Listen to “On Ice”

Michael Nau debuted in 2016 with a collection of uplifting, heartwarming, folk indie rock songs that proved more effective than comfort food on a sad day. The man with the soft voice is officially back on Suicide Squeeze as Michael Nau and The Mighty Thread, to incorporate some new band members, and just dropped new single “On Ice,” off their upcoming album of the same name. It’s woozy in all the right ways, and will send you spiraling into a vortex of good vibrations. So press play and surrender.

Listen to “Feels Like Summer”

Childish Gambino, the moniker of creative genius overachiever Donald Glover, released two new songs last week off an upcoming mystery album that, according to the artist, will be his last. The tracks, “Summertime Magic” and “Feels Like Summer” are both heavily, well, summer centric, with steady grooves and beats that’ll have you reaching for a colorful tiny umbrella to put in your poolside cocktail ASAP. Although a pretty acute contrast from his incredible jaw-dropping “This Is America,” Childish Gambino still has that smooth R&B flow that initially garnered him the attention he so very much deserves. So listen up. Feels like summer for sure.

Listen to Wild Nothing’s “Partners in Motion”

Like many bands dispensing music these days, Wild Nothing is cruising that new wave sound so hard you’ll think they slipped straight out of an ’80s comp. On new single “Partners In Motion,” off forthcoming album Indigo – out August 31st on Captured Tracks – frontman Jack Tatum balances his synth-heavy sheen with a steady guitar lament that’s undeniably infectious.

Listen to Black Belt Eagle Scout

Black Belt Eagle Scout is the new project of musician Katherine Paul, and lead single “Soft Stud,” off her forthcoming debut, reminds me of the angst ridden days of classic KROQ ballads that somehow soothed my confused high school heart. Recorded in the middle of winter in Northwest Washington, a sort of cold I can’t even begin to comprehend, the album bristles with longing and eerily beautiful arrangements that somehow work even on these sweltering California days. Mother of My Children drops September 14th on Saddle Creek.

Violent Femmes and Echo & The Bunnymen are TOURING

That’s right. The one and only Violent Femmes are doing a short stint of shows with Echo & The Bunnymen in July, and afterwards hitting the road for a fall run of their own. Check cities and dates below, because some of these spots are pretty random as fuck. But if you’re lucky enough to live in one of these places, please, for the love of music, go see them. Make us jealous.

JULY
17 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium %
18 – State Bank Amphitheater – Atlanta, GA #
20 – Lake Buena Vista, FL – House of Blues %
21 – St. Augustine, FL – Saint Augustine Amphitheatre #
23 – Richmond, VA – The National %
24 – Norfolk, VA – Norva #
25 – Washington, DC – The Anthem %

OCTOBER
26 – Mr. Smalls – Pittsburgh, PA
27 – Radio 104.5’s Halloween Hootenany (The Block at Harrah’s) – Philadelphia, PA
28 – Brooklyn Steel – Brooklyn, NY
30 – The Royale – Boston, MA
31 – MTELUS – Montreal, QC

NOVEMBER
2 – Queen Elizabeth Theater – Toronto, ON
3 – Majestic – Detroit, MI
4 – The Vic – Chicago, IL