Music of the Month: August 2018 Releases

Here’s some new music we’ve been loving this past month!

August Releases

→  “Berkeley’s On Fire” – SWMRS

SWMRS are back with “Berkeley’s On Fire”, their first single in two years. SWMRS announced that they were signing to the label, Fueled by Ramen (owned by Warner Music Group) in 2016. “Palm Trees” and “Lose It” were also released with the reissue of their debut album, Drive North, at this time, but “Berkeley’s On Fire” is a clear example of the change that a new label has brought to SWMRS’ music. This new track sounds less gritty, but still carries the high energy that Drive North had. Released on August 17, 2018, the single tackles social and political issues with references to the Berkeley, California protests that occurred in 2017. This SWMRS follows many punk artists before them in using their music to address polarizing event such as this

https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/79usZKShpi6oo1MuwiBslY

→  Hypochondriac – The Frights

The Frights’ third album and debut on Epitaph Records was released on August 24, 2018 to mixed reviews. With almost no trace of their signature beach punk sound, many fans have claimed The Frights have sold out since signing to their new label. Hypochondriac is a perfect example of the blurry line between a band’s evolving and selling out.

https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/6uDqold3P9I1IKn2XuwZem

→ Numbskull – The Band Ice Cream

Numbskull, The Band Ice Cream’s second album was released on August 17, 2018. This is a great album to listen to on repeat while screaming along with your friends. Read our full review of the album here.

https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/4FqP8ZK7MYsRzKKcDMpn7f

→ “Hospital Bed” – Renny Conti

“Hospital Bed” was released on August 24, 2018 and is the second single off of Conti’s upcoming album, People Floating (set to release September 7, 2018). We were lucky enough to get an early listen to this album thanks to Urban Scandal Records. People Floating is your new soundtrack for this winter, perfect for cloudy days hiding in your bed and ignoring the world. The piano on this track is calming and ties perfectly to the melancholy lyrics.

https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/0cGSOnSTTOBdnb95qLgguq

→ “Think I’m Still In Love With You” – Joyce Manor

The poster children for sad-boy-punk-rock are back with two singles and an album set to release on September 21, 2018. This track has all the known and loved aspects of a Joyce Manor song without sounding repetitive, and just makes me more excited for their upcoming album.

https://open.spotify.com/embed/track/6wZjWoA5fq4UoJa3prTj6i

→ “Bee-Sting” – The Wombats

Just months after the release of their fourth full length album, Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life, The Wombats are back with a new single released August 29, 2018. But don’t get too excited for a new album just yet. This upbeat track will be part of a deluxe edition of BPWRYL, set to release November 9, 2018.

https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/1i8YRfcNiYeELBxjns0EgS

 

Written by Brigid Ahern and Emma Fong

Instagram: @brigid.ahern and @emmafong_