Alice Glass opens up the title track of her self-titled solo EP with “Am I worth it or am I worthless?”…especially heavy considering the recent allegations regarding her former Crystal Castles bandmate Ethan Kath. With all that aside though, I really enjoy this side of Glass. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the intensity and snarling vocals she is so well known for, but many of my favorite Crystal Castle tracks were the more reserved and fragile offerings.

♩ Alice Glass – Without Love [from Alice Glass EP]
[alice-glass.com]

Noise rock trio METZ returned this year with their latest album Strange Peace. Alex Edkins, lead singer, explains that the lead-off track, “Mess Of Wires,” is “a reference to the human brain and all its wonder. What are dreams? What is consciousness? The chorus line ‘make a sound’ is about acting on instinct and not rationalizing your life away. It’s about being in motion rather than spectating; being honest instead of constructing a false reality to inhabit. It is about speaking your mind even though you feel your voice is inconsequential and flawed.”

♩ METZ – Mess of Wires [from Stranger Peace]
[metzztem.com]

I doubt there is a single Hazel English song I don’t enjoy. My personal favorite right now is this dreamy, indie pop gem.

♩ Hazel English – Fix [from Just Give In / Never Going Home]
[tacvba.com.mx]

Maryn Jones (All Dogs, Saintseneca) originally released The Offer (her first solo album as Yowler) back in 2015, but this year reissued said album and included two new tracks. “Go” is one of the these new tracks and it alone makes purchasing the reissue well worth it.

♩ Yowler – Go [from The Offer]
[yowler.bandcamp.com]

#31days2017