Alvvays — “Pharmacist”
Canadian rock band Alvvays has returned after a five-year hiatus with a much-anticipated album, “Blue Rev,” set for release on Oct. 7. The first single and album opener, “Pharmacist,” is a stellar reminder of what fans have missed. “Blue Rev” was recorded with producer Shawn Everett (Kacey Musgraves, The Killers, War on Drugs, Perfume Genius) and features new band members Sheridan Riley on drums and Abbey Blackwell on bass.
Lava La Rue — “Don’t Come Back”
West London-based musician Lava La Rue dropped a new EP last week that features this standout track. “Don’t Come Back” has a lush sound that plays artfully against the painful essence of the song’s lyrics. ”’Don’t Come Back’ is about being in a relationship where you know that person isn’t good for you. But you can’t help but go back and forth with them. Instead of ripping off the band-aid, it’s tearing it off slowly, and scratching at the scabs,” they said.
Jesca Hoop — “Hatred Has a Mother”
Jesca Hoop recently shared “Hatred Has a Mother,” the first single from a new album called “Order of Romance.” The track has a unique and engaging sound, propelled forward by call and response verses and bursts of joyous horns, that only heightens the anticipation for her full release due out in September. “I set out to mature as a writer, to further clarity my voice and stance, through melodies and phrases only I can construct,” said Hoop of the songs she wrote for the album.