[Ed. Note- rex hopes many of you have begun enjoying the barrage of new songs in episode 1 to get you through to Labour Day. Today he gives you songs 11-20! (With a little surprise. Happy listening!]

11. PORRIDGE RADIO 🇬🇧

“Sick Of The Blues”

Perhaps one of the best pieces of new release news I received this year was on May 18 at The Caves in Edinburgh. I had just watched a scintillating solo show by PORRIDGE RADIO vocalist DANA MARGOLIN and learned that the band’s 4th LP was coming…

After all, this outfit is one of my FESTIVE 15 newish bands and am a huge admirer of their music.

Here is the lead single “Sick Of The Blues” taken from their upcoming LP. It is entitled “Clouds In The Sky They Will Always Be There For Me” and is out on October 18 on the SECRETLY CANADIAN label.

Here is the video:

SPOTIFY-

https://open.spotify.com/track/3Jek6guUoQ5qxuie0Y10rz?si=q5fwXHkAS_WFDgXt8F8bdA

(SONG 819)

12. TEARS RUN RINGS 🇺🇸

“Lost Touch”

No, not the brilliant song by MARC ALMOND but this gem is by long lost shoegazers of the same name from the West Coast of the USA.

After releasing 3 choice LPs “Always, Sometimes, Seldom, Never” (2006), “Distance” (2010) and “In Surges” (2016), TEARS RUN RINGS are about to release “Everything In The End” on the incredible SHELFLIFE RECORDS.

Here is lead single “Lost Touch”!

Eyes down everyone!

SPOTIFY-

https://open.spotify.com/track/61DfRSlVwFWLLVz01q9VCM?si=zwop2lMrR3-aqks9824R1w

(SONG 820)

13. A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS 🇺🇸

“Disgust”

NYC noise merchants APTBS are certainly prolific if nothing else.

[Ed. Note- more on that in an upcoming post.]

But there lots else…

They with yet another album that is sure to jar and please, “Synthesizer” is out on DEDSTRANGE this October 4th.

Here is “Disgust”. I hope it doesn’t cause that to you.

SPOTIFY-

https://open.spotify.com/track/3f5eXhDMnUkb36qG9KEaRk?si=Ky7qmH0oRoW8bPa86N73Tg

(SONG 821)

14. The KVB 🇬🇧

“Tremors”

British Coldwave duo NICHOLAS WOOD and KAT DAY continue to marvel as The KVB. Their 8th studio LP “Tremors” was released earlier this year and I am still chasing it! It has been elusive.

Here is the video for the title track-

SPOTIFY-

https://open.spotify.com/track/7lrs3vbCkrDIfXqJRSQCR9?si=5SMPg4zOT5CbHTa7no_IWw

(SONG 822)

15. BLUSHING 🇺🇸

“Silver Teeth”

A new fave and from AUSTIN, TX, where daughter Meghan Longhorn resides. I tracked down 2 of their LPs on my trip there last month am looking to complete their discography as soon as possible.

Here is “Silver Teeth” – a track from their 2024 LP “Sugarcoat”

SPOTIFY-

https://open.spotify.com/track/6PVAfJJJGquT4EDLEzdi30?si=Oa-7vUFVQyORE_OKcjZsOQ

(SONG 823)

16. NIGHTBUS 🇬🇧

“Mirrors (E24 MIX)

More genius music from MANCHESTER. This newish outfit have hit the ground running with a series of addictive singles. Now they have delighted with an 8 track digital Remix LP!

Here is “Nightbus (E24 Mix)” sounding a lot the song “Shadowplay” by JOY DIVISION (in a good way)…

SPOTIFY-

https://open.spotify.com/track/5wW3aCOie9rFHR6PZ0jxnQ?si=YHygjcclQcCG5l8q-7ehew

(SONG 824)

17. W H LUNG 🇬🇧

“The Painting Of The Bay”

Keeping it right there in MANCHESTER, here is tasty morsel from rex faves W H LUNG.

Bizarrely named after a chain of global Asian food markets, this electro trio is releasing their 3rd LP “Every Inch Of Earth Pulsates” on October 18!

Here is “The Painting Of The Bay”.

Get dancing everyone!!

SPOTIFY-

https://open.spotify.com/track/1SjTIdDAcudFZQnAxgWrbW?si=JKQXmvDiS8-jn64WjPnLtA

(SONG 825)

18. FONTAINES DC 🇮🇪

“Starburster”

[Ed. Note- Damn- more rex faves.]

Dublin aces FONTAINES DC return for their 4th LP!

[Ed. Note- rex is delusionally thinking they titled it “Romance” because it is being released on the date of he and Kimberly’s anniversary and would make a touching gift for her…]

Here is the heady “Starburster”

SPOTIFY-

https://open.spotify.com/track/4Jq33Eqb3ZRrhYCxV4C0J9?si=ONrsE77IRSmSOCDyCQRnKA

(SONG 826)

19. THE NAMES 🇧🇪

“Far From The Factory”

Talk about staying power. THE NAMES were formed in BELGIUM in the late 1970’s and are still releasing songs that command my attention.

Originally on the legendary FACTORY RECORDS, their original singles and 1st LP were produced by MARTIN HANNETT of JOY DIVISION fame.

Interesting Tidbit- When THE NAMES had to cancel a gig in Manchester as support for A CERTAIN RATIO on July 30, 1980, replacement was the newly formed NEW ORDER who played their first gig!!!

Here is “Far From The Factory” from their newest release – the 4 track EP entitled “Volume”

SPOTIFY-

https://open.spotify.com/track/0i27iehXDlVszjzLK7PP0k?si=v1mquiB4SzKZAzeeB8BbxA

(SONG 827)

20. BIG SPECIAL

“Black Dog/ White Horse”

It has been 11 months since I was introduced to this duo by pal and Group member STU – the glorious soundman to RIDE, SLOWDIVE AND IRON MAIDEN (Yup!) and others…

Anyway, Stu told me he was working with these two lads from Black Country named JOE HICKLIN (singer) and CALLUM MOLONEY (drums) who record as BIG SPECIAL.

I haven’t stopped listening since I first listened to and became obsessed with the song (and video) to “Desperate Breakfast”

Anyway, BIG SPECIAL released their debut LP entitled “Postindustrial Hometown Blues” on May 10. My vinyl copy awaits me in the UK but I have listened to this Album Of The Year contender often.

Here is “Black Dog White Horse” – track 7 of 15 on this 48 minute Rorschach view of modern England.

SPOTIFY-

https://open.spotify.com/track/1LD2SFCu4lmrTwxnA6TCqQ?si=88MNvHIvQ4e3Km-j0crkPg

(SONG 828)

BONUS BONUS BONUS

21. PRIMAL SCREAM 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

“Love Insurrection”

I debated about including this track on this post the entire time I prepared for same this week.

You see, PRIMAL SCREAM is one of my all-time favourite artists. “Screamadelica” (Creation Records -1992) would be in my luggage if we had to blast off from Planet Earth tomorrow for another planet with oxygen.

However, there have been times with the passion for music of front man BOBBY GILESPIE has, in my respectful opinion, taken him down musical paths that have not always hit my narrow narrow laneways- [Ed. Note- ask rex the last time he has listened to “Give Out But Don’t Give Up” (1994) or “Riot City Blues” (2006).]

So I was ecstatic to learn that 2014 was going to bring us their 12th studio LP (“Come Ahead”- out November 8 on BMG.)

But I must confess that after a half- dozen listens to first single “Love Insurrection” I am not as captivated as I hoped to be. Here it is. Give it a listen and let me know what you think…

SPOTIFY-

https://open.spotify.com/track/0CNqLDmqmMDFoTExbsVaN0?si=Qo3plSt9SzCen3Lmf044_w

(SONG 829)

Here is the entire 21 song SPOTIFY playlist –

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5xXbbDewpp7IjRUdy9pid5?si=1jQCyDtbReC_wtNSL2pbdg

PLAY LOUD OR PERISH