Lemuria perform at Fest 2014. Photo by Nicole Kilbert.
Lemuria, “Foggy Smoke”
Single. Silver Sprocket.
With the temperatures rapidly dropping, there’s nothing that will make you feel more warm and fuzzy inside than a new Lemuria track. Ask and ye shall receive, because Stereogum premiered just that last week. “Foggy Smoke” is a new single by the partly-D.C. via Buffalo, N.Y. indie-pop trio that’s on their new 7-inch/comic book collaboration with cartoonist Mitch Clem. The track has classic Lemuria vibes: fuzzed-out riffs, a driving rhythm section, and a sugary sweet refrain (“I hate you / As much as I love you / I hate you / As much”) from guitarist/vocalist Sheena Ozzella. Curl up by the fire with a hot cup of cocoa, a good book, and blast this sweet power pop-punk anthem. — Matt Cohen
Teething Veils, “Constellations”
Single. Exte Records.
The title track from Constellations, the new album from D.C.’s Teething Veils, out on Etxe Records, is 25 minutes long. This happens to be the same length of the only other song on this dark, brooding album. “Constellations” slowly builds with a drum beat pulsing underneath while dual guitar strums harmonize with each other. The ringing guitar strumming tell the story of the song until more atmospheric guitars gradually fill in the space along with an increasingly activated drum set, and then, finally, the lyrics take over until the stripped down end.
It would be easy to simply call this track post-rock, but there’s much more going on than that. The poetic lyrics detail the reflective isolation after the end of a relationship in a way that’s simultaneously direct, thoughtful, and otherworldly. This is music that tempts you to enter into the darkness that envelops every single note and every single word it contains. I bet if you take the time to listen, you’ll find a way to enjoy every emotionally devastating moment of it. —Alex Tebeleff
Yesterday’s Saints, “Origen Adamantius”
Single. Self-Released.
Virginia’s Yesterday’s Saints made a huge mark on the D.C. metal scene in 2011 with their debut self-titled EP. After many moon phases of toiling behind closed doors, their first full-length album, Generation of Vipers, is due to drop in 2015. The Saints have blessed us with an early release of the first song from the forthcoming album, called “Origen Adamantius.”
This one starts out with some solemn Gregorian chanting, then it kicks into high gear, like a right cross to the jaw. Amidst numerous tempo shifts, thick, powerful guitar riffs are complemented by brilliant drumming from Albert Born (that double bass!). The range of vocals from singer Matt Rice go from low, evil growls to clean, high cries to the heavens, and lead this song like a field commander into battle. If this song is any indication of what is to come from Generation of Vipers, we are in for one hell of a ride. — Jon Pacella
Young Rapids, “Melt”
Single. Chimes Records.
D.C.’s Young Rapids, fresh off a short hiatus and with a new lineup in tow have released the first single, aptly titled “Melt” from their upcoming second album Pretty Ugly, which is set to see the light of day in early 2015 on new local label, Chimes Records. Their first release since 2012’s DAY LIGHT SAVINGS, the track finds the band expanding the limits of experimentation while delivering their now recognizable dreamy vocals and sharp, blissful keyboard tones.
Still, it’s the band’s renewed focus on searing, distorted guitar melodies that brings the track together through varying levels of intensity and structure. A shredding solo builds perfectly into Dan Gleason’s shadowy vocals, which alternate between somber reflections and howls of rejected misplacement. “Melt” is a sweet taste of things to come for one of D.C.’s tightest bands, and pumps new energy into the area’s growing indie rock scene. —Quinn Myers
