Now that it’s been about 4 months since concerts and festivals dried up, we’re building up quite a list of new songs that we haven’t been able to see performed live yet. Here’s a list of great new tunes that we are sooo looking forward to hearing live someday!
Romes – “Lose My Cool”
Anyone who follows me on Twitter knows that Romes is one of those bands that I never shut up about. I first saw them opening for Mutemath in 2017 and instantly fell in love. My friend and I loved their set so much we took a bus to Cleveland the next morning to see them again! Their debut album came out later during that tour, and they’ve since released a few remixes and new tracks. To date, I think this might be one of my favorites. “Lose My Cool” keeps the fun energy I love from their previous releases, and combines it with a summery surfy riff and catchy lyrics to create the perfect summer track. I absolutely can’t wait until I get to hear this track live, even if it might not be ’till next summer.
Tiny Stills – “Craigslist Bed”
I first became aware of the band Tiny Stills when they were featured on the Sundressed song “Heart Lies” that came out last year. The band had originally scheduled their release to precede their April/May US tour with labelmate Bristol to Memory, but the cancellation of the tour means this release was pushed back to, well, now! This song is super catchy, and I can’t wait to (hopefully) hear it live at FEST in Florida next October.
Oceanator – “A Crack in the World”
New York-based artist Oceanator (the solo project of Elise Okusami) recently released the single “A Crack in the World” from upcoming album Things I Never Said. The lyrics, which are all too relatable, describe the struggle of trying to find your place in life, while also enjoying the little things along the way. Although the song’s lyrics discuss heavy emotions, the song is incredibly calming to listen to, and would be fun to see live!
Jhariah – “Whose Eye Is It Anyway???”
Jhariah’s latest EP, To Mend the Sun, came out back in March, but is too good for me not to include it. Each track is somewhat different, yet they all seamlessly connect. My favorite from the release, “Whose Eye Is It Anyway???” really reminds me of Panic! at the Disco’s A Fever You Can’t Sweat. The EP as a whole feels like a more polished, theatrical take on the gothic/horror rock established in the UK back in the 1980s. Overall, this is an absolutely brilliant release, and I know I’ll be listening to it until it’s safe to go outside again (when hopefully I’ll be able to catch some of this music live).
Gerard Way – Here Comes the End (feat. Judith Hill)
Released alongside (and featured in) the trailer for Season 2 of The Umbrella Academy (out July 31 on Netflix), the song fits right in with the first season’s soundtrack. “I was originally inspired to write this track when series one of The Umbrella Academy was being shot,” Way explained. “By the time I finished it 2020 was in full swing, the world had taken a profound turn and the song was finished in a surreal new reality.” The song was also inspired by current global events, The Rolling Stones, and the ’90s output of Primal Scream. Although it’s been a couple years since Gerard Way released and toured his solo album Hesitant Alien (a tour I’m still sad I missed… Thanks mom.), his band My Chemical Romance is set to tour the US and UK next year.
Yours Truly – “Together”
Australian band Yours Truly’s debut album self care is coming out September 18th. “Together” is the second single from this album, and is sure to please the pop punk fans out there. I first saw this band when they opened for Senses Fail and Hot Mulligan, and loved their set! I’m excited to hear their new album when it comes out, and hopefully they’ll (eventually) get to tour on it here in the states!
Tom Morello, Shea Diamond, Dan Reynolds, and The Bloody Beetroots – “Stand Up”
Released earlier this month, “Stand Up” is a collaboration between Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello, activist and artists Shea Diamond, Imagine Dragon’s Dan Reynolds, and The Bloody Beetroots’ Bob Rifo. The song was inspired by current events, and proceeds from the song are being donated to the NAACP, Know Your Rights Camp, Southern Poverty Law Center, and the Marsha P. Johnson Institute. Last week, the artists did a livestream discussing the song, which is available for viewing on YouTube. You can also read more about the collaboration here.
Check out the playlist below to hear these songs and more that have come out recently!
What tracks have come out recently that you can’t wait to see live? Let us know in the comments!