vocals, and driving rhythm section swept away all my anxieties. Thank goodness for music!

little oso’s How Lucky To Be Somebody is out now via Repeating Cloud. It’s a charming* record that reminds me of bands like Camera Obscura and The Umbrellas, to name a couple. Check out one of their standout tracks, “Other People’s Lives” (below), and get your hands on this record. Enjoy.

*©samaman inc.

Smalltalk

Smalltalk | as if | 3hive.com
Smalltalk | as if | 3hive.com

I’ve been listening to Smalltalk’s new EP as if on repeat the past few days, and it’s a nostalgic trip for me. The entire EP takes me back to the early ’90s when bands like Veruca Salt, Liz Phair, Smashing Pumpkins, and Velocity Girl were making waves. The Savannah, GA band calls their sound “griddy gaze,” which hits the nail right on the head.

Please check out “snaggletooth” below. You’ll be glad you did.

as if is out now on Candlepin Records. If you’re into physical media, Candlepin has a few cassettes left—don’t sleep! I highly recommend this EP. Enjoy.

Prism Shores

Prism Shores | Out From Underneath | 3hive.com
Prism Shores | Out From Underneath | 3hive.com

Mark my words, Montreal’s Prism Shores are going to take the indie-pop world by storm with ten new tracks of jangly, power-pop-leaning tunes that are mingled with just enough gaze to put smirks on the faces of even the saddest of indie rockers.

Check out “Overplayed My Hand” and “Holding Pattern” below for a taste.

Their new album is called Out From Underneath and it drops on Friday 01/17/2025 via Meritorio Records. DO NOT SLEEP!