Nuclear Daisies’ new single brings you “Infinite Joy.”

Photo by Azeta

There’s an obscured beauty and a slithering cool that oozes throughout First Taste of Heaven– It’s raw and driving, powerful and playful, all with direct songwriting that is as revelatory as it is mysterious and compelling. Nuclear Daisies is made up of Austin players Rob Glynn (ex Temple of Angels), Alex Gehring (Ringo Deathstarr) and Robby Williams. Together the three created a record that is literally and figuratively– an eye-opening, DMT-soaked view at a world in chaos– not to mention a new vision for 90’s alternative and big beat for the next generation. 

First Taste of Heaven is about life in all its glory and shroud– a post-apocalyptic journey through celebration, love, heartache, pain, acceptance and finally transcendence– physical, spiritual and even supernatural. And though the creation of the record was based on personal trials and tribulations, it also offered escapism from that same harsh reality in the form of catharsis and healing. 

“Infinite Joy”, available today announces itself with the snap and the thump of a breakbeat and a snarling bassline, starkly contrasting from Gehring’s breathy, seductive vocals which drive the track. The juxtaposition adds drama to pensive lyrics that mine the dredges of mental health and the road to recovery. “The lyrics perfectly express the depths of depression and the hopelessness that someone can feel to claw their way out of it,” admits Gehring. 

Listen / Share / Playlist “Infinite Joy”

Nuclear Daisies tracked First Taste of Heaven at Hungry Dog Sound & Studio in Austin, Texas with Williams at the helm over the course of a year. Their inspiration was less obvious – “I’d say it wasn’t specific productions but more specific vibes that we wanted to emulate,” specifies Williams. “We had clear visions of how we wanted certain songs to not only sound, but feel too– very sci-fi and dystopian. One song we wanted to feel like attending the vampire rave from ‘Blade’– tense, pulsing, but also a little bit dangerous. We wanted a different track to feel like the underground rave at the end of the world from ‘The Matrix’ – just sort of this lawless party of no rules at the end of days. There were also times when Alex would be in the booth and we’d say ‘sing it like you’re crying’ or ‘try it like a dead choir member.’ There are a lot of wild influences in there that come from disparate places and not just conventional ideas.”

First Taste of Heaven is droney, cacophonous, and antagonistic yet serene and with melodic pop sensibilities that hook into you and don’t let go. It’s the follow up to their 2022 S/T debut which featured hit single “Heaven In Your Head”. Nuclear Daisies will soon see its reissue via Portrayal of Guilt Records in addition to the release of First Taste of Heaven on August 1.

Pre-Order / Pre-Save First Taste of Heaven

Keep your mind open.

[I’d feel infinite joy if you subscribed.]

[Thanks to Bailey at Another Side!]

WSND DJ set list: Deep Dive of Sly and The Family Stone

Thanks to all who listened to my Deep Dive of Sly and The Family Stone on WSND. Here’s the set list in case you missed it!

  1. Sly and The Family Stone – Everyday People
  2. The Stewart Four – On the Battlefield
  3. The Viscaynes – Yellow Moon
  4. Danny (Sly) Stewart – A Long Time Alone
  5. James Brown – Love Don’t Love Nobody
  6. Booker T and The MG’s – Green Onions
  7. Otis Redding – I’ve Been Loving You Too Long
  8. The Impressions – People Get Ready
  9. Bobby Womack – Woman’s Gotta Have It
  10. The Beau Brummels – Laugh Laugh
  11. The Mojo Men – Dance with Me
  12. Bobby Freeman – C’mon and Swim
  13. The Great Society – Somebody to Love
  14. Dionne Warwick – Don’t Make Me Over
  15. Sly and The Family Stone – Let Me Hear It from You
  16. The Dirtbombs – Underdog
  17. Sly and The Family Stone – Dance to the Music
  18. The Four Tops – Reflections
  19. The Undisputed Truth – California Soul
  20. Sly and The Family Stone – M’Lady
  21. Sly and The Family Stone – Into My Own Thing
  22. Fatboy Slim – Weapon of Choice
  23. The Jackson 5 – Stand!
  24. Sly and The Family Stone – Sing a Simple Song (live)
  25. Little Sister – Somebody’s Watching You
  26. Sly and The Family Stone – Thank You (Falletinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (Todd CD mix)
  27. Daryl Hall & Sharon Jones – Hot Fun in the Summertime (live)
  28. Sly and The Family Stone – Higher / Music Lover (live)
  29. Bob Marley & The Wailers – Put It On
  30. Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On
  31. Sly and The Family Stone – Luv ‘n’ Haight
  32. Iggy Pop – Family Affair
  33. Sly and The Family Stone – In Time
  34. Red Hot Chili Peppers – If You Want Me to Stay
  35. Sly and The Family Stone – Time for Livin’ (alternate version)
  36. Rose Banks – Darling Baby
  37. Graham Central Station – Your Love
  38. Sly Stone – The Same Thing (Makes You Laugh, Makes You Cry)
  39. Earth, Wind & Fire – Good Time
  40. Sly Stone – His Eye Is on the Sparrow

I’m back July 13th with a Deep Dive of The Beach Boys!

Keep your mind open.

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Review: Rival Consoles – Landscape from Memory

Ryan Lee West, known to many as the man behind Rival Consoles, has put together his ninth album, Landscape from Memory, “from a scrapbook of discarded audio snippets” (according to a press release sent me) and synths and sounds made in hotel rooms and other spaces after taking a year off from music and, for a little while, losing his creative spark.

Thankfully, Rival Consoles found the energy and drive again and has released a fine record of ambient music, dance grooves, and atmospheric sonics. “In Reverse” starts the album with Radiohead-like synth bumps and bubbles and acoustic guitar that drifts in and out of those synths like happy birds coasting between trees. The beautiful “Catherine” is a song for West’s love, who helped him rediscover his love for composition and creating soundscapes.

“Drum Song” is well-named for its thumping, bumping beats. “Soft Gradient Beckons” is the sound of a happy, robotic bird waking up with the sun. It perfectly floats into “Gaivotas,” and that nicely drifts into the almost-industrial dance track “Coda.” “Known Shape” is an almost weightless dance track that feels like something you’d hear in a spaceport lounge. The fade out of “Nocturne” will make you feel like you’re calmly walking into or out of a fog.

“Jupiter” pulls you in like its namesake’s gravity and gets your toes tapping as you slide into orbit and feel your molecules vibrating. “In a Trance” (made in a New York hotel room) might put you there, and the ethereal “If Not Now” will help you stay in that meditative state for a while longer. The synths on “2 Forms” sound like they’re half-awake but still helping you dance at 3am.

“Tape Loop” has a twinge of suspense to it, and the title track closes the album with an uplifting energy – the kind that West found while making the track and the rest of the album while dealing with…well, everything everyone is dealing with right now.

Memory is often fuzzy, and creating or describing a landscape from it is often wrought with inaccuracies. This landscape created by Rival Consoles, however, feels lush and familiar…even in the darker parts. It feels like the right place at the right moment – which is right now.

Keep your mind open.

[Why rely on memory to come back to the site for more reviews? Subscribe and let us remember for you.]

[Thanks to George at Terrorbird Media.]

Cass McCombs calls for “Peace” on his new single from his new album due August 15, 2025.

Photo Credit – Silvia Grav

Cass McCombs announces his new album, Interior Live Oak, out August 15th via Domino, and releases a new single/video, “Peace.” Interior Live Oak is Cass’s most personal album to date, and, more than any previous record, shows Cass’ vast range as a lyricist and musician. It draws from everything Cass has created over two decades of experimentation to cut through with a direct and clarifying light. Throughout, his attitude is hopeful, which may sound odd for someone who often sings about the more extreme aspects of modern life. Interior Live Oak, however, is the resolve of someone who has lived those extremes. 

In creating Interior Live Oak, McCombs was inspired by the return to Domino and the revisitation of his early material in last year’s reissue campaign and the archival release, Seed Cake on Leap Year. This led him to work with some of his earliest collaborators in the Bay Area, including Jason Quever (Papercuts) and Chris Cohen, among others. Additional recording in New York City brought contributions from other perennial collaborators, including Matt Sweeney and Mike Bones, whose guitar work has always been a favorable complement to Cass’ own distinctive style. Interior Live Oak simultaneously expands upon his vision and is a return to a more economical form.
 
Following Interior Live Oak’s “Priestess,” released earlier this year alongside a Tiny Desk Concert, today’s single, “Peace,” is a straightforward rocker with serpentine riffs. “Peace is what we say when we say goodbye,” Cass sings, bidding a melancholy farewell. 

Watch the Video for “Peace”

In a time of temporal anxieties, Cass’ music seeks an alternate route to break through the noise and discover a moment of presence— of beauty. As NPR Music puts it, his songs “are slow, languid and beautiful, which feels like the right counterbalance to our fast-paced times.” 

Coinciding with the release of Interior Live Oak, Cass will tour Europe with a mix of headline, festival, and support dates with Father John Misty. He’ll then return to the US for two headline dates in California and a show with MJ Lenderman. All dates are below, and tickets for the UK and California headline shows will be available on Wednesday, June 18th here. 

Pre-order Interior Live Oak

Watch the Lyrics Video for “Priestess”

Watch Cass McCombs’ Tiny Desk Concert

Cass McCombs Tour Dates
(New Dates in Bold)
Wed. Aug. 13 – Porto, PT @ Paredes de Coura ^
Sat. Aug. 17 – Crickhowell, UK @ Green Man Festival ^
Tue. Aug. 19 – Bristol, UK @Lantern Hall ^
Wed. Aug. 20 – London, UK @Bush Hall ^
Thu. Aug. 21 – Manchester, UK @ YES ^
Sat. Aug. 23 – Galway, IE @ Leisureland * % 
Sun. Aug. 24 – Dublin, IE @ Wider Than Pictures Festival * % 
Mon. Aug. 25 – Belfast, IE @ Ulster Hall * % 
Tue. Aug. 26 – Cork, IE @ City Hall * % 
Thu. Aug. 28 – Glasgow, SCT @ Barrowland * % 
Fri. Aug. 29 – Glasgow, SCT @ Barrowland * % 
Wed. Sept. 10 – San Diego, CA @The Casbah ^
Thu. Sept. 11 – Los Angeles, CA @ Shrine Expo Hall & ^
Fri. Sept. 12 – Riverside, CA @Farmhouse ^

* with Father John Misty
& with MJ Lenderman, Nap Eyes
% Solo
^ Full Band Performance

Keep your mind open.

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[Thanks to Jessica at Pitch Perfect PR.]

Review: Durand Jones and The Indications – Flowers

For their newest album, Flowers, Durand Jones and The Indications went back to the days of recording to simple equipment while they were all college students at Indiana University, only this time it was just the three of them (Aaron Frazer – drums and vocals, Durand Jones – vocals, and Blake Rhein – guitar) recording in their guitarist’s Chicago studio crafted after multiple successful albums and world tours. The result is an album that lets them get their flowers, as the kids say, and enjoy and build upon their successes both as a band and with their own solo projects.

The lush, brief, titular intro track lets you know this is going to be a lovely time, and sure enough, the beats and bass (courtesy of Michael Montgomery) prove this on “Paradise” — in which Frazer sings about how he must be mad to keep pursuing an unresponsive lover, but he can’t help it. Jones has convinced his lover, at least, because “Lover’s Paradise” has them doing everything from traveling to Paris to catching a matinee.

Frazer and Jones both claim “I Need the Answer” to strife, war, and divisions on the next track. “Why’s it so hard to find the humanity when every man is more than just what you see?” Frazer asks, and Jones as “What will we leave for futures to see who we are?” We all want these answers. We need them. “Flower Moon” is so groovy that it practically warms up the bed for you.

We’re back to some heartbreak on “Really Wanna Be with You,” in which Jones sings about wishing he could be with someone who might’ve been the one, but the ship has sailed. “Been So Long” is about going back to your old stomping grounds and getting the scoop on everyone still there. “Everything” is about how a lover’s attention is all one needs. It’ll be on all of your bedroom mixes this year.

On “Rust and Steel,” Jones compares a crumbling relationship to a car that’s slowly breaking down, and then Frazer claims “A fancy car won’t get you far when you’re on your own” at the beginning of “If Not For Love,” which features a sharp saxophone solo from Mae Sun. The final track, “Without You,” is a plea for a lover to return after Jones realizes, too late, that he’s lost her thanks to his bad behavior.

Flowers is another solid album from DJI. They’ve yet to miss. Give them and this album all the flowers.

Keep your mind open.

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[Thanks to Sam at Pitch Perfect PR.]

Just Mustard release new single, “Pollyanna,” and new tour dates.

Photo credit – Kate Lawlor

Ireland’s Just Mustard return with a new single/video, “POLLYANNA,” via Partisan, and announce an intimate New York show on Tuesday, September 9th at National Sawdust. Following the release of their “thrillingly untraditional” (NME) 2022 breakout, Heart Under, “POLLYANNA” is a luminous and lurching first tease of their highly anticipated third album due later this year. Anchored by the group’s signature sonic disorientation but newly embracing directness and melody, “POLLYANNA” sets the tone for a new era of Just Mustard, one that finds beauty in contradiction, pairing the raw power of noise-rock with a conflicted optimism that’s as disarming as it is cathartic. With warped guitars, submerged beats, and front woman Katie Ball’s dreamlike vocals pushed higher in the mix than ever before, it captures the band at a turning point: reaching for euphoria while wrestling with its emotional cost.

Ball, who directed the video herself, comments: “We shot the video using different CCTV and VHS cameras around our hometown Dundalk trying to have as much fun as possible, the kind of fun that makes you feel sick almost instantly, which suits the themes of the song.”

Watch the Video for “POLLYANNA”

Just Mustard is Katie Ball, David Noonan, Mete Kalyon, Rob Clarke, and Shane Maguire. Heart Under earned Just Mustard widespread acclaim, with the band racking up rave reviews from NME, The Telegraph, Pitchfork, DIY, The Independent, and plenty more. Their music has been championed by BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 1, KEXP, as well as The Cure, Depeche Mode and Fontaines D.C., all of whom they’ve supported on tour.

Following a string of festival dates, including Seisiún Festival in Boston, the band will return to New York City and then head to the UK/EU for select underplays in London, Paris and Berlin. A full list of dates is below.

Just Mustard Tour Dates
(New Dates in Bold)
Sat. Aug. 16 – Brecon Beacons, UK @ Green Man Festival
Sat. Aug. 30 – Stradbally, IE @ Electric Picnic
Sat. Sept. 6 – Sun. Sept. 7 – Boston, MA @ Seisiún Festival
Tue. Sept. 9 – Brooklyn, NY @ National Sawdust
Fri. Sept. 19 – Hamburg, DE @ Reeperbahn Festival
Mon. Sept. 22 – Berlin, DE @ Privatclub
Wed. Sept. 24 – Paris, FR @ Point Empemere
Thu. Sept. 25 – London, UK @ Hoxton Hall

Keep your mind open.

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[Thanks to Jaycee and Jessica at Pitch Perfect PR!]

WSND DJ set list: Manic Monday – June 23, 2025

Thanks to all who listened to my latest all-1980s show, “Manic Monday,” on WSND. Here’s the set list:

  1. Missing Persons – Words (1982) (requested)
  2. A Flock of Seagulls – Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You) (1983) (requested)
  3. Falco – Rock Me Amadeus (12″ Salieri version) (1985)
  4. Duran Duran – Union of the Snake (1983)
  5. Elton John – Paris (1986) (requested)
  6. The Go-Gos – Fading Fast (1981)
  7. Belinda Carlisle – Mad About You (1986)
  8. Men without Hats – Safety Dance (1982) (requested)
  9. Toto – I’ll Be Over You (1986) (requested)
  10. Electric Light Orchestra – All Over the World (1980)
  11. The Human League – The Things that Dreams Are Made Of (1981)
  12. Journey – Don’t Stop Believin’ (1981)
  13. Phil Collins – Against All Odds (1984)
  14. Claudio Simonetti – Demon (1985)
  15. The Gap Band – Big Fun (1986)
  16. Rick James – Give It to Me Baby (12″ version) (1981)
  17. Patti Labelle – New Attitude (1984)
  18. Animotion – Obsession (extended version) (1984)
  19. New Edition – Lost in Love (1984)
  20. Shannon – Do You Wanna Get Away (1985)
  21. Don Henley – All She Wants to Do Is Dance (1984)
  22. Bruce Springsteen – I’m on Fire (live) (1985)
  23. Boy Meets Girl – Oh Boy (1985)
  24. Atlantic Starr – Freak-a-Ristic (1985)
  25. Luther Vandross – ‘Til My Baby Comes Home (1985)
  26. Alison Moyet – Invisible (1984)
  27. Frankie Goes to Hollywood – Relax (12″ mix) (1984)
  28. Blue Öyster Cult – Shadow Warrior (1985) (requested)
  29. George Thorogood & The Destroyers – Who Do You Love? (live) (1980) (requested)
  30. The Rolling Stones – Emotional Rescue (1980)
  31. Rod Stewart – Love Touch (1986)
  32. Jesus and Mary Chain – Taste of Cindy (1985)
  33. The Psychedelic Furs – Wedding Song (1980)
  34. Alastair Riddell – Zero (1982)
  35. The Cure – Catch (1987)
  36. Fleetwood Mac – Hold Me (1982)

Manic Monday returns July 07th!

Keep your mind open.

Rewind Review: Pixel Grip – Arena (2021)

Just as we were starting to come out of the pandemic, Chicago’s Pixel Grip emerged from the weird state we were all in and gave us Arena – a wild record of dark wave, cold wave, techno, industrial grind, noise rock, and music designed to get us back into the groove of partying and screwing.

I mean, the album opens with throbbing bass and a song called “ALPHAPUSSY.” It’s a hot industrial track that grabs you by the throat (and crotch) and doesn’t let go for over three minutes. It picks up where Lords of Acid‘s “Pussy” left off. “Club Mania” thumps and bumps to keep the dance floor jumping. “Snap your neck, just to watch me walk up in the place,” says singer Rita Lukea – taking command of the club and your eardrums. “Take a break like a Kit-Kat candy bar,” she advises. You should probably take her up on it.

“Ruby” slides into sultry and spooky sounds, setting up perhaps a sexy liaison or a deadly encounter – your choice. The rolling synths (courtesy of Jonathan Freund and Tyler Ommen) of “Pursuit” sound great, and “Play Noble” is a neat switch for the band – briefly dabbling with electro-pop that mixes with dark synths in a cool combination as Lukea suggests, “Let’s stay up ’til the morning. This is your moment.” I hope you’re hydrated, not only for that invitation, but also for the following track, “Demon Chaser” (with guest vocals from MONĀE), which is nothing short of a hot, pulsing make-out track.

Just go ahead and put “Dancing on Your Grave” on both your Halloween and bedroom playlists. You’ll thank me and Pixel Grip later. The growling sound of it is like a panther circling you in the parking lot of a strip club while a murder of crows watches from the roof.

“Alibi” is brighter than most of the album’s tracks, and is a nice change because it shows off Lukea’s voice and how she can easily switch to lovely electro pop vocal stylings with seemingly no effort. They almost go full-synthwave on the closing track, “Double Vision,” which is another good showcase for Lukea’s voice and gives Freund and Ommen a great chance to show their love of Giorgio Moroder.

This whole record is dynamite. Get into this arena as soon as you can. You’ll like it there.

Keep your mind open.

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WSND DJ set list: Manic Monday – June 16, 2025

Thanks to everyone who listened and chimed in with requests for my latest all-80s music Manic Monday show on WSND. Here’s the set list:

  1. David Bowie – Blue Jean (1984)
  2. The Smithereens – Beauty and Sadness (1983)
  3. Cyndi Lauper – Time After Time (1984)
  4. Kajagoogoo – Too Shy (Midnight mix) (1982)
  5. Hall & Oates – Out of Touch (1984) (requested)
  6. The Cars – Drive (1984) (requested)
  7. Bruce Springsteen – I’m on Fire (1984)
  8. Toto – Rosanna (1982)
  9. Michael Jackson – Human Nature (1982)
  10. Chicago – Waiting for You to Decide (1982)
  11. The Tubes – Talk to Ya Later (1981)
  12. Madonna – Crazy for You (1985)
  13. Christine McVie – Got a Hold on Me (1984) (requested)
  14. Stevie Nicks – Bella Donna (1981)
  15. Animotion – Obsession (1984)
  16. Bauhaus – Telegram Sam (1980)
  17. Duran Duran – New Moon on Monday (extended version) (1983)
  18. Christopher Cross – A Chance for Heaven (1984)
  19. Shannon – Give Me Tonight (1984)
  20. Laid Back – White Horse (1983)
  21. Red Rider – Young Thing, Wild Dreams (1984)
  22. Queen – I Want to Break Free (1984)
  23. Timmy Thomas – Gotta Give a Little Love (1984)
  24. Kim Carnes – I Pretend (1983)
  25. Tracy Ullman – They Don’t Know About Us (1983)
  26. Cameo – She’s Strange (1984)
  27. Culture Club – Miss Me Blind (1983)
  28. Queen – A Kind of Magic (live) (1986) (requested)
  29. René & Angela – I’ll Be Good (12″ mix) (1985)
  30. Echo & The Bunnymen (1984) (requested)
  31. Xmal Deutschland – Großsstadindianer (1981)
  32. Little Toni Marsh – Video Burnout (1983)
  33. The D.O.C. – It’s Funky Enough (1989)
  34. The Smiths – There Is a Light That Never Goes Out (1986)
  35. Killing Joke – Eighties (1984)
  36. The Alarm – The Stand (1981)
  37. Circle Jerks – Operation (1980)
  38. Red Alert – In Britain (1982)
  39. Oingo Boingo (1987)
  40. Missing Persons – Words (1982) (requested)

I’m back on June 23rd for another three hours of 1980s music. Don’t miss it!

Keep your mind open.

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Rewind Review: Mdou Moctar – Funeral for Justice (2024)

Mdou Moctar‘s most recent album, Funeral for Justice, was recorded after two years of touring with his band, hearing music from all over the world, and seeing injustices across the world. This all lit a fire under the band, resulting in a record that’s a mixture of Tuareg rock, psychedelia, and punk rage.

The opening title track wastes no time, bringing in Thin Lizzy-heavy riffs and then snappy, sizzling drums. “Imouhar” crushes on all levels. Moctar’s guitar burns hotter than the fires on the album’s cover, and his three-piece band is so locked in that even the Incredible Hulk couldn’t shake them loose. “Takoba” is excellent Tuareg desert-psych with percussion made for long walks across hot dunes.

Speaking of hot things, the opening guitar on “Sousoume Tamacheq” is like a flare going off to signal danger ahead. “Imajighen” pumps the brakes a bit, but still keeps you rolling at a smooth pace as a warm breeze moves over you. The vocals on “Tchinta,” particularly on the chorus, seem like praise, but might be cries of injustice (considering the theme of the album). Moctar’s closing solo on it is stunning.

“Oh France” has some of the wildest drumming on the record. It sounds like it’s being played by two people in a giant cavern with a secret temple in it. The album ends with the mind-altering “Modern Slaves,” a song about how slavery, somehow, still exists in this world and how many of us willingly become slaves to multiple masters.

Funeral for Justice feels like Moctar’s fiercest album to date. Use with caution. It might set your house on fire.

Keep your mind open.

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