Drop Nineteens – Delaware
Shoegaze is a rock subgenre that focuses on a heavy atmosphere and distorted guitars – think grunge with a slower tempo and stretched out past the five-minute mark. It’s British in origin, but Boston band Drop Nineteens became some of the first American shoegazers in the early ’90s, somehow adding both a pop-rock spin and experimental messiness. Delaware, the result, is a bizarre mix of pummeling rock ragers and psychedelic song sketches. A riff loops for five minutes before collapsing into an acoustic spoken-word passage; one track consists of single notes reverberating over Van Halen references; there’s a Madonna cover if you can believe it. And they still manage to sandwich some classic 90’s alt-rock between all that. It’s a wild ride from start to finish.
Highlights: “Delaware,” “Winona,” “My Aquarium”
Mixtapes – How to Throw a Successful Party
This bite-sized acoustic pop-punk EP tells a story over a day (they even timestamp the songs for you.) Throughout nine tracks, all under the three-minute mark, Mixtapes navigate relationship awkwardness, assess their purpose as a band, and ultimately decide that parties just aren’t their scene. Vocalists Ryan Rockwell and Maura Weaver are the selling points here, with their impeccable harmonies adding a unique flair to a sound reminiscent of Blink-182. The EP’s brisk pace, open-ended storytelling, and abundant hooks don’t just encourage repeat listens – they almost require them.
Highlights: “2 PM (How to End Something Good),” “10 PM (Safe),” “Midnight (From the Red to the Blue)”
Offa Rex – The Queen of Hearts
Singer-songwriter Olivia Chaney teams up with indie-folk band The Decemberists for a selection of rock takes on Celtic folk songs. The results range from hypnotic to danceable between ecstatic hymns and jagged ragers. Chaney’s angelic vocals ring out over guitars, orchestras, and the occasional accordion (which gets an entire instrumental medley dedicated to it.) Decemberists’ singer Colin Meloy takes the lead on a handful of tracks, contrasting his REM-Esque wails with Chaney’s reserved croons. Ultimately, this collaboration finds both sides of the folk-rock descriptor in perfect harmony.
Highlights: “Flash Company,” “The Old Churchyard,” “Sheepcrook & Black Dog”
