30 Sept 7th–Sept 13th, 2023 phoenixnewtimes.com phoenix new Times | music | cafe | film | culTuRe | NighT+Day | feaTuRe | NeWs | OPiNiON | feeDBacK | cONTeNTs | Playlist Picks The best new music by local artists. BY CHRIS COPLAN A ugust is an odd month, isn’t it? It’s that weird, stuck-in- amber month between the hell of summer and the promise of a cooler autumn. As such, it fosters a sense of unease and uncertainty, and that was clearly reflected in the local music released across last month. Be it hard-hitting hip-hop, harsh noise and/ or earnest indie rock, each song seemed to capture August’s mix of longing, anxiety and all-around tension. These are the best local songs released this past month. ‘Empty Chair’ ASTROLOGER In a recent interview with Phoenix New Times, frontman Andrew Cline said that Astrologer’s latest album, “Eternal Friday,” is meant to evoke a “sort of hazy, dreamy, melancholic feeling.” (He further explained that it’s also a response to the “map” formed the first time he ever heard The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven.”) So, does the 10-track capture that most compelling of moods as promised? Well, if you listen to a track like “Empty Chair,” the answer is a solid, “Oh, heck yeah.” However, the track’s altogether more robust and compli- cated than any descriptor, and you’ll likely enjoy traipsing through its many layers across several distinct listens. At least this Friday lasts forever, yeah? ‘The Laziest Man in The World’ SNAILMATE Back in April, after a couple of years of hinting at it, Snailmate mentioned plans to finally drop their long-awaited new album, “Stress Sandwich.” It appears as if our meal is ready for our collective devouring, as the quirky duo have announced a release date (and accompanying show at Trunk Space) for Friday, September 29. In the meantime, however, we can enjoy the record’s latest single, “The Laziest Man In The World.” This homage to being chronically, unwav- eringly lazy is another standout hybrid gem from the pair, and proves as eccentric as it is downright catchy. And the video itself is worth a rewatch given their primo taste in leisure/loungewear. ‘Thug It Out’ TOURÉ MASTERS Before he was a rising name in the local hip-hop scene, Touré Masters was just called RéRé. That childhood nickname also serves as the title for his latest album and the follow-up to January’s seven-track “White Sox Fitted.” Masters says he chose that title to honor the family members that “have taught me to help others [in] growing and learning every day.” For a proper taste of the 10-track affair, be sure to spin “Thug It Out.” While the intro may sound a tad assaulting, the track itself sees Masters open up in a big way, rapping lines like, “Broken armor can’t protect every- thing / Got pain in places I would never think.” It’s good to know ya, RéRé. ‘Nobody Knows Anything’ SYDNEY SPRAGUE You’ve got to give it up for Sydney Sprague. When it comes to album titles, the young talent clearly has the game on lock. After titling her debut 2021 album “maybe i will see you at the end of the world,” she’s set to return on September 15 with the equally impressive “somebody in hell loves you.” And the song titles on this 11-track album are just as compelling, including the recently released new single “Nobody Knows Anything.” So, what could make this slightly experimental alt-rock ballad even better? How about Sprague dressed up as a giant robot in the music video? ‘Beat The Clan’ TEEK HALL While there are plenty of heavy hitters in the Phoenix hip-hop scene, you can always count on Teek Hall to be extra prolific. Since the end of 2022, he’s released a few album-length projects, the most recent of which was August’s “Sewer Stories.” Taking a book out of the Mega Ran playbook of pop culture-referencing rap, Hall uses the 12-track record to celebrate his beloved Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. While there are tracks called “Kowabunga” and “Project Super Shredder,” the standout is “Beat The Clan.” It’s a hard-hitting, hypnotic jam that’ll have you rooting for the Foot Clan for once. ‘La Nieve’ PIJAMA PIYAMA If you recall Pijama Piyama, this outfit play a decidedly magical blend of electronic- leaning cumbia music. If you haven’t already experienced it, then you’re in luck, as the band recently released their latest project, “Pijama Piyama y Los Ni ñ os De Rana.” The eight-track effort is said to blur the very boundaries of reality, where a “subterranean symphony beckons, a frog bus awaits — a realm governed by pure pachanga.” For a taste of what this particular psychedelic trip is like, just listen to “La Nieve.” It’s the soundtrack to a dance party under the desert sky — if said party was populated entirely by magical tree frogs. Enjoy the sweet vibes and resulting head rush. ‘Persist’ BLKKSTATIC If you want to really get into experimental music, it helps to assume that you’re going to have a hard time. A lot of this music doesn’t want to soothe or uplift, but effec- tively drop a 40-pound dumbbell on your face. But if it’s anything like the work of blkkstatic and their newly released, two- track “Lysergic” EP, all of that pain and misery is worth it somehow. Because if you can make it through the nine-minute sonic onslaught that is the aptly titled “Persist,” then you just might find some powerful personal truths. That, or a great new combination alarm clock and dog whistle. ‘My Blue Heaven’ GLIXEN Glixen represent a very specific kind of cool. The young Phoenix four-piece make truly compelling, goth-centric ’90s alt-rock (despite seeming as if none of the members were born before 1999). That trend very much continues with their new project, the six-track “She Only Said.” Be sure to carve out roughly six minutes of your day to spin the closing track, Top: Glixen. (Photo by Jim Louvau) Bottom: Snailmate have tons of touring planned for 2023 and beyond. (Photo by Valence Heartlock) ▼ Music >> p 32
