July 19, 2024

Kicking off our fresh slate of music debuting today on WGSU is Wish Wash with their latest self-titled album. The album opener, “Pink Flamingos”, is bringing great, much needed, head-banger energy to the station. While the first part of the track is reminiscent of Rilo Kiley, the latter half of the song deconstructs into Experimental Jet-Set, Trash, and No Star era Sonic Youth jam. Another song from the Minneapolis natives being added is their fantastic cover of The Bats’ “Calm Before the Storm”. Informed greatly by 1980’s jangle rock acts such as the Pretenders and Bob Mould, this one has the characteristic treble-heavy guitar that defined that genre. 

Next up we have a pair of songs from New Zealanders SKILAA from their new album Tiger in the River. “I Never Knew” and “In My Head” give us the result of a crockpot stew of Hiatus Cayote, BADBADNOTGOOD, and even vocals reminiscent of Solange’s A Seat at the Table. The six piece band has an ability to catch you on hooks, pulling you into a seamless groove and before you know it, you are gliding down a bass line into the sunset. 

Punk rockers Bacchae are back with a bang in “Cooler Talk” from their new album Next Time. The Washington, D.C. mostly female, multi-ethnic group is back after a few years with characteristically strong and relevant lyrics. “Cooler Talk” reflects a common struggle in America today, the loss of a comfortable work-life balance. 

Written by Ian Rieger