Halfway through the first month of 2017, there have been quite a few brand new released albums already: Sundara Karma released their debut album, The XX released their first music since 2013, and John Mayer finally released a new EP among many other bands and artists that didn't take much time to drop something on us as soon as possible in the new year, but it wasn't the indie-pop quartet of Sundara Karma or the XX whose releases really stood out to me this month, but pop-punk and alt-rock and anything that goes with loud guitars and vibrant vocals and can be titled as a rock-subgenre. Here's my favoite albums of the month and all coincidentally majority of them turned out to be guitar-driven releases, some of them being more rock or punk than others, but nevertheless a list of albums that everybody should take a listen to.
WSTR - Red, Green or Inbetween
Among the likes of bands like Knuckle Puck and Neck Deep, british pop-punk band WSTR released their debut album on January 20th, providing us with a solid record that lives up to what the genre of pop-punk stood for ever now and then: guitars with a lot distortion and fast-paced drums with the usual pop-twist to it making it not too punk,yet not too pop for it to fit in either of the genres. Touring the UK as support for Seaway this month, it is just a matter of time these guys go global and have their own headline dates lined up. And with this debut album out, I am more than certain that we will hear more of WSTR in the future.
Must listen: Eastbound & Down, The Last Ride, Penultimate
ONE OK ROCK - Ambitions
The japanese quartet of ONE OK ROCK have been around for quite a while already with Ambitions being their eightth studio album, but despite only ever playing arenas in asia, the band decided to step up their game and released their first ever all-english album on January 11th. So instead of taking bands like Against The Current on tour for their asian arena tour, ONE OK ROCK decided turn it all around and support 5 Seconds Of Summer instead on their american arena tour last year. And if you haven't heard of them until then, now you definitely do. Ambitions is a great pop-rock album including distorted guitars as well as electronic elements and features their now close friends of 5 Seconds Of Summer, but also Alex Gaskarth of british pop-punk band All Time Low.
Must listen: Bon Voyage, Take What You Want (feat. 5 Seconds Of Summer), Start Again
AFI - AFI (The Blood Album)
Californian rock-band AFI returns 4 years after their last album Burials with their tenth studio album AFI (The Blood Album), that has been released on January 20th, 2017. Now, 26 years after first starting to make Hardcore and Hardcore-Punk music together, the band has been going through several changes that include a couple of new band members, new style, and of course also a new audience after being part of the industry for so long. For AFI (The Blood Album), the band combines post-punk, as well as new wave with both, punk and rock elements.
Must listen: Hidden Knives, Pink Eyes, Still A Stranger
AS IT IS - Okay
It was only 2014 that brighton-based band AS IT IS got signed by Fearless Records as their first british client at that time, - now, two years later, AS IT IS already has their second full-length studio album in stores. Titled Okay or okay., the album got released on January 20th, 2017, and includes pop-punk anthems at its finest. Singer Patty Walters has already described Okay as their best work to date, and it seems that pop-punk fans all across the world are impressed as well. Previously touring with Sleeping With Sirens, Sum 41 and Senses Fail, their fellow pop-punkers of State Champs are set to take AS IT IS on their spring europe tour.
Must listen: No Way Out, Okay, Austen
You Me At Six - Night People
Another long anticipated album of January was the fifth studio album of british band You Me At Six, released on January 6th, a week before the original announced date. Once starting out as a pop-punk band, the band later began producing pop/rock songs, and now, with Night People in stores three years after Cavalier Youth, decided to settle with a more grown-up and essientially darker sound of heavy alternative rock, - from angry heavy sounds to laid-back rock ballads there's everything on this album. The band itsself already announced they have big plans for this album and are ready to take on the world and play stadiums, and considering the songs are all suited to fill stadium and that the album was indeed a success, we can only watch and see what you me at six are up to next.
Must listen: Give, Brand New, Plus One
Deaf Havana - All These Countless Nights
English alternative rock band of Deaf Havana released their fourth and must successfull studio album on january 20th, 2017. The final album of January that I chose to close this article with includes chilled-out acoustic tracks such as Happiness that have that nostalgic vibe that you find throughout the album, other tracks, such as Fever include a strong bassline and guitar riffs. However, you find yourself fall in love with the vocals of frontman James Veck-Gilodi and the deeply emotional music that is there to find on All These Countless Nights.
Must listen: Pensacola, 2013, Pretty Low, England
If you're more the type to listen to indie-pop and indie-rock, make sure to give these January releases a shot: Dryjacket - For Prosperity, Surf Curse - Nothing Yet, Cloud Nothings - Life Without Sound, Souvenirs - Posture of Apology
WSTR - Red, Green or Inbetween
Among the likes of bands like Knuckle Puck and Neck Deep, british pop-punk band WSTR released their debut album on January 20th, providing us with a solid record that lives up to what the genre of pop-punk stood for ever now and then: guitars with a lot distortion and fast-paced drums with the usual pop-twist to it making it not too punk,yet not too pop for it to fit in either of the genres. Touring the UK as support for Seaway this month, it is just a matter of time these guys go global and have their own headline dates lined up. And with this debut album out, I am more than certain that we will hear more of WSTR in the future.
Must listen: Eastbound & Down, The Last Ride, Penultimate
ONE OK ROCK - Ambitions
Must listen: Bon Voyage, Take What You Want (feat. 5 Seconds Of Summer), Start Again
AFI - AFI (The Blood Album)
Californian rock-band AFI returns 4 years after their last album Burials with their tenth studio album AFI (The Blood Album), that has been released on January 20th, 2017. Now, 26 years after first starting to make Hardcore and Hardcore-Punk music together, the band has been going through several changes that include a couple of new band members, new style, and of course also a new audience after being part of the industry for so long. For AFI (The Blood Album), the band combines post-punk, as well as new wave with both, punk and rock elements.
Must listen: Hidden Knives, Pink Eyes, Still A Stranger
AS IT IS - Okay
It was only 2014 that brighton-based band AS IT IS got signed by Fearless Records as their first british client at that time, - now, two years later, AS IT IS already has their second full-length studio album in stores. Titled Okay or okay., the album got released on January 20th, 2017, and includes pop-punk anthems at its finest. Singer Patty Walters has already described Okay as their best work to date, and it seems that pop-punk fans all across the world are impressed as well. Previously touring with Sleeping With Sirens, Sum 41 and Senses Fail, their fellow pop-punkers of State Champs are set to take AS IT IS on their spring europe tour.
Must listen: No Way Out, Okay, Austen
Another long anticipated album of January was the fifth studio album of british band You Me At Six, released on January 6th, a week before the original announced date. Once starting out as a pop-punk band, the band later began producing pop/rock songs, and now, with Night People in stores three years after Cavalier Youth, decided to settle with a more grown-up and essientially darker sound of heavy alternative rock, - from angry heavy sounds to laid-back rock ballads there's everything on this album. The band itsself already announced they have big plans for this album and are ready to take on the world and play stadiums, and considering the songs are all suited to fill stadium and that the album was indeed a success, we can only watch and see what you me at six are up to next.
Must listen: Give, Brand New, Plus One
Deaf Havana - All These Countless Nights
English alternative rock band of Deaf Havana released their fourth and must successfull studio album on january 20th, 2017. The final album of January that I chose to close this article with includes chilled-out acoustic tracks such as Happiness that have that nostalgic vibe that you find throughout the album, other tracks, such as Fever include a strong bassline and guitar riffs. However, you find yourself fall in love with the vocals of frontman James Veck-Gilodi and the deeply emotional music that is there to find on All These Countless Nights.
Must listen: Pensacola, 2013, Pretty Low, England
If you're more the type to listen to indie-pop and indie-rock, make sure to give these January releases a shot: Dryjacket - For Prosperity, Surf Curse - Nothing Yet, Cloud Nothings - Life Without Sound, Souvenirs - Posture of Apology
LET'S TALK: JANUARY RELEASES
Reviewed by Lina Friedrich
on
15:27
Rating:
Reviewed by Lina Friedrich
on
15:27
Rating:
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