Underground Sounds with Chad Miller: January 2025
By Chad Miller - Summit FM Music Director
What's everyone been listening to out there? 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' these past few weeks!
Like what you hear? Please email me at chad@thesummit.fm and let me know what you think!
Birdtalker "Season of Charade"
A criminally underrated rootsy-folk band out of Nashville, the always energetic Birdtalker returns in a really fun way with this infectious new song off their third album, "All Means, No End," now available via Tone Tree Music. Big-sounding, out-in-front vocals with bold and bright harmonies lead the way with playful lyrics that you might find yourself singing along to before the end of your first listen to this song. It's what this group, fronted by Zack and Dani Green along with Brian Seligman and Chris Wilson, has been doing effortlessly ever since their debut album was released seven years ago.
There's so much energy, sincerity, and joy coming from this song, like all the music in their discography, that it's just a pleasure to listen to. Play this song immediately and have fun with it all while fully embracing the good feels it brings.
Blondshell "T&A"
Sabrina Teitelbaum, who essentially is Blondshell, is SO good at laying out and describing personal situations that ultimately leave her very, very disappointed. It's a familiar theme that carries through to her forthcoming second album, "If You Asked for a Picture" to be released May 2 on Partisan Records.
An artist and songwriter who is very blunt with the songs she creates, Teitlebaum pulls no punches here as this song deals with a love that sort of happens by accident in a narrative that's a little sexualized and romantic both at the same time. Basically, a typical Blondshell song referring to a hint of self-destructive tendencies but with big crunchy guitars as well. Not to mention the humor referred to in the music video of the old "men are dogs" maxim in that a lot of times a man's bark can mostly amount to just being scared, in this case exposing a subtle nuance to dudes with tough exteriors. This song rocks so much, as does Blondshell.
Hamilton Leithauser "Knockin Heart"
After a much appreciated and well-received last several years resurrecting his beloved indie rock band The Walkmen, who toured quite a bit the last two years, the lead singer of that NYC group, Hamilton Leithauser, returns with his third solo album, "This Side of the Island" coming March 7 on Glassnote Records and produced by Aaron Dessner of The National.
The one thing that's always so noticeable and impossible to overlook with Leithauser is the insane vocal range that he possesses, hitting the highest of notes with a prowess that's always just incredibly impressive. That range and yearning are front and center here on this one, which tells the tale of an estranged and likely inebriated lover trying to get through to someone who's absolutely not hearing it. Just an incredible voice and exemplary songwriting on display from what one might call the singer of a rock band but with a style that's way too eclectic and different to be considered as such necessarily. I love this fella, and I'm still holding out hope that he and The Walkmen will eventually reunite for a new album of their own soon, too!
Japanese Breakfast "Orlando in Love"
Pretty much the first big splashy song release to kick off this new year, Michelle Zauner is back as Japanese Breakfast in a wistful and gorgeous song from the forthcoming new album "For Melancholy Brunettes (and Sad Women)," out March 21 on Dead Oceans Records. It's interesting now that Zauner is perhaps more known as an author than her music career. Her memoir, released four years ago, "Crying in H Mart," was written primarily about her relationship with her mother, and it quickly became a New York Times #1 bestseller. But her music career has found much success as well.
This new song of hers, as the album title might suggest, leans into a bit more of a moody soundscape and tone being set, quite the opposite feel from her huge breakthrough album "Jubilee," which was also released in 2021 and was everywhere that summer in our world of radio. I am very, very excited about the return of Japanese Breakfast and what's to come from her music project this year.
Lambrini Girls "Love"
Sometimes you need a loud dose of intense punk rock attitude in your life, ya know?! Well, hold onto your butts because it arrives in full force from this Brighton, UK-based duo of singer/guitarist Phoebe Lunny and bassist Lilly Macieira. Together as Lambrini Girls, they definitely have something to say, alright.
The world in which we live and participate is in a pretty bad spot right now, but these two women remind us of the fundamental basics: It all comes back to love, even if it can get messy.
Truly chronicling the chaotic nature of present-day life, this song lands with the equivalent of an immense megaton bomb going off. It also gives a glimpse of what to expect from their live show as well! Their long-awaited debut album, "Who Let the Dogs Out," was released earlier this month via City Slang Records, and a nearly sold-out UK tour is slated to kick off soon, with a US tour following later this spring. Play this one loud!
My Morning Jacket "Time Waited"
This new song is a welcome return from the mighty My Morning Jacket. It is the lead single from their forthcoming tenth album, "Is," which arrives on March 21 on ATO Records.
The first time I listened to this one, it really spoke to me for two reasons: First, the urgency of taking advantage of life, as we're all only here for a short time. Second, it's also rather poignant and almost a bit of a love song. Lead singer Jim James has always displayed idealistic romanticism in his music, alongside the recognition of how delicate life and love can be.
There has been no mention of tour dates yet in support of this new album, which will be their first in just over three years, but those details will arrive soon enough. Take full advantage of seeing these legends in concert, though, as they put on one of the most thrilling rock shows you will ever see!