Communion

Did you miss out on something cool a few weeks ago on Record Store Day?  Never fret, because as happens every year, a string of those releases that were maybe over-pressed, or were maybe always meant to be available to wider market later are popping up online for your consumption.  The items in particular that pique my interest are the RSD UK stuff that didn't make stateside to begin with.  One of those releases is the compilation album from Burning Witches Records, "Communion," a companion album of sorts to the "Halloween Witch's Brew" tape the label put out last Cassette Store Day (yes, that's a thing).  It's another cool mix of dark synth wave featuring Deadly Avenger, Timothy Fife, Graham Reznick, and more to soundtrack your descent into madness.  Stream the whole thing below, download it here, or snag a physical copy from Mondo while they've got 'em.

Mutoid Man

Mutoid Man released a covers EP, and true to form for the metal band, it's a whole lot of fun.  Listen to "She's a Mutoid Lady," their take on the Tom Jones classic below and get the EP here via Sargent House.

Jess Williamson

I've said it before, but there's something special going on just southwest of Austin in Dripping Springs, a kind of revival of haunting folk and Americana, and the latest is out this Friday from Jess Williamson.  Watch the video for the hazy and trippy "Wild Rain" below and get the "Cosmic Wink" LP here from Mexican Summer.

MASTER BOOT RECORD

I am the first to admit that this whole project is ridiculous, but there is something about it that's just so goddamn fun, that i can't stop myself from listening.  MASTER BOOT RECORD combines elements of heavy metal and chiptune synth pop to create an absolutely glorious listening experience.  It's like if demons were making video game music or something.  And on new album "Direct Memory Access," the artist has now mixed some growling vocals into the mix courtesy of French metal band Öxxö Xööx.  Listen to "DMA 4 CASCADE" below and get the album here from Blood Music.

ALEX & Megan McDuffee

We've dug on the synth wave pop of ALEX around these parts before, and now the artist has a collaborative album out this month with Megan McDuffee providing the vocals.  "Hero" is a dreamy, pulsing score to a video game that doesn't exist...or maybe it does, i don't know...i'm not a gamer.  Anyway, listen to album opener, "Quest," below, download or pre-order the record here via NewRetroWave, and stock up on lives, or energy gems, or whatever it is.

Gnod

After last year's burst of politically motivated anger and noise, UK band Gnod are back with "Chapel Perilous," another tense and pissed off screed, though this time around with some dubby psychedelia and drippy weirdness to play along.  "Donovan's Daughters" is an abrasive and pulverizing 15-minute opener, showing the band still holds some ill will towards the powers that be.  Listen below and get the album here from Rocket Recordings.

Childish Gambino - This Is America

Most likely, you've already seen this video, or heard the song, or seen the SNL performance, or at the very least seen the veritable explosion of voices discussing it all today across the web and social media, but if not...please take the next few minutes to watch "This Is America" from Childish Gambino below.  Powerful stuff.  Really, really powerful stuff.  White people (myself included), just take this all in for a bit, process it, think about it, reflect on it, but most importantly, just pay attention.  Eyes and ears people.

On a side note, Donald Glover has been talking of retiring Childish Gambino.  And if this is what he's going out on...holy shit.  I don't think he could ever dream of leaving on a higher note.

Protomartyr with Kelley Deal

FACT: Putting Kelley Deal on anything automatically makes it a thousand times cooler than it has any right to be.

Evidently Detroit post punk band Protomartyr are believers of this mantra, their upcoming "Consolation" EP featuring the alt-rock legend on two tracks.  Honestly though, "Wheel of Fortune" would probably be just as rad without Deal, but you know, she's there.  And we're all the better for it.  Listen below and pre-order the record here via Domino.

Iceage - The Day the Music Dies

"Beyondless," the latest LP from Danish post punk band Iceage came out yesterday, and it's really damn good.  These guys have had a very steady track record since their inception, and each subsequent release seems to make their sound bigger and bigger, more expansive with this kind of brooding fire burning beneath.  Watch the video for the band's "The Day the Music Dies" below and get the record from Matador.

Friday Horror Trailer - The Dead Pit