Here's A Bunch Of Songs That Came Out Last Week

You know, 2017 has been off to a solid start with a lot of new releases, and last week - January 15th - January 21st - saw the release of many new songs, most of which were quite good, and some that were also pretty fucking average. So I put a bunch of them all in one place because I am a lazy bastard when it comes down to it. Anyway, on our bikes we go!

Falling In Reverse - 'Loser'

I've never been infatuated with Falling In Reverse, despite Ronnie Radke being a big part of my favourite Escape The Fate record, 'Dying Is Your Latest Fashion' (fuck 'Situations', though). However, as an avid non-fan of Falling In Reverse, I can really see that this band's music is only getting better as time goes on. Their debut, 'The Drug In Me Is You', was a watered down pop metal affair that was as cheesy as it was unbearable. 'Fashionably Late' was only slightly better, but provided many laughs with songs like 'Alone'. (God, I still cringe even now.) However, 2015's 'Just Like You' wasn't all that bad - it was still pretty mediocre, mind you. And I still stand by my initial review of it too.

But by the sweet fallout of Tom Anderson and Chris DeWolfe, the band's previous song, 'Coming Home' (also the title of their upcoming album, out April 7th) wasn't bad! Like, I actually...enjoyed it? Oh shit, I didn't think that this day would come. Now, that song came out in December, and just this past Friday saw the release of their new single, 'Loser', which I also liked. Two in a row? This truly is the end of days.

So far, this album is sounding like stadium rock music done right, but let's talk about 'Loser'. The verses are buttery smooth, the song's chorus is huge and genuinely infectious (of course), the production is tight though not too slick, and this song is filled with some really emotional vocal deliveries and lyrics that aren't too corny nor a total eye-roll fest. Even with its poppy synth lines and the gang vocal calls of "yeah/yeah/yeah!"

As the band are still working with Radke and Michael "Elvis" Baskette in their respective producer rolls, I don't think that this is a matter of a different team behind the new record, rather that it's simply taken the band and their singer three albums and a few years to fully mature, to fully blossom into their. Even without guitarist Jacky Vincent churning out tasty solos and riffs (though, they seem to be managing if this song is anything to go by), I am actually quite confident that 'Coming Home' will be a decent record. Who knows, maybe even good?

I mean, I could be wrong; this is Falling In Reverse after all. But as it stands now, consider me excited!

From First To Last - 'Make War'

Let's not kid ourselves, Sonny Moore returning to From First To Last was always going to happen. It's not like his other work as Skrillex has been that relevant in the past three years, anyway, (and neither has this band overall lately, so I suppose they need each other in a way.) But what always becomes noteworthy and trending nowadays is that of nostalgia, and fans will revel in said nostalgia with a reunion of a beloved band and their popular former singer. But is this a good reunion? No. Not really, as their new single 'Make War' proves.

While I am stoked for the many long time FFTL fans out there that are excited to see the singer back with his old mates, I genuinely wished that the band had continued their reformed trajectory with Periphery's Spencer Sotelo instead. Yes, I do see why that would be hard to maintain touring schedules and writing time due to Sotelo's other commitments, but I see this as a massive step backwards for FFTL by Moore returning, as his vocal range just cannot match that of his predecessor. Of course, I'm sure few will actually mind because OH MY GOD GUYS, SONNY IS BACK!

Sigh.

On top of the vocalist switch up, bassist Matt Manning and guitarist/producer/engineer Taylor Larson are out as well which only adds to my doubts for this band's future, but thankfully, Matt Good is still in the band so at least there's a silver fucking lining to this. Now, 2015's comeback record, 'Dead Trees' wasn't an amazing album, sure, but it was a damn solid one that produced some great new material for this group; material that could have carried them forward and not just leave them to be a throw-away post-hardcore, scene relic that somehow survived up until 2017. But with the current lineup changes for the band, I'm sure they'll return to their "classic" material with Moore once again behind the vocal wheel. And that's going to go one of two ways; good, novel nostalgia that lasts for a while, or phoned-in trollop for the pure sake of cashing in on people's teenage years. Guess we'll find out which soon enough.

Anyway, as for the actual song, 'Make War', aside from the whole grown-man-singing-about-teenage-woes schtick here ("I wish the truth could do to you what your Snapchat put me through" anyone?), which Blink-182 also failed miserably at with 'California', this song may just have the worst snare drum of 2017. It sounds like someone is weakly slapping tin foil in the verses, and only slightly slapping it harder during the chorus. Those bright guitar leads and occasional double kicks were a nice touch, though, but not enough to save this song from feeling oh so anti-climactic.

Also, as everyone and their dog's pointed out by now, the singles cover for 'Make War' does indeed look a lot like Culture Abuse's cover for 'Reach'. Gotta get that artwork inspiration from somewhere, aye?

Thy Art Is Murder - 'No Absolution'

Thy Art Is Murder's new standalone single, 'No Absolution', is a gift to the fans for sticking by them between CJ McMahon's departure in 2015 and his recent return to the band at this year's UNIFY. After getting consistent work and ticking a few things off of his life list (marriage, for one) the vocalist is back in line with the Sydney outfit, and here's the first song with him back - 'No Absolution'. And it is simply the Thy Art Is Murder you would come to expect by now; straight down to the song's tempo, the vocal deliveries from McMahon, the guitar riffs, the song's breakdown, and so on.

Guitarist Andy Marsh recently spoke about the new single, saying that "We recorded this during the session for Holy War but quite simply ran out of time to finish writing lyrics and recording vocals for it in order to make the record. This song now stands alone, without a record or release - a gift from us to you, thank you for your continued support, we can’t wait to show you what we’re making for 2017."

Now look, 'No Absolution' is not a bad song by any means, but when compared with their previous single, the utter beast that was 'They Will Know Another', and the better cuts from 'Holy War' (the title track, 'Deliver Us To Evil', etc.) this newbie may be forgotten to the sidelines when their inevitable fourth album lands within the next 12 or so months. Which I'm sure will be utterly monstrous.But for the time being, this is a decent comeback for McMahon and Thy Art Is Murder.

Slaves - 'I'd Rather See Your Star Explode'

Perhaps to the sheer elation of many out there, Slaves broke up last year, with guitarist Alex Lyman and two other members that no one really cares about ditching Jonny Craig and bad-mouthing the band, their label, creating all kinds of online drama for us normal folk to shake our heads at. But oh shit, the band is back together, has a new single out - 'I'd Rather See Your Star Explode' - has half of that initial line-up; withCraig still on vocals, bassist Colin Vieira, and new guitarist, Weston Richmond. (Drums were performed by Craig's friend and Heartist drummer, Matt Marquez.) And now, Slaves are gearing up for a brand new album to be released sometime this year.

Brian Kraus of Alternative Press - who also premiered this new song because of course they did - conducted an interview with Craig himself (read it here, it's quite good) and he goes balls deep about where the band was, where they're at now, the behind-the-scenes BS and the kind of singer and the kind of person he wants to be now. Going further with such an individual, be sure to listen to Shane Told's interview with him for the Lead Singer Syndrome podcast (listen here) because nothing is held back in that chat.

Only time will tell if Craig's character has truly straightened out and if he's really wised up. For now, at least, fans can try to separate the art from the artist and enjoy this new single. Like so much of Slaves music, though, it still just sounds like Emarosa 2.0, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I cannot say I'm excited for a new Slaves record but hey, this was the first song of theirs I didn't forget about once it ended, so do with that info what you will.

Oslow - 'Cold Dark Space'

If you aren't aware of Sydney four-piece, Oslow, well congratulations, I just introduced you two! And what luck you have with such an introduction, as they've just dropped their solid new single, 'Cold Dark Space', which comes from their self-titled full-length record out February 10th via Resist Records. And man, what a 2000's themed emo, Title Fight-worship tune it is!

With that being said, while the song is good, if generic, the video feels very DIY and is pretty low budget overall. I doubt that with the band not being on a major label and with their particular sound they aren't all rolling in the Benjamins. And I get that that music video is showing the personal emptiness and physical vacancy that pertains to the song's message of interpersonal relationships, but you know what works really well for that? Actual fucking emptiness and actual physical vacancy! Having a rather dull, visually uninteresting "live" performance of the song being played in a random room, with a projector overlaying your album's artwork atop your static bodies (which Touche Amore and Ceres already did) doesn't really cut it for a video. Though, I suppose that far more vapid and less interesting videos have been made before. Plus, the band wanted, or rather, needed something to show off for the single and in the lead-up to the album's release so fair enough. But christ, watching this video and seeing the scenes at 1:30 and 3:15 where two of the band members were sitting idly by themselves around the house was like watching myself at my friends' houses when I get up before they do in the mornings.

Anyway, in summary: 'Cold Dark Space' is really good but nothing new for the genre, Oslow's debut album will probably be fucking awesome, and you shouldn't really bother with this music video.

Starset - 'Vessels' (album)

All right fam, if you're looking for some lengthy, epic hard rock tunes to embrace you, with plenty of added narratives to chew on and muse over as well, please look no further than Starset's latest space opera; 'Vessels'. I have already gone over this band and their second record in-depth here, so I will save you all a bit of time and say that Starset is like Periphery-meets-Skillet with a decent visual gimmick to be found (they play in full space suits live) and as I said above, there's plenty of inner musical lore and plot to be discovered here.

Seriously, shit gets deeeeeeeeeeeep.

Also, their vocalist, Dustin Bates, is basically the Albert Einstien or Neil deGrasse Tyson, if you will, of the rock world.

Anyway, the album's opening song, 'Satellite', is an utter jam. Stream it below and then go stream the whole 16 album because it's out now. Like, right now.

Palisades - 'Fall'

If I could sum up New Jersey's Palisades as briefly as possible, it would be this: "Issues, just minus most of the screaming and groovy, nu-metal vibes." Which sadly doesn't leave much to be desired musically for this band, I must admit. Going further with this train of thought, it is bands like Issues that are leaving these guys for dead! It also doesn't help Palisades' clean, polished post-hardcore sound isn't that heavy nor that impactful and it could never hope to touch that of Emarosa, or hell, even the aforementioned Slaves. For an Australian comparison, that's also of a higher quality, look towards someone like Awaken I Am.

Of course, that's just me and my (often) correct opinion. Palisades self-titled album just came out on January 20th, and if you're a Rise Records sweater and fan of poppy "metal" bands, then this one is for you!

My Echo - 'Meet You There'

If you've read any other compilation lists that I've written for Killyourstereo.com, then you know I love using technicalities to include various songs and bands. As such, capping off this list is the swagger-filled Melbourne rock quartet, My Echo, whose new song 'Meet You There' was released prior to the seven day time period in which I've set this article within. But I only heard of this new track within the past week, so yeah, it's gettin' a mention!

Made up of Brenton Perry, Henry Hollingsworth, Tom Snowdon, and Steve Peluso, the music that these four blokes create is of the loud, honest, crisp and lush kind, whether it's 'Meet You There' or their short but sweet single, 'Old & Grey'. It's the kind of rock music that's great for seeing at your local pub, on a large stage in front of a giant crowd, when being a part of your gym playlist, or on the car radio or via your headphones while on the tube to your shitty day job.

These working class punks have a real sense of brevity to their music; it is a song never goes for longer than it should. Yes, My Echo's music that may not be that original, but goddamn is it drenched in sweat and soul, backed up by brash guitars and dulcet vocals. And 'Meet You There' is just that.

My Echo's new single is streaming over on Triple J Unearthed (ew), or better yet you can stream it below in full and not have to taint your browser history.