The big releases you need to hear from the week ahead.
It’s a testament to Touché Amoré’s resilience, creativity, and their willingness to embrace discomfort in pursuit of something honest and real.
Words: Dan Harrison.
Touché Amoré’s sixth studio album, ‘Spiral in a Straight Line’, marks another daring chapter for the Californian hardcore quintet – a band who have never been interested in easy answers or comfortable compromises. Produced by Ross Robinson, the man who helped shape their 2020 record ‘Lament’, their latest effort dives headfirst into the mess of modern life, capturing a turbulent period for both the band and the world around them. As Jeremy Bolm shared in our Upset cover feature back in July, “As someone who is part of the band and who has listened to this record a billion times now, I can hear every second where we’re on edge. I can hear where it feels like we’re coming apart. It only adds to the record.”
That openness is etched into every moment of the record, an emotional rawness that refuses to look away. This band thrive on the tension between vulnerability and intensity, and ‘Spiral in a Straight Line’ is no exception. Coming off a period of anniversaries and international touring, Touché Amoré found themselves not just reflecting on their journey but also navigating new challenges and shifting dynamics. The band’s 15th anniversary saw them performing special shows, and it was in this high-pressure, emotionally charged environment that the seeds for the new record were sown.
Jeremy Bolm’s reflections on the process reveal the band’s mindset during the creation of the album. He describes it as a time of “anxiety running through every moment,” where the band members were facing personal and professional upheavals. This sense of instability is palpable throughout ‘Spiral in a Straight Line’. It’s an album that grapples with the idea of maintaining focus while everything else is in flux – a sentiment that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. Bolm notes, “This album was written in the middle of everything changing – personally, creatively, and even globally. It’s about trying to keep going when you’re not sure if you can.”
The collaborations on this album are significant not just for the added musical texture but for what they represent in terms of the band’s evolution. Lou Barlow’s contribution on ‘Subversion (Brand New Love)’ brings a nostalgic warmth, tying together different generations of emotionally charged music. Bolm speaks of the experience as “connecting two different generations of vulnerability in music.” Julien Baker’s appearance on ‘Goodbye For Now’ offers a poignant contrast to the band’s usual aggression, providing a fragile sense of hope amidst the chaos. “Julien’s presence on ‘Goodbye For Now’ was crucial,” Bolm explains. “We wanted the album to end on a note of hope, even if it’s fragile and uncertain. She brought that in a way only she could.”
Recorded during a period of significant personal upheaval for both the band and their producer, ‘Spiral in a Straight Line’ captures the feeling of barely holding it together while still finding ways to move forward. Bolm’s lyrics have always been unflinchingly honest, but here they are laced with a particular urgency – a reflection of the precariousness of the moment.
Bolm describes the record as “a document of survival” – an attempt to capture what it feels like to keep moving even when the ground beneath you feels unstable. It’s a testament to Touché Amoré’s resilience, creativity, and their willingness to embrace discomfort in pursuit of something honest and real – a reminder that even in times of turmoil, there is strength to be found in pressing on, in making art that doesn’t shy away from the messy, the painful, and the uncertain.
Famous – Party Album
London’s Famous have never been content to do what’s expected, and their debut full-length, ‘Party Album’, is anything but predictable. The collective have spent the past few years carving out a unique space for themselves, blending genres and sounds in a way that feels both ambitious and deeply personal. It’s resulted in a work that reflects a band unafraid of their own messiness – embracing the chaos of life and turning it into art.
Famous have always thrived on a kind of emotional scattershot approach, and ‘Party Album’ is no different. It’s an album that swings from introspective to celebratory, capturing the highs and lows with a rawness that feels entirely authentic. For Famous, this record is about pushing boundaries and challenging expectations, making ‘Party Album’ an exciting, if sometimes chaotic, debut.
flowerovlove – ache in my tooth EP
flowerovlove, aka 18-year-old wonderkid Joyce Cisse, has returned with the sparkling, bittersweet EP ‘ache in my tooth’. Joyce has been making waves not just in music but also in the fashion world, modelling for major brands and bringing her distinct style to every project she touches. Her latest release is yet another step in an impressive evolution, blending flawless vibes with a youthful exuberance that’s impossible to ignore.
Lead single ‘erase u’ is a hyperbolic ode to the agonies of young love – a perfect encapsulation of the mix of excitement and heartbreak that defines the teenage experience. Cisse has described her music as a reflection of her journey, capturing the fleeting moments of joy and melancholy that come with growing up. ‘ache in my tooth’ is both catchy and thoughtful, filled with moments that offer an unfiltered glimpse into her world. A future star if ever there was one.
Harmony – Gossip
Harmony Tividad’s solo debut, ‘Gossip’, finds the former Girlpool member stepping confidently into new territory full of bratty, shimmering electronic pop. It’s an album that represents a significant shift for Harmony, both sonically and thematically. Inspired by the complexities of virtue and vice, ‘Gossip’ dives into personal storytelling with a pop sheen that feels fresh and dynamic.
Since Girlpool disbanded, Harmony has been exploring what it means to be on her own musically, and ‘Gossip’ is the result of that journey. It’s an album full of contradictions – part shine, part grit, all attitude – and it’s those contrasts that make it so compelling. Harmony has spoken about wanting to capture the push and pull of trying to be a better person while acknowledging her flaws, and that honesty is what makes ‘Gossip’ stand out. It’s a deeply personal work that still manages to feel universal, speaking to anyone who has struggled to reconcile who they are with who they want to be.
The Linda Lindas – No Obligation
The Linda Lindas are back with a new full-length, ‘No Obligation’, and they’re louder and more confident than ever. The band of young punk prodigies have been making headlines since their viral success in 2021, proving they’re more than just a fleeting moment. ‘No Obligation’ captures the vibrant, DIY punk energy that made their debut, ‘Growing Up’, such a winner, while also showcasing a maturity that reflects their growth as musicians.
Between school breaks and recording sessions, The Linda Lindas have been navigating the balance between being teenagers and being rising stars in the punk scene. ‘No Obligation’ is a testament to that balancing act – a collection of songs that roar with defiance and the exuberance of youth. They’ve managed to retain the joyful edge that defines their sound, all while pushing themselves creatively.
The Offspring – SUPERCHARGED
Those punk icons of the turn of the millennium sure know how to stick around. Coming off decades of success and a loyal fanbase, The Offspring aren’t a band here to reinvent themselves – they’re fine with embracing who they are. With heavy riffs, catchy choruses, and a sense of wry humour that’s always been their trademark, ‘SUPERCHARGED’ is pure nostalgia, delivered with the energy of a band that still loves what they do.
Dexter Holland and his crew have always known how to write an anthem, and ‘SUPERCHARGED’ is full of them. But it’s also clear that they’re not taking themselves too seriously. This album feels like a celebration for those already in the club – a reminder of why The Offspring have managed to sustain themselves in a changing world for so long. It’s fun, loud, and quintessentially them, proving that sometimes, sticking to what you know best is the right move.
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