devendra banhart

20 New Songs Out Today

devendra banhart

So many artists, so little time. Each week we review a handful of new albums (of all genres), round up even more new music that we’d call “indie,” and talk about what metal is coming out. We post music news, show recaps, track premieres, and more all day. That includes a lot of tour announcements, a list of tonight’s NYC shows, and NY shows that just went on sale. We publish a monthly playlist of some of our favorite tracks. Here’s a daily roundup with a bunch of interesting, newly released songs in one place…

DEVENDRA BANHART – “SCENESCOF” (TYRANNOSAURUS REX COVER)

Devendra Banhart has shared his contribution to the upcoming AngelHeaded Hipster: The Songs Of Marc Bolan and T.Rex which was produced and curated by the late Hal Wilner. “Scenescof” comes from Bolan’s Tyrannosaurus Rex days and this version is ethereal and orchestral. “I was completely in love with Marc Bolan, from John’s Children to Dandy in the Underworld and everything in between,” says Banhart. “I remember the feeling of freedom I got from ‘Scenescof’ …’I don’t need anyone to dictate all my fun smile your smile and then run’…. That line gave me the courage to carve out a little bit of fantasy in my life back in my late teens. But now, the song will be inextricably linked with mourning, it was the last time I was in a studio with my dear dear friend Hal Willner…I haven’t even begun to process the heartbreak of that loss…we were just texting about Jerry Lewis and sending each other links to funny videos and weird songs and two weeks later he was gone. Hal had the coolest, calmest demeanor…the kind that comes from having had really been through some shit and come out of it still caring about life, the world, and art. I will miss him terribly…to two angel headed hipsters, i’m honored to be a part of this tribute album.”

JULIANNA BARWICK – “INSPIRIT”

Ambient pop musician Julianna Barwick has announced her first album in four years, Healing Is A Miracle, due July 10 via Ninja Tune. It features collaborations with Jonsi of Sigur Ros, Nosaj Thing, and Mary Lattimore, and though you’ll have to wait to hear those, you can stream the gorgeous “Inspirit” now.

SQUID – “BROADCASTER”

UK art punks Squid will release their first single for Warp, “Sludge” b/w “Broadcaster,” on June 26. They recently released “Sludge” (and its video), and now here’s the b-side. This one’s more of a slow burn than we’re used to hearing from Squid, and they prove to be good at this type of thing too.

A.A. WILLIAMS – “MELT”

A.A. Williams has released a new song off her anticipated debut album Forever Blue, and this one finds her blending her usual dark singer/songwriter material with a heavier post-rock side. Great stuff.

BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB – “LOSE YOU TO LOVE ME” (SELENA GOMEZ COVER)

Bombay Bicycle Club released their very good comeback album Everything Else Has Gone Wrong earlier this year, and they just did a Spotify session where they reinvented “I Can Hardly Speak” off that album and also did a cover of Selena Gomez’s “Lose You To Love Me,” on which Jack Steadman duets and harmonies with Rae Morris. It’s immediately recognizable as the Selena Gomez song, but BBC also really make it their own.

BLU & EXILE – “TRUE & LIVIN’,” “MILES DAVIS” & “SPREAD SUNSHINE”

Underground rap duo Blu & Exile have announced their first collaborative album in eight years, Miles: From An Interlude Called Life, due July 17 via Dirty Science Records. Guests include Miguel, The Last Artful Dodgr, Aloe Blacc, Fashawn, and more, and three great, jazzy, throwback-style songs are streaming now.

DEADMAU5 & THE NEPTUNES – “POMEGRANATE”

Deadmau5 and The Neptunes have teamed up for a summery, rubbery dose of electro-funk.

LEE FIELDS & THE EXPRESSIONS – “THINKING ABOUT YOU”

Storied soul singer Lee Fields is back with a new single, and as always, it sounds instantly timeless.

MANTAR – “GHOST HIGHWAY” (MAZZY STAR COVER)

German sludge metal duo MANTAR are releasing a ’90s covers album, Grungetown Hooligans II, on June 26 via Brutal Panda, and it’ll feature takes on songs by L7, The Jesus Lizard, Mazzy Star, Babes In Toyland, Mudhoney, and 7 Year Bitch. The first one released is their cover of “Ghost Highway,” a Mazzy Star song that’s kind of on the hard rock side to begin with, so it’s no surprise that MANTAR pull this one off well.

DANIEL ROMANO – SPIDER BITE

The highly prolific Daniel Romano continues to roll out an extremely large amount of music, and today he’s back with a new 10-song punk record.

DEN-MATE – “IT’LL ALL COME BACK”

Washington DC’s Jules Hale released her debut album as Den-Mate, Loceke, in 2018, and now she’s preparing to release a new EP, Hypnagogia, due out via Babe City and Substitute Scene Records on June 26. Hypnotic new single “It’ll All Come Back” “is a song about overcoming something painful that you have experienced in your life,” she tells Gorilla vs Bear. “These lyrics serve as a mantra: ‘you’re not a victim if you choose not to be, a little planning, get dirt in between your feet’ to signify a change to grow, forgive, and accept. Growth is not an easy thing, especially if you are coming from the depths of a wounded mindset. Then, the opening phrase: ‘you have the right to be who you wanna be’ is a reassurance when the hard work involved feels too heavy. During these difficult times it’s important that we focus on what we can do to make ourselves a home for peace alongside being kind to others. I hope someone who is struggling can listen and feel empowered.”

IAN SWEET – “SWORD”

Jilian Medford released her second album as Ian Sweet, Crush Crusher, in 2018, and now she’s followed it with a new single, “Sword,” which she describes as “my Ultimate Fighter manifesto. It was born from the dire need to end what felt like a relentless battle. A battle where I was constantly being disarmed. I imagined my body being both the shield and weapon to fight back against someone who wanted me to surrender.”

https://soundcloud.com/user-834433698/sword

ARCA – “TIME”

Arca’s new album KiCk i is out June 26 and here’s the latest single and latest wild video:

MIKE POLIZZE (PURLING HISS) – “REVELATION” FT. KURT VILE

Purling Hiss frontman Mike Polizze will release his debut solo album, Long Lost Solace Find, on July 31 via Paradise of Bachelors. Purling Hiss are known for being very loud, but his record is not that. “This record is largely acoustic, mellow, and almost without electric guitar,” writes Mike.” It consists of mostly love songs and Moody jams.” The first single, “Revelation,” and the whole record, features fellow Philly musician Kurt Vile. “I had an idea to ask Kurt to play on ‘Revelation,’ he showed up with a few instruments and added trumpet and backing vocals to the mix.”

OMNI – “CONSTANT REMINDER”

Atlanta’s Omni are back with this new track via Adult Swim singles that features a killer riff and the group’s signature spiky left turns. “We recorded it during the Multi-task sessions,” says the band, “but it’s energy didn’t quite find a place in the album sequence. We love it’s odd arrangement and rambunctious nature, it felt like it always needed to be a single.

JEFF ROSENSTOCK – “NO TIME”

Jeff Rosenstock surprise-released a great new album NO DREAM today. It’s hard to pick a favorite track at the moment, but album opener “NO TIME” kicks it off with a bang, so listen to this one and then go listen to the rest.

PAY FOR PAIN – “GATEKEEPER”

The three members of Tigers Jaw’s classic lineup who left that band after Charmer was recorded — Adam McIlwee (Wicca Phase Springs Eternal), Dennis Mishko (Three Man Cannon), and Pat Brier (Three Man Cannon) — are now playing together again in a new band called Pay For Pain. Their second single is out today, and you can read more about it — and read about the music that influenced their upcoming EP — here.

MATT BERNINGER – “SERPENTINE PRISON”

The National frontman Matt Berninger has finally given his debut solo album a release date and he put out the very good title track, which you can read more about here.

JASON MOLINA – “SHADOW ANSWERS THE WALL”

The great Jason Molina (of Songs: Ohia and Magnolia Electric Co) tragically passed away in 2013 at age 39 from complications related to alcoholism, but it has just been revealed that — before he passed — he had written and recorded an album, and that album is finally seeing the light of day this summer. You can hear the first single and read more about it here.

THE GAY AGENDA – “HOMO RIOT” (ft. THE LOCUST’S JUSTIN PEARSON)

San Diego’s self-described “homo riot hardcore punks” The Gay Agenda are releasing their debut album Penetrating in June, and this new single features guest screams by fellow San Diego musician Justin Pearson (of The Locust, Retox, and more). Read more here.

Looking for even more new songs? Browse the ‘New Songs’ archive.