ALBUMS WE LOVED! October 2024
A collection of October's most compelling album releases, from indie-folk and Americana to post-punk and goth rock.
Featuring BERRIES, The Awakening, daysormay, Crash Harmony, Bottlemoth, Fin del Mundo, TV Pins, Half Past Two, The W Lovers, and Vision Video
BERRIES - BERRIES
Photo credit Derek Bremner
London’s own BERRIES return with their new self-titled album, BERRIES, and it’s clear they’re stepping up their game.
With production legend Adrian Bushby (Foo Fighters, Muse) in the mix, the trio delivers an album packed with grit and creativity. From tackling mental health battles to finding moments of peace, BERRIES offers both hard-hitting rock and introspective depth. Tracks like Jagged Routine and Balance are already making waves, and with their distinct garage rock sound, the band is only gaining momentum.
Following the success of their 2022 debut, How We Function, this album shows a clear evolution.
Ready to take it to the stage, BERRIES are hitting the road with a headline UK tour (info here)—don’t miss the chance to catch them live!
Connect with BERRIES
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The Awakening - The Awakening
Veteran gothic rock act The Awakening, led by Ashton Nyte, returns with their 12th album, The Awakening. Released via Intervention Arts, this record reflects the band’s journey since forming in Johannesburg, South Africa, and showcases their evolution in gothic rock and darkwave.
Ashton Nyte’s haunting vocals and wide-ranging musical styles have earned him comparisons to Bowie, a reputation that continues to hold strong with this release. Highlighted by the lead single Mirror Midnight, which has already made a splash with over 230,000 video views (watch here), the album explores themes of self-reflection and media influence.
Fans of The Awakening’s earlier work will appreciate this blend of gothic rock, darkwave, and post-punk, while newcomers are in for a dark yet thrilling musical journey.
The Awakening is also back on tour, with a series of dates across Europe kicking off soon (more info here). This is a release—and a tour—not to miss.
Connect with The Awakening
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daysormay - MODERATION
Photo Credit Brendan Meadows
daysormay are back with their latest release MODERATION, a 10-track album that marks a new era for the Vancouver trio. Produced by Grammy and Juno award winners Chin Injeti (Dr. Dre, Eminem) and T-Minus (Drake, Kendrick Lamar), the album explores the struggle with excess and the search for balance, both lyrically and sonically.
Led by vocalist Aidan Andrews, alongside twin brothers Carson and Nolan Bassett, the band dives deep into minimalist production, stripping back layers to focus on core elements like rhythm, melody, and authentic emotion. Tracks like AUTO, which was inspired by a TikTok synth riff, set the tone with a brash, digital edge, while BUZZING featuring Jayacara adds a catchy, fresh energy to the mix.
With MODERATION, daysormay reflect on personal growth, addiction, and self-perception, all while keeping their sound sharp and fresh.
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Crash Harmony - Nobody Asked For This
Photo credit Jon Drake
NYC-based Crash Harmony has reunited after 36 years to release their debut album No One Asked For This, marking an exciting comeback for the band originally formed at Yale University in the late '80s.
Produced by Ray Ketchem (Guided by Voices, Luna), the 10-track album revives the unbridled energy and spirit of the band’s youth, blending college rock, indie pop, and garage rock influences.
Lead singles Velour Goddess and Orange Background offer a nostalgic yet refreshing sound, with the latter reflecting on how the band’s youthful dreams have evolved into today’s world.
Frontman Dave Derby (The Dambuilders, Gramercy Arms) is joined by bandmates Mike Potenza (The Anderson Council), Jon Nighswander, and Nils Nadeau to craft an album that feels both timeless and relevant.
Connect with Crash Harmony
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Bottlemoth - Even Us Ghosts
Indie-folk quintet Bottlemoth unveil their debut album Even Us Ghosts, a deeply emotional and introspective record now available on limited edition vinyl.
With their honest and dynamic sound influenced by Manchester Orchestra and The Gaslight Anthem, Bottlemoth brings a fresh take on indie folk. Tracks like Tattoo and Landslides (People Change) showcase their stirring lyricism.
Even Us Ghosts navigates themes of growing up, mental health, and finding one's place in the world, with frontman Ethan Proctor describing the process as an unexpected shift toward a more hopeful sound.
Recorded with Adrian Hall, the album combines personal reflection with soaring instrumentals, creating a sense of both melancholy and optimism.
Where Oceans Swallow Your Skies strikes this balance, offering a poignant reminder that connection can light the way even in our darkest moments.
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Fin del Mundo - Hicimos crecer un bosque
Argentinian quartet Fin del Mundo returns with Hicimos crecer un bosque, an eight-track exploration blending indie rock, shoegaze, dream pop, and post-rock with hints of Midwest emo.
Released via Spinda Records, this new studio album reflects the band's growth and artistic freedom, experimenting with diverse sounds to tell an emotional story. Following their stellar live sessions for KEXP and their participation in the Fender Next program, Fin del Mundo continues to establish themselves as a force in both the Latin American and European indie scenes.
The album explores themes of isolation, loss, and hope, where the protagonist reflects on personal hardships in a hostile environment, longing for a better future alongside others who share their struggles. Through these reflections, Hicimos crecer un bosque becomes a symbol of resilience, as the character begins to see the collective strength that grows like trees in a forest nurtured with care.
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TV Pins - Aircutter
Newcomers TV Pins are set to make waves with their debut album Aircutter.
With members hailing from well-established music backgrounds, including The Smyths' bass player Simon Hudson, the band blends Britpop influences with West Coast Americana and 70s-inspired grooves. Their sound delivers a mix of chiming guitar work, tight vocal harmonies, and punchy rhythms across tracks like Bye Bye Reseda and Oh Yeah.
Drawing comparisons to Crowded House and Supertramp, TV Pins have crafted an album full of melodic hooks and anthemic moments.
The album showcases the band's range, moving from the energetic power-pop of Magpie Eyes to the more introspective and slow-burning Shining Light. Each track brings something fresh, whether it's the psychedelic tinge of Cool White Jug or the sweeping, synth-heavy title track.
With Aircutter, TV Pins prove that their blend of nostalgia and contemporary songwriting is a winning formula, making this album one to keep an eye on.
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Half Past Two - Talk Is Killing Me (Deluxe Edition)
Half Past Two, one of Orange County’s ska-pop staples, is back with Talk Is Killing Me (Deluxe Edition), a reimagined version of their infectious 2023 album.
Known for blending pop-punk, ska, and rock, the band has taken it up a notch with this deluxe version, which includes three new studio tracks, five live performances, and exciting collaborations with the likes of Catbite, We Are the Union, Omnigone, and Scott Klopfenstein of Reel Big Fish.
A standout from this release is Running on Empty, featuring We Are the Union, with a sci-fi-themed music video that perfectly complements the energy of the track (watch here).
This expanded edition only cements Half Past Two’s place in the ska-punk scene, bringing in fresh sounds while keeping the playful, dynamic energy that has defined them since 2006.
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The W Lovers - For A Day or a Lifetime
The W Lovers, the husband-and-wife duo known for their enthralling vocal harmonies, released their third album, For a Day or a Lifetime. This collection builds on the duo's indie-folk and Americana roots, crafting a fuller sound that tells a cinematic story of a year spent traveling across the U.S.
Self-produced at Bear Creek Studio, the album opens with Little Ant, setting the tone for a journey filled with hope and nostalgia. Tracks like March and Trickle in the Fog explore themes of longing and reflection, while Treasure Like Gold encourages listeners to appreciate the small moments in love.
The closing track, I Love You Best, narrates the lengths we go for those we cherish. For a Day or a Lifetime invites you to slow down and savor the beauty in the every day, making it a heartfelt exploration of love and life’s simple joys.
Connect with The W Lovers
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Vision Video - Modern Horror
photo credit Jeremy Saffer
Vision Video returns with Modern Horror, their third album, delving into the grim realities of today's world.
Produced by Grammy-winner Ben Allen and mastered at Abbey Road Studios, this release combines post-punk and goth rock with modern social commentary.
With tracks like Dead Gods and In My Side, the album tackles themes of war, violence, and societal decay, influenced by frontman Dusty Gannon's experiences as an Afghanistan veteran. Emily Fredock’s haunting synth melodies complement Gannon's imposing vocals, creating an intense and reflective sound.
Modern Horror is a visceral exploration of modern atrocities, all while paying homage to classic post-punk and new wave. Currently, the band is embarking on a European and UK tour, bringing their powerful message to new audiences (tour dates here)
Connect with Vision Video
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About Chris Roditis
Chris Roditis has been an active musician since 1995 in various bands and projects across a variety of genres ranging from acoustic, electronic to nu metal, british rock and trip hop. He has extensive experience as a mixing engineer and producer and has built recording studios for most of the projects he has been involved with. His passion for music steered his entrepreneurial skills into founding MusicNGear in 2012.
Contact Chris Roditis at chrisroditis@kinkl.com
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