Boy Commandos, Atsuko Chiba, dead ex girlfriends, and Spite House
Boy Commandos - “Comet”
As a fan of Fucked Up, I am always excited when band members announce new projects, so when Mike Haliechuk announced his debut solo project Boy Commandos, I was looking forward to checking it out. The debut album by Boy Commandos <I>”Comet”</I> showcases his prowess for songwriting as he delivers eleven tracks full of psychedelic punk-meets-powerpop greatness. The guitars are fuzzy and bright, the arrangements are inventive and extremely melodic (and feature drums and backing vocals from Jonah Falco, Mike’s bandmate in Fucked Up and Jade Hairpins), and the lyrics are introspective and visual, especially on “Life On A String”, “I Don’t Wanna Be Perceived”, and “I Can Feel It Getting Stronger”. <I>”Comet”</I> is one hell of a first album and I am looking forward to hearing more Boy Commandos in the future.
Atsuko Chiba - Climax Therapy / Pope’s Cocaine
Few songs have gotten stuck inside my head this year more often than “Climax Therapy” and “Pope’s Cocaine” by Atsuko Chiba. On both songs, the Montreal-based quintet weaves together elements from post-punk, psychedelic rock, post-hardcore, and prog rock to create a sound that is the perfect balance of intricate and raw. “Climax Therapy” drives home its story of tech addiction and self-gratification as the song gains urgency throughout its runtime, with dynamic instrumentation that goes from contemplative guitar to a maelstrom of groovy dissonance. After a smooth transition, “Pope’s Cocaine” begins with a flurry of energy. The song moves at a frenetic pace, which is complemented by the rapid-fire delivery of lyrics that take an in-depth look at the hypocrisy of organized religion. The song demands movement and it is impossible not to oblige. I am very excited to hear the next thing that Atsuko Chiba comes up with.
dead ex girlfriends - take me to the after party.
There are records that I could talk about for days and dead ex girlfriends’ debut album take me to the after party. falls into that category. Based in Treaty 6 Territory in Saskatchewan, the four-piece kick out songs that blend together punk, garage rock, riot grrrl, and grunge together to create a supremely cathartic sound, especially when you take into account the visceral nature of their lyrics. The seven tracks flow together perfectly, showcasing the band’s knack for lyrical and musical storytelling, whether they are venting their frustrations on the dance-y punk rager “bummer.” or discussing an abusive relationship on the heavy and haunting “let me leave.”. take me to the after party. is an album that sticks with you and proves that the future is bright for dead ex girlfriends.
Spite House - Desertion
I was introduced to Spite House through their excellent self-titled debut album in 2022 and I was very excited when they announced that a new album would be coming out this year. The Montreal-based trio set fire to any notions of a sophomore slump as they kick out eleven tracks that find them at the top of their game. The arrangements are crisp and inventive, taking cues from shoegaze, emo, and hardcore to create an incredibly cathartic sound. The emotions held within the lyrics are brought to life by lead vocalist and guitarist Max Lajoie’s incredible delivery that oscillates between harsh vocals and clean vocals. Along with being outstanding recorded, the songs on Desertion take on another layer when you see them performed live. Do not miss Spite House when they come through your town.
