Underground Sounds with Chad Miller: January 2024
By Chad Miller - Summit FM Music Director
What's everyone been listening to out there? There's been an AVALANCHE of great new songs coming at us to start the new year, as per usual, with STILL more to come! Easily the most exciting time of the year in our world of music, that I get to sort through and play them for you on the radio. So much new music coming at us, so little time...however, these songs that might fly under the radar to most are what I've been diggin' most especially these past few weeks!
Like what you hear? Please email me at chad@thesummit.fm and let me know what you think!
Future Islands "The Tower"
Quickly becoming one of my favorite songs of the early part of this new year is the latest from this long-time synth-rock band from Baltimore. No one does earnest, meaningful, and sincere yearning with vocals, like lead singer Samuel T. Herring, and it's so clearly evident on this low-key banger. In a song that explores the duality of both light and dark, both literally and metaphorically, Herring's passionate delivery peaks with moments in the chorus, that almost makes one want to give a restrained fist pumping response, that really takes this song to the top. The band's seventh album "People Who Aren't There Anymore," will be released January 26th, on 4AD Records.
Khruangbin "A Love International"
Arriving very recently, is the return of one of the most intriguing and musically tight bands who specialize greatly in a world beat sound, highly influenced by many genres, including soul, dub, and psychedelia, with the most technically sound and charismatic playing you'll ever see in a live setting. After selling out pretty much every tour behind their last album from four years ago, Khruangbin are poised for big things in 2024, with a tour to be announced soon, now that album announce is public. Chill vibes are what this band is all about, but when they pick up the pace, look out! Go see this band live, and just try not to get totally immersed in the groove and the dance party that each crowd becomes! The highly anticipated new album "A la Sala" arrives April 5th, on Dead Oceans Records.
Liam Gallagher & John Squire "Just Another Rainbow"
A couple of Britpop legends of the '90s getting together for quite a collaboration on this one! After thinking about it too, you kind of wonder why something like this hasn't happened yet, but hey...better late than never. Liam Gallagher, of Oasis, and John Squire, of The Stone Roses, are certainly both known for their guitar rock prowess, and that's exactly what we get on this new song which teases much more to come. This coming together of UK legends all started with John joining Liam onstage at the Knebworth Music Festival, in 2022, to help out on the song "Champagne Supernova," and the rest is history. These two are finishing up what will be a collaborative album to be released at some point later this year, so stay tuned for that. Ever the self-promoter (or blowhard?), Liam has proudly bragged that it'll be "the best record since "Revolver"! Okay, Liam...haha!
Mama Zu "Lip"
One of the great tragedies in our world of music in recent years was the passing of Jessie Zazu, lead singer of the criminally underappreciated band Those Darlins, to cervical cancer, in late 2017. They were one of the top young bands in Nashville throughout the late '00s, into the early '10s, specializing in both a tough no-nonsense roots rock sound, with the attitude and presentation of a gritty garage rock band fully powered by the magnetic presence of Zazu. Turns out she and their drummer, Linwood Regensburg, had also been making music, here and there, as just the two of them. This will now get a proper full album release under the name Mama Zu, with "Quilt Floor" being released February 23rd, via Thirty Tigers. After the passage of time and the much-needed healing process, it’s so satisfying and joyful to see her spirit live on with this new album.
Real Estate "Water Underground"
Few bands in the world of indie rock bring a smile to my face, upon hearing their music, quite like this New Jersey based band. Lead singer Martin Courtney has said that this is a song that's kind of about writing songs, in that the way ideas for things can sometimes swim around in your head, while filtering through your unconscious, fostering songs getting stuck in your head even more. This band does melodic, catchy, and jangly rock SO well, and this one to me is just irresistible, and may be their best song yet. Check out the music video too, as it's a bit of a tribute to the '90s television show "The Adventure of Pete & Pete," which aired on Nickelodeon. Real Estate will be releasing their sixth album "Daniel," on February 23rd, on Domino Records.
Waxahatchee "Right Back to It"
A beloved figure in the world of indie-rock who, in recent years, has leaned into more of a roots rock sound, very much influenced by her idol Lucinda Williams, Waxahatchee (the project of Katie Crutchfield) makes her return with a gorgeous song about the ebbs and flows of relationships, in what's a rather unconventional love song. But this is what we've come to expect from the music of Waxahatchee over the past few years. Love songs that are gritty and unromantic, but, in that way, reflect more real-life situations. Always revisiting her wins and losses with situations like these, her songs become instantly relatable, and with her delivery and persona always so delicate, it's so easy to love the music that she has to share every time. This particular track also features guitar contributions from MJ Lenderman, from indie-rock band Wednesday, who adds the perfect touches of harmony as well. What a lovely music video this is as they’re both seen floating down a muddy river in the south, on a pontoon boat. I've always found the music of Katie Crutchfield, as Waxahatchee, to be absolutely swoon-worthy, and I think you will too. The highly anticipated new album "Tigers Blood" will be out March 22nd, on Anti- Records.